Brixton: cafes
You can't beat a good old fashioned cafe in our book, and Brixton's packed full of 'em. We'll be adding more shortly, but here's a few of our favourites

» CLICK HERE FOR RESTAURANTS
» Good Indian food deliveries in Brixton?

ATLANTIC CAFE 62 Granville Arcade SW9
Extremely cheap and without a frill in sight, this greasy spoon eatery inside the covered market serves up Pie & Mash for under two quid with tea a mere 30p. Definitely not the place for trendy new media types to discuss their latest start-up over a cappucinno, but great value nonetheless. Crap veggie choice, though.

BONNINGTON CENTRE CAFÉ 11 Vauxhall Grove, SW8
Not even remotely in Brixton, but this mighty fine café is well worth mentioning. Originally run by squatters, this no-nonsense eaterie serves up exceptionally cheap vegetarian food (a three course meal is around a tenner). Bring along your own booze and join in with the singalongs at the piano afterwards.
Mon - Sun 7pm -11pm, nearest tube: Vauxhall
020 7735 3807

BROCKWELL PARK CAFE Brockwell Park SE24

Perched atop the hill in beautiful surroundings, this is a great place to sup a refreshing cup of tea or chow down on some lovely home made cakes and sandwiches. Cheap and tasty, with no complaints from us.

BRIXTON BAR & GRILL 15 Atlantic Rd SW9
Formerly 'Panagea' and then 'Taco Joes' before that, these fast-changing premises under Brixton railway station have now resurfaced as a 'style bar' with - it has to be said - something of a cold, unappealingly look about the place. We'll review it shortly
0207 737 6777



CAFE SINTRA Stockwell Rd, SW9
Good, cheap Portuguese food with a great deli in this small licensed cafe.

BRUNO'S 424 Coldharbour La SW9
Right in the heart of Coldharbour Lane, this vegetarian, vegan and organic licensed cafe was previously known as Cafe Pushkar. Urban75 readers have described enjoying an 'excellent panini of veggie sausage and sweet red onions with a side salad' with 'really good coffee too.' It's open late on Thurs-Sat. Recommended.
020 7738 6161

COFFEE SHACK Brixton Village, SW9
Erratically opening cafe by the entrance to Brixton Village (formerly Granville Arcade) area facing Coldharbour Lane. March 2004.

COOKIES 30, Brixton Water Lane SW2
This small, clean and modern cafe has a good selection of coffees and snacks, including an excellent veggie breakfast. It's only recently opened but should prove very popular with locals. There's also exhibition space and plans to fit a couple of net terminals. Open 9am till 6pm all week.
020 7642 0380

ECO 4 Market Row SW9
King of Pizzas! Small, authentic pizza restaurant set inside Brixton's covered market that serves up the best value and tastiest pizzas around. Recommended, although you may have to queue.
020 7738 3021



ERGENS Market Row, Granville Arcade SW9
A meat-tastic, no-frills cheap and cheerful cafe.

Hive 11-13, Brixton Station Road
Formerly the long serving Jacaranda Gardens restaurant, this two story corner shop has been swished up and serves pancakes, waffles and sandwiches in the day and cocktails and meals in the evening.
020 274 8383

HONEST FOODS 424 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8LF

Fully licensed deli/cafe serving really delicious toasties on tasty bread, home made cakes and pies and salads. There's not much seating inside, but it's a lovely little cafe.
020 7738 6161

ICHIBAN SUSHI58, Atlantic Road SW9
Cheap, cheerful and friendly Japanese eat-in/takeaway just round the corner from the Dogstar.
020 7738 7006

020 7274 8383

JUICE BAR 407 Coldharbour Lane SW9
Opened, closed and reopened again, the Bar stays open late but is more of a bar than a cafe these days.
0207 737 5528

THE LOUNGE 56-58, Atlantic Rd SW9
Our favourite Brixton cafe! This fine, friendly cafe has now shuffled a hundred yards up the road to a new location, right by the Dogstar. As ever, this laid back licensed cafe is a great place to pass away a few chilled-out hours, with big windows affording a grandstand view of Brixton street life. The breakfasts are pretty good, although a bit miserly on the veggie front, but the coffee and shakes are spot on. Open 11am-11pm weekdays, 11am-midnight weekends. disabled access.
020 7733 5229

McDonalds Brixton Rd SW9
Don't go there! Why feed the faceless corporate US giant when there's so many better local cafes and restaurants? Follow the trail of discarded, wasteful packaging if you must eat this shit - but first check out McSpotlight



MY FATHER'S PLACE 336, Coldharbour Lane SW9 Traditional West Indian/Jamaican cafe/bar/club, open all hours with a small seating section inside.

NEGRIL 132 Brixton Hill, London SW2
This little cafe atop Brixton Hill (formerly Basement Jo's) is well worth the walk, serving a full caribbean menu with a range of good english breakfasts as before. BYOB.
020 8674 8798

OPUS Acre Lane SW2
The newest arrival to an increasingly lively corner of Brixton (a few doors up from Café Goya), this friendly, French-run cafe offers great coffee and Italian Hot Chocolate, plus classy toasted sandwiches with a selection of veggie and non-veggie options. Fantastic selection of cakes and pastries! Open 8am ­ 8pm Mon-Sat/10pm ­5pm(?) Sun

PHOENIX CAFE 441 Coldharbour Lane SW9

Old style, no nonsense cafe serving up sarnies and beverages in a friendly atmosphere.
020 7733 4430
See our photo feature

RITZY Brixton Oval SW2

Comfortable and spacious cafe on the 1st floor of Brixton's excellent cinema, with a balcony open in the summer - and table football! Open 6pm-11pm M-F, noon-11pm Sat, 3-10.30 Sun. Free wi-fi.
020 7733 1336

ROSIE'S 14e Market Row SW9
Stylish, small new deli in Brixton Market (formerly Granville Arcade) serving fresh coffee and lunch. Their granary sandwiches are formidable!
0781 5761283

66 ATLANTIC 66 Atlantic Road SW9 (not yet reviewed)
Living proof of the gentrification of the former 'Frontline', this stylish new bar/restaurant is open for breakfast, brunch, dinner and cocktails. Open Mon-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am- 10.30pm.
020 7326 4920

SW9 BAR CAFE 11 Dorrell Pl, opp Brix tube
Chilled out, busy and buzzy small cafe/bar that's great for a pre-club drink or post pub quaff on weekends. Serves up one of the best veggie breakfasts in Brixton!(Open 9am - 11pm, 9am - 1am Fri/Sat)
0207 738 3116

TOMLINS Acre Lane SW2
Famed for their amazing brunches until 5pm on weekends - really original, delicious and inexpensive brunch fare (especially their short stacks - a must), with relaxed and chatty service. Great chilled vibe as well. Dinner (7 nights) is good but not exceptional. (formerly known as Cafe Goya) (review: Simon Automatic)

VERA CRUZ2 Arlington Parade SW2
Small, friendly and down to earth licensed Portuguese cafe/restaurant on Brixton Hill
0207 733 4810



« back to homepage     next »