Log in to My Time Out for your personalised guide to what's on in London. It's fast, easy and FREE!
Follow Ginger & White to receive updates on special offers here.
What is 'following'?Time Out's guide to the best events, films, gigs and festivals happening in London in 2012.
Find gyms in north, south, east, west and central london with this definitive guide to London gyms.
Read which songs about London made Time Out's definitive list.
© Jonathan Gregson
On a bright pedestrianised alley in Hampstead Village, with chichi shops adding interest, Ginger & White's location is almost idyllic. Unfortunately, the interior is cramped, with counter, kitchen and toilet shoehorned into one side; when staff and customers are milling around, things get very awkward. God help you, if you have a pram. Nab one of the smart outdoor tables, though, and staff seem to forget your existence. A couple standing outside on our last visit summed up our usual feelings: 'No, don't go in there,' said the man. 'It'll take ages and I'll just get upset.'
Having said that, the coffee is great and the baristas skilled. Ginger loaf with vanilla icing is the pick of the cakes; sandwiches are pricey, but usually worth it thanks to superb Flour Station breads and generous fillings of quality ingredients (free-range chicken, Quickes cheddar, Wicks Manor ham). Fellow customers tend to be the cooler breed of locals; luckily, tourists tend to settle in the chains on the high street.
Follow Ginger & White to receive updates on special offers here.
What is 'following'?020 7431 9098
Open 7.30am-5.30pm Mon-Fri; 8.30am-5.30pm Sat, Sun
Credit cards MC, V
Facilities
Tables outdoors ( 4, pavement ), Babies and children welcome ( high chairs ), Takeaway service, Vegan dishesGreat coffee. Awful service.
Picked a quiet Wednesday morning for a coffee at Ginger and White's. Pretty busy in there but turnover on seats.
Interrupted on the phone by obtuse staff who proffer me a croissant I didn't order, then insist I move one place to the left, for no discernable reason whatsoever. I excuse myself on the phone to my friend and move to the left.
Next another staff member picks my bag from beneath my chair and hangs it up, without asking.
Finally, I am asked if I would like to move again, to a newly vacated table in the corner.
I would have preferred just to enjoy my coffee in peace.
The staff were friendly and helpful but I will not be returning to Ginger & White because it is not value for money. £6 for a side dish size salad which left me hungry all afternoon- boo!
Shockingly bad value even for Hampstead. A pork belly sandwich -- two slices of sliced white with a thin sliver of pork, a spinach leaf and smear of chutney -- for almost £5 was sub-Pret standard and the gluten-free apple, cinnamon and almond cake was a soggy slice lacking any flavour of almond, cinammon or apple. A final bill of over £12 (including a reasonable pot of tea) took the edge well off an otherwise beautiful sunny May day.
Free tickets, exclusive offers and the best of London - from the Time Out team
© 2012 Time Out Group Ltd and Time Out Digital Ltd. All rights reserved. All material on this site is © Time Out
Share your thoughts