The Test Kitchen is tucked away in the back of the cookbook shop, Books for Cooks, in Notting Hill.
The tiny cafe is sandwiched between bookshelves and creates dishes based on recipes from the books on sale.
Customers at The Test Kitchen can sample lunches, homemade bakes, and enjoy drinks with its menu that changes daily.
London’s secret cafe in a book shop
The Test Kitchen costs £10 per person, is cash only and only accepts walk-ins, so it is advised to arrive early to not be left disappointed.
Chefs at the book shop decide on the meals every day, taking inspiration from the books on sale.
Guests get to watch as chefs prepare and plate meals before they get to enjoy the dishes themselves.
On the Books for Cooks website, the London businesses share: “The test kitchen is more than just a café; it’s a kitchen laboratory where cooks try out unusual dishes, experiment with food and develop new recipes.
“The menu changes daily as what’s on the seasonally changing stalls of Portobello market and which of the thousands of cookbooks on our shelves is being put to the test determines the dish of the day.”
A recent TikTok video of one visitor to The Test Kitchen shared that they had roasted tomato and avocado crostini for their first course.
Followed by chicken and spinach lasagna, and ending on a triple dessert selection of apple tart, pear tart, and apple cake.
It is not just TikTok users who love The Test Kitchen, with the secret spot earning a Google Review rating of 4.4 out of 5.
One recent guest said, “Thank you for doing what you do with passion. A very special, wholesome little book shop with cookery books, and a delightful test kitchen at the back”.
On Tripadvisor, a visitor wrote: “Loved our vegetarian lunch! Great service, fabulous dishes cooked from a cookbook in the store!”
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Another guest said: “This book shop was heavenly. A great selection of books about food.”
One visitor described The Test Kitchen as “great”, writing: “Fabulous idea, just one item on menu – set small three-course, what they fancy cooking from the books, it’s great, truly local and friendly and amazing value”.
Will you be visiting The Test Kitchen? Let us know in the comments.
