Some Sundays begin with grand plans. Brunch at a much-hyped restaurant, perhaps? Or maybe a lazy afternoon discovering that cozy nook everyone’s been raving about. This week armed with determination and empty stomach, we made it to Larder + Folk, nestled in the charming and ever-so-slightly disheveled Fontainhas area.
First impressions matter, and Larder + Folk knows it. The place is, quite simply, a vibe. Imagine a café plucked straight out of a cobblestoned alley in Europe and gently tucked into Fontainhas. It’s cozy, yes—seating that whispers “intimate” but might also scream “personal space invasion” if you’re a tad claustrophobic. Chairs are close enough that eavesdropping isn’t just possible; it’s inevitable. But somehow, you don’t mind. It’s all part of the charm.
The interiors are, in a word, fab. There’s a certain deliberate chaos to the design—like they threw a Pinterest board into the air and let it land as it may, but miraculously, it works. Wooden tables, slightly mismatched chairs, and a bookshelf in the corner that screams, “I’m intellectual, but I also like my eggs sunny side up.”
A well-stocked reception shelf greets you with baked sweets you don’t need but suddenly want. Cakes, croissants, savouries, things you buy because they make you feel like you’re living the life of someone who reads poetry and has opinions about wine.
The staff? Impeccably courteous. The type who smile like they’ve been waiting all week just for you to walk in. They glide around with plates of eggs, waffles, and coffee, weaving between tables and avoiding potential elbow collisions like it’s a sport.
Let’s talk about the crowd. Larder + Folk attracts a motley mix—a veritable buffet of people-watching. Locals sipping on their flat whites, foreigners who look like they stumbled in from a Wes Anderson film, and impeccably dressed individuals who somehow make “Sunday casual” look like a Vogue spread. There’s a vibrancy here, a subtle hum of conversation and clinking cutlery that makes the place feel alive.
Now, onto the food. We started with the waffles and chicken—a dish I didn’t know I needed in my life until it arrived at the table.
It’s a curious pairing, the sweetness of the waffles tangoing with the saltiness of the chicken. I can’t say I was blown away, but it was interesting. Different. I’ll give it that.
We also had the scrambled eggs and toast with a side of bacon, which was solidly okay. Serviceable. Functional. The kind of meal you’d nod at politely but wouldn’t necessarily text about later.
And then there was dessert—or, in my case, a white chocolate cookie to go. A small indulgence for the road, because who doesn’t love wandering Fontainhas with a cookie in hand?
Here’s the thing about Larder + Folk: the food isn’t what will pull me back. It’s the vibe. The interiors that feel like a warm hug. The eclectic crowd, the cozy chaos of the seating, the way the café feels both local and worldly at the same time.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely—but not if you’re on a mission for culinary excellence. Go for the experience. Go for the ambiance. Go to pretend, just for an hour or two, that you’re sitting in a café in Paris or Amsterdam or some charming European town where the coffee is strong, the staff are kind, and the world outside can wait.
In a nutshell, Larder + Folk is a little nook that feels like a warm escape, and honestly, isn’t that what we’re all looking for on a Sunday? This place is cozy, quirky, noisy and a tad bit smug about how cute it is. And frankly, I’m here for all of it!
Honest Reviews 