What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The Electric Elephant Cafe
Review
About
The Electric Elephant Cafe opened in September 2008 in the front half of the existing shop. After 3 years, we expanded into the rest of the building and have gradually been refurbishing it as we go along. The clientele are from a wide range of backgrounds and walks of life. They enjoy coming to this charming space to drink good coffee and eat lovely home cooked food, chat, read and laugh. We pride ourselves in providing a warm and welcoming environment and many people have made friends or good business contacts here. The cafe is a focal point of the historic cobbled Pullens Yards adjacent. We have WiFi and serve the best coffee for miles around! If you have any feedback regarding the cafe when you visit, you can always speak with Louisa the cafe owner who is usually on the premises & is always open to getting feedback from customers so as to improve.
Features
CUISINES
Cafe, British, Healthy
Meal types
Lunch, Brunch
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
American Express
Dog Friendly
Free Wifi
Mastercard
Seating
Street Parking
Takeout
Visa
Location
Street Parking
Does this restaurant primarily serve Healthy cuisine?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Contribute
3.8
100 reviews
Excellent
37
Very good
32
Average
12
Poor
12
Terrible
7
bridget782
London65 contributions
May 2021 • solo
Nice enough coffee but way too expensive! Wanted to try to support a local business but ended up paying more for coffee than I have in my entire life.....no exaggeration.
Written May 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tonyjac
St Austell48 contributions
Aug 2019 • none
Went in for a drink and had a fantastic cup of tea. Quaint - yes, slightly odd - yes, a bit old and tied - yes. We had good friendly service and other customers could be heard saying they also enjoyed what they had.
Written September 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Siouxrb
London39 contributions
Apr 2019 • friends
This was a great find that my friend and I stumbled on when we were wedding dress shopping. We enjoyed our coffees so much, we went back after the wedding dress appointment for a vegetarian full
english. My only slight niggle is that it was a bit slow but we weren’t in a rush and I was very happy to be supporting a local business.
Written April 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louise N
2 contributions
May 2021 • none
This place is amazing and definitely worth a visit if you like to try something a bit different and quirky!
Aside the delicious, fresh homemade food and warm welcome from the staff, this little gem of a cafe is curious, captivating and delightful. The Electric Elephant Café is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of London life just off the Walworth Road in one of the rare, historic Pullen’s Yards. The beautiful collection of Victorian tenements and craft studios enjoy conservation status and the local community has planned regular open studio events to showcase local artists and musicians, with the café at the heart of the celebrations.
Reflecting the crafts’ heritage of the yard, the cosy café is crammed with artwork and knickknacks; it has a homely and relaxed vibe with a stunning outside seating area in the cobbled, leafy Pullen’s Yard.
The café owner, Louisa, is great - she has boundless energy and a passion for her café - which shows in the wholesome food she prepares.
From friendly conversations during my visit, it’s evident that the regular customers cherish this lovely little café at the heart of their community. Love it!
Written May 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracey
5 contributions
Jun 2022 • solo
This is such a fabulous cafe- I grabbed an early morning coffee and cake before a workshop round the corner. the service and atmosphere is electric! The cafe is in such a historical part of town too. It got my morning off to a great start.
Written June 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PutneySW
London1702 contributions
Jan 2020 • friends
My youngest son, his partner and I, visited here last Thursday, on our way to Escape Plan in the adjacent Illife Yard and it was so good that we returned afterwards.
This is an ultra cosy cafe, a delightful one off with its warm a friendly atmosphere, run by a simply charming lady for whom nothing is too much trouble.
Coincidentally, a friend of my son once lived around the corner and used to frequent the cafe, his name is ‘Mark’ although I forget his surname and he’s a doppelgänger for the late great Rick Mayall.
Lots of yummy food on offer, I had a terrific doughnut!
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bridget B
London2 contributions
May 2021 • couples
The most amazing bread pudding, sadly sells out quickly so as a consolation try the melt in the mouth chocolate brownie or zingy polenta cake.
