Restaurant in London, United Kingdom
All-Day Italian-Influenced Café
Caffè Concerto on Northumberland Avenue is a reliable all-day café stop near Trafalgar Square, suited to casual coffee and light meals rather than destination dining. Walk-ins are the norm, the dress code is none, and the ornate European-café setting makes it a practical and atmospheric choice for tourists and central London visitors on the move.
If you're weighing up a coffee stop or casual sit-down near Trafalgar Square, Caffè Concerto on Northumberland Avenue is a more considered option than the generic chains lining the surrounding streets. It trades on an Italian-café aesthetic and a broad all-day menu rather than on any particular culinary credential, which sets the right expectation before you arrive: this is not a destination restaurant, but it is a reliable, atmosphere-forward room for tourists and office workers who want something a step above a flat white and a shrink-wrapped sandwich.
First-timers should know what they're walking into visually. Caffè Concerto venues lean heavily into ornate European café styling — think mirrored walls, chandelier lighting, and display cases stacked with pastries and cakes. The Northumberland Avenue location sits close to Embankment and Charing Cross, which makes it a practical stop before or after visiting the South Bank, the National Gallery, or Covent Garden. The room tends to fill quickly at weekend lunchtimes and on weekday mornings when commuters and tourists converge, so if you want a table without waiting, arriving before 11am or after 3pm on weekdays is the smarter move. Weekday mid-mornings are the calmest window if a quieter setting matters to you.
The service model here is casual table service, which suits the drop-in, all-day format. For a first visit, temper expectations accordingly: staff are generally efficient rather than attentive, and the experience is closer to a European-style café than a full-service restaurant. That is not a criticism — it matches the price tier and the venue's positioning. Where Caffè Concerto earns its place on a visit is in its consistency and location convenience rather than any standout hospitality depth. If polished, attentive service is your priority, the comparison venues listed below operate in a different category entirely.
Booking is easy , walk-ins are the norm for most of the day, and the venue does not require advance reservations for individuals or small groups. Dress code is none: casual is entirely appropriate. The location on Northumberland Avenue places it within easy walking distance of Embankment Underground station (District and Circle lines) and Charing Cross mainline and Jubilee line connections, making it direct to reach from most parts of central London. For larger groups, calling ahead is worth doing to confirm availability of suitable seating, since the venue's layout can make accommodating parties of six or more unpredictable without prior notice.
Book here if you need a reliable, atmospheric pit-stop in central London with all-day food and coffee, and you are not expecting a dining event. Skip it if you are planning a special occasion or expecting the service depth of a full-service restaurant. For serious dining in London, explore options across our full London restaurants guide, and for drinks-focused alternatives, check our full London bars guide.
Caffè Concerto Northumberland Avenue occupies a very different tier from London's fine-dining circuit. CORE by Clare Smyth and The Ledbury are both ££££ venues with Michelin recognition and booking queues that require weeks of planning , neither is a drop-in option, and both demand a full evening and a serious budget. Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and Sketch, The Lecture Room and Library sit in the same ££££ bracket with tasting menus and formal service that are the opposite of Caffè Concerto's casual walk-in format. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is the most accessible of the five in terms of name recognition, but it still requires advance booking and a serious per-head spend.
The honest comparison for Caffè Concerto is not against Michelin-starred venues but against other all-day café options near the Strand and Embankment. On that measure, it wins on atmosphere and space over most chain alternatives. If you are after a proper dining experience in the area, the peer venues above are the places to book; if you need a comfortable spot to sit, eat something decent, and watch the foot traffic on one of London's busiest thoroughfares, Caffè Concerto fills that role without friction.
No dress code applies. Smart casual is more than sufficient, and you will see everything from tourist-casual to office attire in the room. This is a relaxed all-day café, not a formal dining venue , overthinking what to wear is unnecessary.
Caffè Concerto venues typically offer a broad menu that includes some options for common dietary requirements, but specific allergen or dietary details for this location are not confirmed in our data. Contact the venue directly before visiting if dietary restrictions are a firm requirement for your group.
Small groups of two to four can generally walk in without issue during off-peak hours. For parties of six or more, calling ahead is worth doing , the layout can be unpredictable for larger tables, particularly at busy weekend lunchtimes. This is not a private-dining venue, so very large groups should explore dedicated event spaces elsewhere in London.
Not the first choice. If a birthday dinner, anniversary, or business entertaining is the purpose, the Michelin-recognised venues on our London restaurants guide will serve the occasion better. Caffè Concerto is well-suited to a relaxed coffee catch-up or a casual lunch, but the service style and setting do not lend themselves to a formal celebration.
For serious dining near the West End, CORE by Clare Smyth and The Ledbury are the benchmark restaurants, both at ££££ and both requiring advance booking. For something closer in price tier and format, check our full London restaurants guide for options that match your budget and occasion more precisely.
Arrive before 11am or after 3pm on weekdays for the calmest experience. Walk-ins are the standard approach , no reservation needed for individuals or pairs. The room is visually busy in a European café style, which is part of the appeal. Expect casual service, a broad all-day menu, and a location that is practical for central London sightseeing. It is a good pit-stop, not a dining destination.
Specific dish recommendations are not confirmed in our data for this location. Caffè Concerto venues are generally known for cakes and pastries displayed at the counter, alongside coffee, light lunches, and broad café menus. Checking the current menu on arrival or via the venue directly will give you the most accurate picture of what's available.
| Venue | Awards | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caffè Concerto Northumberland Avenue | — | ||
| CORE by Clare Smyth | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | ££££ | — |
| Restaurant Gordon Ramsay | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | ££££ | — |
| Sketch, The Lecture Room and Library | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | ££££ | — |
| The Ledbury | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | ££££ | — |
| Dinner by Heston Blumenthal | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | ££££ | — |
What to weigh when choosing between Caffè Concerto Northumberland Avenue and alternatives.
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