Caffe Tropea in Camden

The family-run CaffeTropea in Russell Square is a stand-out gem of a cafe/restaurant. Set in purpose-built premises, it complements the rustic atmosphere of the huge Russell Square gardens beautifully, offering a civilised and relaxed recuperative retreat in the middle of Bloomsbury. The range of food us amazing, from full-on Italian dishes to traditional English breakfasts. When my wife and I visited the sun was shining and there was a light-hearted festive atmosphere in the open-air seating in front and to the side of the cafe. The smiling waiters added to the mood, relying on their own voices to find the right client for the dishes they brought forth. Our late-morning brunch was delicious and plentiful, and was exceptional value! We met several members of the (Italian) Tropea family, all cheerfully hard at work. The family has evidently run and staffed the cafe for three generations. A wonderful experience, to be repeated as often as we can!

Before I retired, I often came to London for meetings, I went to the LGA and travelled down to Kings Cross and then walked to Westminster, always made sure I had time for a good walk, and invariably walked back after the day of meetings through Russell Square Gardens, and ensured that I booked a train home that gave me time to have food or at least a drink and some people watching at Caffe Tropea. I've been down with friends since retiring and often taken them there, but today was a first, my husband and I have been in Kew for a few days, and I told him that rather than head back to Kings Cross for our train home, we needed to get off the tube at Russell Square and head to my favourite special place. He's a creature of habit, and I wasn't sure it would be 'his thing'. We had lunch, drinks and sat in the sunshine. When we got on the train at Kings Cross to come home, he actually said that Caffe Tropea was the highlight of our trip! Well done. I kind of wanted to keep it as my very special place, but I'm pleased I shared it! Your food & service is stunning, really good food at very good prices. You couldn't ask for anything more!

This is a friendly and seemingly family run cafe in Russell Square. Just the place for a drink or lunch on your walking trip. It is popular so you may have to queue.

Every time I come to London I make for Caffe Tropea each day. A family-run eating place where I feel welcomed by all staff members. It is set in a park which can be busy but is always peaceful. The food is excellent and home-cooked to perfection and the drinks expertly made. I have travelled to many countries but, during the lockdowns, the only place I wanted to be was in Russell Square Gardens, at Caffe Tropea, enjoying my food and drink within such a friendly establishment. I highly recommend it.

The choice of food and drinks was really good. Excellent qualityfreshly prepared. I felt it was good value for money. All the staff were lovely and friendly. Thank you for a great experience.

Superb breakfast, extensive choice. Quick, efficiently run cafe in the heart of Londons West End hustle and bustle but in a beautiful quiet corner. Packed at 8.30am on a Sunday morning with people eating anything from a Full English to delicious Italian fayre...vast choice and cake/Pastries too!

Personale gentile, parlano benissimo italiano e sono super attenti al servizio. Ci torneremo sicuramente. Grazie di tutto

Italian cafe in a middle of a park in Russel Square. Good service, delicious Peroni beers. There is a place to play chess by the side of the cafe. Good service, comprehensive choice of food.

Amazing breakfast we had the eggs Benedict and the Italian Job breakfast. Amazing flavours and clearly cooked fresh., brisk but pleasant service will defo be back! And coffee was awesome too!

A lovely little spot to watch the squirrels from when on a break from uni! Serves a really large menu and the service is really great!

Great location with great coffee and friendly staff. Excellent range of breakfast options all reasonably priced. Highly recommended

If you are ever dreaming in wet wintry london of real Italian coffee and dolce vita vibes you need to pop into Caffe Tropea - family owned since 1981 - through the huge windows you look into the ancient trees Of Russell Square and the changing seasons. As soon as london primavera arrives you can move outside onto the huge terrace and enjoy Al fresco Italian breakfast. The waiting staff wear Sicilian style caps. The green dome of British museum and the London University senate house are in view!

Lovely wee place in the middle of a park, lots of seating inside and outside. Italian staff lovely and friendly and a good menu. Great place for a catch-up.

Convenient location. The menu is vast but misleading. Putting a price next to an item and then at the till for payment the price is doubled. Told 'read the menu' I said there are no menus on the tables, it's above the counter so you have to crook your neck up to look at it. The price looks clear enough - there is no price for extra stated clearly. Never mind. It came quickly but the meal was dry and salty. I would come again to try a different meal, but would be careful with my choices to avoid unfortunate issues.

