Le Metro wins cafe award

This review was first published in April 2000

It may not be as well known as Vienna's Cafe Central or La Coupole in Paris, but a little part of Knightsbridge has just been judged the country's finest cafe and one of Europe's very best.

From the outside, Le Metro, in Basil Street, does not look particularly striking. Nestling behind Harrods, it is below street level and announces its presence quietly. To others it might pass unnoticed, but the number of initiated has grown steadily in the 16 years since Le Metro opened and it now has many regulars, who appreciate its coffees, pastries, wine list and changing menu.

The selector of the award, sponsored by Cafe Creme, is food writer Roy Ackerman, who this week publishes his third annual guide to the Cafes of Europe. Mr Ackerman explained his choice of Le Metro as the country's best: "There is nothing extraordinary about Le Metro but it does what it does very well indeed."

"It attracts a mixed crowd of people, has excellent service, very good food at reasonable prices and an atmosphere that encourages relaxation. It is exactly the sort of place that the Continent does very well but that England has long been bad at."

Owner Joe Levin said: "Normally awards go to new places so it's good to be honoured when you've been around for some time."

Le Metro
Basil Street, London, SW3 1AS