Parle Pantry Vegan Cafe — Restaurant in London

My oat milk flat white was small but perfect. My coconut milk hot chocolate, if dusted with nicer, finer, rich quality cocoa powder would have been even more soothing and delicious; but was still lovely and a great escape from the hot yoga class I was supposed to be in an hour ago.

What let my overall experience down and what will be my lasting memory of this cafe was witnessing the discomfort and inflexibility demonstrated towards a young couple with a newly born, ‘silently sleeping’ baby, in a super dupa small pram ( I have handbags bigger than this pram).

The family attempted to take a seat and have a stress free break from life in a virtually empty cafe as everyone else was opting to sit outside in the global warming October of 2023.

If you have never seen the Fast Show ‘someone sitting there’ sketches then check them out to find out what this beautiful family had to unfortunately endure, needlessly.

I only write reviews when the experience changes me in some way, or makes me more open minded. In this instance, I just learnt that the truth is never as funny as fiction; it is just deeply disappointing when humanity is shown to be so stupid and selfish sometimes.

Watching and listening to what played out, I asked myself (silently- so I didn’t seem overtly mad) ‘how can any logical, compassionate mind expect a parent to comfortably eat or drink if they suddenly and deliberately disturb a sleeping baby or have to hold them whilst eating a meal and drinking a hot beverage? Worse still, who would ask parents to place their baby and pram; a table away from the parent’s eating table, next to music speakers and a perfect stranger who just happens to share the same international code as the mother but who honestly does not know her or the father in any way (I promise).

What the server and possibly the owner asked these parents to do was passive aggressive ridiculous and in my opinion; totally unreasonable in a cafe that was almost completely empty, with no reservation cards and no indication of a massive party looming. No access to the other chairs and tables in the cafe were truly blocked by the pram where the parents wanted to position it.

The server stated and indicated that the family were blocking the infamous prospective people, (not visibly sitting there yet but whom she was clearly working hard to manifest). The staff member who communicated to them did so rather curtly, and whether she meant to or not she made them feel unwelcome and made me not want to be there. Because I like to be where everyone is made to feel welcomed especially in reasonable circumstances.

At least the Fast Show sketches make me laugh; this didn’t! The family left and 2 minutes later so did I. The mum earnestly pointed out every single ridiculous aspect of the requests asked of her, but looked completely forlorn and exhausted and finally said, ‘ok,’ to the server, ‘we will go to another cafe’.

Realistically, I won’t be being go back but neither will I be missing Hot Yoga again! So here’s to...

Have used this coffee shop a few times before, never had a issue. Went today with my partner and mother in law and order 3 iced coffees. I asked previously if I can order asai from their menu for the last 2 months. They never have stock to sell an item they offer on the menu but I have never complained or been difficult that they have something on their menu they can't sell because they don't order stock. I had a small take away asai bowl with me which I discreetly turned so u could not see it had been purchased outside of the shop. The woman came over to me and said that the bowl wasn't vegan I politely answered it's asai it's vegan but then she said you didn't buy it here and I politely explained I would but the asai bowl from her shop if she stocked it but they never have the product they never can sell it to me as they never have stock. She walked away with attitude even though I had been polite. They then brought over 2 coffees instead of the 3 I ordered from her. They then showed me the receipt that only paid for 2 but it wasn't about the mone, she had got the order incorrect and usually I wouldn't be difficult about it but as the woman had been so rude I made a point maybe she should focus on the order she is taking than being so rude coming up to a decent customer and have attitude about them bringing something in which I don't want to purchase elsewhere but have no choice to as they don't stock items that are on their menu. I also then noticed she had put caremal in my almond latte and I'm diabetic and when I made a point of it to her she said I was rude because she had brought up the asai bowl. I confirmed for her I also and even now speak with respect, she then said you can have your money back. I said keep the money, you just lost decent customers and their money. Really bad experience overall and really rude woman. Usually everyone else has been nice but this lady seemed very upset with life and seemed to want to take it out on others. They shouldn't complain about me bringing in something in they never have in...

Visited for my birthday and sat outside for a quick snack while walking around Chiswick High Road. It was a sunny day and the pink tables were clean and looking pretty with small pots of flowers . The ladies inside the Cafe were all friendly and while we were scrolling the menu I was made aware of the items that were not available on the day, to avoid disappointment, but it was only one thing anyway. It was extremely hot and I was glad to be able to place my order quickly and get out, thankfully the table service is extremely efficient. Not sure why the air inside was so stale, especially because there was a salad bar and I expect the cooked food should be kept and maintained at a certain temperature.. I ordered a smoothie which was okay and a mind bogglingly tasty potato borek ( I only had them with spinach and dairy free cheese before but the potato one was delicious! ) with flakey and light filo pastry , I could have eaten more than one because of the flavour but at the same time it was so filling I am glad I didn't order anything else! If they had menus by the door or on the outside window I might have been tempted to get a piece of cake - I did eye a carrot one I think I would have liked - but I will have to return for more when it's a bit cooler so I will not mind the indoor temperatures. Food is a bit on the pricey side so I will not...