Eat: Upsy Daisy Bakery, Hammersmith
By Lucie Bright
Cross the threshold of the Upsy Daisy café this winter and you’ll be welcomed by a blast of warmth in the form of the heaters (set to ‘toasty’) and the cheerful greeting. It’s always good to come back to this place: it’s so friendly and unpretentious it feels like you’ve left London and been transported to the tea rooms in a sleepy, pretty English countryside village, circa 1960.
Vintage style is the order of the day, but this isn’t shabby-chic: in fact, nothing at Upsy Daisy is really distressed (it’s categorically impossible to be anything less than happy here). There are gorgeous Welsh dressers laden with jars of sweets and canisters of tea, wooden floors, ditsy cornflower-and-white wallpaper, lots of bunting, a window seat and even a tromp l’oeil ceiling painted with blue skies and fluffy white clouds. It’s a place to relax in: the vibe is leisurely and laid back, and it’s reassuring to know that this is one place you won’t be rushed.
Established in 2010 in the hinterland between Hammersmith and Chiswick, Upsy Daisy has carved out a niche for itself as the go-to place for delicious, award-winning homemade cupcakes and lazy brunches, which are served up on beautiful old-fashioned Burleigh china. It’s the antidote to yet another chain coffee shop: a charming, unique little café priding itself on its independence and its simple, comfortable style. And, yes, the cupcakes… Recipes change daily but when we visited they included strawberry cheesecake, banana Nutella and a divine red velvet. They are all sensational.
Coffees and teas are top class (when we visited there was a brisk trade in takeaway coffees) and the food menu boasts not just afternoon teas but also an extensive breakfast and brunch menu—organic granola and yoghurt, eggs Benedict, full English—as well as sandwiches and salads.
And it’s family-friendly, too. There’s a kids’ menu (we recommend the fish-finger sandwiches), high chairs, and a shelf with toys and books for children of all ages to borrow—although if you want to keep them quiet while you enjoy your cuppa, simply settle them down with their choice of cake and a marshmallow-topped hot chocolate. Done.
Upsy Daisy offer a loyalty card scheme, take reservations (you can hire out part of the café for parties), and will make cakes large or small for any event—have a look at their website, or pop in for a chat. Just don’t all pop in at once, because there aren’t that many tables and I want to be sure there’s a cosy spot left for me.
For more info:
www.upsydaisybakery.com | 387 King Street, Stamford Brook, Hammersmith London, W6 9NJ
About the Author:
Lucie is a native west Londoner who lives near Shepherds Bush. She’s a copywriter and would-be novelist with two children, a son and a daughter. When she’s not washing uniforms or forgetting to pay for school lunches, she loves to read books, walk in the park and hang out at charity shops and car boot sales. Find her on Twitter and Instagram.
