Café Cosmo

The 2013 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the 2012 edition.

Just as the cinematic offerings at the GFT are a million miles from the standard multiplex fare, so is the café a welcome departure from harshly lit popcorn pushers and hot dog dispensers. It’s a cosy haven, with low lighting, dark blue walls and a well-stocked bar that invites long, intense conversations on the finer points of film. The menu is short but hits the right notes with a range of customisable sandwiches and salads – the choice of fillings includes chorizo, mozzarella and parma ham along with more mainstream egg, cheese and tuna. A Mediterranean tapas plate is a ray of Spanish sunshine, with cold meats, hummus, salad and a lovely sun-dried tomato and feta tapenade. Baked potatoes are served with the creamy house coleslaw and a generous salad portion but, alas, being microwaved, lack a crispy skin. Soups change daily and are always vegetarian. For afters, there’s a variety of home bakes. The lemon, coconut and apricot slice is a good foil for the café’s excellent strong coffee.

• High point: Terrific tapenade
• Low point: Flabby potato