Alford’s Deli

This spot must be disadvantaged by the slightly offbeat location. It is a very nice and spacious eat-​in or take-​out restaurant right on Farringdon, perhaps too far north of Fleet and too far East of Holborn. I went for a later lunch, so there was even less traffic, but it was minimal. Even more surprising since the food was very good and quick, the staff friendly and helpful, and the table area comfortable and welcoming. I just had the lasagna with a bottle of Australian root beer (amazing!), and it was perfect for a midweek lunch.

This was one of the spots I had walked by a million times when I first moved to London and was briefly living in Farringdon, but never went into. Why? I’ll never know, because this spot is delightful.
A quaint roomy café that almost feels like eating in someone’s living room. Wooden tables, comfortable couches, great light outside big windows and a delicious menu filled with lunch options.
I got the soup of the day, which was tomato. It was good, creamy but not too creamy. It came with bread but I wish it had been harder crispier bread for the soup rather than a roll with butter already on it. Ah well. The person I was having a lunch meeting with got a sandwich and it was huge. She could only eat half and had to take the other half home.
The service, to be honest, could have used a little work. I sat down at a table waiting for my meeting with my laptop and the woman behind the counter asked me very harshly, «Can I help you?» When I told her I was waiting for a meeting before ordering, she rolled her eyes and walked away. Ok… And she was just as curt when we did finally order. Not col.
Beyond that though, solid experience and solid lunch. Worth checking out for sure.

Came here for lunch and got the Turkey/​Crispy bacon sandwich special. The sandwich was ginormous and all the ingredients tasted fresh. I wish the lady making it had asked if I wanted any condiments on there because she only put butter (which I normally don’t get and I had to ask for mustard after the sandwich was finished). A co-​worker had the salted beef and it was moist and not too salty.
The place was really bright and airy and the lady behind the counter was nice. Will definitely be stopping in here again in the near future.

Quick glance:
+ great lunch spot
+ spacious and bright
+ big portion
+ good value
I came here for lunch on a weekday with a colleague and was surprised there were only a handful of patrons dining in, despite the spacious venue. The food isn’t terribly expensive and you get a whole lot of whatever it is ordering, whether it’s sandwich (huge!) or salads (colourful and fresh!). There is also a selection of British deli goodness like scotch eggs and sausage rolls. Overall, it’s a great spot for lunch if you want to catch up with friends because it’s so spacious and quiet!

I cant believe people have not posted more accolades for Alfords.
The ambiance is a cross between eating in your grandmothers kitchen and a san francisco bakery. Décor wise its comfortable and bright despite sitting on an uninspiring street.
The review I am giving is basis their lunch fare.
Three factors when giving Alfords such high marks.
1) Value — each sandwich is monsterously portioned and as priced like a pret sandwich half the size.
2) Handcrafted Goodness — each sandwich is painstaking crafted from behind a counter with loving care.
3) Fresh– everything takes on the right off farm feel.
If you are in the area for lunch surely stop by. You might have to wait a few minutes but your time is worth it.

Good value for money, tasty and filling lunchtime fare — specials seem to have a good amount of variety (haven’t been for a few weeks but before then never saw the same menu twice) and the food is almost always spot on — special mention to the sausages with chorizo and puy lentils i had last time, really good winter fare :)
good selection of condiments, sweet treats and deli sandwiches on offer too, though all i have had from under the counter was a sausage roll — not bad but not great either.
But the roasts are always good and the portions generous for the price so give it a go!