# Overall: Maison Bertaux is a lovely French patisserie to visit for the vibes. # Ambiance Maison Bertaux has a nice cafe aesthetic and all the pastries are up for display. There's plenty of seating outside in addition to the ground floor and first floor where there's a quaint and cozy atmosphere. Where this establishment really shines is in its customer service. Everybody on the staff was kind and helpful. We were given plenty reminders to watch out for phone swipers as we sat outside. # Food and Drink English Breakfast Tea I really liked that they provided an extra pitcher of water so we could replenish the tea as we drank it. Plain scone This scone was on the dryer side and the clotted cream was on the thicker side and didn't spread as well, but the overall taste was still good. Ham and Cheese Croissant Even after going to Paris, this is one of the better tasting croissants that I've had. Perhaps I just don't enjoy croissants, but the flavor was good here. read more

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Our second trip to this shop and all because Michelle left an indelible impression on our our first trip here. The scones are absolutely the best we've had, the ratio of cream served is PERFECT and the best consistency, and the tea is nice and strong, perfect for a chilly, rainy London afternoon. Don't skip out on this as it's one of if not the oldest pastry shop in London. read more

this place really saved the day....almost 9 pm on a Tuesday ....just ate a rather large dinner but was in desperate need for a scone .....we bought several, along with cream and jam to go....the gentleman inside was great and we were very happy. Scone itself was just fine, perhaps with an aftertaste at the end? couldn't be certain, like a baking soda taste....16 pounds for 4 scones idk seemed pricey but I wanted them anyway. read more

Maison Bertaux - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

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We have been coming here for year's, it is a must stop for us to get cream tea and other treats. The staff are extremely friendly and we watched one of the owners take time and help some Non English speaking tourist spread the jam and cream and pour some tea for them, showing them the way. Food and tea are great and this is a most stop tea room while in the area. Great people watching as well read more

Maison Bertaux - Cream tea for 2 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

Best cake shop in the world! A must visit when in the west end. Try their cheesecake, or delicious eclairs !

Absolutely loved their cheesecake. Being from the US, I've had NY cheesecake a ton. The consistency and flavor of the one I had here was just stunning! The blackberry tart was delicious. Staff was off putting with their pushing coffee and tea and then seating us by the register so we could overhear their arguments. A bit pricey, but that's the area. read more

Maison Bertaux - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

Friend convinced me to try this place bc he is OBSESSED with their clotted cream and scones. Scone was good, didn't have much flavor but that is typical. Staff was friendly. However I'm leaving only 3 stars because it was quite pricey. £20 just for one pot of tea and two scones. read more

Maison Bertaux - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

Fantastic bakery! Had coffee, scones, chocolate croissant, chocolate log cake. Simply the best pastries which were buttery, moist and tasty. Highly recommend! read more

Hello from some Americans!! We made it a point to stop at a Patisserie while in London. This one certainly did not disappoint!! Very friendly staff and a large selection of sweets. We are on sugar overload!!! Wish we had something like this in the states. And to our server, yes, we want more ice. read more

Okay! This is the best cheesecake I have ever had in my life so far!!! Far better than anything I ever had in the states! So it is really intimate and cozy on the inside so perfect for two to four people max! The tea is good and the atmosphere makes it worth the spot. Come for some nice treats and tea. If you like cheesecake you will not regret it! read more

Maison Bertaux - Jasmine tea and cheesecake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

When I first arrived in London Patisserie Valerie and Maison Bertaux were the only places in Soho you could get a decent coffee. It used to be a tough choice between two cosy French/Belgian establishments. Fast forward a few decades, and PV is still there in its original location on Old Compton Street but it has lost a lot of its appeal by branching out into hundreds of outlets across London and the rest of the UK, and the internet - it's just not as special and personal anymore. But back to Maison Bertaux which is still just as lovely as it has always been, if not more so. What would have been termed a bit run down in the 90's is now fashionably shabby chic and further nick nacks have been added to the cafe, while the upstairs doubles up as a casual art gallery. I have to admit that I allowed a few years to pass before returning to MB (it even shares my initials - how could I let my loyalty lapse!) but now I'm hooked again. I've not experienced any accordeon playing during my most recent visit (I am sure I don't imagine that the owner used to serenade his customers), but apart from that nothing seems to have changed and it feels a bit like coming home after a long trip abroad. Most importantly, the coffee is filthy strong and the cakes delicious - simples. read more

