Benugo @ BFI

Great little bar tucked away off the main drag. Frequented by in the know locals rather than tourists. Comfy seats, attentive staff. Free wifi.
Menu looks good but we didn’t eat. Will definitely come back again.

A lovely little place to do some work surrounded by film peeps.
Today I sat with a coffee & soda water (coz I couldnt decide whether I was hot or cold) and did some work while I waited for a friend.
We had planned to head downstairs to riverside for lunch but it was closed for an event, so we stuck it out at Benugo and weren’t disappointed.
We both ordered the lunch special where you get a main meal & a cheeky wine for £15 which is pretty good value for a nice meal and mood lighting. We both ordered the burger which was OK… pretty large serving with chips, although I will say that the burger itself was nothing too special.
You really do go to this place for the chance to mingle with the film industry elite, rather than for worldclass food. I wouldn’t recommend making the trek there for the coffee (my antipodean taste buds are always a little offended by their brew) or the food, but for the atmosphere and experience it is definitely worth it!

I was at this spot just today for my afternoon fix! Aka: latte! It tasted nice and not too strong or bitter! Don’t you just hate those overly bitter coffees that make you pull uncomplimentary faces in public? Well rest assured this one didn’t do that! It was priced at £2.70 with a 33p service charge. No idea why as I had to practically beg them to come on over and give me the bill! The waitresses were too busy prancing around looking crazy! When I say crazy it’s a slight exaggeration but whatever! Overall £3.03 for my latte. Not bad as there’s fast free wifi and comfortable seating. The end! Haha

Came here for a pre-​concert meal and really liked it. Busy but not overcrowded and service was good. Got tempted by the spectacular cocktails! Can recommend.

I would have never thought to go here for drinks after work but my friend spotted it in timeout so we decided to come after work for a drink on a Friday.
You would have to know about as it is at the back of benugos but very cute as the entrance is a bookcase and then the décor inside is like an old library.
It was empty when we arrived so we got our pick of seats — nice comfy sofas. There is a small bar with one waiter and an extensive cocktail list. I’d recommend the elderflower and champagne cocktail.
It remained fairly quiet most of the early evening but nice vibe with good music.
Will definitely be back although cocktails aren’t cheap! Bar menu also looked tasty!

This place was nice enough, smart, light and in a convenient location if a little hidden away. The staff were very polite and friendly and everything came very quickly. There was a good choice of wines and food and it was all done to a good standard. Despite all this the place just didn’t wow me. Everything was a little overpriced and to be honest a bit nondescript. I wouldn’t say no to going again but I would go out of my way to go either. All in all it was only ok.

I got the rib steak eye. Quite expensive and too much fat.

Had drinks after a movie, but was asked to leave b/​c they were closing. Nice atmosphere. They have shelves filled with books and magazines in which patrons can browse.

Highly average food, very overpriced.
Staff are rude and more interested in catching up with each other’s gossip than serving customers.
It is a nicely designed restaurant but uncomfortable seats outside and most of the heaters don’t work.

Summary:
+ Funky looking café/​bar with great sofas
+ Hidden inside BFI so not many people know (now you do)
Overall:
They have great selection of comfy sofas to sit on. You can rotate and sit on different sofas every 10 minutes if you’d like. (Provided no one’s already sitting there, of course.) The slightly dimmed lighting produces this feel of secret café. Indeed, since it’s hidden inside BFI, unless you are a frequent goer to the cinema, not many people know this place. I’ve only been here for teas and drinks but they also have dining area where they serve some proper. Tea selection is nothing special. I don’t know about coffees as I don’t drink. But that’s OK. I come here for the comfy sofa.
I think someone else mentioned but I wouldn’t recommend coming here with a big group. (say, over 6 people) It’s hard to find a spot.

Been to this place and simply loved it, it has very large and comfortable booths and tables, the music is great, the environment is amazing, the food is perfect, the service is ok, I just thought they could be a little more attentional with us.
Overall I would say it was a great experience and definitely deserves one more go.

For some reason that I can’t quite put my finger on, I really like this place.
I think it’s partly the delightfully well executed small plates that are perfect for sharing and mean you can have half a dozen mouthfuls of random things you fancy.
I like the convenience from Waterloo, the hustle and bustle of the BFI and the comings and goings as people stop off and move on.
I like the colours and lighting and tassels of the bar area, and the feeling it creates of a welcoming cocoon.
And I like the moreish fig old fashioned they make, which could have a little something to do with it…
Whatever it is, when I’m wondering where I want to go, it’s my go to place.

