An afternoon at the Electric Elephant Cafe, Crampton Street, south London

An afternoon at the Electric Elephant Cafe, 186a Crampton Street, Elephant and Castle. London, SE17 3AE

I first visited this little cafe back in December 2011, and it’s great to see that business is thriving and that it’s lost none of its down-to-earth charm.

An afternoon at the Electric Elephant Cafe, 186a Crampton Street, Elephant and Castle. London, SE17 3AE

Despite being located in a rapidly gentrifying part of Elephant and Castle, the cafe still retains an unhurried, community vibe, where you don’t feel pressured to vacate your seat as soon as you’ve finished your coffee.

An afternoon at the Electric Elephant Cafe, 186a Crampton Street, Elephant and Castle. London, SE17 3AE

The side door of the cafe opens up into Iliffe Yard, a short cobbled road  populated by arts workshops, fashion designers & makers, filmmakers, graphic artists, jewellers, glassworkers, painters, potters, photographers, printmakers and sculptors.

Basically, arty types.

An afternoon at the Electric Elephant Cafe, 186a Crampton Street, Elephant and Castle. London, SE17 3AE

The cafe interior is informal. Some may say ‘shabby chic’ but that suggests that it’s artificially been created for effect, and that’s not true: the place is simply how it is– and I like it!

An afternoon at the Electric Elephant Cafe, 186a Crampton Street, Elephant and Castle. London, SE17 3AE

On the menu can be found delicious homemade cakes, cooked breakfasts served all day, soup, croissants, sandwiches & toasted panini, and decent coffee. The prices are very affordable too.

An afternoon at the Electric Elephant Cafe, 186a Crampton Street, Elephant and Castle. London, SE17 3AE

An afternoon at the Electric Elephant Cafe, 186a Crampton Street, Elephant and Castle. London, SE17 3AE

An afternoon at the Electric Elephant Cafe, 186a Crampton Street, Elephant and Castle. London, SE17 3AE

Iliffe yard view. The cafe door is in the centre of the photo

An afternoon at the Electric Elephant Cafe, 186a Crampton Street, Elephant and Castle. London, SE17 3AE

It’s a lovely, friendly kind of place.

An afternoon at the Electric Elephant Cafe, 186a Crampton Street, Elephant and Castle. London, SE17 3AE

An afternoon at the Electric Elephant Cafe, 186a Crampton Street, Elephant and Castle. London, SE17 3AE

Bread and butter pudding. Oh yes!

An afternoon at the Electric Elephant Cafe, 186a Crampton Street, Elephant and Castle. London, SE17 3AE

Old cigarette advertising reveals the shop’s past.

An afternoon at the Electric Elephant Cafe, 186a Crampton Street, Elephant and Castle. London, SE17 3AE

Coffee machine.

An afternoon at the Electric Elephant Cafe, 186a Crampton Street, Elephant and Castle. London, SE17 3AE

An afternoon at the Electric Elephant Cafe, 186a Crampton Street, Elephant and Castle. London, SE17 3AE

An afternoon at the Electric Elephant Cafe, 186a Crampton Street, Elephant and Castle. London, SE17 3AE

The delightful owner.

An afternoon at the Electric Elephant Cafe, 186a Crampton Street, Elephant and Castle. London, SE17 3AE

The Electric Elephant

186a Crampton Street,, London, United Kingdom
Tel: 0207 277 4433

Opening hours:
Mon-Fri 7.3am – 5pm
Sat: 9am – 3pm
Sun: 10am-4pm
Website: electricelephantcafe.co.uk

One Comment on “An afternoon at the Electric Elephant Cafe, Crampton Street, south London”

  1. I remember going to a party in this building in the very early 1980s. Lots of things have changed since then, including my dear lecturer from Brighton Art College, who lived in Crampton Street, passing away. It’s a great little street and I’m glad to see its thriving!

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