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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Iliffe yard view. The cafe door is in the centre of the photo
It’s a lovely, friendly kind of place.
Bread and butter pudding. Oh yes!
Old cigarette advertising reveals the shop’s past.
Coffee machine.
The delightful owner.
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
Related posts:
Pullens Yards Winter Open Studios, Elephant & Castle, London SE17
Electric Elephant Cafe Gallery, betwixt Kennington and Elephant and Castle, London
Pae White spins out mesmerising yarn patterns at the South London Gallery, Camberwell, London
Bold Street Coffee, Liverpool – a great cafe in the centre of town
The Heygate Estate and the Hotel Elephant arts gallery and project space, south London
A fantastic cafe for central London: The Old Cafe takes over Ray’s Jazz in the former Foyles store
A sunny Spring Sunday afternoon in Brockwell Park, south London
Breakfast at the Polo Bar 24 hour cafe, Liverpool Street, London
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!