Review: Greens & Beans cafe

Regular attendees of Astanga Yoga London already know about London's Drummond Street, tucked away a minute's walk from Euston station.

It's a pleasant surprise to discover a relatively hidden street housing so many good quality, reasonably priced vegetarian restaurants and cafes.

Greens & Beans is amongst this veggie treasure-trove. It's the kind of cafe you long to find before or after a yoga class: friendly, laid-back, calming, though not mega-cheap.

I visited on a week-day lunch time and found it busy, but not crowded - a medium-sized main room leads off from the street, complete with buffet, chairs and tables, and a mini-shop selling herbal teas and whole foods.

A back room is home to a two tables, sink and a range of cushions and yoga mats - this is where Dru yoga classes take place several times a week.

The menu majors on home made pizzas (there's a calzone and a Greens & Beans special - mozzarella, feta cheese, sundried tomates and spinach), pasta dishes and a £7.10 buffet lunch.

I went for the home made lentil soup, priced at a fair £3.50, which was fragrant and delicious. My only criticism was that the slice of toast turned up three or four minutes before the soup.

There's an impressive selection of teas and fairtrade coffees, as well as a handful of freshly squeezed juices - orange and carrot and carrot, apple and ginger.

The standard of service makes or breaks this kind of lovingly run, homely café - and I found the staff to be friendly and welcoming, though a little stretched when I visited.

The back room of the cafe is also the location for regular yoga classes, taught in the Dru style.

Evening classes run from 5pm Monday to Thursday, while before-work meditation and relaxation can be found at 7.30am on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

And when the session has finished, a hearty breakfast or healthy juice won't be far away.

Greens & Beans - 131 Drummond Street, Euston, London NW1 2HL. Opening hours are 9am-4pm, Monday to Friday.