This is a good independent patisserie with a range is cakes and pastries plus hot drinks. The macchiato was very good. The place feels a bit tired but there are fun Soho memorabilia on the walls. read more

Best cheesecake I have ever had in my life, the texture of cheese resembles the combo of pudding and cheese, very light and thankfully not too sweet which is what i exactly want. Strawberry parfait on top of the cheesecake is amazing and chewy. Will definitely come back and try for several times other types of cheesecakes. BTW I randomly ordered their homemade ice tea and that was amazing too read more

Maison Bertaux - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

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I like to enjoy teas in historical place, but this famous tea room really needs a refurbishment and better toilet management. When we visited, the wall paints of the back staircase are falling off, looks unfinished and dirty. My friends went to toilets and complained the awful smell. I really hate good restaurant with smelly toilets, what is the point to ruin my good memory of food with strong awful smell of the toilets after meal. Nevertheless, I will recommend to try the teas here, their fresh mint tea and mango tea are nice. Their cakes are just so so, the cheese cake is on the lighter texture, so it is good refreshments after a dinner. But after discovering the toilets and have a look of their kitchen sink area, I was just not sure of their hygiene. Don't get me wrong, I loves streetfood, and all strange places. But as their cake is so so, so I can't overcome the toilet issues. Hope the owner can spend some money to refurbish this venue, keep the historical feeling but just make it look cleaner and more organised, I am sure this place can shine again like before. read more

Maison Bertaux - Mixed fruit cheesecake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

This place has so much potential and it actually could have become one of my favourite hang-out places...if it weren't for the oddities of what I perceive to be due to the mis-management of this place. As many of my reviews reflect, my little pet-peeve is that I appreciate friendliness and good service. Well, neither of these are really to be found at this place: the person taking the orders always seems to be too busy to really care for you and when you get back later to pay for your coffee & cake, they make you feel more like a nuisance than a paying customer. As for the cakes, I find that the prizes that I have to pay for a cannelloni or a strawberry tart are simply not justified. Also, for such a popular café I find it a little odd that they don't have an espresso machine; so when you ask for a latte you will get a café au lait. (Granted, they let you know that in advance!) In fact, I feel that because this place is running so well, the owners feel they don't need to invest in any kind of upgrade - whether it be decor-wise, equipment-wise or service-wise...after all, money seems to flow in anyway! So, why do I come back every once in a while: because I find that I can engage in very good people-watching here. The clientele is a good mixture of gay & straight as well as tourists and locals...very entertaining. Its central location and the outside seating area are unbeatable after all... read more

I was sauntering about after watching a show at the Edward theater and stopped off here. Got an almond croissant which was good, sat outside and people watching including the drunk folks at the pub next door which was good entertainment. read more

Some of the pastries at Maison Bertaux are delicious, and I wouldn't hesitate to return if I happened to be in the area again. (I got pastries to go, so can't comment on the service for customers who are having tea or eating pastries in the shop.) read more

Maison Bertaux - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

Really cute little tea shop in soho, had the pear tart and a pot of tea came to seven pounds. So slighlty on the expensive side but well worth the visit. As I walked in it was like stepping back in time greeted by and old lady it seemed like your granny's tea room. Immediately felt at home and on best behaviour she just that effect. lol Would only come back if I were with a friend from out of town. read more

Maison Bertaux - Pears mmm - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

