By Zoe Ferguson, 17 May 2010
Badde Manors politely invites you into its warm, eclectic home full of artistry, history and substance. Having retained its character from the 1980s, this corner café oozes personality, perfect for those who want to enjoy a great coffee with an atmosphere.
This bohemian café is a favourite of mine, making me feel at home from the first visit, being neatly tucked into a booth with a book and a hot coffee. With its old wooden furniture, a semi-outside-courtyard-esque area, picture-frame covered walls, and curtain-draped windows, it’s like stepping into a mid 20th century coffee house. And that’s the exact authenticity they aim for. Not badde at all.
Their coffee is stronger than most cafés; it’s a darker bean roast, akin to that of Southern and Eastern Europe, so you can put on an accent between sips if you want, they won’t judge. The food is eclectic, inspired from oriental, Asian, north African and Meditarranean cultures, sure to satisfy any foodie from any category, such as gluten-intolerant, vegetarian, non-dairy, vegan, all made with fresh produce (including free range eggs). If you don’t fancy a full meal they have a beautiful gourmet selection of cakes, pastries and biscuits…with a whole window to choose from, you’ll find it hard to resist being badde.