What if I told you that one of London's most talked-about cafés is hidden underground... in a Victorian toilet? Yes, you read that right. A toilet.
And no, it's not gimmicky. It's actually brilliant.
Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON invites you to descend into Fitzrovia's most unexpected hidden gem: a lovingly restored underground café that is as delicious as it is delightfully absurd!
A Victorian toilet with a second life
The story behind The Attendant is one of those only-in-London tales that makes you fall even more in love with this city.
The Fitzrovia site was once a Victorian public toilet, built around 1890 and closed in the 1960s.
After more than 50 years abandoned, it was transformed into a unique underground espresso and food bar, with a two-year restoration preserving much of its original Victorian character. Look for the old iron structure on the street corner, then head downstairs into the cosy space.
The original porcelain urinals have been repurposed into a coffee bench, while the green seating matches the Victorian floor tiles.
Original tiled walls, flooring, and old water tanks remain, giving the space its distinctive character.
Despite its dark underground setting, it feels cosy, quirky, and surprisingly atmospheric.
The café opened in 2013 and has been a London talking point ever since. It has been rated in the top 10 independent coffee shops in the city by Time Out London and Visit London, and was runner-up for Best Coffee Shop in London 2013.
What's on the menu?
Despite its unusual setting, The Attendant takes its coffee seriously. They roast their own specialty beans, and their espresso drinks, especially the cortado and flat white, are widely praised.
The pistachio latte has also become a popular favourite, though I went for a (delicious) hot chocolate with coconut milk that day.
On the food front, options include bacon brioche baps in the morning, sandwiches and veg bowls at lunchtime, and cakes in the afternoon. All is made inside what was once the toilet attendant's office, now repurposed as a kitchen !
They serve breakfast, brunch, and lunch until 4pm, along with granola and a few sweet treats from the kitchen. You can also pick up some of their coffee beans or brewing gear while you’re there, and there’s a take-away option if you’re in a hurry.
Why visit The Attendant in Fitzrovia
London has no shortage of great coffee spots, but The Attendant feels a bit different.
It combines thoughtful coffee and food with a careful eye for quality and sourcing, so it’s more than just a novelty. The space itself still carries traces of its past, with original Victorian details. Exactly the kind of thing I like, the sort that makes you slow down and actually look around.
And there’s something oddly memorable about sitting underground, coffee (or hot chocolate or whatever you fancy!) in hand, in a place that used to serve a very different purpose. It’s quietly one of those uniquely London experiences!
Would you ever stop for coffee in a place like this?
Feeling inspired? If you're planning a visit to The Attendant in Fitzrovia, I'd love to hear about your experience on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON!
DISCOVER MORE OF MY LONDON CAFÉ FINDS HERE!
Everything you need to know about The Attendant Café Fitzrovia:
Address: 27A Foley Street, Fitzrovia, London W1W 6DY
Opening hours: Monday–Friday 8:00am–3:00pm, Saturday–Sunday 9:00am–4:00pm
No reservations needed: first come, first served
Pets welcome!
Website: Attendant Coffee Roasters – Fitzrovia
Victorian toilet | Underground café | Fitzrovia | Hidden gem | Independent coffee shop | London
