There is no better remedy for cold, gloomy days than a warm, cosy coffee house where you can slurp a hot beverage and eat a pastry fresh from the oven. Queens Lane Coffee House on 40 High Street is my haven of peace on rainy days.
The delightful scent of coffee welcomes me as I walk through the door. Quiet music fills my ears with joy. Entering this coffee house, I immediately feel my stress levels decreasing. The traditional, wooden interior and the atmospheric lighting make me feel like I am at home.
History is embedded in every little nook and cranny. The walls are decorated with watercolours of Oxford Colleges, creating a nostalgic feel. The café dates back to 1654, making it the oldest coffee house in Europe. No more than a five minute walk away from the crowded city centre, it is sited between the colleges of Queen’s, Magdalen and Edmund Hall.
QL is suitable for everybody, whether you are a frenetic businessman, a stressed student or a shopper looking for a comforting cup of coffee after a busy day.
The menu offers great variety, from traditional English breakfast to a freshly made Panini with salad, a cup of steamy, hot soup, Danish pastries or some delicious Turkish dishes like humus, dolmas and falafel. Incredibly, the prices are reasonable and represent excellent value.
Were you to go to QL in the early evening, try a glass of scrumptious wine. Queens Lane has a surprising selection of wines which you wouldn’t expect to find in a coffee house. I would recommend the Italian Pinot Grigio.
In a nutshell, Queen’s Lane on High Street is one of my favourite coffee houses in the city. QL’s wide range of quality food appeals to everybody. Its rich history and its cosy atmosphere make it the ideal place to relax. Visiting this coffee sanctuary is a must!
