Theo's Cafe, Sackler Studios at the Globe, Southbank

This little gem is hidden amongst the hubbub that surrounds the Southbank and Borough market. I have walked past it many times as it is just metres from my office, but have not visited it until now. A colleague once expressed his disdain for the place as it is often teeming with foreign school children, which it has to be said that the area is often overrun with.


However, I popped in to this bijous multi-function site today for a team lunch. It is part of a charitable foundation which is linked to the Globe theatre and provides an education space for young people, but also functions as a cafe.

 

It is set up to feel like the comfortable living room of an old friend with its worn sofas and bookshelves.

The chalkboard advertises the days specials which constitute a small selection of sandwhiches, a soup, two hot dishes plus four salads. There is seriously more than enough to be getting on with here.

Everyone in my party went for the hot dish of the day which is served with a choice of salads. The vegetarian dish was the 'mac and cheese with spinach' whilst the meat eaters were offered the chicken and chickpea stew. At £5.50 for a hot lunch with fresh salad, we all came away incredibly content, basking in the joy of this 'diamond in the rough' of the Southbank in London; which we had discovered.

 

Tourists abound in the area and I wander if they make it this far; simply down a cobbled back street to the glory of a chain free, eclectic, individual and above all great value lunch in London? I really hope they do, especially the foreign children.