Cafe KOKO — Restaurant in London

Went here with a group of six girls to celebrate my friends birthday, because we’d heard you could eat and then the tables are cleared and it turns into a club. My friend booked ahead and even checked this. At dinner the service was very slow even though it was 3/4 empty (on a Sat nt!) . The food was variable - with some people happy and others very unimpressed and thought the helpings were small. Nobody checked if we wanted desert or coffees and we had to ask for it. Nobody seemed interested as they were packing up the tables all around us and it felt like they wanted us to leave. It was very odd. We quickly ordered an affogato and as we were eating it, they came around asking us to pay and clearly wanted us to go ( what happened to customer service?). As we still had drinks we then left our table and went to sit on the other side to finish our drinks. It was very odd - like a school disco with tables round the edge and a bunch of odd characters sitting there. We were then told we needed to leave because we ‘hadn’t bought a ticket’! Despite us all buying dinner and drinks all night- that wasn’t a good enough reason to stay - we we still had to pay another £20 each to re enter the school disco we were already in. I have never heard anything like it! They were literally kicking out 6 people who were buying lots of drinks and shots and expecting us to pay another £20 to come back in!! When I complained and said what on earth was going on the gay guy got extremely het up and said we had to leave immediately. When I pointed out we’d been there all night and had dinner and drinks and had come to celebrate my friends birthday because we’d heard there was music too- he could not care a less! It was honestly the most bizarre experience of my life - why would you ask 6 girls to leave when they’re spending and already your customers? Weirder still- they had NOBODY else there and nobody queuing to get in either! Quite sad given it was a Saturday night ! They were so rude that we were happy to leave and found much better places to go to up the road instead. Do NOT go here! Appalling service and awful attitude from the staff there who made us all feel unwelcome and upset my friend on...

The highlight of this place is that there is nothing better around. And the atmosphere is kind of nice - unique modern decor and stylish vibes.But it was quite a disappointment from beginning to end in all other aspects. Some lowlights: Our first drinks order round was messed up and we had to correct the waiter a few times We waited over an hour for the second drinks round and again a few things were forgotten We ordered 4 of the same dish, to be told 20mins later that they only had 2 servings left (our reservation was at 6 pm), so 2 people had to change their order 40mins later the food came out but from the 2 same dish orders, only one came and they told us they were wrong, so 1 person was left without a plate and had to re-order something else.. while everyone else had their food We ordered all starters, one of the olives plate had an olive that missed a chunk, which looked like it could also be a bite. We were told it was damage from the jar at the top.. Some of the starters were dropped on the table, spilling over our coats and the table- More drinks were dropped behind us We ordered 2 bottles of red wine, received 3 re-filled glass flasks and were told 'bottle' is the measurement for the serving, not actually referring to a bottle of wine. Side note - the red wine was served super chilled.

The food itself was mediocre at best. The focaccia starter was ok, so were the 2 small aubergine slices, the bread with a spread had 0 salt or seasoning so we had to ask for salt to be brought to the table. The pizzas were nothing special and the chicken and lasagna portions tasted fine but were far from filling - the chicken is literally two small drumsticks with a few mushrooms... you have to order at least 2 sides to even say you have had a meal, making it quite pricey.

Overall, it's a decent choice as there is nothing else in the area, but if you are willing to walk at least 10 minutes or commute, I recommend you choose...

A beautifully designed restaurant and bar at the top end of Camden, a stones throw away from Mornington Crescent station or short walk from Euston. It’s placed down the side of Koko’s and probably unnoticed by many due to its unassuming entrance. The outside menu displayed mostly pizzas and came across as very Soho House-ish (ie simple, not too fancy but with good produce). Stepping inside was also very Soho House-y. Great artwork, a mesh of beautiful wood, velvet and marble materials inviting you in to have a comfortable, but stylish time. The menu outside was different to the one offered. This new menu, as we found out shortly after, had been live for a couple of days and offered more than just pizza. I opted for some cured meats and bruschetta which was topped with ricotta. It was fresh and delightful. My partner had a simple margerita style pizza which he enjoyed. We shared some cured meats which weren’t explained to us when delivered but mortadella and bresaola were two out of the three. The third was sliced a milimetre too thick but delicious none the same. It lost a star for the lack of ambience which was not there doing. This stunning spot may pick up on gig nights and weekends but felt a little dead when we went in. The service was good bar a little event of having water spilt everywhere by the waitress but not a big deal - accidents happen! It was more her nonchalance and approach to other tables which I felt could have done with more of a caring touch. Just a personal observation and she was friendly and polite enough with us. The management and bar team were equally as attentive and friendly. We finished on a Bloody Mary which was extremely acidic and watery. It could have done with more body from a thicker tomato juice which would have been much better. Will definitely return if in that...