Found this place having been taken here by a work colleague when I worked in the area some years ago and loved it on site of the delicious treats in the window. Like a child in a sweetshop, all the delightful desserts, cakes patisseries that are on display, you are spoilt for choice. At first I was a little displeased with the environment but once seated and taking in the environment, the people around you and the staff, you get to love it. The staff are a little eccentric, I think I was told that the owners used to be actresses in the Theatre. I don't know if that is true but some days when you are there, you certainly see/hear some entertaining things with the staff. Drinks are basic but then you don't come here to drink. You come here to eat things that you shouldn't really but oh you will just as treat and to people watch. There have been many nights out here when the restaurant dessert menus has not been up to scratch that I have ended up here to satisfy my sweet tooth. Also great for lunchtime treat. I like this place and yes, can be a little over priced but hey, had made delights made on location in a venue which is oozing in personality. Gets my vote. read more

Maison Bertaux - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

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I'm with Andy on this one. the place is too cute to be practical for me. Tiny chairs that look adorable but wobble with my lardy arse on them and a table that wont let you sit and eat cat while drinking tea. It just wont all fit on the table! Another problem I have is with the "see" menu. I understand that you can see what is on offer and then choose what you fancy but seriously, I sometimes need to know if you are going to have an inch of mustard hiding under that cheese. I feel that a little bit more information about what I'm about to stuff my face with would come in handy. Saying that, the cakes are sooooooo dreamy! I want to like this place but with me being a tea and cake expert (self titled) I think they may have to try a little harder. read more

It was reccomended by a friend and I was excited to try as the cakes and the shop looked scrumptious but overall. I'd have to say it's just an ok shop. We had the lemon tart, apple crumble and the chocolate cake. The lemon tart was fine, the apple crumble was mostly hard cold crumble and not much apple. The chocolate cake was it's saving grace. More of a torte than cake and densely chocolate. Yay! Their coffee was ok but I hear that if you order the tea. It comes in a pot with loose leaves. Next time I think I will pass on the weak coffee (seriously poo poo on the weak coffee) and try the tea instead. It would also help if they used clean placemats instead of leaving soiled linens pinned to the top of their outdoor tables. Looks great from a distance but not very appetizing to eat on. Gross read more

Located just round the corner from the more illustrious Patisserie Valerie, Maison Bertaux is a good alternative for afternoon tea and cakes. You can sit and eat, either indoors or hopefully outdoors if the weather is nice and people-watch in this little Soho street. I usually get a takeaway treat for later, fruit-laden tarts being my particular indulgence. Hey, the fruit neutralises some of the naughtiness! Go to Bertaux for the gateaux! read more

This place gives me faith that humanity has a chance after all. That we aren't doomed to Starbucks ourselves out of existence. That uniqueness, oddities and eccentric beauty are still valued. Because, how in this day and age of chain-restaurant vanilla Soho can this bizarre, belligerent place still exist? I ***king love it. On the lookout for dessert, we eschewed Patisserie Valerie and it's chainy cakes to pop into this other French patisserie. As soon as I walked in the door, I knew I wasn't in Kansas anymore*. First of all, I was greeted by this older man, who looked a bit disgruntled. The place was full of little tables and, as my mother would say, a lot of tatty crap. I echo the other reviewers, this is like your granny's tea room. If your granny was a hoarder, who decided to open a cake shop. I picked out a cake from the window, the one with the most cream, natch! And left my sister to pick out the other. She dithered and dithered until I suspected the old man was going to slap her around the head. We eventually got our cakes and a charming young French man delivered the coffees**. As we ate, I took in the pink bunting, random fairy lights, the piano and all the other random assortment of stuff and thought 'yeah, this is weird and I dig it'. My sister is a crap cake picker and had ordered this dry cherry almond thing that looked vile. This place is so strange that if it was in east London, I would wonder if it wasn't some kind of hipster live art show. ALL THE STARS! Go there and give them money, if only to keep this crazy place alive. * A bit like being in an episode of 'Goodnight Sweetheart', what do you mean you haven't seen it? ** Like a scene from 'Open All Hours'... what, you haven't seen that either. Sigh. read more

