Great location, ambience, and all for a good cause. Food and value are much better than the surrouding touristy restaurants. read more

Fascinating place, fascinating idea, unique experience in a cafeteria café concept! This historic and beautiful crypt under St. Martins in the Field shows the ingenuity brought here-to-for beginning with Monks in the 1200s! And, in the 20th Century in the desire to help the neighborhoods homeless. This distinctive, one-of-kind, and rare eatery has been able to distinguish itself by both locals and international tourists alike. Having won both the Food Awards London and Lux Global Hospitality for Best Community Café in the recent past, it only shows the excellence this cafeteria-style dining hall offers. When in the World's most unique city, one must visit the World's most unique cafeteria. It is not just a place to eat, but a place to be mesmerized by the historic past protruding into the fascinating present. A must do! read more

This place is a hidden gem. I recommend all visitors to come here for a delicious bite. It is located near the hub of everything touristy around - the major museums and squares. It was an easy ride on the metro to get here. In a nutshell, the food was excellent; there is plenty seats; and the decor is really cool. You basically sit in an underground crypt like atmosphere. I don't know the history of this place (shame that I don't know since we visited but we were too focused on the food lol). The food alone was terrific! The day that we went, they served this delicious cauliflower side. The fish and chips were a generous serving. It was a long piece of fish. I don't think the fish was as good as the one we had the previous night but still yummy. We had some sort of meat pie that was pretty tasty too. All in all, it was a great place place to rest AND to eat. Also, the meals were pretty affordable. I definitely would come back and recommend you to come here. read more

I was so pleasantly surprised by the quantity and quality of the food. The prices were reasonable and the space was superb. When I visited the Lois I noticed the headstones that I expected to see in a crypt but still stopped short at the age and reality of them. It was a self-serve/cafeteria style environment. The potted chocolate pudding was delightful and I also had the pistachio cheesecake that must've been mislabeled (or I'm not a Brit - probably this latter observation). We also enjoyed the "meat of the day" and a soup. The best part of our visit was not the dining but the music and meditation upstairs on Thursday 27 April 2017. We heard an Hallelujah reflection with gorgeous voices and wonderfully droll comments/inspiration from the priest (?). This was, most likely, the highlight of this London trip read more

The Cafe In The Crypt - View from our nook - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

Its a cafeteria, but its actually decent food. If you are looking for a quick lunch this is a good option. If you are expecting a "Crypt Atmosphere", this is not it. Tables are packed in and even in winter they were filled so expect people to be circling like vultures looking for that elusive empty table. read more

When you need a break from the hustle and bustle of ground level sun/rain, crowds, pigeons from Trafalgar square and you are sick of always eating amongst the living... try the Crypt Cafe under St Martins in the Square. This mix of good food, architecture, dramatic lighting and grave stones gently aids digestion. All in all the place is clean, cheap for center of London prices, staff were friendly, food was good, plenty of space to sit, and quiet as the grave! The toilet is clean, very humid and only 1 for each sex. Be sure to check out the headstone displays some dating from the 1600s and the art display. There used to be a market in the square and in the crypt.. (i know, used to work it) but that stopped about 6 years ago. read more

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This was a great space to relax and recharge and for £6.95 for soup and sandwich, it was a great bargain. The space is really beautiful with all the arches and then underfoot you realize that you have grave markers every few feet. So it's like having a meal with the ancestors...not necessarily your ancestors but someone's. The staff was lovely and the space was clean. And if you look closely there are even a few tables near outlets for essential phone charging. read more

Inspite if all the coffee shops around Trafalgar Square, I think that the best coffee is served here in the crypt. Freshly made and bursting with flavour. The setting itself merits a visit. In the crypts below St Martin in the Fields church. So you are seated below a series of beautiful and old stone archways that hold up the entire building. It's a cafeteria style cafe, but quality and variety of food is much better than you would tend to expect from most cafeterias. They serve a variety of hot meals through the day, with a lot of lovely little touches. Which other cafeteria offers you a jug of hot custard with your apple crumble? Lots if vegetarian options too and they are open till around 8, so you can even pop in for an early dinner. Trust me, this is not coffee shop fare, but good hearty cooking and given that winter is almost here, it's nice to get out of the cold. read more

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Rather annoyingly, now my dad has found this cafe, he refuses to go anywhere else in central london for food. For him it represents all the things he loves about the Stockpot (cheap, wholesome and filling food) but without the worry of having other people put on your table if you don't eat your food quickly enough. The cafe has recently been renovated and is very slick inside, if not slightly cold, and serves up traditional snack/canteen food. They have a good soup of the day, a salad bar, a selection of sandwiches and some hot food choices at around £7 (not that cheap admittedly) and although the food is good, the big draw of this place is its location. The vaulted ceilings and uplighting make a pretty average canteen seem very atmospheric. read more

