Brunch! It had been so long since I enjoyed a quality brunch that I could not have been more excited when I finally found a Saturday mid-morning where I was free to indulge. Now I had a lot of places that I knew I wanted to try, but in the end we decided to visit The Black Penny in Holborn. Luckily, we arrived pretty early and were able to be seated quickly. My advice would be to do the same because once we had finished up there was quite a formidable queue forming outside which you may want to avoid.
Average waiting time 45 minutes.. Now thats a bit much when one is out for a coffee and some bites.. but add a bit more as the service takes a bit longer...
Food was palatable yet a bit tardy for the compared cost..
Ambiance is a definite ++
Went here for a late lunch with my partner. The service is okay, they didn't realise we were waiting to order until we went up to the counter to ask to order. Slightly inattentive. The food - I order a crispy confit duck and my parter the salted beef burger.
The crispy confit duck was beautiful. The duck was succulent and not dry. There were just the right amount of salt and the sweet potato that came with the plate was also perfect. Everything on the plate was outstanding.
The salted beef burger is alright. To be fair, no beef is as good as Australian beef. The burger had way too much mustard which overpowered the whole bun and beef making it difficult to eat without tearing up. Maybe, just maybe drowning a burger in mustard is a British thing or maybe not, but definitely not our cup of tea.
Price wise, when converting it back to AUD, it's rather pricey. We spent roughly $80 when converting it from pounds to Aussie dollar.
Having only just arrived from Australia I appreciate the style of service that makes you feel truly welcome. Perched in the window I watched the merriment floating past, listening to the staff chat, giving my order, feeling like I was in a home kitchen. I devoured "the Hunter" with poached egg on sourdough, premises-made baked beans, mushrooms, tomato and crispy bacon. Coffee was acceptable, otherwise I would have scored higher. Thankyou Black Penny for reminding us that a genuine warm atmosphere will always triumph over the new breed of café austerity.
The Black Penny came to my attention when they advertised a January offer – buy a coffee and get a shot of Speyside single malt for just 1p! How can you turn down an offer like that? Alas, with most things, it turns out a bit too good to be true – yes, you can get some whisky with your coffee but it’s more like a splash in the coffee rather than a shot on the side. Still, I’d been meaning to try it out for brunch and I hadn’t seen my friend Sharon in ages so it worked out.
Sunday’s are about being lazy. Getting up way too late for breakfast, feeding the dog then heading out to scout for a big brunch in a dog-friendly cafe or pub is almost de rigueur in our household. It good bit of breakfast food and a lazy walk in the park are what Sunday’s were made for. So when the chance to review the Black Penny in Covent Garden came up, I snapped up the chance to go out for a dog-friendly brunch in central London as quickly as I could.
We needed to steel ourselves for the tedious task of buying Mike a new suit. My flatmate James 2 had given us strict instructions, but Mike was completely clueless about what he wanted (because he is a man), and so was I (because I am not a man). We ended up at The Black Penny, the newish Covent Garden coffee shop famous for selling every item for a penny on its opening day.
The Black Penny is a brand new coffee house located on Great Queen Street in Covent Garden, providing a dedicated space for dining, drinking and debate in the centre of the capital.
Upscale cafe with really good food options that run all day. Love the twist on the classic foods and the flavours of the dishes I had.
I came around a quiet time and it was wonderful to sit with friends and catch up. Love the nook at the back with the interesting decoration on the walls and ceilings. The service was also really nice, and the people were part of the experience that made me give this place a high rating.
Only downside is the above-average price. It does not seem all that worth it for what it is, but you’re also paying for the location.
First time at a Black Penny Cafe, and I was not disappointed. Food was delicious, well presented, and there is a good variety to choose from the menu.
A note, they do not substitute anything from the menu. You can ask to have something taken off but will still have to pay extra if you want something added. The menu is varied so I can’t see this happening often.
Service was great. Staff were friendly, liked to tell a joke, and all said bye as we left. The cafe is also situated in a great location. The cafe is on the pricier side, but I can’t fault anything with the experience I had.