As much as I love teas and cakes, this place just doesn't ring my bell. I'm all for cute, I'm all for kitschy, but I'm also all for people taking cards, having crumble that actually tastes good, and having more than 6 teas to choose from. This place is just awkward. There are four different areas you can sit in - an upstairs, a downstairs, a "next door" and outside. They don't have menus, so you have to sort of pick what you want on the way in, or leave your stuff in your seat to go and pick what tea or cake you want. Masion Bertaux's owner (or whoever) works the cash register, and has friends come in to visit all the time. In fact, I think every staff member that was there for my hour and a half visit to their establishment had friends coming in and out to say hi. It was nice, and it's great that there's a "community" but I'm also trying to have a conversation and people coming in and out and out who aren't customers is annoying. My tea was boring. My apple crumble was, well, too crumbly. The crumble part of it was so hard you couldn't cut into it without destroying your entire slice. Also, the staff bring the rubbish THROUGH THE FRONT of the shop and not out the back (if there is a "back") and it smells. The best part is when they'd be carrying bags of rubbish, and then stop to talk to someone. Yes, I'd love a bag of coffee grounds and god knows what else with my tea! DELICIOUS. This place is cute, but that's about it. Don't let the decor and the pretty cakes in the window fool you. read more

Nice place to while away time with good company. Not sure if I'd want to come here alone - the service is quite harried (although that's part of the experience) and it was noisy here, even on a Tuesday afternoon. But my friend likes to compare its clientele to something from 1920's Paris - lone poets (he could have been one!) writing in notebooks and the like. I also like that the lady at the till was able to help me find something gluten-free to eat, and she was even worried about cross-contamination. And the manager is one of those odd but endearing old men who cheerily pulled us into conversation as we were leaving. My pot of tea. read more

It's small but lovely. You just have to find yourself there at the right time. I've only been here twice. Once it was empty, once it was packed and we just happened upon an inside seat cause it was such a lovely day outside. Don't go to enjoy amazing tea and coffee. EAT THE DAMN PASTRIES. That's what they're there for. Oh delicious. I've had the eclairs, the macaroons, an apricot croissant thing. Very good. Pricey but worth it, at least every once in a while. Even when it's busy the customer service isn't that bad. Actually if you can get a seat next to the register even better. The staff are hilarious and sarcastic and free entertainment with your delicious pastries. read more

Very eclectic French pastry shop with a huge selection of delicious sweets. We stopped for afternoon tea and pastries and loved the place. Going upstairs we had the pleasure of putting up with an ongoing philosophy discussion between a pair of wornout Englishmen with nothing else to do for the afternoon than fill the room with their redundant wordiness. It was entertaining. Decor is interesting but quite worn. The sweets were delicious. read more

Dirty, tasteless and overpriced. The staff was not friendly, the pastries tasted like they could have been bough at Tesco. Since when do éclair au chocolat get filled with low quality chantilly instead of chocolate custard cream? The tea cups and tea spoons were stained and dirty, it looked like it had not be washed in months (see pictures). The tea was average and the price was astronomical! This place is a rip-off and is designed to rob your money in broad daylight by charging premium for a sub-standard service. Caffee Nero or Starbucks would have been better than this, and I don't really like coffee chains so that statement speaks volume! All the cups and cutleries had tea stains and dirt on them, stains from weeks or months ago, typical of when someone doesn't wash tea spoons but instead rinses them again and again. It's obvious they do not wash anything properly and don't care serving you tea and pastries in greasy plates and dirty cups and cutleries. For the price they charge, this is simply shameful and unacceptable read more

Maison Bertaux - All the cups and cutleries had tea stains and dirt on them, stains from weeks or months ago. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

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I can see why many don't like this place. Granted, it's in Soho, so it's not an especially beauteous place. I often describe it as kitschy-cute, rustic (read: not expensive) French -- lots of whipped cream and pâte à choux type desserts. It's quick, fairly cheap, and worth the price, as afternoon tea can get expensive quite easily. One very important factor of my liking this certain patisserie is that their whipped creams are made with just enough percentage of fat to make it quite fluffy and is also flavoured very well. Whipped creams in UK cafes are typically made with double cream, leaving a thin film of fat on your tongue post-consumption. My personal favourite is the cheesecake which is light as a feather and has some almond ground in the base -- over all it is very unique. Also, their almond cookies are very tasty and well-textured (chewy in the middle, crisp at the edges). read more

