LEON Bankside — Restaurant in London

I hardly ever frequent chain stores, as they sum up everything that is wrong with this homogenised, corporatised culture of ours that has stolen our right to fresh, affordable, ethically sourced food and is wiping out retail diversity and local entrepreneurs day by day.

It was quite unfortunate therefore, that in a sudden lapse of mental haziness (and not least a little peer pressure from a less discerning friend) I entered into this Leon store. At first it is easy to be fooled by the elaborate branding exercise and efforts to create an ambience that sedates the thinking faculty of consumers (not that there would be a lot to kill in the first place for those who choose to visit). In any case, all credit to Leon, and this particular store as the ambience is very nice. That said, there is very little else going for it. At this juncture it would be good for Leon to take a good look and define itself - are you an eatery or bloody social space. We would like real food please.

First of all, there was one actual fully vegan option, a quinoa salad, which is frankly an insult in 2016, for a store in the centre of London and positioning itself up market of other fast food chains, and no dessert. Why is it so hard to provide even some items that do not cream off the suffering of animals. I would be more forgiving of stores which are less pretentious.

My other major grievance, is the grotesque waste of resources generated by this little store. All cutlery were plastic and non-compostable even for those choosing to eat in. Does Leon not think that there is anything morally objectionable about something that is used for such a small speck of time to satisfy our wanton appetites at such huge planetary cost. Doesn't this ratio, revolt any of Leon's dazzling team of fat cat corporate executives? There is a simple solution - fork out and invest in permanent cutlery you cheap buggers.

I also find it uneasy, why when I have paid ten pounds for a meal, INSIDE a restaurant IN CENTRAL LONDON, I should be eating in a bloody carbdoard box that will have a lifespan of no longer than 30 minutes. A multi-million pound corporation can come out with a solution, especially when it is throwing dime into in the pockets of its executives and deceptive marketing plans.

This country is not poor; we have become slaves to money - that abstract notion, that immaterial of all things. Get a grip.

Go to to local independent cafes. Support the small, hard working families, not this husk...

We went back for a third time to have chai this week. Staff is very friendly and caring, and are willing to answer questions about the food. This is not the case at other Leon branches across the city, that’s why we came back. So I definitely recommend this place! It’s across Tate modern and there are enough seatings.

The first time we ordered a halloumi breakfast muffin with chai. Second time was only chai and third time was last Monday. We ordered the halloumi breakfast muffin and chai again. My mom was not feeling well, I put her on a seat and in the meantime she fainted. The staff called the ambulance immediately, the girl behind the counter came with cold water, started rubbing my moms hand so she would stay warm and even offered us something else to drink. She offered us a refund too, for the food and drinks we had not consumed.

After the ambulance came they did some tests in the van. After 1,5 hours we returned and two guys at the counter immediately asked how my mom was feeling and if she was okay. They offered us a refund again, but as it was almost noon and we hadn’t eaten anything for breakfast we ordered some food. We should have paid a extra but didn’t have to.

The fact that they helped us while my mom wasn’t feeling well, immediately took action, and the caring nature of the staff is truly analyzing!

I do recommend the chai with coconut milk, the halloumi breakfast muffin, the halloumi wrap and the baji wrap. They had a great breakfast deal, and overall it is not...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Gem at Bankside – Leon Coffee and Food

Absolutely love this place! Leon at Bankside is consistently excellent, and it’s quickly become one of my go-to spots. The staff here are genuinely warm, attentive, and always serve with a smile — you really feel welcomed from the moment you walk in.

The food is fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared. Whether you’re after a healthy breakfast, a quick lunch, or just a really good coffee, they deliver every time. The coffee is smooth and perfectly brewed — no bitter aftertaste, just pure quality.

It’s clear the team takes pride in what they do, and it makes a huge difference. Big kudos to the staff for creating such a friendly and efficient atmosphere — it’s a breath of fresh air in a busy area.

Highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the Bankside area. Great vibes, great people, and great food. What more...