The Cafe In The Crypt - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

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Went here with a group of friends and we tried some kind of fruit liquor that was extremely strong and the staff was very friendly and overall had a great time, for what I could remember that is lol read more

Really cool place. Tonight was about 47°F outaide so it was nice and warm. I think this place was a crypt before. There are tomb stones in the ground and the cafeteria-style open restaurant had kind of a creepy feel. It was definitely cool!!! We had the Christmas Dinner which consisted of: a few slices of turkey; a slice of a meat (not sure what it was) then topped with a weenie of some sort wrapped with bacon; potatoes with gravy; red cabbage; and carrots with parsnips. I've never had parsnips and I LOVED them!! It's neat to taste a different country's Christmas dinner. We also had Christmas Pudding, and I think it was fig with a cream sauce on top --now bring me some figgy Pudding. ... Since it was cafeteria style food it was all self serve. The food was not piping hot and the turkey a little dry but I truly enjoyed having dinner beneath the church. There are a couple shops in the crypt, which are themed for the holidays so there are tree ornaments and lots of unique gift ideas. I highly recommend stopping by and listening to Christmas carols and having something to eat down here. A unique experience for sure! read more

The Cafe In The Crypt - The Christmas Dinner: December 2014 - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

The pro - you are enjoying the atmosphere and experience of being in a crypt in the heart of London. The con - pretty much everything else. It is a pretty standard cafeteria with primarily pre-packaged foods, some fresh made options that get scooped up for your tray along the queue, and (in my experience) staff who would prefer if you could move along as quickly as possible. Even for afternoon tea I wished we would have just come in to sit for a minute and then moved on to another spot in the city. read more

This is a beautiful cafe by Trafalgar square. It's hidden well enough that the majority of the tourist stay away meanwhile the ones who really appreciate the atmosphere will be there. I came with a friend who was visiting because it was a different experience than going to a pub for typical British food. Although it is cafeteria styled, the place is beautiful to keep the history and architecture lovers attracted. Food was decent, but as it was cafeteria style, my food was only warm by the time i got to my table. This place is always busy. So it's best to grab a table before going up to grab food! read more

The Cafe In The Crypt - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

Great prices and amazing food. Everything is served cafeteria style, but don't let that dissuade you. The food is gourmet and the setting is completely unique. They have special deals for soup and sandwich or soup and dessert. Very charming restaurant with a friendly staff. read more

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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). read more

This amazing café is a great find. It's well located, affordable and serves good food and should be on every tourist's radar. It's located in the basement of St. Martin in the Field church on the edge of Trafalger Square, just next to the National Gallery. I stopped by on a blustery afternoon to warm up with a cup of hot tea and a slice of red velvet cake. As an Atlantan, I've consumed many slices of this trademark Southern dessert. Unfortunately, I found this one to be dry and it didn't live up to the standards of home. Another evening I stopped by for a pre-concert dinner. It's a popular pre-theater dining spot and was packed. I ended up sharing a table to avoid eating standing up. But, my food was awesome, a salad plate with three different salads packed with flavor that was enough for two people. There are also several hot entrees, various salads, sandwiches, soups and a nice selection of desserts. The restroom at the far end is a popular, and well known, free bathroom stop for backpackers, tourists and customers alike. You really owe it to yourself to discover this gem of a restaurant in the center of London. read more

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I wouldn't have known about this place without the assistance of my Rick Steves guide book. Located in the basement of the St. Martin-in-the-Fields church, you are literally dining on top of various crypts of those buried long before the Cafe came to be. Creepy I know, try grabbing a chair to have a meal...as you pull the seat away from the table, you'll catch glimpses of these worn down...tombstones (would they even be called that). So why eat here? Well, the food is good and inexpensive. The plates are actually pretty large and heavy, but the size is definitely there to accomodate the food portions. There were 3 stations when we dined there for dinner, 1 station for cold food (food not requiring to be heated up, like green salads and tarts), another station that involved pasta (a vegeterian and non vegetarian choice), and then a station for whatever hot entree they have. My mom enjoyed her tart and liked the portion size of the salad - a lot. I chose the hot entree and really enjoyed the chicken (with gravy), potatoes, carrots, and zucchini. Had we found about this place sooner, we probably would have eaten here on more than one occassion. So now, whenever i hear someone is headed to London, I tell them to go eat here. read more

The Cafe In The Crypt - yes it's an empty plate, but that's how good the food is - hot meal: chicken, potatoes, carrots, and zucchini - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

