Beany Green At Broadgate

Open since April 2015, Beany Green's new 30-seater flagship cafe in Broadgate Circle promises a “distinctive blend of Aussie coffee, bold healthy food and unique street art”. It’ll only take you a walk outside, and a look at the colourful,  cheeky pop-art window decorations, to realise they’re not doing things by halves.

Several morning visits, at times when City suits form a beeline outside the cafe to get takeaway coffee, showed me that the latest addition to the Beany Green family is a bright, joyful, upbeat place, where even getting on with work with the customary and utterly necessary cup of coffee in hand is an uplifting experience.

I’m picky with coffee outside of Italy, and have chickened out of trying Beany Green’s espresso more than once, but their cappuccino has all it takes to set my day off to a great start. It’s a mystery why anyone would insist on visiting the chain coffee shops inside Liverpool Street station, when much better food and drink is such a short walk away. My biggest pleasure is saving a small cup of cappuccino (£2.60 – not the cheapest, let’s face it) for my journey, which sometimes means holding on to it for ten, fifteen minutes, and finding the milk has completely blended with the coffee when I lift the plastic lid. This would normally drive me crazy – I love eating the foam by the spoonful, just like your average eleven-year-old – but Beany Green’s cappuccino works a treat; the balance between coffee and milk is just right, neither hard to digest, nor tasting burnt.

Dessert wise, Beany Green’s signature bake is said to be banana bread. I might never find out, as banana bread isn't quite up my street, but can vouch for their brownies: picture big dark squares with a rich chocolate heart, doused in cocoa powder, and dense in texture as all proper, non-cakey brownies should be.

Beany Green’s highlight, however, is their yoghurt, granola and fresh fruit pot, available to eat in or take away. Priced at £5, it’s rather expensive for a morning snack, but the portion is large enough (very large, in fact) and the ingredients fresh enough to soften the blow. The yoghurt has the creamy texture dairy dreams are made of, and the granola is packed with summery flavours; if you like the taste of coconut, you’ll be addicted in no time. Convincing me to have a healthy breakfast when I’m out and about can be a challenge – after all, gorging on buttery bakes is the reason I go out for breakfast in the first place  – but if you offer me Beany Green’s yoghurt pot, you’ll have no trouble taking my mind off the dark chocolate brownies calling at me from the counter.

Brunch with two daughters, the food was divine...I had smashed avocado and smoked salmon and the girls the fancy bacon roll, but best of all was the banana bread...the best ever! Highly recommend! Service was a bit slow but that's because they were short staffed but they all worked so hard! Great spot before a shop in spitalfields

Love the food, and the sweet treats are amazing. Nice place to chill the team, and gabi is just so caring and goes to ends length to make your night fun and memorable.

I used to work near here, and it's the only thing I miss about my old job. The staff were super friendly and I'd pop in to buy Lammingtons occasionally. I love everything about this brand, having eaten at a couple of the sister brunch places, and have never been disappointed by anything.

Gabi was a delight! From the moment I entrefed she was offering to serve me a drink an welcomed a lovely chat! Lovely girl. Having worked in pubs she is the perfect professional and made my night all the better. Shout out to Gabi!

I’ve came today for a first time for some drinks with my friend and were impressed with customer service and drinks menu. Anna was very helpful and made her special cocktail for me. Definitely will be back.