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Britain is best known as a nation of tea drinkers although there are a handful of people, like me, who prefers coffee. I prefer the strong ones like espresso. But sadly, this caffeine fix can only be quenched at the more commercialised ‘designer coffee’ brands. This is why finding good, quaint and independent cafes has become one mission for me.
At the corner of Balham High Road and Ramsden Road is a nice coffee shop called Bertie and Boo. The place is full of character as the quirky interiors bring you back to your school days with the multi-coloured wooden desks and chairs. Outside, you are invited to unwind on the red and blue fabric deck/beach chairs.
This local independent coffee shop lures you to indulge in cakes that are perhaps baked by mums who live in and around the area. They are also one of the good places where you can order yummy smoothies and unusual milkshakes – ever heard of a Maltesers milkshake?
Bertie and Boo is very child friendly. Children can be amuse themselves with toys, colouring books and the blue car while the mum and dad enjoys a cuppa.
Bertie and Boo (the coffee shop) is a place where people of all ages can enjoy and relax. You need not worry about your bank balances because the prices are very reasonable – as one would expected from a local, independent business. With or without children, this coffee shop is certainly a cool place to hang around.
Details about this spot (Show on map)
Bertie and Boo | Coffee & tea | Kids menu from £ 3.49
162 Balham High Road | South-West | +442087729987
Mon 07:30 – 18:00, Tue – Fri 07:30 – 20:00, Sat 09:00 – 20:00, Sun 09:00 – 18:00
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This spot appears 2B very nice, affordable & friendly. I am planning a London trip in the near future, so this site has proved invaluable in planning. Thanks.
BTW, Charl, your camera lens produces horrid “barrel distortion!” That is, it bows out in the center.
Hi Steverino,
Thanks for your comment! Hope you’ll enjoy Bertie & Boo and perhaps you’ll return and share your experience back here, too?
As for the “barrel distortion”, the cafe was in a junction of 2 roads and their main facade is facing the corner instead of one side of the road. Anyhow, it was taken using my mobile phone and I was rushing to take a photo of it. Will soon replace it with a better photograph. Thanks again for your feedback!
Hey Charl,
I know what you’re saying! I left Australia last year, travelled for 6 months around Asia and Europe and then moved to London. Out of every city I visited I never had a problem getting a coffee; until now! Thanks for the tip, I’ll be checking it out soon.
Just a word of warning – B&B’s is not only child-friendly, it is absolutely over-run with screaming brats whose parents appear not to care if they run riot. This is not a place for grown-ups and there are several other coffee bars in Balham which are adult-friendly which you may care to visit if you believe that the world does not revolve around kids.
@wfg: Ah yes, the brat packs. Definitely a downside to child-friendly places.