Bunches's Qype profile

What do I think of Saint Caffe? I think it’s just great.

The coffee is superb; with beans supplied by some coffee-loving Italian brothers, they’re freshly ground on the premises (The beans that is, not the Italians …!) so it’s a great place for coffee connoisseurs from that point of view.

It’s also great for the rest of us - the interior has been decked out in an understated, classy kind of way and is a far cry from the sandwich place that used to be there. The seats are comfy, the music’s at just the right level and the service is spot on. Lucie and Geoff, the owners, are really friendly and helpful - they introduced me to the Hazelnut Mocha which is absolutely delicious. I’d recommend asking them to whip up something that’s off-menu! The prices are perfectly reasonable too - it seems cheaper than places like Starbucks - most drinks are around £2, with lots of regular sizes less than that.

They also have a fantastic choice of fresh, organic sandwiches and salads for lunch, plus an incredible range of patisseries.

Oh, and they have free WIFI for customers.

And the location’s lovely, looking out over leafy St Paul’s Square …

Okay, that all sounds like a bit of an advert doesn’t it? But honestly … this place is great!

Stepping into Hudson's is like stepping back in time to the genteel '20s.

I don't know of anywhere else in or around the city centre that serves such a great range of real coffee in individual cafetieres, or camomile tea, complete with camomile flowers, in a teapot-for-one. It's waiter service at your table too, which means you have the luxury of sitting back and taking in the beautiful interior decor - from the gorgeous high, domed ceiling to the wood-block printed theatrical posters from the Hippodrome's early years.

If you like cool, clean, modern lines and mocha-lotta-choca-latte's, it's not the place for you but if you're craving a quiet, slow-paced and calming cuppa - go to Hudson's.