Abuelo, first opened its doors in the heart of central London in 2018 and since its launch has remained at the forefront of the Australian coffee wave as well as offering an eclectic mix of Australian and Latin American themes as a nod to the founder’s background.
The new spot opens this September on Cavendish Place and is the second site in London for the mother and daughter team. With their creative and design firm, Prototype Studio, the pair come in with a design and hospitality architectural experience behind them, meaning the interiors are an important focus for Abuelo and are a strong point of difference for the overall concept.
All of the interior elements at the new space were built on site, including the large communal tables, and the lighting and chairs sourced vintage from the Netherlands. The focal piece is a marble counter which was created from mixed off cuts of marble, as a way to use what may have otherwise been waste material. They have created a space that has an artistic edge and creates a comfortable sense of home, delivering a new category of space somewhere between a café and restaurant, both casual yet elevated.
Abuelo combines chic, sophisticated interiors, stylised casual food, speciality coffee and now adding their evening offering of natural wines, Tayer and Elementary cocktails, small plates and a DJ on Saturday nights.
During the day, the menu is Australian style brunch with a twist of Latin American flavours. The dishes are all designed to be visually styled while remaining delicious and satisfying. The menu is produce-led and focuses on showcasing quality fresh ingredients with all the food designed to be enjoyed with coffee or a crisp glass of wine.
Highlights include the Abuelo Cubano, the Peruvian chicken sandwich, and the Mango and passionfruit compote with vanilla whipped mascarpone on brioche.
A new focus for Abuelo is on making pickles, ferments and jams, as well as focusing on great small suppliers and makers to showcase top quality ingredients throughout the menu. Guests will be able to come in and have great brunch dishes all day or pick up a take away hot sandwich on the go.
Their usual Australian style Speciality coffee is made with Latin American beans that are always ethically sourced in a way that supports Latin American coffee growing communities, which is very important to Abuelo. Their coffee bean selection will feature a rotating offering, depending on what is best in any given season. The Dulce de Leche coffee (Iced cold brew with a thick head of dulce de leche and cream on top) has been an early bestseller along with the Cardamom and Hazelnut cold foam iced coffee (vegan), which are unique to Abuelo.
For the first time, Abuelo will be opening in the evenings as an ambient natural wine bar, serving small sharing plates, including Smashed ‘chicken’ salt potatoes (Australians will fondly recall this from childhood!), Sloppy Jose (Sweet and spicy beef dripping mince, parmesan, soy cured egg yolk), half Peruvian roast chicken with Aji Verde, deli meats and cheeses sourced from small farmers, and the Vegemite salted Caramel brioche. They have an interesting list of wines that are produced by small and unusual growers.
Co-Founder, Cloe De La Vega says, The design-led venue serves elevated yet casual food alongside delicious coffee and friendly service and incorporates a home away from home feel. We want people to come in, sit back, relax and feel as if they are sitting in someone’s kitchen.
Address: 7-11 Cavendish Place, W1G 0QD
Opening Hours:
Monday – Sunday 8-5pm // 5pm – 11pm