The food was good, but the cool factor of eating in a crypt was freaking cool to a wondering tourist like me. We had the traditional English breakfast with so yogurt and snacks. Price is on par with the rest of the breakfast eateries. Recommended for those tourist like me! read more

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We came here for a traditional Sunday supper and it definitely didn't disappoint. We weren't really quite prepared for the portion sizes. We both ordered salad and were shocked to not only find out we had a choice of 3 kinds, but the portion would cover half of the tray! After ordering our massive salads, we decided I would then order the entree (meat) and Mom would get the soup so that we would be able to walk out vs being rolled out. The food was delicious (filling, obviously). It is cafeteria style so don't expect to walk in, be seated, and served. It's walk in, line up, order, and pay. The ambience is cool, though, and as mesmerizing as it is to look up at the ceiling, don't forget to look down. This is on my forever list for return trips to London. read more

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Very cool spot in soho. The ambiance and vibe is worth the visit especially after visiting London dungeon or hearing about Jack the Ripper. Gives you a sense of underground and history. The service is pretty prompt and the food is good. Overall 3&1/2 stars for food/service and 4&1/2 stars for location and ambiance read more

This is perhaps one of the most unusual venues for a cafe. Located in the basement crypt of St Martins in the Fields church in Trafalgar Square, it does provide a useful place to recharge the batteries with some food and drink or to shelter from the rain! The entrance is quite a funky glass structure at street level reminiscent of the Louvre glass pyramid entrance. On decent, you come across the gift shop and the brass-rubbing counter first. Follow the clinking of cutlery and glassware to the vaulted-ceilinged restaurant where the cafe is located. It's self-service with hot food items available as well as more tea time treats. It's 3 stars for the food but an extra star for its unique locale and cheap way to have a traditional cream tea in the heart of Central London. read more

I stumbled upon this place by accident while exploring and I am sure glad I did! My little escape during my trip to London. This hotspot is located under the Church of St. Martins in the Field. I was on a long trip to London and spent most days submerged among large crowds of people from the streets to the tube. Typically in the late afternoon I would escape to St. Martins and listen to the beautiful music rehearsals for a quiet refreshing moment to myself. I would then head down below to the Cafe in the Crypt to freshen up in the clean bathrooms, browse the gift shop, and sip on a cup of coffee. I only had hot beverages while here but the food from the looks of it seemed pretty great too! A nice little quiet spot to fill up and refuel for your day. I am truly thankful for this peaceful spot. Right in Trafalgar square next to the national gallery - stop by and marvel at the beauty of these crypts. And bonus: They have a side room that has an acoustic surprise to those who venture in! Check it out next time you are there :) read more

I have fond memories of the Cafe in the Crypt. It's an unusual locale to be sure, and I'd never have found it on my own, but I was introduced to its underground charm by an elderly gentleman one grey and chilly day when I was observing festivities in Trafalgar Square. He invited me to join him for tea and I was intrigued enough that I followed along. And I'm so glad I did! It's the perfect hideaway for an afternoon tea or snack. I only recall partaking in the tea, so I cannot comment on the tastiness of the food. Dim lighting and worn stone architecture add to the ambience. And despite the creepy name, the cafeteria style atmosphere seemed inviting to tourists and locals alike as it was bustling in there! I would return again if I had the chance... read more

If I was just going on the building then my rating would be higher but the food is nothing to write home about, reminds me of queueing up for school dinners. It's more of a place if you were on a daytrip with family you would go for a cup of tea. read more

A solid option if you are in the Trafalgar Sq. area. Nice place for something simple, whether it's tea and snack or light lunch. Plus it's a funky space down in the crypt. If you want to dodge all the chain type places in the area and eat in interesting surroundings then check out The Cafe in The Crypt. read more

I was reluctant to go here for lunch, but since two tour guides recommended it and we were already checking out Trafalgar Square, the parentals outvoted me and here we ate. They serve cafeteria style, but with more upscale offerings than you'll find in middle school. Seems like they tend to offer a few salads, a daily soup, two daily entree options, a daily freshly made sandwich, a wall of premade sandwiches, some daily desserts, and some premade desserts. Multiple beverage options (beer in a church? who would've thought), and seat yourselves amongst the giant crowd. The food was pretty decent. I had the soup and bites of the quiche and beef stew. They weren't bad, but weren't as good as what the tour guides led us to believe. Sure, the ingredients seemed fresh, but the flavors were lackluster. Also, I know everything in Britain is probably overpriced, but this price tag seemed more exorbitant than need be for a serve and seat yourself meal. Sure, the atmosphere is fun, in an eerie sort of way, but you could always just go and sit in the crypt for awhile without actually ordering the food. read more

