About
Welcome to Host Café, a unique culinary retreat nestled within the historic surroundings of St Mary Aldermary church on Watling Street, London. This charming café has swiftly gained a reputation for being a hidden gem, blending the ambiance of a sacred space with the warmth of community gathering. A visit here is more than just a coffee break; it’s an experience that sparks conversation and reflection.
Step inside Host Café and you’re greeted by a serene atmosphere, characterized by beautiful interiors that pay homage to its ecclesiastical roots. It’s a place where old-world charm meets modern café culture, making it perfect for a quick bite, a leisurely coffee, or even a productive work session. The surroundings alone are enough to stir the imagination – sipping coffee under the majestic arches of a church is indeed a moment to savor.
The menu at Host Café is thoughtfully curated. Guests can delight in rich, aromatic coffee that has earned high praise, coupled with a selection of delicious toasties, hearty soups, and tempting pastries. The banana bread and orange cake come highly recommended, proving to be delightful companions to a well-brewed cup. As one visitor aptly put it, "Drinking coffee and eating cake inside a church should be in your bucket list!"
What sets Host Café apart is not just the food and drink, but the inviting spirit of its staff and the community it fosters. Customer reviews frequently highlight the exceptional service, with friendly staff ensuring that each visitor feels welcomed and valued. The café allows patrons to bring food from nearby stores as long as they purchase something from their menu, making it a versatile stop for lunch or snacks.
With limited seating, the café can be a cozy space, but it's well worth the wait if you find yourself on a busy day. In moments, you’ll be seated, ready to soak in the unique vibe of this extraordinary venue. Whether you're visiting for a quick coffee or to indulge in a relaxed afternoon amidst cherished historical architecture, Host Café promises an experience that transcends the ordinary.
For those in search of something out of the ordinary in the heart of London, Host Café invites you to pause, sip, and savor in a setting that is both familiar and extraordinary. A visit here isn’t just about food; it’s about feeling a part of something larger – a sacred space where community, flavor, and history intertwine.
So, make your way to Host Café at St Mary Aldermary, and discover the magic that awaits!
“ A hidden gem in central London. I still can’t find the correct words to describe this experience. The coffee is amazing and the staff treated us well. The seating is a bit limited but we were very lucky and had our seats available pretty much instantly. ”
“ Loved the idea turning a church into a cafe, makes the vibe super unique and chill. The seating is worked nicely around the space, and it’s just a great place to hang out. The coffee was pretty good, bit different from what I’m used to, but still enjoyable. They’ve got toasties, soups, pastries, and you can even bring food from nearby as long as you grab something from the cafe, which is pretty handy. Perfect for a quick bite or a drink if you’re looking for something out of the ordinary. Definitely worth checking out! ”
“ Drinking coffee and eating cake inside a church should be in your bucket list! This place has the best vibes and atmosphere, really nice orange cake and banana bread, coffee was great too ”
“ Small cafe inside the church. Good number of tables. They also serve toasties, soups and pastries. You could bring food from nearby stores, as long as you busy something from the cafe. Great spot for lunch or coffee. Nice atmosphere and beautiful interiors/ ”
“ Great atmosphere. The views are great being inside a church. Almost a bit surreal. They have small tables where you can sit and work or just drink coffee. The coffee is good too! ”
“ I really enjoy coming to this cafe. It is one of my favourite spots to visit by my work. I love that it's a part of a church as it really provides a great atmosphere. The seating arrangement is quite nice too making it really great to have an informal chat sitting on the church benches. I would highly recommend a visit. ”
“ The atmosphere is just spot-on. It's got this cozy, welcoming vibe that makes you wanna sit down and stay a while. The decor is charming, with a touch of elegance that makes it feel special without being stuffy. ”
“ We absolutely loved this cafe in a church! What an absolute treasure. This is a working church with a busy and popular cafe within it. There were friends catching up, people working on laptops, tourists and locals. Lots of nice tables but you can also sit in the pews. We had coffee and cakes which were excellent. We brought a baby with us and the changing facilities were good, there was also a high chair. I let the baby have a crawl in the carpeted side chapel when she got bored, and she loved it. The beautiful church gives a lovely atmosphere which is quiet and peaceful but also very friendly and welcoming. It's so nice to see a working church with a thriving side hustle like this, and the two complementing each other. If I lived in London I would go here all the time. Can't recommend it more. ”