The Rice House

Restaurant

Comments

Cafe Crema

The place looked nice; it's your casual laid-back cafe. The food, though on the healthy side, was bland. The price was okay. I'd only go here again if I lacked the means to cook and there were a lack of alternative places to go.

If you are making a detour to stop by, call beforehsand to ensure they are open. Although they stock "Vegetarian London 2008" guide, their hours vary from the ones listed for the café in there at times. I have turned up a couple of times and they have been closed/ open when I expected them to be otherwise. The owner gave me an approximation of opening times when I asked so I guess they open when they feel like it.

Cafe Seventy Nine

The menu features regular café fare such as sandwiches, soups, coffee and so on. Cheese features in probably about three quarters of the menu. I ordered the burger which was made of pulses and flavoured with turmeric and cardamom I think. It came in a white pita bread with a leaf of lettuce and a slice of tomato. It was different to what I expected when I ordered a burger. It was a bit weak I think. The coffee is quite nice and they have soy milk.

Hollyhock Cafe

Often eat here as the food is simple and good and they let you in with your dog. It is right on the river so perfect for a long dog walk and a lunch stop.

The description of Hollyhock Cafe is that it's vegan-friendly. I'm sorry but this is the least vegan-friendly veggie cafe I've ever been to. The total choice on offer for vegans was a baked potato with beans, and a strudel. This is a shame because the cafe is in a fantastic location. I'd love to go back - but not until they live up to the billing. The strudel? It wasn't bad - but hardly worth the trip on an empty stomach.

Jo's and Al's

There are savoury and sweet pastries, a good range of great looking cakes, some of which are vegan/ gluten free and chocolates which you can buy individually. There is also bread. I have had a savoury pastry and croissant which were quite decent. I also tried the cherry brownie but it wasn't quite for me. It might have been a little bit dry but also I may just not have been in the mood for cherries as I actually wanted a plain brownie. I had a hot chocolate which was fine. They have soy milk which you just can't take for granted in the UK!

Spring Gardens Cafe

None

Strawbale Cafe

None

The 5 Elements

None

The Garden Cafe

There are savoury and sweet pastries, a good range of great looking cakes, some of which are vegan/ gluten free and chocolates which you can buy individually. There is also bread. I have had a savoury pastry and croissant which were quite decent. I also tried the cherry brownie but it wasn't quite for me. It might have been a little bit dry but also I may just not have been in the mood for cherries as I actually wanted a plain brownie. I had a hot chocolate which was fine. They have soy milk which you just can't take for granted in the UK!

We stumbled on this place by accident one lunchtime and had a delicious meal consisting of a hot dish accompanied by very fresh salad. Creative dishes, quiet atmosphere and good prices. Only negative was that staff were a bit off hand, but it didn't detract too much from the experience.

The Grain Shop

They have a great selection of vegan and vegetarian foods. It's inconvenient that it is take-away only, yet, if you ask for your container with no lid you will get twice as much food so it's worth the hassle. There is a park nearby to sit in to eat. It's a good deal for the price which was around 5 pounds. I would actually give the food quality 5 stars. The split pea dal with rice and greens is delicious. There is a great variety to choose from for both vegans and vegetarians; however, the vegan food is not marked. I'm allergic to egg and dairy so I hate to have to ask about every item. They do have yummy vegan and gluten-free desserts which are marked. Overall a great little vegetarian eatery on Portobello Road.

The Poetry Cafe

This is a great place to listen to poetry and have a snack. They allow you to take your food and beverages downstairs. Reflect on and discuss all manner of things over refreshments. Poetry is so much more when recited, especially by its own author. In term of food there could be improvement. Eg keeping with low maintenance they could easily just order some good cakes/ slices in. The poetry adds so much though! I will definitely be returning but I do wish someone would pay a bit more attention to the food side. As a place to get a light snack it's edging toward a three for me

The Ragged Canteen

This daytime café, inside an art exhibition building, has been serving up wholesome vegetarian brunches and lunches since September 2008. Customers press a buzzer to enter what was once the basement of a late Victorian school; the heavy flagstones and pillars give it a crypt-like feel. But the service is cheery and uplifting, and the dishes freshly prepared with real care using high-quality ingredients.

Turnips

There is usually a big queue to pay and order and then get your wrap order. They sell fresh produce wholesale too but it is not on display, probably you need to ring up for it. There are about two different choices of wraps with cooked vegetables in them. Half way through the aftenoon one of them often sells out. The wraps are juicy. They are rolled so you can eat them as you walk around as it being a stand there is no seating.