Sawmill

Been there just once. The shop window display is beautiful with massive cakes and tempting savoury bits on show. The café is not big, would fill up quickly (and I’m sure it does) and the seats are not the most comfortable. The décor is very pleasant, a carbon copy of one of those Shoreditch artisanal coffee houses, therefore attracting a matching clientele; let us say it’s not the most culturally diverse café in such a culturally diverse area.
I suspected by the accents that it’s an eastern european place, later confirmed. The staff is very pleasant and smiley and patiently described all the cakes for me and my friends. We ordered breakfast tea and assorted cake slices, and they brought us the mugs with no milk and seemed a bit surprised when we asked for it. «Milk… for the tea?» they said. :)
From what I understood they have recently expanded, but the other half of the restaurant was taken by a group of people arranging crates of food (they also do catering, apparently; good to know).
The cakes were all yummy, but they do have a different texture and taste than traditional sponges here. Very moist, though, which is always a plus in my books. :) Very heavy on the cream, so beware, but not distressingly sweet. I’d have another slice again right now. I didn’t try the savoury bits, but they looked delicious. If you happen to live or be in the area, I’d totally give it a go. There’s a variety of yummy looking things to try. :)

Cute and small coffee shop in Stratford. Mainly Eastern European food and cakes. Sold! After working in a Russian coffee shop for about two years I felt in love wit their food, so this place was perfect for me. I just ordered a coffee and a couple of cakes for take away. I wanted to have in but the place was full with the breakfast rush. I didn’t mind though. Staff was super friendly and warm, they ended up giving me a couple of cookies just to apologise for not having seats available. I couldn’t be happier.
I really need to come back and have a proper meal. Borscht looked amazing! If you live locally give it a try, I’m sure you don’t regret it.

Skip the coffee chains at the mall and check out this charming family-​run place instead. I had a latte and a mini fruit tart and they were incredibly delicious! Nice to find this gem in a bit of a run-​down area.

This is a nice little trendy café. Very relax feel and the food is not all that bad. The shop window display is just a mouth watering array of cakes and pies. Inside is small but very cosy and the décor is interesting. They do accept cards now. A bit disappointed about their take away box when I once ask for a takeaway. It reminded me one of those yellow burger takeaway boxes. Got home with not so appetising cakes.

Sawmill is an adorable little café situated in Stratford. If you’re near by, I urge you to visit!
I popped by with some friends who had been before and was in awe with how relaxing the area was. We picked ourselves out some sweet treats, coffee, tea and a slice of quiche for a quick lunch. (I had to resist ordering one of the slices of pie because honestly they all looked divine.)
It’s a perfect place for meeting with friends or even a business outing. The service was great but make sure to bring cash as they don’t accept cards!