Vegan cafe set hidden in a garden courtyard and offers two floors of seating. Serves breakfast and lunch dishes and Sunday roast. Sample menu items include pie and mash, burger with cheez, oreo sundae, seitan ribs, mushroom pasta ragout, cookie and toffee pudding. Beverages include vegan wines, juice, ginger lemonade, and coffee. Est. 2015 and became all-vegan in 2017. Follow the reservations tab on the website to make a booking. Reported closed June 2024.
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88 Brixton Rd, North Brixton, South West London, England, SW9 6BE
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- Outdoor seating
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 25 Jun 2024 by pyuibd
Update business info
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153 Reviews
First Review by Emmeline H
Suzieg
Points +848
The best roast - Edit
Not usually a huge nut roast fan, but the nut roast Wellington was so tasty. The Yorkshire puddings were the best vegan alternative I’ve had in the 8 years I’ve been vegan!
Read moreLovely friendly staff, really pretty upstairs and cosy vibes. Wish we lived closer as would be a regular visitor!
Guest
AitraVetrungei
Points +290
Cosy & romantic place for a dinner - Edit
Update:
Read moreSadly the café is permanently closed since summer 2024.
One of the most beautiful and cosy cafés I have been to! I also love the idea that it is a social enterprise and it employs people with learning differences and disabilities. The staff members are amicable and attentive.
The food is simply delicious, and I plan to return and bring my friends along to sample the menu. The butternut squash orzo and shiitake 'meat' ragu were tasty choices, so I recommend that as well as cheesecake for the dessert - which was not too sugary and just perfect.
NOTE that on Saturday (at least), the café closes at 5 pm and then reopens at 6 pm.
Updated from previous review on 2024-02-04
Pros: Beautiful and cosy , Friendly staff, Social enterprise
Cons: On a pricer end (but normal for London)
Guest
Headeik
Points +63
Delicious brunch - Edit
We went for a Saturday brunch, and got the pancakes and English breakfast plate. Both very delicious. Service was great and friendly, would go again.
Read moreGuest
ScrumptiousLion
Points +269
Plant based paradise - Edit
My first time here. What a friendly place, lovely garden and menu. I tried the fish and chips , cherry sorbet, and pear & Elderflower mocktail. The food was tasty. I will come back again. Thank you for making the planet a better place.
Read morePros: Tasty food, Imaginative drinks, Vegan pastries
Guest
Soniabean
Points +488
Delicious food with soul - Edit
Regularly changing menu. Fresh ingredients. Excellent cooking by knowledgeable chef and staff. Wonderful service by friendly and competent front of house team.
Read moreOn top of all that it’s a social enterprise training people who have challenges finding paid work
Updated from previous review on 2023-05-11
Pros: Social mission supporting employment training, Menu changes monthly, Best Sunday roast in London
Guest
izzys
Points +476
Another delicious Sunday roast - Edit
Another delicious roast at Cafe Van Gogh! I can’t recommend this place enough - the food, the staff, the cafe itself and of course their brilliant social mission! The Sunday roast is my favourite, but with a seasonal menu, there’s always something new and delicious to try. Their pastries are also incredible!
Read morePros: Delicious, fresh food, Friendly staff, Beautiful cafe
Guest
alistar
Points +5125
Top pastries and brunch - Edit
I loved the pastries warmed up. They were so decadent. The breakfasts were amazing too with all homemade, healthy and delicious components. The sweet potato bubble and squeak fritters are quite original with foraged wild garlic pesto. It’s super cute and very impressive with a social conscience. I’ll be back for sure to try the Sunday roast. My only complaint was my breakfast was a bit lukewarm but maybe I didn’t start it soon enough as I was distracted by the pastries.
Read moreGuest
AgataJarzebska
Points +204
Love love love - Edit
Amazing place, beautiful staff and the mission. Totally delicious food.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-03-26
Guest
VeganP
Points +1233
Amazing vegan food - Edit
Amazing vegan food, great service and beautiful location. Recommend a visit. One of the best vegan places I've been to.
Read morePros: Fully vegan, Amazing staff, Cosy venue
Guest
ladyemero
Points +85
Scrumptious food - Edit
I go here as often as I can. The food is delicious, and the garden is beautiful. The service was lovely. I've had pancakes, tofu scramble and vegan cheesecake.
Read morePros: The food especially like the cheesecake , The service , The garden
Guest
Vasi
Points +42
100% vegan - Edit
We loved the food, the setting was also very cosy
Read moreGuest
Chloe(Artemis)
Points +1300
Community and Food are connected - Edit
I love coming here! I travel for work and when I am in London this is the place I look the most forward to visiting.
Read moreThey have seasonal menus so it is constantly changing and I love trying new and delicious food. It's 100% vegan and they take bookings.
During the day (and weather permitting) they have outdoor seating as well as indoor seating. They do have an upstairs as well.
There is only one toilet and it is on the ground floor and it is handicap accessible.