Quaint little tea shoppe in Soho with lovely pastries and cakes, not to mention surreal artwork/random doodlings on the wall upstairs by Noel Fielding (of The Mighty Boosh). What's not to like? Everyone raves about this place, though I'm still not convinced! It looks charming and it could be charming but every time I've been in I'm not sure if the staff would've noticed me even if I'd been on fire. Customer service seems like an alien concept and you pretty much get barked at by the staff (The older gentleman being especially and consistently grumpy). There also seemed to be a large no. of small black flies buzzing around upstairs the last couple of times I've been in, not to mention mountains of uncleared plates/teapots and cake remnants on the tables from earlier customers. I really feel like this is the kind of place I could love and want to love. I like places that don't conform to the more superficial 'Have a nice day' school of customer service but at £13.40 for two small pots of ok tea and a couple of middling pastries, even with the doodles by a well known comedian on the wall I feel like the joke's more on us than with us. Maybe it's a pilot reality show for the next Mighty Boosh series? read more

Had a lovely experience here. Got a pot of tea and a plain scone. Server was very kind and said his personal favourite out of the scones (fruits, cheddar, or plain) was the plain so that is what I went for. The vibe here is bustling but cozy. The servers were always on their toes. I didn't feel rushed even though it was so busy. Everybody kept on ordering the cheesecake, so that was probably good as well. read more

The bakery/café itself is cozy; personally I like sitting upstairs where there's avant garde paintings that seem to be on exhibition/sale - not quite sure! I've been here a couple of times, and not a single visit did I really feel welcome. For some reason, the owners (I'm assuming they are - an elderly French couple) are always a bit surly and rude. I always feel guilt-tripped by the French gentleman into ordering a beverage AND a dessert though. On the occasions when I didn't feel like having cake, I always receive a response of disapproval or exasperation from the couple... A tea and piece of cake will set you back £7. Coffee's quite weak so I'd stick with teas. Cakes are also hit and miss - the choux, anything with chocolate and cheesecake tends to be safe choices but the fruit tarts/flans are generally dry. Somehow despite awful service and average cakes, it's frequently full and I'm not quite sure why! read more

AHH SUMMER. As the dregs of your twenties are cooling to an end, the robust teas, coffees & ornately handcrafted patisseries still have the same taste of artistic Paris (Ahh! The cafes & galleries in the 5éme are layered between the sweet sheets of the mille feuilles,) but feel somehow meaningless - as if baked by Sartre himself. So many hours, smoking cigarettes in the kitsch vintage furniture under the laissez-faire fairy lights, & ephemeral kitch collage decor. The yellow light beads onto the pavement of Greek street chockablock with lost businessmen on weekend leave, loud American tourists with bumbags & A-Z street maps. Punters from the Coach & Horses pub next door occasionally steel over, & ask to borrow your lighter. An established French cafe, reaching back to the austere glory days of soho, when the Prince Regent would carry on affairs at Kettner's restaurant (previously Euro-fusion, now closed) just across the road, I am unsure if this pastel cafe exists in any specific time period whatsoever - it hoovers balletically in the threshold of different worlds. Is this la Belle Époque- is that Lautrec sitting, sketching, or an out of place steampunk hipster who's on a day trip into central from Shoreditch? Is that Cole Porter crooning over a flat white, or the besuited, slicked-back landlord from the pub next door? Who cares, you will sleep with him anyway, thrusting to the sound of the Crossrail 2 construction work in his Denmark Street flat, & leave unsatisfied. After, you will return to your seat here at Maison, & fade into the night (or 10.30pm, when they close & pointedly move all the furniture inside around you, & then ask you to leave - but there's a minivan office just next door - so the world is your veritable oyster.) Four stars. read more

