The De Beauvoir Deli is one of those cosy little independent eateries that you don’t expect to find in London. Known for it’s fresh produce and heartwarming ambience, it’s easy to see why the locals are embracing it.

The Venue
The De Beauvoir Deli is an odd little place – a small oasis in the midst of a rough-around-the-edges East London area. And the De Beauvoir Deli fits in perfectly. The charming little building features a black and white tiled floor, a few chairs and tables in the back and a huge table in the middle of the space filled with delicacies, salads and pastries. Around the outer edge of the room are shelves filled with goodies, from organic jams and marmalades to crackers, balsamic vinegars and olive oils. If little jars and packets of non-branded, delicious looking food does it for you, this will be your paradise. Just be warned, you can get lost in those shelves for hours.

At the far end of the room is the counter with more glass cases displaying pastries and cakes beneath as well as an intriguing array of sandwich fillings that get the mouth watering. This really is a foodies dream come true – it’s the kind of place you wished was located around the corner from your office.

The Atmosphere
The De Beauvoir Deli is mainly the domain of locals and yummy mummies lunching with friends. The charming aesthetic of the venue is heightened by the delightfully friendly, welcoming staff who aren’t rushed thanks to the slow trickle of people traffic and have time to talk you through their wares. If you’re fed up of the hundreds of Starbucks, Tescos and Cafe Neros that have sprung up on every street corner in London then this is the welcome antidote.

The Food
The food isn’t the cheapest in the capital but when you consider the quality of the ingredients and the charming surroundings it’s decent value for money. Sandwiches come in at an average £3 to £4 and include a mouthwatering array of choices. There’s also a selection of sweet and savoury piadinas (£3 - £4) and salads (£3.80 - £4).

Highly recommended is the prosciutto, mozzarella, tomato and basil sandwich (£4). The prosciutto has a nice salty undertone and tastes fresh and light, working well to balance the creaminess of the wet mozzarella. The tomatoes are fleshy and sweet and the basil is fresh with a pleasant peppery kick. Alternatively, the rare roast beef with horseradish and rocket (£3.60) is delicious. The beef is pink and tender and works with the hot kick of the creamy horseradish and the crunch of the fresh, peppery rocket. These are sandwiches with style.

The Drink
There’s a selection of coffee on offer and although you won’t get much change from four quid, the price is comparable to the hundreds of other identikit cafes in London with a pleasant flourish you’d only get somewhere like this. The cappuccino is light and frothy with a creamy top and strong coffee hit. There is also a selection of lattes, mochas and teas as well as soft drinks.

The Last Word
Venues like the De Beauvoir Deli are becoming increasingly hard to find in a city where the big supermarkets and chains are homogenising our high streets. For a real taste of independent, organic living make the trip to this cute little eatery.

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