Kleinsky's — Restaurant in London

Food is good enough, and so are the staff, hence the additional star, but just wanted to describe a confounding and unpleasant experience I’ve had in detail with the owner of this restaurant.

Went to have breakfast and coffee with my friend, and my friend went next door for a gym class, so I wanted to wait there for about 50 minutes until she finished while I take my coffee. About 40 minutes after I sat on the terrace, a gentleman gently tapped me on the shoulder, who is later to introduce himself as the owner of the Cafe, and said “sorry to be rude but you have been on this table for too long and taking a lot of space from other customers, if I went to Japan and ate at a Sushi restaurant I would get up and leave once I finish, so why can’t you do the same here”.

First of all this felt slightly racist, I’m not woke guy, but what’s a Japan sushi example got to do with this scenario (I’m Chinese, not that it would matter to him), given any self respecting Itamae in Japan would never say this to a customer, in a Ramen-ya, maybe.

Secondly, is 40 minutes a long time for custom? I did look around if there indeed was a plethora of hungry and waiting customers, but there were empty tables both outside and inside the Cafe, and no waiting customers around. I was occupying a 2 person table, and whilst I had my bicycle with me it was securely tucked away without impeding on anyone’s space.

I left respectfully after the comment, not causing a scene, though slightly annoyed. Again, nothing wrong with the food, but will not frequent an establishment where the owner of the restaurant actively chases its...

We went here twice when it first opened and the bagels were amazing. Came back today. My bagel came out… I waited a bit to start as my partner’s hadn’t arrived… eventually he said to start or it would go cold. I ate slowly and halfway through when his hadn’t arrived I asked how long it would be. I was rudely told that it was being made. I sat down, finished my bagel slowly. 10m later his bagel still hadn’t arrived, meanwhile all sorts of other orders are being made. When my plate was collected I asked again where his was, the waitress checked and it hadn’t even been started. The staff making the bagels were rude and unhelpful. The manager refunded us and was very polite and helpful. It’s a shame when great places...

Kelinsky’s in Mayfair is a hidden gem that brings a taste of New York to London. I stopped by there on my way to the new Coco Museum and had their smoked salmon bagel, and it was perfection—crisp on the outside, soft inside, with rich smoked salmon, tangy cream cheese, red onion, and capers that hit all the right notes.

The heated patio is the real standout. Cozy and comfortable, it offers a perfect spot to relax, whether you're solo or with friends, with a welcoming neighborhood vibe that’s rare in this upscale area. It’s also ideal for people-watching, with a steady stream of stylish locals and visitors adding to the atmosphere.

Stop by Kelinsky’s to savor top-quality bagels and feel like a regular in the...