Federation Coffee: Brixton

I was in a bit of a quandary about whether to pay a visit to Federation Coffee in Brixton, considering the SW postcode – and this being a blog about SE cafes/bars – but my curiosity won out in the end and I made my way over to the SE/SW divide on an incredibly wet and windy day. Having visited Brixton Village Market in the past, I was familiar with the layout and entrances – for the first time visitor however make sure you do a bit of Google Maps-ing before heading down there. The entrances are tucked away between market stalls, and once you find your way in it really is like stepping into a different world!

New Zealand run Federation Coffee is located in the heart of Brixton Village Market, just a 2 minute walk from both the Tube and Rail stations in Brixton. Brixton is very well connected via bus, underground and train, so although there is no free parking locally it's not hard to get here. As with all of the units inside Brixton Village Market, the actual cafe space is quite small.

There are a few tables and chairs inside, and a bar with stools around half of the edges. There are also a couple of tables and chairs outside and, as this is an indoor market, the outdoor seating is suitable whatever the weather! On this particular visit I stayed for about half an hour, and watched the nearby guests come and go - there's quite a fast turnaround time, with the average visit seeming to be quite short - and I can't imagine you would have to wait for long to grab a chair, even at peak times.

There is no free Wi-Fi on offer at Federation Coffee, but to be honest it's not the kind of place we would come to work. It definitely more of a sociable cafe, and the perfect place to stop for a quick coffee or snack.

Speaking of coffee...Federation Coffee are currently serving Alchemy coffee, and this is something they really do excel in! The flat white I had was beautifully smooth and absolutely delicious, and came complete with obligatory latte art, which is always a nice touch. They don't rush to make your order, and the result is truly worthwhile!

The staff are very friendly and there's a lovely relaxed atmosphere inside. Prices aren't anything outside of what you would expect for an independent coffee shop, and although the coffee cups aren't massive, the quality and taste of the coffee is well, well worth sacrificing a larger size for.

All in all, Federation Coffee in Brixton is a must-visit for any coffee lover, and well worth the trip for anyone living outside the area. While you're there, enjoy visiting some of the other independent shops and restaurants in Brixton Village Market, and feel no shame in smugly introducing your friends to this hidden gem.

The Peckham Pelican: Peckham

The Peckham Pelican is fast becoming one of my regular haunts. Situated along Peckham Road, between Peckham and Camberwell, this was the last place I expected to find a new indie café. The area itself is easily accessible as it sits on the main road along a number of major bus routes, and there is plenty of parking along some of the roads splitting off from Southampton Way (just opposite). As you walk through the door you’re hit with a warm atmosphere of mismatched wooden tables and chairs, benches and scatter cushions. The space inside is deceptively large, and towards the back of the café is a raised area with chintzy red leather sofas and a piano.

Before heading to order your drink one of the highlights is the “Jeremy Deller” mug wall – you’ll need to select your mug from a collection of novelty and plain designs before getting it filled with good old tea or coffee. Coffee snobs will need to leave your airs and graces outside - this isn’t a coffee bar, they serve filter coffee or filter coffee. During the day they also offer a selection of delicious cakes, ‘build your own’ bagel menu, and other light food such as homemade soup.

Expect to be surrounded by skinny jeans and gently whirring Apple MacBooks, the Peckham Pelican definitely attracts the artsy, hipster types - not surprising considering it’s just down the road from the Camberwell College of Arts. There is free wi-fi and power points aplenty, and the soft music playing in the background is not invasive at all, with the high ceilings creating an atmosphere perfectly conducive to working (including making phone calls), socialising, or simply curling up with a mug of tea and a good book. You don’t feel rushed to finish your drink and leave, the staff are friendly and the atmosphere inside is very relaxed. 

As the day wears on this place really comes into its own, offering very reasonably priced beer, wine, cocktails and pizza. It starts to get a little busier in the evenings, and there are plenty of things going on, including live music, art exhibitions, once a month bookclub, Monday evening ‘Pelican Pictures’ dinner and a film, a DJ on Friday and Saturday evenings, and starting this year: Happy Hour on Tuesday – Friday from 5pm – 7pm.

All in all, this place is a fantastic all-rounder café/bar, covering all the bases. Prices are reasonable across the board, the atmosphere is suitable for work or social, décor is quirky and yet still cosy, free wi-fi and plugs are always a plus, and it’s nailed the day-to-night transition perfectly.

Cherry & Ice: Sydenham

It was a rainy afternoon in December when we decided to pop into Cherry & Ice in Sydenham, SE26. In a slight break from our recent tradition of work place venues, our visit here was purely to warm up with a drink and some lunch whilst out and about, and Cherry & Ice didn't disappoint.

Located on Sydenham High Street, a couple of minutes walk from the train station and several different bus routes, Cherry & Ice is very easy to get to. They have a wide selection of food and drinks, so you'll easily find something you want from the menu. The prices are very reasonable, with teas and coffees costing between £1-£2, which is excellent value. They also provide a wide range of gluten-free and dairy-free cakes, as well as sandwiches, jacket potatoes and salads. In fact, the staff were more than happy to make something off the menu for me which was very helpful!

The overall experience was very positive, with food and drinks that were really well priced, and a cafe that was very convenient to get to. However the cafe itself is quite small with few tables, and the atmosphere is lacking; it's doesn't have a quirky or interesting vibe that some of the other local cafes have. The counters are very appealing and exciting with rows of exotic cakes and sandwiches, but somehow this doesn't transpose across to the seating areas. The cafe also doesn't have Wi-Fi which would put some people off, especially if, like me, you often look for a quite hideaway to do some work.

Overall, I would recommend Cherry & Ice for value for money and pleasantness of the staff, but if you were looking to work or take someone to an unusual, quirky cafe, you might want to consider some other options.