Cafe In The Crypt, St.Martin-in-the-Fields

I'll never be going to this Cafe again as long as I live.  I September 2004 I'd been going there every Thursday night after work for four months for a drink.  The last time a security guard kept following me and watching me but I didn't know why.  As I went to leave he ran up infront of me and really aggressively said "Don't come in here anymore".  I asked why and he said the same thing in the same loud voice.  I said "well, I thought this was the house of God and anyone is welcome".  He said "well they're not".  So I said oh if that's your attitude to regular customers I won't.  When he heard me speaking english as a native British Citizen which I am. he stopped shouting but didn't say sorry explaining they had alot of Albanian pickpockets and handbag there.  I asked if I was allowed in there now so he said of course.  I said why couldn't you have spoke to me first to find out if I speak with an east european accent before confronting the wrong person and he just walked off.  Whether or not he's a christian I know when these security guards are working at a religious place they're told to behave in a civil manner.  I complained to the Restaurant Manager who was too lazy or embarrassed to reply.

The beautiful Georgian architecture at St Martin in The Fields church and crypt was designed in 1721 by James Gibbs and took five years to complete.

It is well known for it's wonderful live music concerts in the evenings but what is less well known is it's free lunch time concerts that it holds every Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

I have found myself heading down to one when I've had a few hours to spare or if I've had a friend or family member staying.

As it is around lunchtime, it is the perfect time to grab a bite to eat, and The Cafe in the Crypt, which is directly below the church is the place to continue your experience.

The beautiful 18th century brick-vaulted Crypt has been transfered into a stylish cafe and serves very reasonably priced lunch, afternoon tea and dinner on a daily basis.

There is a impressive selection of sandwiches, soups and hot meals, all cooked freshly on site and using where possible locally sourced ingredients.

Wednesday is Jazz Night in the Café in the Crypt, where you can enjoy a unique and fabulous fusion of great jazz, food and drink.

This stunning place is perfect to relax and chat about the music you have just experienced or if you just fancy somewhere unique for a spot of afternoon tea.

http://itsnosmallthing.weebly.com/

I really like this place. I invited my cousin with his wife there on one of those seldom hot days of this summer and it was fantastic, peaceful and nicely cool inside the crypt (after all day walking in the heat of the city).

If you're familiar with the concept of dining in Ikea - get a tray, pick and pay - this is a similar experience in terms of logistics but not in terms of food. You can get cold/hot beverages there and the food which was very good. My cousin is a vegetarian so he had a veggie meal of the day with a pudding for the dessert - a true bowl of awesomeness. I went for the meat dish of the day and got a nice piece of chicken with vegetables and lemonade - it cost me £11.

I like the place as it is a kind of no rush, no hassle cafe, great place to catch a breath from the outside world even if for a coffee. Loads&loads of space and tables so even when you're in a bigger group, you will find a space.

And it is almost opposite the National Portrait Gallery so you can plan your next move while sipping cola&eating a cake.

I’m so pleased the Crypt of the St Martin in the Fields has reopened, as this means I can start going to the Jazz evenings on Wednesday again.

TJ Johnson's Bourbon Kick play a range of New Orleans jazz, and when you book you even get your own table assigned. Vibrant, life-affirming and just-plain-fun, an evening not to be missed in the heart of London.

I like this place. Even if there are a lot of people there you never are disturbed by the noise cause the crypt absorbs the noise in some way.

The St Martin's crypt cafe has been reopened after a major refurbishment, and now has lift access from the street (and is fully accessible for wheelchair users).

As others have said, the crypt space works really well; it has a surprisingly lofty ceiling, and the uplighting works really well to make the most of the architecture (it is a testament to its builders that the crypt is a wonderfully attractive architectural space in its own right). Adjacent to the cafe is a small and upmarket shop selling books, CDs, stationery and gift items, some with a religious theme (but not everything).

The food includes hot dishes as well as filled rolls and salads. For a self-service cafe, the prices are a little on the high side, but then you are right in the centre of London. My quiche salad with a bottle of still water was just shy of ten quid, though as mwl2010 says, the salads are a little bit bland, and very chilled. Hot dishes - there are always 2 veggie options - may be a better bet. And the surroundings are impressive...

The cafe is open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, but doesn't actually close during the day, so you can always come in just for a coffee and cake. See website for opening times (NB which are more limited on Sunday).

Unfortunately I had a horrifyingly bad rice salad here - it tasted of nothing and the rice was undercooked and fridge cold. The other two salads were bland and uninspired as well, though the quiche was pretty good. Beautiful cafe though - might give it one more try just based on atmosphere.

The first time I was brought here, by a veteran Londoner, I struggled to imagine eating in the crypt of a cathedral. My Italian boyfriend had an even greater fit of “But I’m eating a quiche and salad with DEAD PEOPLE AROUND ME” when I first took him there. But don’t think about it. There is nothing in the crypt that makes it feel goulish or creepy, and the only thing that will scare you is how low the prices are. Food is delicious and this is an ideal place to bring your Mum and Dad, or children, for a self-service, healthy lunch in a quiet place in the middle of London. It might in fact be the only place that fulfils all those criteria!

If you find yourself around the Trafalgar Square area then make sure you go here for your cup of coffee rather than the usual starbucks / coffee chain place. It never occured to me to come for a cuppa in the crypt, but its well worth a visit. Not at all creepy, it is actually very beautiful, you wont need to take a book to while away the time, there is loads to look at. I can reccommend the cake. I only came here in the day, but apparently it is a good place to come in the evening for a spot of food.

There are two excellent reviews above me, but I also wanted to add a few things;

1- Look at the church above! its an amazing calm place, with beautiful architecture.

2- The entire building is has now been repaired, and the scaffolding is off! it shows off its wonderful beauty inside and out!

3- Bring a camera, I keep finding little places and small details that I didn’t see the previous time round that are photoworthy.

I do love this place, I have memories of this place since I was a little child!

This place is best candlelit in the evenings, but atmospheric all day long when not too crowded. The restaurant is underneath St Martin’s in the Fields, tables all over the tombstones. I used to play here as a child. There is a brass rubbing area at the back, and a Past-Times sort of shop. The food is expensive, but if you are sensible you can get something affordable and good. I used to go here for the incessant Vivaldi playing in the background and the candlelit arches. They are currently extending it so it will change soon - I hope it retains its crypt-like atmosphere.