Lovely, one of the best cake shops in London. They always have the must artfully done window displays and it has a very Bohemian thing going on... which makes it especially appealing to artists and writers and such. I *much* prefer this to the likes of Patisserie Valerie. Candles, worn wooden tables, and beautifully displayed cakes and sweets - it has such an individual humour and old-world charm to it... you don't think twice about whether or not you should indulge. The scene is also so versatile - it's good with friends, on dates, or simply for a good cup of tea with yourself. No doubt, any Londoner who really cares about character and authenticity and history will recommend this place. read more

I been to this place a few times and the person taking the orders always seems too busy to care about you even if you are the only person in the store and in some cases quite rude.. I wouldn't recommend the coffee especially if you are looking for an espresso based drink as they don't have an espresso machine or the hot chocolate which is a bit watery. But the tea selection is always good. The cakes always look very nice but taste wise most of them are nothing special apart from a few exceptions and they don't seem to find an issue at serving things that they had for a few days - stale. Considering the price you have to pay for them I would only buy one if the other patisseries in the area are closed. If you can get over the unpleasant experience of ordering & paying this place can be quite good. Plus the late hours and attractive location make up for some of the bad. I final word of caution is that the owner doesn't seem to care that much about the hygiene of the place so most days the toilets & sink area tend to be very dirty. read more

if you are ever in the Soho area, this is THE place to stop by for a cafe latte and cake. The waiters and fresh fluffy boys who are Gay are Paris but they are absolutely adorable and friendly. The cakes are baked fresh and the atmosphere is charming. Try the pear or peach cakes! There is an upstairs seating area as well but I much prefer the ground floor - then you can people watch from the windows. :) read more

I'm with Cate S (agree with every detail she wrote!) and Lizzie on this one. I really want to like it, but I didn't much. The decor IS agreeably kitsch in a surreal and mad christmas-baubles-in-among-the-vintage-teapots way rather than a 'yawn, I am being cynically manipulated by the clever placement of pretty vintage teacups' way. I went with a teetotal friend in the evening, and it was quite a novel, atmospheric little alternative to a bar. The cakes LOOK divine, but I didn't enjoy my friend's far too light 'whoa-does-this-cheesecake-contain-any-actual-cheese-and-what's-with-the-sickly-chocolate-frosting' cheesecake, nor my 'why-are-there-lumps-of-egg-and-shouldn't-it-taste-of-lemon' lemon tart. read more

I like their late hours. It's hard to find dessert places after dinner if you happen to have dinner after 8. I had some variation of cheesecake. it wasn't particularly memorable, but (I think) it was decent. Not a fan of the space upstairs. It feels like it hasn't been renovated for many decades, and it doesn't have much character to it. It was also a bit crowded. What I could not stand was that the door to toilet was kept open the entire time. Having your dessert with a toilet in view is not exactly appetizing. I was simply too disturbed to remember anything about my cake. read more

Mason Bertaux is an astonishing thing of beauty. Something that is becoming sadly only to rare in the changing face of Soho these days. Incredible patisseries, great tasting French coffee, authentic surrounds that haven't changed in thirty years or more. Michelle the owner is still serving every day with her wonderful mix of warm, gentle smiles and blustery curtness, something you have to either forgive or see as endearing (for me it's totally the latter as she is lovely when you get to know her). Yes the prices are a little high, but the quality is excellent, the surrounds unique and in this day of sterile super eateries, a complete gem. You are in Soho after all! read more

Maison Bertaux - The amazing and gorgeous Michelle Wade. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

This is what London is about - old, historic spots, serving high quality goods. I actually meant to come to the pub next door, which is meant to be another said spot, but was just so tempted by the casual diners seated outside and the beautiful cakes in the window. Enter the shop, place your order, and then find a seat where a server will bring you your tea and cakes, or whatever have you. Service is friendly and the cakes are huge and delicious. I love the charm, and appreciated not being rushed out even though it is a very popular spot for locals and tourists alike. read more