Sidoli's Buttery in Camden

I'm so absolutely flabbergastro that this place still exists and is (erratically) open that I had to join this site and write a review. Blustery windy day, lost around an unrecognisable Fitzrovia and thinking back to old jobs and pubs and people from times gone-by... looking for a coffee, all that sh... stuff on Store Street is shut for some reason (filming?)... cross over Tott, thinking of the museum or something, and then BANG there it is with the lights aglow... Sids! I used to go here decades ago pre-crisis 1, and talk about whether fat Ronaldo was the better Ronaldo with the owner (we agreed he was) and never thought this place would have survived London generally, let alone covid. But... here it is. Food cheap ish for the area, nice enough, genuine home-cooked stuff on the go (one pot style, nothing fancy), coffee won't win awards but it's proper caffeinated mud, Italo style. Seems the youth of the Sidoli family has taken on the task of running it, and good on them, I hope it lasts forever. Still can't believe I just went in there... mindblown.

really well done table service here with basic menu printed on table and a text messaging system. then they come and serve you tasty VEGAN MEATBALLS (a rarity for authentic italian!) but also a bit of a [SAFE] chat as well. i lovedd this place and will come back. boyfriend had a rock cake which he says was superb as not over sweetened and served with a sort of cream sauce that I've never seen before but looked really nice (i don't mix sweet and savoury haha so stuck to my tagliettli!).

I’ve never been to somewhere so wonderfully at home with itself. I particularly liked the ongoing - and paper based - CALCIO. Here you put in a euro to guess the next game fixtures of La Liga. God knows what we wrote, as we were plied with Limencello after some great pasta dishes. Can’t remember if we even left a number. Oh well, great time, totally recommend (even if they do so weird kicking out in the middle of the day).

I didn't think places like this existed anymore. Certainly not in London. Since discovering it I've been here almost every few days for lunch during work times. The only reason I am giving it four stars is that it has erratic hours, but I really should be giving five perhaps? It's beautiful. The Italian pastas are amazing. Cacio e pepe the best so far. Creamy spicy goodness.

OK admit I only ate a bit of cheese in here (they do little servings with mustard- is more Belgian than Italian but... whatevr)... most I drank what seemed perfectly fine little bottles of Italian beer (at reasonable price)... but best thing was the atmosphere. Turns out I passed by on a certain time- with no intention of going out anywhere, I actually went in because they sell newspapers but bought a beer- when there were having a Briscola tournament. It happens I play briscola and they signed me up & although I got completely beaten it was the most surprising/ unplanned/ fun evening I had in London. Sadly not here often enough but if was I wouldd come every day

Met Al and Tony at a nonleague football match a few years ago in the west midlands (Sporting Khalsa) and always said I'd pop in if I was in London. Boy was I pleased I did. Going down to London for the day and one night's stay before flying on holiday with the family so after getting off the train at Euston we took a taxi down for a full breakfast (got in at noon but they didn't mind) and saw Al ... so friendly as always and lovely food, very up front non-fancy but nice basic ingredients. Don't expect anything fancy here, and they don't pretend to be either, but it occupies a rare territory between cheap and the usual over-priced mediocre crap served on planks of wood that is now normal in London. Tried to give us a free beer but refused and promised we'd come back later... asked if there were lockers (not checking in to hotel until later) and Al said he'd look after bags for us and could get them off Tony later -- so glad we agreed (n.b. I was told not to caveat this by saying they aren't a locker service so don't expect them to do this for anyone!!!)... had an amazing pasta dinner with them later on and some beers with a La Liga game on the telly and a few games of Briscola (kids turned out to be secret geniuses at card counting). Great day in London, largely as the result of a proper little cafe run by good people. No doubt it won't be there for much longer either given the way London is these days, but I know they have been talking about opening a new cafe if they move. Good luck to them!

Popped into this cafe on the rec of an old friend (who went here in the 1980s!) when I was on a trip down from Scotland - apparently the family that ran it had Scots-Italian links? Some really nice pictures behind the counter seemed to confirm! I only stopped for a brew and a chat but I also wanted to add that they do tea the best way - like samovar style, with the tea properly brewing into a strong mix that they then dilute with water/milk... somehow this gives amazing results and a really nice cup of proper tea, which is hard to find with London's normally-scuzzy water! No doubt it will become trendy and others will start charging top dollar... Sid's does it for just over a quid!

Unfortunately had no rock cakes which people really recommended. However nice ambient feel. Good to have some friends over but limited in space. Would definitely go back!

I am not often reminded of childhood. Berlin, the smell of bagels, coffee like tar, oppression in the air. I doubt I will return.

I went here to watch Italy during the Euros because the owners had it on a tiny old TV. It was absolutely brilliant and they brought out snacks at half time for everyone and managed to do a few beers as well. Even when Italy finally lost it was still a great time. I haven't been since as I've moved away but just walked past today and wanted to share my story. Everyone in a city should have a cafe like this in their lives.

I've been going here for about thirty years and it has hardly changed. In a central area of London that has been destroyed by capital and private developers/landlords it's a miracle it is still here. If you like clean, sanitised places for isolated individuals where you can experience your Instagram-enabled dining experience then don't come here... you probably won't be welcome and you'll probably be disappointed anyway. This is a place for people to get to know, a place where if you come back time and again then you'll become part of it. In terms of food, it's great but not gourmet. That said, they've just brought back steamed eggs to the menu - actually something they always did, but is now coming back in the trendy places. Personally I'm pretty grateful for that because I love them. They also get very good eggs, something that other greasy spoon type places often neglect. All together, I would give this place five stars, because it's one of the best cafes in the world in my opinion. But if I did that then I'd be betraying the nuances of the place and - please forbid - attract too many people here!