They offer job programs for people with learning disabilities and they have a pay it forward program where you can buy drinks for people in the community that could use a nice cup of tea.
The seating is good for small parties, large groups, and everything in between. Sometimes I come here and it is empty and other times it is so packed it's impossible to get a seat so I recommend making a reservation before coming.
They also have Wifi and during the day allow people to work at the tables as long as you also are purchasing something.
The atmosphere is so charming. The colors are beautiful and there are live plants everywhere that make everything feel so fresh.
Once seated there are utensils in a cup on the table as well as napkins and a cup for water. Pick anything on the menu that sounds good and you won't be disappointed.
I have had appetizers, meals, sides, and dessert and not one time have I regretted it.
I recommend any of the teas and they come with either oat or soy milk. If you want to avoid caffeine then try the hot cinnamon and apple drink. If you want a cold drink I love the kombucha!
Like I said the menu is always changing, but I tried the fish and chips one time and it was so good. I tried the sardie (sandwich) that had a cranberry sauce and it was delicious too. I have tried a side of the green Salad and that day it was spinach and garlic and I am out of words to explain how amazing it was.
The most recent meal I had was the tortilla de carne. The flavor of the tomato sauce combined with the black bean "beef" patty was mind blowing. If I could have licked the plate clean I would have.
I love getting the cinnamon swirl as a little dessert to go (or for take away) and it's really lovely warmed up.
I highly recommend trying this place and come back as much as you can
Pros: Ever changing men, Accessible bathroom , Friendly people
Cons: Can be crowded
Guest
sivvyb
Points +1202
Cute place with a great concept but underwhelming food - Edit
I love the concept of this place; it’s a non profit & they hire people with learning disabilities. The building itself & the interior is absolutely beautiful & the staff are very friendly. However, the food was pretty underwhelming. The toastie was ok but came with no side like a salad or anything. The bubble & squeak was quite good and I liked the beans and the gremolata, however, the sausages were way too salty. I feel like the menu on a Saturday morning isn’t the best so maybe worth going on an evening or Sunday instead as there were dishes that sounded more enticing on there.
Read moreGuest
Crociterapia
Points +28
Lovely place - Edit
My partner and I walked there from Vauxhall station, about 20min distance.
Read moreThe place is annexed to a church and although the ground floor is a bit tiny the first floor is gorgeous.
Tap Water/filtered is free, whilst in other vegan restaurants I start noticing charges for it.
The menu is dived between breakfast- lunch till 4pm and dinner menu after 5pm.
We went just before Christmas so lots of things were sold out, but we were well fed and well taken care of.
Highly recommend
Pros: Ambient , Service , Food
Guest
HeenaModi
Points +380
A wonderful place with lovely staff and delicious food! - Edit
I am so glad that I was able to order for their Christmas set menu this year. It was so SO good!
Read moreMore information here https://plantshift.com/blog/christmas-at-cafe-van-gogh
Pros: the design of the venue, the food , the staff
Guest
darrenb
Points +2239
Top Xmas Dinner - Edit
Had the 3 course Xmas dinner...absolutely delicious...hot apple and cinnamon drink, deep fried camembert to start, lovely pie for main and a superb tart for dessert. Only downside was the brussels were quite hard! Staff really friendly.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-11-30
Guest
angelk4t
Points +285
Yummy food , amazing atmosphere - Edit
Atmosphere was so lovely and cozy and the food was very tasty! I had the butternut squash soup, tried the burger, banana bread, lemon poppyseed cake, Mac and cheese croquettes.
Read moreEverything i ate was great (the coffee was not sadly though), portion sizes too small for the price (the soup was TINY) but I had a lovely time .
Pros: Tasty, Beautiful place
Cons: Small portions, Coffee wasn’t tasty
Guest
EarthlingBridget
Points +354
Nice vibe - Edit
Nice vibe, lovely croissant, okay avocado:)
Read moreGuest
Jollex
Points +45
Underwhelmed - Edit
A cute cafe with friendly staff. However, service is slow and we waited 30 mins just for a pot of tea. When the food finally arrived it was cold. Yes it was busy but they knew it would be as everyone had booked, so that’s not ready an excuse. We had to ask for the bill twice and were disappointed to see that a ‘discretionary’ charge had been added (there was only 2 of us). If customers are happy then doing that isn’t necessary.
Read moreWe had travelled a long way and left feeling disappointed. Perhaps the cafe is a victim of their own success and shouldn’t accept so many bookings if they can’t service them well.
Pros: Nice atmos , Friendly
Cons: Slow service, Cold food, Service charge added up front
Guest
Knorbel
Points +1935
Kleines Café - Edit
Das Café ist prinzipiell ganz schön, jedoch war es voll und somit sehr laut. Es empfiehlt sich eine Reservierung.
Read moreDie Karte ist übersichtlich, alles was wir hatten war lecker.