What a fabulous find, loved it so much on our last visit that we headed there again on our next visit to London for breakfast. Same smiling faces. Great food at really good prices. Will be our favourite place to visit next time too

the Cafe is a wonderful spot very well situated and incredibly conveniently place with access to the tube, buses to far flung corners of London and a few minutes walks from the headlining attractions ,its a fantastic place with the best taste of Italy this side of the alps and you are in for a treat and you really can't go wrong, the service was amazing, friendly and at time amusing . the food is fantastic and can't go wrong , it was incredibly filling the coffee was also of the same level of enjoyability (if such a word exist) and I would recommend Tropea to the world and beyond.

A trip to London to visit a friend perform a dance piece at ‘The Place ‘ on Duke Rd. Popped in to my favourite coffee place in Russell Square. Been going there since they opened over 40 years ago. Same family, same excellent service. Beautiful Coffee. Beautiful staff and extremely friendly . They called me by my name still.

Love this place. Only been here for breakfast, but great choices, great food, and lovely staff. It's my place of choice when I'm in London, rather than eating in the hotel. Lots of Italian pastries available if you're wanting a snack, and the coffee is good. Feels very Italian, especially how the staff are dressed. Memories of when I had a place in Calabria (not far from Tropea).

Oh my GOSH!!! What an incredible place. The employees, every single one is an absolute angel and is so unbelievably kind. I was in London on a solo trip with my dog and as a young girl that can be a bit scary! But Cafe Tropea (thankfully right across the street from my hotel) became a home away from home. With the absolute BEST food and great wine. Also can’t miss out on the espresso martini. The spaghetti and meatballs became an everyday meal for me (literally) and after a couple times they memorized my whole order 🥹❤️. You can truly tell this restaurant was built on, is made from and runs on LOVE. It’s family run and you see the whole family there every day!!! I wish I could thank them more for how amazing they made this trip for me. I love you Cafe Tropea!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️ I will be dreaming of your food until the day I return 🫶

What a beautiful spot. We got new York vibes from here aswell which is close to our hearts which I think it why we loved it so much. We were served by the loveliest people. The place was packed but not noisy. Just lovely. Nothing rushed. A nice window seat to watch the squirrels and the joggers pass on a nice winter day. It would have been amazing to see it all lit up along with the Christmas lights outside on an evening! We will definitely visit this little beauty of a spot again when we visit in the future!

Always such fun when us “angry birds”, a flock of vocal professional women, choose to roost here. The team is very welcoming, especially Luca, and it’s always cheery. The penne arrabiata was especially fiery today: I love it and always order it here. Others like...

Cosy cafe. Great food and decent value for central London. Plenty of outdoor tables for when the sun is shining.

Staying in the nearby hotel and decided to try this place for breakfast - it was delicious - great service and good choice of items on the menu. All set in a lovely park. Very nice !

Hyggelig café, med venlig betjening, god kaffe, kager og tilmed pænt udvalg af pasta og ikke at forglemme gelato, med tre overnatninger i London fik denne cafe 3 besøg, kunne sagens blive et stamsted

Great location in Russell Square. Good choice on the menu. Food was served cool and had to ask to be reheated. Great friendly staff.

Excellent quality food in a very nice green area of London in Russell Square. We stayed at a near by hotel and decided to eat breakfast at Tropea instead and we're very pleased we did. The coffee and food was very high quality and cost...

Tropea is a kind of place you come back to. Once we discovered it.. We came back for great breakfast and coffee every day of our stay. Great service.. Food and park views.. Highly recommended

Ottima colazione. Sfogliatelle e pastiera davvero speciali. Non hanno nulla da invidiare a quelle che si trovano in Italia!!!

Came again to the Cafe Tropea as its a great spot to chill and relax for an afternoon and watch the world go by, and yes, the cannoli are still great!!

Best coffee we had in London. Lovely spot in the garden and friendly staff. Yummy ricotta pastry (sfogliatella). This place is the real Italian deal.

We were staying in Russel Square & had both lunch & breakfast at this lovely little cafe. Friendly staff, great service, good food at sensible prices. The only thing I would add is that menus before you got into the cafe would be really helpful.

I know it's West London, but this place is not only expensive, but the Ham, Egg and Chips I had was awful. One, thin piece of ham that looked like it had been taken from an Asda packet, one very small fried egg, and a...

Asked for an avocado and prawn salad, so disappointed as it looked more like a side salad. , have three stars as a lovely location

the wife and i were staying in a nearby hotel we came across this goldmine while walking thru the park had breakfast 3 mornings in a row couldnt fault the place lovely food friendly staff and very reasonable prices we even went one afternoon for...

Russell Square is wonderful and this cafe is a big part of why. Very friendly Italian service and tasty food. I could do without the pigeons, but they’re a minor nuisance.