Walking past Bonn Square on a particularly miserable, wet winters morning my strong desire for a 9am caffeine fix led me to the doors of Greens café. Still bleary eyed and fighting (a losing battle) to keep warm against the bitterly cold December wind, I was enticed in by the cheery staff, bright lime green walls and menu boards offering an assortment of fruit-filled smoothies, saladsand sandwiches.
With everything from homemade red pepper soup to free-range curried chicken baguettes, Greens café is the place to go for extensive variety with a conscience.
Organic, fair trade and locally produced products are widely available alongside a generous gluten free selection. For this luxury you’d expect extortionate prices, however, a regular filter coffee will set you back only £1.50 and food prices range from a very reasonable £2.50 to £5.75, with all hot dishes accompanied by a side salad and homemade coleslaw. Choose from sandwiches including pesto and mozzarella, feta and spinach, red onion and pine nuts or bacon, brie and cranberry (to name a few). Even the pickiest of eaters are catered for, with extensive made-to-order options also available.
From the outside you’d be forgiven for assuming Greens is just a take-away sandwich shop. Deceptively large, the café is spread across three floors with enough seating to comfortably accommodate up to 40. Open seven days a week from 7am till 7.30pm (opening is planned to extend to 10pm in the near future) with free wifi access, the café is a favourite with students and the many people working in nearby shops and offices; clearly the perfect choice for a quick coffee on-the-go or a reasonably priced, relaxed, sit-down lunch.
The friendly general manager, Fernando, informed me the café had only been open for four months (following the success of their St Giles branch). However, it was clear to see that a steady stream of customers had already become firm regulars, with many greeting Fernando and his team with familiarities and cheery talk of the day ahead. What’s more, Greens café provides a free space for local artists to exhibit (and potentially sell) their work. Furthermore if you’re looking for local events, the walls are covered in posters advertising galleries, theatres and upcoming live music events.
With a wide selection to choose from, great customer services and spacious seating, Greens café is a great place to grab a quick bite or enjoy a more leisurely breakfast, lunch or light supper.
