The Barrel Boulangerie in Redbridge

The usual cafe that I visit on Wanstead High Street has been impossible to get into over the Christmas period and actually when I did manage to get in the service was poor at best even verging on rude at times. I have used The BarrelBoulangerie a few times in the past. I find it to be a far more relaxed atmosphere and the staff far more engaged and 'gentle' in their interaction with customers. Good choice of food and drinks, low background music, nice and warm inside and although quite a narrow restaurant you don't feel like you're sitting in a corridor when dining. If this coffee shop were slightly more centrally located on the high street, other coffee shops / restaurants would need to up their game, as I sadly feel complacency has set in elsewhere. Recommend for a nice quiet breakfast, as paying good money elsewhere for, in my opinion, substandard service, was becoming irritating.

Vetrina con molti dolci dal bell'aspetto, anche la colazione all'inglese era molto buona. Apple crumble da provare. Anche il personale è stato molto gentile. Promosso!

This is my 'go to ' coffee place in Wanstead. Although maybe neither the best coffee or the best food in town, it is the best ambience! Never so busy, not full of screaming kids, charming and cosy decor and super dog friendly

Everything about this place should make it fabulous - location, menu, ambience. Months ago I visited for the first time and enjoyed a fantastic eat-in experience of a salmon quiche with salad. I have gone back four times since and the salmon quiche has never been served again. Trying this last time for a takeaway salmon quiche and failing, I settled for a ham and cheese quiche instead. What a disappointment. It was more eggy than cheesy, like a solid-set soufflé. Plus the sheets of folded-in ham slices (rather than diced and incorporated) was not appealing. At nearly £6 - for an underwhelming, almost tasteless quiche the size of a saucer - I won't be going back. I'd rather learn how to make a salmon quiche from scratch from a cookbook or on YouTube. Plus the staff are stilted and weird, like they've never dealt with human beings before. Very unfortunate overall.

Turned up for breakfast, warm cosy vibe, had French toast and crepes and absolutely loved it. Great value for money, friendly service. Food AMAZING. Would definitely go again

Just bought these Apricot crumble cakes and they are mouldy. Tried to call the shop to discuss but no one answers the phone Check before you buy !

Eggs Royale and great cakes- something for every one and very friendly staff. Family section at the back and also outdoor seating - they allow dogs in too.

Trying to support this place but never again. Staff are miserable and unfriendly . Two degrees outside and freezing cold inside, no heating and a door without a door closer mechanism. They resort to having to prop a chair against door to close it shut. Very expensive menu, Chef shops next door in M&S buying all the ‘yellow sticker’ out date stuff daily. Coffee is hit and miss, one day good another day awful. Menus on table are filthy and certainly not Covid friendly. With so many other shops in the high street to choose from , they really need to up their game as we certainly will not be using the place again.

We had eaten our sandwiches and decided to have an dessert. I chose to eat apple crumble and my cousins chose red velvet cake and brownie. I was slowly breaking into the crumble as it seemed very hard. As I was eating it I noticed a hard thing in my mouth I spat it out and it was a "nail", YESSS a nail, a human nail inside the crumble which was also in my mouth for a few moments before I spat it out. I showed the people around me as they was also shocked, I drew attention from people in other tables sat far away and they all was discussed, I felt sick and I keep vomiting still till this very late evening. My sister approached the waiter and told him we have a nail in the crumble he made excuses without apologising mentioning it could possibly be paper. Paper doesn't taste hard, I know what a paper looks like, I am fully aware. He agreed to provide refund on that crumble and seemed very unbothered, didn't apologise, I was in shock and lost for words at that I had seen, I already suffer from health problems and now it has caused me to vomit since and more frequently.

Super dog friendly cafe in Wanstead. We sat indoors to shelter from the rain and they gave my puppy warm milk and bacon to warm up. Great staff, service and food that is fantastic value for money... Definitely the best dog friendly cafe in Wanstead... I now will come back regularly.

Always have a lovely time there and take in friends for a social. Very good service, lovely cakes and coffee.