Cafe review: Raw in the Royal Academy

Update: Venue now closed

I’m writing today to tell you about my new favourite London venue for a juice, smoothie or other raw pick-me-up.

42Raw is in well-heeled Mayfair, located inside one of London’s grandest landmarks: the Royal Academy of Arts building.

The concept: healthy fast food, 100% plant-based and raw.

Why is it a good idea for all of us to eat as much raw food as we can?

1. Because uncooked food has all its nutrients intact, and in just the form nature intended – the one your body can most easily utilise.

2. And when you eat whole, raw, plant-based food you are automatically avoiding sugar, dairy, gluten and the chemical additives contained in most packaged foods – and most restaurant foods.

Founder Jesper Rydahl opened the original 42Raw in Copenhagen, and the London branch followed in March of this year.

There’s an impressive selection of made-to-order raw juices and smoothies – including some I hadn’t tried before (a rare find these days).

For example, the banana, blueberry and basil, and the banana, spinach and mint smoothies – both excellent.

On the breakfast menu are raw muesli with (raw) yogurt or almond milk, and organic chia cacao pudding.

Lunch and dinner offerings include Thai noodles, lasagne, tapas, and a selection of salads, soups and crackers.

The dessert bar features temptation aplenty in the form of chocolate brownies and a changing selection of cakes and mousses.

I had the banoffee pie – it was a teeny tiny portion but it was enough, as it was incredibly sweet and rich. It was also divine.

Due to its auspicious home, 42Raw is almost impossibly high-ceilinged, spacious, light and airy, and that combines with the minimalist decor to give it a decidedly Zen-like vibe.

There’s also outdoor seating (below) – perfect for a warm day, but yesterday was a hot hot hot one, so the air-conditioned interior beckoned.

42Raw is a fantastic pit-stop for a juice, smoothie, snack or raw feast. It also sells packaged items such as its crackers, muesli and other goodies, and a small selection of raw store-cupboard ingredients.

UPDATE: NOW CLOSED.

42Raw has venues in Copenhagen and three other locations in Denmark.