I discovered the crypt, when visiting a concert one night. I was sitting, watching and listening (please see review St. Martins in the Field). Unlike cinemas concerts always do have a break...good timing for me, I was hungry! We made our way down to the crypt, which had been transformed into a cafeteria/restaurant. Even though I definitely think it is a brilliant idea using such space with historic value I still believe the atmosphere did not really represent the mystic of this church. Queuing to get a glass of red wine and selecting something from their buffet is less charming then if this place would be smaller, the light dimmed and more intimate. I am sure people would pay for the upvariation, Trafalgar Square is a rather touristic area anyway. But then again the concert breaks are very short and I hardly had time to finish my wine. Unlike other places such as the Barbican you were able to share a starter avoiding a grumbling in silent moments of the performance. read more

My afternoon tea cake was drier than I would have liked but for the value and the location it's stellar. This place is so so so central and next to Trafalgar Square, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Charing Cross... Unique atmosphere in the crypts of the church, prices that won't bank even the Yankee doodle bank, perfect for getting a good sit down in the middle of a hectic tourist day! read more

The atmosphere is everything in this place: You are literally eating on tombstones of the departed in the crypt of Saint Martin's in the Fields. I thought it was really cool, and have wanted to visit this place for a while now. My boyfriend on the other hand, thought it was weird. I think he is just too fresh from the States where we don't eat on dead people. The food was not anything to write home about, but I just think I ordered the wrong thing. There was a huge line and I didn't want to be picky so I just grabbed a simple sandwich. I regret that I didn't wait and get one of the hot soups or wraps I saw my fellow diners with. If you do go here, make sure and check out the actual church above the Crypt; Saint Martin's is beautiful and there is usually music rehearsals going on that you can listen in on. read more

I was looking around for something quick & gluten-free to eat while gathering my strength to brave the National Gallery crowds. after passing this robot spaceship thing next to St. Martin in the Fields many a time, today it suddenly dawned on me that it's an elevator! to a crypt! so naturally I had to check it out. lo and behold, a cafe tucked into the crypt below the church, a cafe with gluten-free food. outstanding. really crowded but the food is healthy and and most of it was gluten-free, namely the two hot entree choices (chicken and vegetarian). I had the veg option - jacket potato with ratatouille and a massive amount of rocket salad. this was 7 pounds so not too horrible considering so many places charge at least 5 for a freaking jacket potato. drinks were really expensive but I'm happy with tap water (also available). the food was really tasty and satisfying, and did I mention it's a CRYPT! the gift shop down there has a lot of cute things as well, especially some nice teacups and mugs. read more

Venue - 5 stars Food - 3 stars Friendly service - 4 stars This beautiful and unique venue beneath the earth's crust is tucked away from the chaos of Leicester Square. Retreat here for a breather and sit atop old and weathered headstones, beneath the brick arches and low lighting, and have some mediocre coffee, tea, or cafeteria food. Though the food leaves much to be desired--think very very cafeteria/hospital food, it is reasonably priced, and they do change the menu daily. Sunday roasts are always fun, a large selection of sides like veggies and starches, and they provide a great veggie option as well, never bland or boring. The prices for a full meal are also desirable. Nothing is ever over £9, unless it's Wednesday jazz night, and in that case, it's about £12, but you get a glass of house wine to go with it. They offer afternoon tea pastries, but think hospital caf-like pastries. The reason to come here is the fact that it's underground, tucked away from all natural light, and it makes you feel as if you're in a bona fide crypt--it is naturally called Cafe in the Crypt. But there is no morbid feel to the place. Many of the patrons are casual diners, probably church-goers looking for a quick and decent meal, spot of tea, glass of wine. All profits go to the church as well, but it's not crazy religious down there either. You do have to go through the gift shop to get to the crypt, which makes it a little touristy feeling, but other than that, a great escape from the chaos at the ground level, and they're usually open till mid-evening or later on jazz nights. It can get a little echo-y and loud but that's because the acoustics aren't set up to absorb lots of chatter, but other than that, a great ambiance. A must-check-out, even if you don't stay to eat or drink. read more

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Atmosphere is awesome. I especially picked the seat that was at the corner so I could see more. Food was ok. Got a Sunday roast. read more

The Cafe In The Crypt - Sunday roast with a cup of latte. - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

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Great place, very hidden...took an elevator down from the street. We had plans to stop for mulled wine and mince pie but ended up having some very nice soup as well. It was my first mince pie ever and I thought it was very good, fruity, sweet and tart with a great shortbread crust. My British friends told me it a very good mince pie..and the mulled wine was great too, not too spicy. read more

