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Drury 188-189 is a labour of love that Ali and I (Cemal), poured our hearts into. We both quit our steady 9-5 jobs—me from lecturing Business and Economics, and Ali from his role as a Security Manager—to chase our shared dream of opening our own cafe in the middle of Central London. We wanted Drury 188-189 to be more than just another cafe; we wanted to create a place where people could disconnect from the fast-paced London culture, relax without WiFi, and enjoy a good book or a friendly conversation instead.
When we took over a space that had seen two previous ventures fail, we wanted to create a different kind of cafe, one that would stand out in the fast-paced Covent Garden and Holborn area. We envisioned Drury 188-189 as a place where our customers could escape the busy life of London for a little bit, disconnect from their screens, and simply breathe.
Since opening our doors on 9th December 2016, our mission has been simple: greet every customer with a smile, serve quality coffee and food made with best quality ingredients, and operate as sustainably as possible. This philosophy quickly helped us build a name for ourselves with locals, tourists, and passersby alike. From our very first customer to the latest, we aim to offer the same warmth and care to everyone who walks through our doors.
We are incredibly grateful to our wonderful customers, who have supported us throughout the years, sharing their experiences and leaving amazing reviews on Google, Facebook, and of course TripAdvisor. In fact, it was one of our first customers who set up our TripAdvisor account before moving away, and with your continued support, we’ve proudly reached the status of becoming the best cafe in London and Covent Garden area. This achievement has been one of the proudest moments for us, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to each of you who have been part of our journey.
Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of meeting and serving amazing people, many of whom have become great friends—some even closer than family. We want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for being a part of Drury 188-189.
Our napkin collection is a testament to the love and support we’ve received. Since we opened, we’ve collected thousands of napkins filled with art, motivational quotes, and messages of gratitude from our visitors. These little tokens of appreciation have become our daily motivation and are proudly displayed throughout our cafe. They remind us every day of what makes Drury 188-189 such a special place.
Please don’t hesitate to say hello if you see us around. We look forward to welcoming you.
Cemal and Ali