We came here after being told the wait for Wahaca would be over an hour. Having my pumped myself up for Mexican I came to Beungo not expecting to be wowed. I was very pleasantly surprised though!
The restaurant itself is a bit weird as it’s essentially in the entrance to the BFI so there is lots of people coming and going. The furniture is all mis-​matched which gives a nice informal atmosphere which is needed when the menu from first read comes off a bit OTT.
You can either have one large dish or a selection of the smaller dishes. We went for the smaller dishes because I’m indecisive and want to try everything! Highlights was the salt and pepper squid (I could’ve eaten about 5 of these) and the beetroot, grapefruit and goats cheese salad.
The staff were very friendly but our particular wasn’t that helpful. We asked how many dishes he would recommend we ordered and he looked at us if we were crazy.
Pleasantly surprised with this place though!

An adequate place to eat given the pricey/​touristy location corresponding derth of good options nearby.
I ordered the seafood linguine. When it usually comes to my plate, I’ll beam with a big smile as I set my eyes on a diversity of seafood. Not so with what I was served here — pasta with prawns, topped off with finely sliced cheddar. The flavours are simple so it certainly didn’t taste bad but it was unnecessarily boring. Some mussels and squid would’ve been enough to make me happy.
The service was efficient, friendly although somewhat anonymous. Can’t blame them for the latter, we eating at peak times and they must’ve been rushed off their feet.
Overall, I’d recommend this place simply because it has a great ambience and beats its competitors in a largely overpriced neighbourhood.

This bar compliments the visitors of the BFI perfectly.
As soon as you step foot inside you’ll see an eclectic mix of students on their laptops, media types and trendy retired souls. Come on a Friday after 5pm and there is no way you will be sitting down at any point in the night. This is the sort of place that is very successful and busy. It seems too quirky to be smack bang on the Southbank, but because of the prime location it will always just be busy.
A few friends and I managed to bagsie a sofa, which you sink right into. Perfect for a comfortable slouch and read, but not for socialising, especially when a few of you didn’t get a seat. Everything’s very low down.
We ordered some food, overpriced nibbles. A bit of hummus and sweet potato fries. Really nothing to right home about and not really for sharing.
There’s a decent range at the bar, but obviously has a bit of a premium attached. The restaurant surrounding the bar looked lovely, but not much of an area for a quiet meal, next to the hustle and bustle of the bar.
I mite try this place again in the day time, but I doubt I’d make it a go to place. Nice enough though.

Nice drinks, open late (’til 12, I beleive), decent cocktails, decent prices, veeeerrrrrrry patient staff.
I’m not *suggesting* that you bring your very drunken friends here after you’ve been kicked off the roof our out of an area pub or anything.
But if you do, and you’re not out of order (but perhaps not exactly in working order) the staff will do you right.
Also: decent wine and beer and whatnot.

Basically, what Linzi said.
Alarmingly rude and tardy bar and host staff took the gloss off this place for me.
Because it is pretty. It is funky. It does have 18 different types of seat. It seems like it should be fun.
Came here post theatre for a few drinks and left after only two — in search of somewhere a little friendlier and relaxed. Oh and somewhere that is open past 11pm.

Another favourite place of mine to drop in for some coca cola or a tasty organic cider.
The perfect place to sit and watch the world go by…

Oooohhhh! Something shiny! And funky light fixtures! My what whacktastic mismatched furniture you have! The entire design team had clearly seen Alice in Wonderland one too many times, and perhaps drawn other inspiration from Wonderland’s less savoury implications, if you’re picking up what I’m putting down.
But you know what? It works. Glass of wine with the girls? Mid-​day work creative session? Blow out party brainstorming? This is definitely your spot. With a hearty selection of tasty treats and an abundant wine list to boot, you can explore the different feel of each nook and cranny while nursing your favourite libations and potent potions.
Whether you’re just popping in mid-​morning or hunkering down for a full on dinner date, you will definitely enjoy your experience at Benugo. Just be warned that if you are holding a meeting at Benugo Bar and taking advantage of their free wifi, you might have a few uncomfortable «ooo, something shiny» moments. Cause I did.

The lounge at benugo bar & kitchen
When I am in the South Bank area and I need a safe, comfy space for the afternoon, I make my way to the lounge at benugo. It’s usually peaceful during the week days and I love sitting with a coffee or a glass of wine and indulging in a book, sinking deeper by the moment into a couch.
The walls are clad in trendy patterned wallpaper, décor is contemporary –patterns and stripes against brooding woods. Prices at the bar are slightly above average, with a full cocktail menu.
Weekends are busier and couches become much coveted possessions. I haven’t eaten at Benugo so I can’t review the food. Maybe one day I’ll make it off the couch onto a table.
T
here’s free Wifi as well as feeling like you are a part of the BFI’s filmic elite.