Caffé Nero

Personally I actually think café nero’s coffee is the closest thing to what we can call a coffee in the chain café world. As a starter they actually make coffee with beans which is a good start unlike those who use a silly machine.
They also do a very decent chai latte — no that’s not my regular — and is one of the very few chains that actually does a chai (and proper).
If I have to go chain store, I go Nero.

Okay, so it’s Caffe Nero. Yes, it’s a coffee house franchise. But then finding places that aren’t franchises in Canary Wharf are few and far between, and not necessarily good! Anyway, you can pretty much expect same food, drinks and level of service you’ll get at any other Caffe Nero.
Well, it’s not the coffee that brings me here. I don’t drink the stuff. Don’t get me wrong. I love a good strong coffee but it has a profound effect on me, think the squirrel in Over The Hedge and you get the idea.
No, it’s because it’s one of the few places in Canary Wharf where you can find a seat at lunch time and chill. The other place is down by the river, but that only works on warm sunny days!
Yes, on occasion, when I have the luxury of an entire lunch hour, I like to come here, get my hot chocolate and unwind reading a book or maybe write. It’s one of the least hectic places you’ll find in Canary Wharf during the working week.

Lots of seating, both inside the café and outside. Few plugpoints for your laptop or phone chargers. Friendly baristas, fast service and the usual Caffe Nero portfolio of food products along with coffee. I’ll give it a thumbs up if I have to compare it to the average Caffe Nero.
The Wifi is Cloud. There are couple of other signals that you might intercept, but Cloud works the best (if it works, i.e.).

I’m a fan of the Caffe Nero concept, but even so, this is at the smarter end of their portfolio and with a sharper service.

One of the nicer cafes around Canary Wharf, this place is warm, welcoming and offers a good range of beverages to get you going in the morning or relaxing in the evening!
The layout of the place seems to work very well so even when it’s busy, the people sitting down do not get barged or crowded over.
The prices are good for what’s on offer. Obviously I do not touch the sandwiches as they are waaaaaaay too expensive to be considered but the drinks are good!
I like this place for the chilled out vibe. This is a good place to go if you need to escape and while away 30 precious minutes before throwing yourself back into the hub bub of the financial powerhouse of London.