Just off cool Carnaby Street in Soho is Sacred Café. It’s less “underground” than some of the local alternatives, but, ironically, it does have a basement.
Not unlike Flat White, a couple of New Zealanders set up Sacred to show us Brits a thing or two about decent coffee. The café of Messrs Wanigasekera and Clark is just a few years old, but is firmly established and has been well received. Along with Flat White (and others), it was runner up in Time Out’s 2007 “Best Coffee Bar” award (the winner was Fernandez & Wells).
The interior (downstairs at least) is dusky and brooding. Priestly statues and Easter Island heads appear in various nooks. There are comfy sofas and long wooden tables, with the occasional light corner and hanging artwork. Burning insense wafts out from the toilet region.
It’s all rather beautifully arranged and there are plenty of places to sit and relax. And, because it’s dark, no-one will realise you’ve been sitting there for hours doing Guardian crosswords (I imagine). If you prefer light and air, the ground floor is perfect.
The usual coffee options are available. Unfortunately they forgot my order and I had to go back to the counter… I’ve only visited once so I’ve no reason to suspect this is a regular occurrence.
When it came, my latte was topped with art and was really good. My companion’s “house tea” came in a fancy tea pot and (she tells me) was very nice.
The owners tell me that Sacred has its own blend of beans, roasted outside London.
There are plenty of cakes and pastries nestled amongst the plants on the counter.
A really nice, cosy place with great coffee and friendly staff. Highly recommended.
13 Ganton Street (just off Carnaby Street)
Soho
London
W1F 9BL
Monday to Friday: 7:30am – 8pm
Saturday: 10am – 8pm
Sunday: 10am – 6pm
Website: http://www.sacredcafe.co.uk/