Written May 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine D
5 contributions
Aug 2019 • none
Having read the reviews and cycled past this cafe several times, I was eager to try it. I was sorely disappointed and only give it 2 stars because the guy serving was doing his very best with poor supplies. We arrived for Saturday lunch and ordered a smoked salmon salad and humus/falafel salad. The guy did tell us there were no falafels, so I decided just to have the humus. The salad sounded delicious, so I thought there would plenty there to make it reasonable for the price. When it arrived, he mumbled an apology that most of the ingredients were not available. What arrived amounted to one tbsp humus, limp lettuce, a few julienned bits of cucumber, a very few cubes of beetroot and, nothing else. My husband's smoked salmon was a bit better, but nowhere near what was on the menu. Additionally the tables were dirty and the service was really slow. Another staff member arrived later with a big bag of what I hope was additional supplies and we could hear her arguing with the guy about offering us a reduction for our poor meal. She didn't even see what he served us, so how could she comment and certainly not within our hearing. We paid and left, but will struggle to recommend this cafe to anyone. Your images here and on FB look great, but a distance to travel to the reality we experienced. A real shame
Written September 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maggie M
1 contribution
Jun 2019 • solo
Dirty old cafe I wouldn't eat there, coffee is cold. Bread tastes like cardboard and to expensive , you can go to any cafe along the walworth road and get a healthy breakfast for half the price and your clothes dont smell like grease.
Written June 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CharlieJackA1
London6 contributions
Mar 2019 • solo
I went to the Electric Elephant looking for somewhere to work that would be quiet but not formal. I was intrigued because the interior is fascinating and quirky and, at first, the owner was a perfect mix of extremely friendly and knowing when to leave me in peace. I had assumed it would be peaceful because of the focus on vegan and healthy food and the place's apparent ethos.
The problems developed over the course of the day. The owner struggled to communicate with staff and berated them publicly. This went from tense words to her swearing loudly, becoming visibly upset and storming out on several occasions. This took place in the small, main cafe rather than in a back room. The diners were all looking at each other in surprise.
The first meal I had was okay and was prettily presented (not that that is a priority for me). I was put off my second one because someone else in the cafe returned something they had ordered. I couldn't hear why, but the owner apologised profusely, said she hadn't been able to see the food properly and blamed the presentation. She offered to replace the meal but the person left instead. I left most of my meal after that as I was unnerved. I'd partly bought it because I wanted to help, but then things got worse as I ate.
This has the potential to be a lovely cafe. That said, while I appreciate the difficulties that may be experienced, these really need to be handled differently - I'm partly writing for the benefit of other potential clients as it finished up a very stressful experience. I haven't emailed directly because this is apparently an ongoing issue and needs to be resolved. If your staff aren't competent, find someone else to do the job. I wish them luck for the future and hope things improve for them.
Written March 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cfkch
London22 contributions
Dec 2018 • business
Location was fantastic and the cafe itself was full of character - unfortunately the food let it down as did the clinging smell of fat on my clothes! It’s a real shame.
Written March 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zyubra
Moscow41 contributions
Feb 2019 • friends
We went there to get a true English breakfast and boy, we weren’t disappointed! Two sweet ladies cooked our orders just right there, and everything was absolutely delicious. We had a 5 yo kid with us, he said it smelled like at his grandma’s kitchen in the morninf. I couldn’t agree more. It not quick but if you’ve got time it is definitely worth your wait.
Written February 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kraveling
Dublin30 contributions
Dec 2018 • family
My family of 4 chose an unfortunate day to go to The Electric Elephant Cafe and had a terrible breakfast. We walked into a smoke-filled room with a frazzled manager obviously struggling with inexperienced and not enough staff. We all ordered an Eggs Benedict plate. The food took FOREVER and during the wait we noticed a staff member running to the store to purchase more ingredients! Half of our order arrived and my son and I had the displeasure of trying to eat a watery & sour hollandaise sauce. It took another 10 minutes before my husband and other son were served their orders. The smoke in the room was so thick they were opening windows and doors. The restaurant was overcrowded with furniture and very dirty. Other guests were walking out or angrily asking for their bill. The only positive was the coffee.
Written January 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Looooooooooo
London85 contributions
Jan 2019 • solo
A traditional English breakfast Set me up nicely for the day. Cosy, local and quaint cafe with retro music.
Written January 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sheila T
Yeadon12 contributions
Dec 2018 • family
From the email request to book a table (advised for a group as this place is busy) the service was great. Quick response and when we arrived super friendly staff and amazing menu with great choice for vegetarians as well. All food was freshly cooked and was delicious.
Written December 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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