I spent a week having breakfast at Tropea during a recent visit to London, and loved it. While I'm a tourist when in London, Tropea isn't just for tourists - I saw many local business people and students stopping for working breakfasts or coffees.
First, location: in one of London's greatest public spaces, with outdoor (or indoor for inclement weather) seating. There's nothing better than getting breakfast (or just a coffee), and having a seat looking out over this beautifully maintained park. This is a truly sublime urban experience.
Second, price: I figure it's about half what you'd pay for the add-on breakfast at any of the local hotels. And I challenge you to find comparable fare for less any where in the area.
Third, value for price: the fairly extensive menu offers something (including vegetarian) for everyone, and while the cooking and presentation is not ostentatious, it's reliably good. I thought the eggs, perfectly fried, were fresh (had to be, given the volume of business), and the cremini mushrooms were the best I've had anywhere.
Fourth, efficient service: yes, you order at the counter - the staff are friendly and pleasant. You are assigned a number for your order, you go outside and find a nice seat, and within a few minutes a waitperson appears announcing your number. But they make the hot beverage when you order, so you bring that out with you. It's food made and served quickly, not fast food. I never had to wait on line more than a minute or two to order, and the food was out quickly. Very efficient, whether you're rushing over to queue up at the British Museum or just taking your time to enjoy breakfast in the park.
Fifth, a design classic: note how unobtrusive the one-story, flat-roofed building is within the park. Mostly windows, it welcomes the park in, while the all-natural finish wood framing around the windows blends visually with the park's trees and other natural elements. A family-run restaurant with a great design aesthetic - who needs those endless coffee and take-out chain establishments? read more