Das Konzept ist ganz schön, es wird vor allem Menschen mit Behinderung und mit psychischen Problemlagen eine Beschäftigung geboten. Zudem ist es möglich noch ein Getränk für Menschen zu zahlen, die kein oder nur wenig Geld haben.
Pros: Frische Zutaten, Nette Mitarbeiter*innen
Guest
rosebuda
Points +1615
Amazing café with great service and atmosphere - Edit
We had for brunch the French toast and the shakshuka. Both were very good, but i liked the French toast better.
Read moreThe coffees are also amazing
Pros: Atmosphere , Service, Upstairs
Guest
RobertaCalce
Points +4860
As many stars as in the starry night - Edit
This place is absolutely outstanding and I had my BEST brunch ever. Not only the staff is lovely, attentive and welcoming and the place so nicely decorated and tasteful, but the food is excellent. I loved the sweet pancakes, so indulgent. The grilled cheese sandwich was so tasty as well as the savory pancake. The mocha and masala chai hot drinks were lovely. 100 stars to this place!!
Read moreGuest
Ane_vegan
Points +160
Amazing service - Edit
This review is for the service. The waitress was very kind, helpful and made me feel welcome. And I really like that they represent responsible business and work on sustainability. I ordered curry for dinner and it was ok but not something I would crave to eat soon again.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-10-07
Guest
LadyofLeisure
Points +99
Excellent food, VERY busy as people love it . Efficient & attentive staff - Edit
I'd heard rave reviews about Cafe Van Gogh, so on Monday after the most recent, I booked for that week treating my friend to her first ever vegan meal.
Read moreIt's a beautiful venue with a wonderful concept of training the most engaging Special Needs people in hospitality which I absolutely applaud so I knew I just had to be here. Under the fun and efficient enthusiasm and guidance of Steve and Michelle, it's an absolute gem of a place.
Their Sunday Roasts are legendary so I'm already planning on bringing three other friends for that soon
It's popular as having both indoors - two floors - and two outdoors seating areas we were spoilt for choice but chose outside for a sunny Thursday. The vibe is relaxed, loving and happy and it's contagious to all of us who were present. I deliberately take photos of uninhabited areas to avoided having people shown, so don't let that give you the impression it wasn't busy, it was
The food was delicious, having seasonal produce and new innovations.I can't wait to see what my next visit will have me devouring.I actually had all three desserts but thankfully my phone camera was playing up so I only have my friends photo of two of them and the avocado on sourdough was a hit with my non vegan friend . . .so much so, we've booked dinner for 8 September.
Like all good restaurants I have my favourite waiters and today it was the lovely Billy and though I was looking forward to having Tristan too, he was already off shift. . . maybe next time.
I really like their online booking system as it gives clear guidance, its quick and easy, with two email reminders to confirm my booking and offer the option to cancel so there's absolutely no reason for any guests to be a no show.
I can't recommend this enough not just for lovely vegan fare, event nights and "pay it forward" {where you can by a meal or coffee for someone who can't afford one} it's just the whole ambiance, ethos and eating experience so I'm eager for them to thrive even more than they already are as they deserve to. I'm hoping they'll be able to create more branches may in North East London where I am . . .
There is one accessibility toilet which is large, clean and roomy plus it has nice hand washes and cream, which are always important when dining out.
The Oval {Northern Line} is a 5 minute walk away, simply exit crossing the road to the church, walk alongside it and it's the first right into Brixton Road, two blocks down, it couldn't be easier.
Pros: Seasonal fresh food. Menus changed every 6 weeks , Lovely vibe a great place indoors or out, Friendly, attentive staff a joy to deal with
Cons: Limited parking maybe
Guest
Gioiack
Points +1129
Great food, lovely atmosphere and excellent service - Edit
13.5 years living in London and I had never been to Oval (South London 🇬🇧) before!
Read moreAnother customer of mine happy to go to a fully vegan restaurant though 🤗
He lives in Brixton, so I proposed Cafe van Gogh, as I really wanted to try it.
It didn't disappoint!
Really good food and great atmosphere! ☺️
We ordered both the nibbles and the whole small plates menu; everything was delicious but we didn't manage to order any mains, not even to share, we were too full 😅
Actually I was really looking forward to at least sharing the Greek moussaka but, as of today, there is a new menu (last picture) so I missed it!!! 🥹
PS: I don’t eat sweets, so I didn’t even look at the puddings menu; but my friend Tim said that his banana bread dessert was lovely! ☺️
Updated from previous review on 2023-09-29
Pros: Location, Food, Service
Guest
emkoi
Points +2734
Wonderful - Edit
One of the prettiest places I’ve been to! I just love the interior, it’s cosy. I also enjoyed the food. I had a vegan shakshuka, a latte, and a pain au chocolat. The pastries are warmed up when served — I think the pain au chocolat would be better cold but that’s just personal preference (and I can ask for that next time). Overall a really nice experience.
Read moreGuest
kaththomas
Points +44
Delightful! - Edit
Wonderful little perfect fully vegan restaurant!
Read moreGuest
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