September 2023 by Damian Cannon
This is a very decent café set in a perfect location at the centre of Highgate Woods. The menu has a decent range of home-cooked dishes at prices that are pretty standard for North London. It's a good place for lunch when the sun is shining.
August 2023 by marmots186338
This has always been a lovely spot in the middle of the woods, a welcome break in Winter or Spring/Summer, offering nice brunches, light meals and cakes. Unfortunately, the pleasant caring service doesn't seem to extend to the appearance or cleanliness of the place, and the area for dogs + owners looks like the inside of an old kennel. Very off-putting, and you can't help wondering therefore what else they aren't 'seeing' in back of house. Come on Pavilion Cafe, you're surrounded by picturesque nature - embrace it, don't scare it away !
August 2023 by Lexy A
Lovely little secluded cafe hidden away in the woods. Very English cottage/countryside feel. Prices are a little expensive but it's understandable for the area. Service was great, friendly and efficient. I believe it was the cafe owner who served us - he was very generous by offering complimentary additions! First visit to the cafe and this level of service has left a very good impression! Would highly recommend! Will happily visit again. Nice ample outdoor seating - we enjoyed a little rest here in the sunshine and carried on with our walk in the woods.
August 2023 by Richard B (Rich)
I think there is new management now? As no overpriced hotdogs from the other reviews in sight (although I think sometimes someone puts a stall outside the cafe on the meadow). Instead, delicious Lebanese falafel wraps £5.50, meze £10 and sandwiches are available. Perfect sort of place to take your mum or nan out for lunch.
August 2023 by Annie Ridout
Such a lovely cafe, nestled in the woods. Very welcoming to families (I have three young kids). And right next to the big playing fields for a run around after.Kid-friendliness: Good choices for kids, staff are friendly and welcoming
July 2023 by Jon Hollis
Turned up for lunch whilst walking the grandchildren. Ordered fish gougons and sausage and chips for kids. The cheapest worst food I?ve ever seen. The three year old said this isnt food. We asked if they have salad. Waiter said no salad on the kids meals. So we said can we have a main salad. Don?t do any salads was the reply. Shockingly bad.
July 2023 by Jeshua Alexandre
Laughing at the petty complaints from reviewers on here. Like as if they sound like they were written by competition from other cafes. I especially love the; ?they didn?t swap my ham sandwich for something else?. You need to write more context. Why did they not swap it for something else? Had you opened it? Was it not what you ordered?Anyhoo, onwards with my review. Yes, some of the staff are quite curt but, I was there during a very hot and busy Sunday and quite frankly, some of the customers there, I wouldn?t be surprised. Many privileged Karen?s and Ken?s.I had booked a pub for a Sunday roast and was absolutely craving for one but, we were still in the park and the wife and daughter were too hungry and our booking was not for another 45 minutes. I had to reluctantly cancel the booking in the pub and opt for the cafe. When we arrived, I was beaming because they served Sunday roast. I?m very into my Sunday roasts and am very fastidious about my Sunday roast, so to my surprise, the roast was banging. I mean it wasn?t the best I had every had(that goes to the pub in Hammersmith), but it was up there. Meat, potatoes, Yorkshire pud, veg and especially the gravy, which completes everything about a roast, no complaints whatsoever for any of it. I was genuinely shocked because you would never expect a good old roast in a cafe. Beautiful cafe and enclosure. If ever I?m in the area again on a Sunday, I will definitely return for a roast.Kid-friendliness: It was bloody full of kids. What more can I say.
June 2023 by Gerard Oliver
Great place to get a cold Breton cider on a hot day (or coffee on a cold day) & sit and read a book in the outside garden seating area ?Perhaps the staff shouldn?t play loud Techno music at closing time though!?
May 2023 by Yanko Tihov
Went here on Sunday. The place is open for another hour or so, but kitchen is closed!There is no information anywhere about lichen closing a lot earlier the cafe. And this on the busiest day- Sunday!
May 2023 by sonali hindmarch
*Coeliacs / gluten intolerant people beware*I have been to the cafe a number of times for coffee (and will continue to go for coffee / children?s food as my children aren?t coeliac and we are local), but today I ordered avocado on gluten free toast.The avocado toast arrived and I said to the server, ?Is is definitely gluten free bread?? He said yes.Then, *after* I ate most of it (it didn?t taste amazing so I assumed I was safe, as gluten free bread rarely tastes great), another server walked past and, almost over his shoulder said, ?He gave you the wrong one.?I said, ?Not gluten free??And the server said ?No,? and continued on with his work.I was too surprised to say anything. Plus I hate making a fuss and was with kids and friends. In hindsight I wish I had said something.But there was no apology, no offer of a refund, no show of regret even! I felt weirdly embarrassed, like I was in the wrong for even expecting the gluten free food I ordered and paid for.It wasn?t even a busy day.Anyway, coffee only for me only from here from now on.I am coeliac and am usually more cautious about where I eat, but most places are pretty good these days so I?m annoyed and disappointed at what happened this afternoon.
May 2023 by Sian N
Staff were really poor and quite aggressive. After waiting ten minutes to order food in the queue, the staff slammed a kitchen closed sign on the counter at 1220. I understand it was a busy bank holiday and staff were very busy, but there was no explanation or info re how long before it opened again. I tried to politely ask if we could wait to order but was just shouted at to bare with them. The waiter then proceeded to slam down trays everywhere. Not a nice experience! Shame as the food has been good in the past but I won?t be returning.
April 2023 by Caroline Wade
Extremely over priced. I paid £4 for a hot dog for my daughter. It was a frankfurter in a bun with not even a small amount of chips or salad on the side. Also charged £2.50 for an extra sausage for my dog. I'm from Muswell Hill and things are getting very mean and stingey. I paid £7.50 in total and that was all we got with tap water on the side. It's a shame. Food portions should be generous as these sorts of prices. I complained and was told I was wrong which is not a great way to go about things with your paying customers.
April 2023 by Nog Nog
Nice italian food but little seating inside. Was raining on visit so outside seating would have needed very big umbrella!
March 2023 by Jade Angel
Sad only takes cash and really expensive. £7.00 for kids hot dog and chips. £5.50 for a a 4inch very flat bread with a bit of Tomato puree and gated cheese. Supposed to be kids pizza. £30 down for a light cafe lunch. Need to remind my friend not to come here again.
March 2023 by Sarah
Had to walk away empty handed. Supervisor unwilling to let me swap the ham in the toasted sandwich for something else and had to pay the same price for cheese and tomato as I would if the ham were included. Will stick to the more flexible and fairly priced café in waterlow park in future.Vegetarian options: Inflexible and unfair pricing for vegetarians
