Mel’s Cafe Bar

Mel’s was a lovely surprise. On entering from the oh-​so-​typical high street you find yourself in a cross between a record shop and a dining room. Mismatched furniture, classic LP covers lining the walls and music industry paraphernalia dotted about the place. It appears to be an indie, but it’s actually part of the Food & Fuel pub chain.
Though the menu consists mainly of different types of burger and other mains, they had a decent all-​day breakfast selection.
‘The Works’ (£9) is effectively a Full English, but with their homemade baked beans and breakfast potatoes — both of which were delicious additions. It was a hearty portion, but then I love a challenge.
The staff were friendly, welcoming and efficient — just what you need when you’re running on empty and need sustenance.
Plenty of seating inside as well as a ‘secret’ garden area which would be good to sit out in on fine days.

«I know this great Spanish place we can go for breakfast» said my boyfriend on Saturday morning. It did however turn out that he isn’t 100% sure what a Spanish omelette is, all the right ingredients however, but the way that Mel’s café did potatoes, chorizo, eggs, pepper and onion was fabulous, but not a classic omelette as my boyf had suggested.
We got the last seat at around 11.30am at Mel’s Vintage beats, breakfast and burgers on Garrett Lane in Earlsfield; ordered lattes and some tasty sounding food. Lee went for the works, with sausage, eggs, bacon etc and also including their homemade beans. I read on a review that said the beans were disappointing but they were wrong, these beans were delightful.
My Spanish omelette ingredients, grilled I think, in a cast iron dish, was the perfect combination of flavours; the eggs going gooey on the top as I broke the yolk. A little side of ketchup topped it off, with a sprinkling of pepper.
People came for tables but alas it was too busy. It was peak Saturday brunch time, toast, coffee and eggs all round. The décor was nice, vintage records up on the walls and really friendly staff.
As the name suggests they do burgers and other meals there too, so it’s definitely a reason to return soon as I think cocktails are on the menu too!

Smashing breakfast, will be sure to go back for the 2 for 1 burgers in the garden during summer! Staff very pleasant, great service.

I had lunch here with the girlfriend when we met one of her friends in Earlsfield
During this wonderful summer heatwave, there was onky one place to dine — the nice garden and patio seating area at the back of the restaurant
There’s a retro vintage feel to the place with the bill arriving in a vinyl record cover and the menu is American in inspiration
My strawberry milkshake was flavoursome if a little thin
The girlfriend recommended the burgers. She went with her favourite Wildwood burger, a traditional mix. I chose the Giorgio Kiriakos burger, a juicy lamb burger with halloumi. It filled the hungry spot nicely
The décor could maybe do with a lick of paint here and there but it was a relaxed place for a reasonably priced meal

I’m going to admit something to you now… please don’t judge me.
I’ve never had eggs benedict.
I know, I know, it’s weird. With so many places serving it and it being such a breakfast/​brunch/​lunch classic, how have I managed to avoid it for so long, particularly when I love eggs?! I just have no idea.
I decided to rectify this heinous error by ordering it at Mei’s Café Bar, and seriously? My whole life has changed now.
Mei’s is a cute little café with records on the walls, mismatching chairs, plastic table cloths and smiling staff. They didn’t mind us umm’ing and ahh’ing for a while before we ordered and didn’t even seem to mind the amount of time we spent there in relation to how much we spent. And they do incredible breakfasts.
The eggs benedict was perfectly poached, with enough sauce to mean that every bite had some, but not so much it was swimming in it. It also had a generous helping of ham and some nicely toasted muffins. Delicious.
We sat around for an hour after we’d eaten, waiting for it to hit 12 so we could order some cocktails without seeming like raging alcoholics and after explaining this to staff, they left us alone and returned at dead on 12, laughing, to take our orders. As a side note here, the lychee martini is to DIE FOR. Any time of the day. Whoa.
The whole bill for four people’s breakfasts, cups of tea, coffee, smoothies and martinis came to £56… £14 each. Dirt cheap for a meal and a variety of drinks. I’ll definitely be back. If only to continue my love of eggs benedict and lychee martinis for breakfast.

My wife goes a lot more than me there. The atmosphere is great for young mothers or if you like to chat a lot…
The team is extremely friendly and do the extra mile.
The offer and the service is good if you have kids.
Nice range and quality of food. I didn’t manage to try the cocktails… Too early.

I used to like mels until last week when a member of staff was so rude to me, and in front if the manageress.
They were reasonably busy and the staff were stressed, but that doesn’t mean you can be rude to customers.
I was very annoyed and won’t be going back for a long time.
Very disappointing.

Not a bad restaurant. Atmosphere is nice and the food was decent. The only negative is that the Coffee wasnt good.

The tag line for this local favorite is «Vintage beats & breakfast». The «vintage» part come from the décor. There is a «60s» room and a «70s» themed room complete with veneer covered tables and various pieces of mismatched furniture. The «beats» part comes from the music, no one was Dj’ing there when I was there but I have been told they do. There are also classic LP covers from the 60s onward decorating the walls. The old records and the other music themed posters give the place a very diner like feel.
When we went there on a Sunday lunch time the place was really busy. Lots of people had booked a table so that is probably a good idea if you are going with a larger group. The staff were really helpful in getting us a table though so there was no waiting around.
We went there for breakfast and to be honest the food was slightly disappointing. The toast was stone cold, the individual servings of butter were delivered on the side of a hot plate so had all but melted, the orange juice was watered down with too much ice and was full of pips AND the fried eggs were burnt round the edges. Not what you expect for an £11.50 breakfast.
So, not the best food on this occasion but in their defense they were really busy and the food did come quite quickly. The staff where also really friendly and helpful which makes a nice change.
Will be coming back but will be trying out other things on the menu. The pancakes looked really good…

Decent little all rounder. Food is good and reasonably priced. Perfect for lunch and early evening eating. Staff are friendly enough to make you feel welcome but not all over you while you eat. Not sure about its potential in the evening as it seems a little ‘yummy mummy’ orientated (plenty of prams at lunch-​time).
But if you can get past the ocassional child’s wail, you’ll get one of the better eating experiences in the area

Lovely Café. The atmosphere is great. It has a lovely garden in the back which is great (weather permitting). Food is also very good. A true part of Earlsfield!

Mel’s is a cool little bar/​restaurant about a ten minute walk from Earlsfield station. They have a really cool secret garden in the back, great for a first date or romantic dinner. It’s a truly local shindig, so regulars are common and they reflect the diversity of the surrounding areas. They have a lunch deal for £5.50 which changes daily: but evenings are good too.
This is also a really nice venue to have a get together. If you book early enough Mel’s could be a great place for birthday parties. The menu is quite British, but looks awesome at the same time, if a little expensive.

This is my local haunt for, well, just about every meal really! Breakfasts are big and hearty, lunches have special offers, and the menu is varied with some surprising and fun choices (a bowl of cocktail sausages with ketchup, with your pint, anyone?). The staff are friendly (and practically know me by name by now!) and on weekdays the yummy mummies of Earlsfield turn up with their babies, which are just the cutest little things ever. In the evenings, it becomes part bar, part restaurant, but always with a good vibe.