The Attendant, London W1

Formerly a Victorian Gents toilet, built around 1890 and mothballed in the 1960’s, the Attendant had been dormant for more than fifty years before taking 2 years to transform it into one of Europe’s most unique espresso & food bar spaces. There are so many original features left here with the original Attendant’s office now itself in use as the cafes little toilet.

The kitchen is open for you to watch the preparation of your food and drink, whilst you perch upon the green stools placed within the original porcelain urinals, with an inspired coffee bench above. The floor is the original Victorian floor tiles and the odd broken or missing tile and the holes in the tiles remind you that there is history here.

Whoever decided that this underground old gents loo would make a great café was a genius. Since I first heard of it I have been telling everyone. It has to be one of the UK’s most bizarre destination venues. As we have now visited it we can tell you….its worth the visit!

Whilst we can get excited at the transformation of the old toilets, when you visit the Attendant to eat and drink you will have your taste buds tantalised. The Brownies with salted caramel oozing from the middle have to be the best I have EVER tasted. The coffee is served in cups that we were told are the perfect size to “balance” the addition of milk and coffee so that you get that perfect cup every time.

Mr Q and I met with the Owner and manager, Bosh (pictured), who told us his entrepreneurial story of how he got to be the owner of the destination venue. His passion for quality food and coffee came through in his offer that both Mr Q and I devoured. He left us dangling with the promise of more quirky venues and quality foods in and around London. Come on Bosh, take your offer to the rest of the UK. Why should all the best things stay in London? We are watching you with interest.

A must go, a must see, a must do.

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