London Caffs

by Edwin Heathcote

Where would we be without the traditional London caff? Milk bars, ice-cream parlours and espresso bars are all a feature of the London landscape that were borne out of the 1940s to 1960s. It is a time when floods of immigrants set up their businesses providing frothy coffee to the city’s workers. Today, many of these establishments still function as caffs and have their original elaborate and shiny machines that continue to dispense no end of steam and cups of tea, and still feature vinyl and tiled floors and walls. This book provides an affectionate look at one of London's endangered species', featuring 28 caffs throughout the capital. Each example is accompanied by anecdotal captions which evoke the atmosphere and context of each place, as well as addresses and nearest tube stations, so that anyone wanting a fix of old-style London can go and find it.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction

168 pages, Paperback

First published November 10, 2004

Reviews

[Tosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hardcore UK fanatics would like this book. Almost a private joke type of thing, but I have to tell you I love the London Caffs. "Caffs' are cafe's or a weird version of our American diner - with traditional British 'diner' food. The interiors are either ugly or in my case totally fascinating. You haven't experienced the London experience until you either have breakfast or lunch at these places. Very 60's dear!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book fills me with glee and sadness in equal measures. On the one hand, it's a loving attempt to catalogue so many places that are so often overlooked, on the other hand, many of them no longer exist since this book was published. Sue Barr's photographs are good, too.

[Aj Kilkerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A vision of a vanishing world.
Want to visit as many as possible before they are gone....