Louis Patisserie — Restaurant in London

I am so deeply disappointed in what this place has become. My parents used to bring me here for my birthday as a child in the 80s and it was a magical experience. I also celebrated my 31st birthday here in 2009 and it was again a magical experience. I live abroad now and was spending xmas, new year and my birthday (2nd January) in London so thought it would be lovely for my dad, stepmom and me to all go back there. Took about 2 weeks to actually get someone to answer the phone to book a table. When I asked for the 2nd January they promptly hung up on me. Should have taken that as a sign! About a week later managed to get through to someone and asked to book a table for 3 people for 1pm on 2nd January. The lady who answered was nice and even asked if it was for a special occasion. So I said yes, my birthday! This gave me hope! We arrived on 2nd January at 1pm and say we have a reservation. « Oh just sit anywhere » yes the place was basically empty but I still wanted to check whether my reservation had been noted. « We haven’t looked » they replied. basically I guess as no one goes there anymore, they don’t bother to check for reservations. I then notice the whole place has changed and it is distinctly unappealing, no charm or atmosphere whatsoever. We sit in a corner and I feel an ice cold draft coming from the back. The cakes didn’t look appealing either. They used to be a feast for the eyes! My stepmother then goes to ask where the toilet is. She comes back saying the toilets are out of order. I responded: « and they didn’t suggest another option?! » So she goes back to ask and then comes back to tell me we can go to the toilets in Waterstones. As I needed the toilet too I accompanied her and on our way out I said, let’s go somewhere else, this is hideous! Plus no toilet. Went to get my father and we hurriedly found another café which was nothing special but at least they had toilets. We didn’t have time to look for somewhere nice. What a lovely way to spend your birthday lunch! Whoever took over this place has completely and totally ruined it and should have changed its name. It is nothing like Louis Patisserie. I was so confused in fact that I asked one of the servers if there was another Louis Patisserie nearby. The place was always packed when I went there for over 30 years. Utterly bizarre what they did to it. And...

This is not so much about the food, but the total lack of service, which was really disappointing. My mom and Nan were visiting my boyfriend and I and wanted to have a nice relaxed afternoon. 10 seconds after we were seated, someone tried to take our drink orders, to which I said we'd need a few more minutes. Nobody came back for a while so I managed to get someone's attention. They brought all of our drinks apart from my nans, and that's when it sort of went to pot. They brought out my partner's food, which we later discovered was wrong and probably belonged to another tables, and they brought out a fruit scone for me but I wanted plain (as depicted by the picture in the menu). The girl abruptly told me they don't do plain scones. Okay. We then had to wait about 20 minutes before having to ask where my mom's poppy seed bread thing was. The same girl brought it over on a tiny tea plate, smashed it down aggresively without saying a word and stormed off. Let me point out none of us were given cutlery or napkins. I had to remind them I was waiting for butter for my scone. By this point we'd been there around 40 minutes. My nan still hasn't received her coffee or food, despite them telling us it's on the way. When the coffee came it was wrong. When the food order came it was wrong and we had to send it back. Her cheese 'toastie' came out anemic, literally looking like 2 pieces of plain bread. I'm astounded that such basic things like a knife and fork we had to ask for. During our time in there, a couple actually walked out because they'd been waiting so long and hadn't received their food - they said they'll pay for their drinks but they're leaving. The waitresses just looked like busy fools, rushing around but not really doing anything. In all of my nans 86 years, she's never called out shocking service, but she had to tell them it was the worst service she's ever experienced. On the bill they did knock off the money for my nans toastie, something I would have requested anyway. As we were leaving, I noticed it said on the receipt 'service not included'.....you're...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Louis Patisserie, and let me tell you, it's a hidden gem that every coffee enthusiast must discover! From the moment I stepped in, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries enveloped me, creating an irresistible ambiance.

Their selection of pastries is truly outstanding; the freshness of their pastries is unmatched. The almond croissant is a definite standout - the perfect balance of flakiness and nutty goodness that left me craving for more. Each bite was like a heavenly indulgence.

Now, let's talk about the coffee. Exceptional doesn't even begin to describe it! The baristas here are true artists, skillfully crafting each cup with precision and care. The coffee beans are of the highest quality, and it shows in every sip. Whether you prefer a velvety latte, a robust espresso, or a smooth cappuccino, you're in for a treat.

But it's not just about the food and drinks; it's the entire experience. The friendly and welcoming staff create a warm atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. Whether you're a solo visitor looking to unwind or catching up with friends, Louis Patisserie is the perfect place to relax and savor the moment.

I can't recommend this coffee shop enough. It's a haven for coffee aficionados and pastry lovers alike. I'll definitely be returning soon to explore more of their delightful offerings. Do yourself a favor and make your way to Louis - it's an experience you won't want...