Speedy service. Great tasting coffee. Very impressed with both speed of service (for a takeaway coffee) and quality of coffee
Only friendly when you are purchasing. The owner seems more interested in your money than his customers having an enjoyable visit, unfortunately. Won't be a return visit for us.
This is my second visit to Cafe Arabica inside a week, which is a recommendation in its own right. We were meeting my sister but found we'd got our timing wrong, so we had an hour to kill. We walked along the Downs cutting across to Coldharbour Rd and then back to North View, admiring the houses and gardens tucked away in the quiet little streets. When we got back we spotted Cafe Arabica and once we read the menu I text my sister and suggested we meet there instead of Grounded, which was our original choice. There were two little table's outside but the weather then (as today) wasn't quite warm enough for us though the smokers were happy to sit out. Inside the place is a bit small and it's very popular so there is plenty of demand for seating. The few tables are fairly close together and it can become a bit 'cosy' but there is a back room overlooking the small garden and a few high stools in the window. The menu is quite interesting and there were some unusual choices available. There's also a blackboard with a selection of options all at the same price. I went for the Mezze which was a bit disappointing as it didn't have the meat I was expecting though there was a good selection of other ingredients (Olives, Sun Dried Tomatoes and a warm, rather sweet bun). it was very tasty and as a light alternative to a 'Full English' it was a good choice. My sister chose the grilled goats cheese with bacon, salad and coleslaw which looked great and today it was my choice. The grilled cheese was gorgeous, salty and with the bacon it was a match made in heaven, but the salad (lettuce, cucumber, tomato) just seemed completely unnecessary. It would though have been amazing with a small pat of Bubble and Squeak? There were some small slices of crisp bread but these were a poor substitute for a good slice of Granary Toast. My partner went for Poached Eggs on a Bagel with Avocado which she announce as delicious. (My sister chose this option today). There are lot's of coffee option's all served piping hot in good sized cups/mugs and Tea is available in a Pot if required. Service is polite and friendly and the guys told me they had been there for about 5 years, so not the unknown Gem I though we'd discovered. This is a nice, civilised Cafe where they offer some different choices. It wont be the first choice for builders or anyone wanting a calorie packed meal but it will always have a fan base. Parking can be a problems but we found spaces in North View on both occasions, so its just about luck.