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What a delightful experience that was, we truly did have an enjoyable one for sure. We ordered scrambled, fried as well as their pushed eggs on sourdough toast and it was impressive I had to say. That comes along with vegetables in the side with a very good presentation. We also ordered their vegetable breakfast that combined their pushed eggs, halloumi cheese, sundried tomato and beans all on top of their lovely thick slice of crunchy sourdough bread and was amazing. Something remarkable about their egg is the standout color of the yolks, which was orange color and tasted so organic. It was obvious that they do care about the smallest detail of their ingredients which proved the high quality of all listed options and overall the flavors were a delightful fusion of freshness and creativity. The coffee drinks were all fantastic and perfectly brewed and the milk was frothed just well and for sure did not disappoint. The impeccable service was stood out, in particular by Sami, who was so sweet and friendly making sure all was well. She did make our experience at this café a memorable one for sure. The café interior design and décor have a charming blend of cozy and modern making it a perfect spot for unwinding. All in all, our visit to the Black Penny was a unique one and we all left with a desire to come back anytime we’re close by. So it is highly recommended and surely should not be missed whenever your around wither you’re after a delicious meal for a satisfied palate or a cozy place to chillout. Good luck guys and thanks Sami again for being wonderful.
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I recently had the pleasure of dining here, and I must say, it was a truly delightful experience. I ordered their poached eggs on sourdough toast with a side of vegetables, and I was thoroughly impressed.
The dish was beautifully presented, with perfectly poached eggs that oozed golden yolks when I cut into them. The eggs were placed on a thick slice of toasted sourdough bread, which had a lovely crunch on the outside and a soft, chewy interior. The combination of the creamy eggs and the hearty bread was simply mouthwatering.
What really stood out to me was the addition of fresh vegetables. They were cooked to perfection, maintaining their vibrant colors and crisp texture. The medley of vegetables added a refreshing element to the dish, providing a balance to the richness of the eggs and bread. It was evident that great care was taken in selecting and preparing the ingredients.
The staff at The Black Penny were alright, polite and attentive. Their professionalism and friendly demeanor created a welcoming atmosphere that made my dining experience all the more enjoyable.
Overall, I highly recommend it. Whether you're looking for a satisfying brunch or a delicious cup of coffee, The Black Penny is sure to impress. I am already looking forward to my next visit to this charming café.
Wow! Wow! Wow! Are the only words that are needed. Myself and my daughter loved our breakfast. It's very clear that its very popular, as there was a large cue to dine here. We arrived just in time to beat the cue. Be prepared to wait, but you certainly won't be disappointed. The bill came to £53 for two of us. Highly recommended.
I wish I could give the Black Penny 4.5 ⭐️
The food is made with high quality ingredients and aside from the usual suspects for brunch they have a few extra plates like the Ozdemir Pasha which really elevate the menu.
But: basically being walk-in only, which will force you to wait at least 15/20 minutes outside every visit AND above-average price (yes, even for this area) really stop me for giving it 5 stars.
But I hope it won’t stop you from visiting it; it’s much better than most of the brunch spots you can find in central London, that are much more uniform and bland.
Treat myself a traditional English Full Breakfast (called Hunter). Now I know why British call “brunch”, that covers both breakfast and lunch 😂.
Got explained by the lovely waiter that black penny the name itselft comes from a story of coffee was brought to England via Blacksea and everybody was welcome in the coffee house whether you were an aristocrat or a street hustler, all you needed was a penny. A good story to hear.
Really enjoyed my time here, the service and food were enjoyable and the service was really good too. Toilets were clean.
Food was good but not amazing.
Also, the latte was served in a flat white size glass. The flat whites, in even smaller glasses. Also, the fresh juice proportions were tiny for £6.
So I wouldn't say you get value for money.
Great food and drinks! Would defo recommend if looking for a nice breakfast in covert garden. Is quite expensive, but what you can expect for good food in London! The service was a little slow as it’s quite busy however the food and drinks came out very speedy. You might have to queue for a little bit but just because it’s so popular! And is definitely worth the wait. Would 100% recommend, great experience.
One of my new favorite places for breakfast out. I came here with a book (twice) while my husband was attending a conference. The food was delicious...perfectly poached eggs and fresh sourdough bread. When I left today, I saw a long line outside. It made me even more impressed that the staff were so kind and made no mention of me sitting for awhile and reading after finishing my food. They didn't bring the bill until I asked for it. A super relaxing Sunday morning. Great atmosphere ❤️☕ Thank you!
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