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Gaby's

30 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0DE Full details & map

Café: Jewish

Time Out says 10 Users say 5/5 Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Nov 2 2011

You'd be forgiven for overlooking Gaby's Deli, a stone's throw from the tourist destination of Leicester Square, but forget the unassuming façade and you'll see why this 'Jewish deli' (café) is popular.

A counter at the front holds a selection of salads, vegetable fritters and stews. At the back are small plastic tables beneath walls plastered with theatre flyers. Standards are variable. On our last visit we ordered a smoked salmon bagel that arrived toasted, with a generous amount of tasty fish, though we wished the accompanying salad consisted of the treats from the front counter rather than a dull coleslaw and potato salad we received.

A large falafel and salad in pitta was better, the chickpea balls crunchy and warm and covered in a vast amount of proper houmous.

For dessert, a slice of lime cheesecake was nearly luminous on top, but weighty and rich, with a lovely sticky base. Fresh orange juice was a plus, as was decent coffee.

Gaby's is an unpretentious café and a good place to know about, especially as a pre- or post-show eaterie - though its continued existence is under threat from redevelopment.For more info on this, see here.

Tags: Jewish, Breakfast/brunch, Late night, Central, Leicester Square, Budget, Deli, Restaurant, Café

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Gaby's details

Address

Gaby's

30 Charing Cross Road WC2H 0DE

Transport Leicester Square tube

Telephone

020 7836 4233

Meals served 9am-midnight Mon-Sat; 11-10pm Sun.

Main courses £5-£9.

Facilities

Babies and children admitted, Disabled ( toilet ), Takeaway service

Gaby's map

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Comments & ratings 5/5 (Average of 10 ratings)

By Nick F - Dec 10 2011

5/5

2 stars!? That seems way off to me. Gaby's has long been one of my favourite places to eat in London. Its takeaway pittas in particular - felafel, vegetable or aubergine fritter - are faultless and indescribably delicious, and just about the best use of £4 I can think of. The fact that this characterful, unique place, which has been serving delicious, affordable food since the 1960s is now threatened with closure is an absolute tragedy: it is quite simply irreplaceable and would be an incalculable loss to London. I very much hope the landlords will see sense and reconsider their decision to force the place to close. In the mean time, I'd urge anyone who hasn't been to sample Gaby's food while you still have the chance. (I'd also urge Time Out to reconsider their - to me - spectacularly wide of the mark 2 star rating!)

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By Colin Ferguson - Sep 30 2011

4/5

Gaby's is a great little cafe, and one of few affordable, independent places left in the West End outside of Chinatown. I have to say, the review Time Out review is a bizarre one, both in that it's not North American in style but Jewish (where does the reviewer think America got salt beef from?) / Mediterranean, and also because the review doesn't seem to reflect the number of stars given.

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By MrAndrewHaynes - Sep 20 2011

5/5

Gaby's has become a West End institution for those in the know. The food is delicious and always arrives promptly, the staff are friendly and helpful, and the prices are amazingly low for central London. For many years it has been the only place my family and I have eaten in town when we have needed a quick snack.

But now a large developer wants to close it down to make way for some faceless chain. Sign the petition at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-gaby-s-deli-charing-cross-road-london.html

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By Madge - May 3 2011

4/5

Surely more Greek than North American? Went yesterday and had the stuffed aubergine. It was absolutely delicious and the salad with it was lovely. Really good portion sizes too. The staff were very friendly and, unlike in the above review, when my boyfriend ordered a large salad he was given the choice of the things at the front counter. Would definitely go again.