Londonist ask that most pressing of daily concerns: where to go on your lunch break.
Canela Café
33 Earlham Street WC2H 9LS
Average Lunch Price: Ranges from less than £2 to more than £10
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
Just up from Covent Garden, Canela offers a range of lunch options with Portuguese/Brazilian sensibility. Londonist had the feijoada, the national dish of Brazil featuring black beans and rice with smoked meats, accompanied by a side of farofa (toasted manioc flour with a variety of chunky ingredients) to be sprinkled on top, and a freshly squeezed lemonade to wash it all down. This large-portioned meal served in Portuguese earthenware was hearty and satisfying. Such a homey lunch seemed a rather ironic choice for such an upmarket area until the £11.40 bill came. Of course, one would be a fool not to realize space is at a premium in the Seven Dials shopping area; so, Londonist reckons that meals are priced accordingly.
One thing to keep in mind is that Canela’s takeaway prices are often much less than their eat-in prices. For example, most sandwiches, which all looked very savoury, cost almost half as much when purchased to go. Anyway, takeaway snacks are not a bad idea, considering Canela’s yummy assortment of pastelzinhos, such as coxinha (a spicy ball of minced chicken meat, in the shape of a chicken leg and deep-fried in a wheat flour batter). Equally mouth watering desserts and a full range of drinks round out the menu at this fully licensed eatery. Canela also has a location at 1 Newburgh Street near Carnaby Steet.
Thanks to Londonist contributor, Siany, for suggesting Canela!
Photography by Tiki Chris © 2007