My wife and I have eaten here often on trips to London. It's a great location at Trafalgar Square and the selections for the day are typically British and allow one to choose between a lighter lunch (soup and salad) or a hot meal with desert. The prices are reasonable for London and we've had interesting chats with locals or tourists (because the tables are quite close). The shop at the same level has nice gifts. read more

Rick Steves led me here too and it's a great find for London. It's not too fancy or trendy...the food won't blow you away. But what you WILL get is good satisfying food, somewhere comfortable to sit for a bit after all the walking you're doing and you won't be spent an arm and a leg for something that will be disappointing. The crypt is pretty cool - great high ceilings, so it's a comfortable place to hang out for a bit. The location is excellent - I never would have guessed that this was tucked beneath St Martin in the Fields! read more

At first I was a little confused as to how there could possibly be a café in a church, but this was an excellent experience both for food and the atmosphere! I would essentially consider this a destination to visit as a tourist, because not only do you get great, cheap food, you also get the experience of eating the crypt of a church. From what I understand the menu changes daily, and you get a meat or vegetarian option. I opted for the meat meal as well as the soup. The food is served cafeteria style (but on proper plates and such) with a cashier at the end. for 10-13 quid, the food was excellent and the atmosphere was super cool. I would come back here for lunch in a heartbeat, and considering the other options close to Trafalgar Square, this is a clear, clear win. read more

Great place for lunch. Nice selection of salads and sandwiches along with some hot food items such as chicken and soup of the day. Service not super friendly and they do not accommodate if you want to order something that is different from the menu. Overall, good food and reasonably priced for London. read more

Wonderful place to stop for a meal! We were up early, and as the Crypt opens at 8am, we went for breakfast. I had the full English (delicious! blood sausage, sausage, bacon, egg, toast, tomato, mushroom) and tea. I think the breakfast was 8 pounds- and the dining rooms were almost empty. It was a Monday. You pick up your tray and dine cafeteria style- but we were alone in the creepy crypt, which was kind of fun. My students, who I was traveling with, enjoyed it every bit as much as I did. I also love that the proceeds from your meal go to charity. So it's a superb location (directly across from the National Gallery and Portrait Gallery, UNDER St. Martin in the Field church.) It's super cool, the food is good, and it's for a good cause! Is this not the best? read more

Just love this place under the Church, with its beautiful surroundings, relaxed ambience and original tombstones under your feet! You enter via the new glass pavilion entrance next to the Church. The very fresh food is cooked onsite. There are also some meal deals, for instance, a bowl of soup and a thick slice of bread, and apple crumble and custard for £6.50, which seems to be very popular. Mains are £8.95. There are salads, hot and cold sandwiches and hot vegetarian and meat dishes, and afternoon cream tea. It was awarded Les Routiers Café of the Year in 2012. All profits go to fund the work of the Church. read more

The Cafe In The Crypt - Meal deal - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

Not only is the premise intriguing, but this café was warmly recommended in all the tourist books I consulted. Right next to the National Gallery, you find an erect glass tube that reads "Crypt". You have arrived!! A lot of the previous reviews mention a "cafeteria setting" and I suddenly got scared: was I gonna be seated between groups of strangers at a single long table?! Absolutely not. This is pretty much like a smaller, and fancier IKEA, you line up and select whatever you want along the counter (but don't make the mistake of trying to take anything yourself though!). Also, everyone calls you "madam", oh it's so quaint! There is a good selection of salads and in the evening 2 warm meals, and 2 choices of dessert. I opted for the grilled chicken leg in lime and..tomato sauce I think? It was lovely if a bit cold. The veggies were very tasty and well-seasoned. The apple cobbler with custard cream comes with a full pot of cream! Luscious and soo rich. The alternative was berries in cream which I'm still curious about.. Don't make my rookie mistake of taking a mineral water bottle, there are pitchers and glasses, as well as utensils and sauces behind the cash. So don't madly dash into the dining area, there'll be plenty of seating available. The crowd seemed fairly mixed as I was seated between a loud French school group, and a very English elderly couple. All in all my dinner was 13 pounds and delicious. I disagree about the "creepy" vibe, relaxed, casual, even intimate, but never creepy. The actual tombs are only noticeable if you make a point of it. Lastly, I should mention the bathrooms, which are the museum's, and located right next to the entrance. They are absolutely mesmerizing. Not that they are luxurious, but if you are, like me, already completely impressed with the space in a British toilet, this will take the cake because....the sink is in the stall!! Whaaaaaat!?!?! read more