Bonnington Cafe

I kind of like this place - it's very non corporate and stems from an old squatting community. Each day it has a different chef and they always have a vegan option, but often everything is vegan. Tuesdays are vegan only days. The food is very 'vegan' - ie, pulses, dahls, rice etc but it's always delicious and it is super cheap as for the area. Service varies from super quick to super chaotic, but I think that's all part of the charm. If you like community cafes then this is just the place.

Casual cooperative - furnishings are 'rustic' and service swift but friendly. We visited on a Thursday night when the menu is all vegan. The strudel was tasty and the chocolate cake nice and rich. There is a different chef each night so the menu changes daily (2 choices of starter, main and dessert).

Remember that you need to book in advance and it is cash only.

A really nice personal place. Very friendly and food is awesome.

Cute little place with nice chefs. Small menu but delicious food perfect for a Sunday lunch out at a very affordable price.

Don't accept card, so be sure to bring cash.

Have been lots of times to Bonnington, the food does vary a lot but have never had a bad meal here. It's BYOB as well so makes for a cheap evening out

I've been to Bonnington Café 5 times the last year, the most recent visit was last Sunday (Feb 14 at 6.30pm).

Everytime you get a boring lentile stew rice and salad, or in other words a hippe dish and what non-vegans think vegans eat.

I know the price is low, but since it's a co-op I espect more in terms creative and well tasting food as well as beautifully presented.

I won't be coming back unless something radically changes.

Thanks

Victor

I absolutely love Bonnington Cafe! Because there'sa different chef every day it can be a bit hit and miss.
Went on a friday, had a starter which was nice. A main (£8) was a bit of rice and vegetables. Very bland and tasteless. Banoffie pie was nice too.
Felt that we were a bit rushed out.

Really enjoyed eating at Bonnington cafe. It has a lovely homely feel, and all the food that we had was great! Good prices too. I will definitely come back again. Thank you!

Places like this are the complete antithesis of go to veg staples like Maoz or Hummus Bros, and that's a really great thing.
The different chefs and eclectic cuisines make each visit unique whilst the place itself is charming and set in a lovely bit of Vauxhall I didn't know existed.
Food and portion sizes may vary (last time I visited I got enough food to feed two I think!) but you contact the chef to book and can ask any questions then if you don't like surprises.
If it's a quirky, enjoyable London veg experience in a cosy relaxed atmosphere you're after then check it out.

I do not know they have high reviews.

Very casual place which I do like. Menu is a blackboard with 4 items on it. Food came out very fast. Unfortunately it was horrible food. The lentil soup looked like paste, Moroccan chickpea tagine was bad, not much flavor and portions where odd size, other people got more or less. For the cost you can go to a much much better place.

Maybe I came on a bad day or bad chef but I will not be going back or suggesting it to others.

I lived in London for 7 years and this was one of my favourite restaurants, for the whole experience of eating here as much as the food.

Do not expect upmarket surroundings or polished service but go here if you are interested in honest, hearty food in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

I have never had a bad meal at the Bonnington Cafe and the prices are ridiculously cheap for the food and the privilege of eating here.

A unique experience for London.

I love both the concept and reality of this place. Good food, friendly people and a charming venue. Looking forward to future visits.

I love this place. Other reviews have nicely summarised the concept; I can only add that I love the quirkiness of it. You could eat here every day and have a different experience each time - it just depends on who is cooking. I've never had a bad meal at the Bonnington Cafe; it's ranged from average to amazing. With this in mind, don't dismiss it first time if it's not great. Go back on a different day and find the chef you like best.

One other thing I love about the place is that you can bring your own booze. The food is good value too.

Make sure you book in advance (check the website as you need to book directly with the person cooking on the given day).

Definitely recommended.

I received lots of good feedbacks before going, but unfortunately it betrayed them all. atmosphere is casual... too casual probably (and I am all but posh). menu was poor: obliged choices for vegans, quite small portions and simple plates for an unfair prize. maybe I picked an unlucky night, but next time i will surely go somewhere else.

This is a very special place in London. A community restaurant serving amazingly healthy and delicious vegetarian and vegan food, with different chefs rotating each day.

Each one of the chefs brings a new vibe and menu, so you can have Mediterranean inspired food one day, Mexican another, Italian on another and so on. There´s never boredom and the menu never stops surprising you.

Having known the chefs for so many years now, I personally know how much love and energy they put into making this space a very special one, where not only the food is healthy and great, but the atmosphere is also important.

The service is excellent, very friendly and attentive, the decor is also different from everything you might have seen in London and the price is great, allowing everyone the possibility to afford lunching or dining there.

Make first a reservation, so the chefs know how much food to make and then enjoy your meal!

We went here for dinner on a sat night and loved it. Wasn't quiet sure what to expect from reading the reviews but we will def be going back. Make sure you make a reservation as its really busy and we saw lots of people being turned away without a booking. Check out their website before booking for some great info on the chefs and which nights they work. Also its byob with no drinks to purchase

Disclaimer: visited about a yr bef this review...
This is a building which allows a number of different chefs to use it on various days to run their own restaurant. Their website lists which chef is on which day and sometimes the chef provides more information on their cuisine. You need to book so the chef knows what numbers they have. I booked late on the day for a Sunday which was when Anat was on and he was totally fine with it.
We got a bit lost at first, if you haven't been before it might be a good idea to check a map. Once you see the giant hand at the Pleasure Garden you're on the right track and just keep going round until you reach it.
Colourful leaflets/ signs peeked out from a townhouse. Inside it was a rustic/ shabby chic? and charming.
We were early so their waitstaff were just setting and organizing tables for reservations and they let us choose seats at the front window.

Anat's menu was gourmet. We had two choices each for starter, main and dessert. I had a broccoli and a grain I think for main and the person with me had the other option which was a quiche/ pie I believe. I think it was the lesser chosen option as while my portion was normal sized, his was massive. The food was fine. For dessert we shared chocolate balls. They were light tasting. We had homemade lemonade and with dessert, Turkish coffee.

Service was mainly by one very busy but competent woman who was also very friendly and made us feel very at home and welcome.

At under GBP10 for the three course meal, value was fantastic.

From our early arrival it turned in to a lovely candlelit evening with piano music and singing. The whole night we were shown sincere, thoughtful hospitality that made us feel very welcome.
To use the toilet I had to go up about four storeys in the house and find my way to it. This added to the feeling that we were guests in someone's home.

This place is the bee's knees if you don't mind fuss free waiters and not so fancy furniture. It's quite cosy with great, hearty food. You can choose to have a 3 course meal for about £10 and bring your own booze. They have different chefs there with different menus all the time so all the more surprising when you taste the food.
You may have to share a table with others (or reserve a table)as it's not too big but very well worth it.
The restaurant is a little hidden so take a map as it's down what looks like a residential street, but very well worth the find.
Loved it totally!!