La Brioche de luxe

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ La Brioche Bakery – A Lovely Return Visit We used to visit La Brioche Bakery before the pandemic, when our older son was studying at the University of Birmingham. We recently returned while dropping off our youngest son, so it was lovely to come back after several years. Our first impression was very positive. On arrival, we were quickly shown to a table for four, and the team came over promptly to take our order. The service was friendly, attentive and efficient, and our food arrived quickly. We ordered three La Brioche Full Breakfasts and a Shakshuka. The portions were generous, the food was tasty and the sourdough bread was particularly good. The sausages were also as tasty as I remembered from our previous visits. The main noticeable difference compared with our pre-pandemic visits is the pricing. The full breakfast used to include a hot drink, whereas now drinks are charged separately. At around £12.68 for the full breakfast, adding a drink makes it feel quite expensive. Comparing this with cafés around where we live in South-East London/Kent, including Shirley and Croydon, where a newly opened café offers a similar-priced breakfast including a drink, I do feel prices have increased considerably. That said, the quality, portion size and service were still very good, and overall we had a positive experience. Another highlight is the selection of handmade patisserie and cakes, which all looked beautifully presented and very tempting. Unfortunately, I have lactose intolerance, so I couldn’t try them this time—but they certainly looked delicious! Overall, it was great to return after so many years. Good food, generous portions, friendly service and a welcoming atmosphere. Despite the higher prices and drinks now being extra, I would still happily give La Brioche 5 stars based on the overall experience.