Local Hero

Great independent local cafe, good flat whites, a nice selection of cakes, sandwiches as well as hearty breakfasts. The staff are friendly and helpful and they always clear the debris and wipe the tables down swiftly and without being asked. I would recommend it for weekdays particularly, as it can be spoiled at week-ends by parents who insist on bringing their gargantuan pushchairs and kids scooters inside in spite of there being very little room. 

I want to be really positive about this cafe. I live only 2 mins away and until relatively recently it did live up to the name. The seating remains informal and cosy, the staff are pleasant enough and the menu full of choice covering hearty breakfast, more sophisticated light lunch and appetising pastry. Sadly though, despite these solid foundations, something has gone v wrong recently. The quality of the food has hit an all time low – they couldn’t even put up a half decent bacon and egg the other week – and the staff, despite being pleasant, have lost their warm smiles and charm. Its happened quite slowly since their restaurant refresh – bringing slightly more seating – and all of a sudden you realise you are eating there less and travelling further afield to eat in someone else’s local instead of yours. Its no longer a local treasure and more a place to feed the masses coming to Kingston to do their shopping – less about quality and more about quantity. The shoppers won’t be coming back soon, and nor will I. A shame as I used to rave about this place to my jealous friends!

Local Hero's a popular independent coffee shop located right in the heart of the shopping district in Kingston. It's always crowded, and, one day, desperate for proper coffee, I came in here to try it out. Much to my surprise, they had flat whites, as well as paper cups branded with their own name across them (always a nice touch, as opposed to the plain ol' generic paper cup). Still, the coffee doesn't quite compare to what you can get in central London, which is why I'm only giving this place - one of the better ones in Kingston - a three out of five.

Work in central London, so we have proper coffee shops like Milk Bar, and Flat White, but this isn't bad. Not much choice in Kingston except for the clones/chains like starbucks, nero, etc... Worth going to, and supporting your local independent. Kingston is a clone town, otherwise.

Good independent coffee shop which serves really good breakfast. Worthwhile stop before the shops open in the mornings.

Try their pancakes... yum!