Accessible cafe opposite Barts Hospital
4.5
4.5
Date of visit: December 2023
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Excellent
Independent cafe with step free access throughout and an accessible toilet. Cafe serves delicious breakfasts and light lunches. Please note only open Mondays to Fridays. Closed at weekends.
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
There are a couple of free standing tables with chairs outside the cafe. There is a manual, glass front door. The cafe is all on the ground floor with step free access. There are free standing tables and chairs. I visited with my friend who is a wheelchair and there was space in the cafe to move around and the table was at a good height for her chair. The counter is at standing height.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
It is opposite Barts Hospital and has excellent step free public transport options. The nearest tube station is Farringdon which is also step free. Also close by is St Paul's tube station which is not step free, including steps only from booking office to street level. Lots of buses stop nearby, with bus numbers 46, 56 and 59 stopping almost directly outside.
Accessible Toilets
Good
At the back of the cafe is an accessible toilet. While we both have mobility disabilities and were able to use it, there were a few issues. The space was tight for my friend's manual wheelchair to fit in. There was only 1 grab rail which posed a problem for both of us when transferring. There was a drop down grab rail on the left but none on the right. The emergency cord was tied up high and no where near the floor.
Staff
Excellent
Staff were very nice. They came and took our order at the table. Service was quick and friendly. When we were leaving we went to the counter to pay. I spoke with the member of staff and explained about the lack of grab rail and the emergency cord. He said that he would follow this up.
Additional Information
It was lovely to see my friend and find somewhere that met both our access needs. However, the accessible toilet issues should be addressed to make the toilet safer for disabled people to use. The food was delicious and the cafe was very pleasant. We would happily visit again.
