Bonhomie Café in Epping Forest

This is my third visit to Bonhomie since it changed from Belgique. I have to say that I was not particularly impressed with my previous two visits, having always ordered the avocado on toast. The first time it was served on white bread without having been given the option to chose another type of bread. Also, it was literally what it said in the tin i.e. a sliced avocado on a slice of white bread, no dressing. The second time I said that I would like to have it on brown bread please. Again, it came as a sliced avocado on a slice of bread. Both times it came with a poached egg and a minimum amount of garnish. Nothing to do with the nice avocado on toast served in other local cafés. For this reason, when my friend suggested Bonhomie today,  I said that I wasn't a fan. However, as it was convenient for it is local, we went. Our waiter was a young man, that couldn't understand my foreign accent, despite my having been in this country for 20 years, my partner being British and me being a professional person developing my profession in the area. I repeated my order of green tea, avocado on toast (I thought maybe third time lucky), no butter several times but he kept asking for my order time and time again, to the point of making me feel embarrassed. It has never happened to me anything like it before. The young man tried to excused himself saying that it wasn't my accent, that it had been a long day (it was 11am). When eventually the food came, it was the saddest thing I have ever been served in a café - a slice of bread (brown, thank goodness) with a mushy avocado on top, again no dressing and this time, no garnish and no egg. Due to the previous embarrasment, I decided not to complain anymore, my friend and I laughed and promised not to come back again on future occasions. When I arrived home, I told my partner what had happened  and he said that I should have complained, that it was not right that I was charged full price when my food was so below par and it was actually missing ingredients. I thought about going back on the following day to personally talk to the manager. Then I read the review when the owner said to a customer to go to McDonald's when the customer complained about the service (?), and I thought that I had already been sufficiently embarrassed in this establishment. Therefore, I wasn't going to risk to be told to go to McDonald's (or somewhere else). Not sure if McDonald's will be my choice next time, but it definitely won't be Bonhomie.

Eat here often as it's right by the office. Fantastic steak sandwich! Staff are always friendly with a smile on their face and the place is always packed. Will go above and beyond. Definitely worth a sit outside in the sun with a coffee!

I eat here and purchase takeaway items very regularly. The food is tasty and good quality. Staff are very friendly and helpful. All my family, children and grandchildren, enjoy eating here.

Couldnt recommend this place enough, the food has always been lovely we have tried something different every time and have no complaints. It has a nice feel to it and the staff are very welcoming and friendly 😊

I also visited yesterday but had a very different experience to the previous post. I found the staff to be very attentive and was asked several times if everything was ok, and if I had everything I needed. I had a baked potato which was delicious and an Americano I which was made even better by having the option of hot milk. Whilst I was in the cafe a package was delivered by DHL and I was heartened to see the delivery driver offered a free cup of coffee by the owner of the cafe. What a kind gesture! I will definitely visit again.

I have visited Bonhomie on a few occasions and it has to be said that it's come a long way since it's Belgique days, something I was happy to relay to the manager a few weeks after it first opened. This place is usually quite busy as it was today and generally has a good atmosphere. I sat myself down and waited to be served. A young waitress looked straight at me twice so I assumed that she would soon be taking my order. After about 5 minutes, another customer entered the Café and sat himself down just a few tables along, and got served straight away by the same waitress. She then cleared the table next to where the other customer was sitting and again looked straight at me and I thought that I definitely had her attention this time but unfortunately, I was wrong again. A couple more minutes passed and the manager who had been serving behind the counter all this time asked me if I'd placed my order. I told him I hadn't and that I'd been waiting ten minutes and that this was the second time on the bounce that I had been ignored in this Café. He told me that I should've waited to be seated and referenced a sign just inside the door that stated just that. On all my previous visits to this Café, I have never waited by the door to be seated and I'm pretty sure that I haven't seen other customers do it either. How would the manager know that I didn't have a disability that prevented me from reading the sign? He apologised that I'd been kept waiting and asked a different waitress to take my order and I was served without further delay and any fuss. As far as I was concerned this was the end of the matter. When I later went to the counter to pay, he asked me if my Tea was ok to which I replied that it was. He then told me that there was no need for me to "go off the way I did" to which I replied that I wasn't going to argue. All I wanted to do was pay and leave. He also said that he didn't want to argue but continued to tell me how busy the waitresses are and they can't be expected to see everyone that comes in!! (Sounds more like a training issue to me). He wasn't prepared to let the matter drop, so I told him about the customer that came in 5 minutes after me, sat just along from me and got served before me, to which he then replied "go to McDonalds then"...a phrase often used in hospitality when a proprietor can't defend himself anymore. I doubt very much that he would remember the conversation that I had with him and his staff shortly after the restaurant opened as Bonhomie, but he was certainly happy to accept the praise that I gave him at that time. Shame he had to stoop a bit low today. I probably won't be welcome in Bonhomie again so I can only hope that he takes my feedback on board so as to improve the experience for others.

I have been hear a few times now with my partner and the food has been consistant and very tasty. Top marks for all the staff.

This was such a good iced coffee☕ I'm from Australia and I thought this tasted just like the real thing! Thankyou for recreating the taste of home 🏡

Lovely atmosphere gluten free catered for. Lovely desert. Friendly staff. Reasonable price. Xxxxxxxxxxx

We have been going here for breakfast since they opened up, and it was great. Last 2 times though- no, not up to scratch. The toast has gone from lovely seeded brown to white . My vegan breakfast quality and quantity has diminished so much, Small amount of kale, no seeds, minimal cheese, and 2 slices avocado, some lentils toast soaked in oil (not chilli). No Joy. I was envious of the ladies next to me with their cheese and ham croissant and toast avocado and egg and tomato (half the price but better)! Cheerful friendly waiting staff-but when asked if everything was OK and I said no- the guy smiled and said good, have a lovely rest of your day. Where was his attention??? definitely going somewhere else for brunch next time.

Since out of lockdown my friend and I walk into Theydon Bois and sit outside Bon Homie for a late breakfast. We have tried most of the breakfast menu- the scrambled eggs on toast with smoked salmon and avocado, Eggs benedict & smoked salmon- the brown seeded bread toast are amazing. My favourite is the vegetarian breakfast and americano coffee. Beautiful fresh ingredients served tastefully and the staff are so friendly and helpful. Its a delight and now a weekly treat we look forward to. thank you

Highly recommend, Such a warm/inviting & friendly atmosphere, All the staff that work there are very friendly & happy and always make you feel so welcome. Nothing is ever to much trouble. The food is great very fresh and tasty and there is lots of choice on the menu. I go in alone and with my family and every time we have had a great experience. It’s always very clean and has everything set up to make you feel very comfortable especially in the current situation. The restaurant is also dog friendly which is a great bonus for us dog lovers. I am so pleased we have this gem in our village.

After a wonderful welcome, the service a d the food was so good. Nothing was too much trouble and it was our first visit, it won’t be the last!

If you’re looking for delicious coffee, maybe a hearty breakfast, brunch, lunch with a nice glass of wine or something tantalising and sweet then you’ve got to visit Bonhomie in Theydon Bois. We are regulars at this conveniently located (more than just a) cafe and at each visit we try something different - all equally as good. They also cater or vegans and vegetarians. Highly recommended.