The Northern Quarter is becoming overrun by coffee shops and cafes, which is no bad thing if done well – after all, we can’t deny the demand is there. Foundation Coffee House, thankfully, is done very well, but more importantly it also breaks the prevailing mould of smaller, intimate coffee joints like Takk, Fig and Sparrow and NTP with its undeniable abundance of space.
It’s huge, which of means whilst it’ll always run the risk of feeling a little like a hotel lobby, unlike some of its nearby contemporaries you should always be good when it comes to getting a seat, with choice aplenty including spacious booths, high stools overlooking Lever Street, and interesting, assorted chairs and tables dotted throughout. Industrial touches such as classic white tiling resembling that of the capital's Underground stations, exposed light bulbs and a bar decorated with old pipes have all been balanced by slick, modern furniture, proving that the interiors are undoubtedly in good hands with co-owners and designers No Chintz.
The staff are friendly, and although food-wise you won't find anything resembling a meal (yet) there’s a good selection of brownies and cakes behind the glass counter - along with those ruddy raw, gluten free and vegan Nakd snack bars. You’ll find a few sockets, too, perfect for the laptop types among us.