The Bonnington Cafe: Great Food – Good Vibes
Photographic image by geir.engene@gmail.com
There’s been a community café at the Bonnington Centre for over 40 years, serving vegetarian and vegan food from an ever-changing kaleidoscope of cuisines and cooks. We’ve now reopened with a fresh mix of much-loved ingredients, here in the green oasis of Bonnington Square. The Café is today directly managed by the community – you can follow the original cooks’ collective here.
- Affordable! Mains are up to £12, Starters and Puddings up to £5
- Vegetarian/Vegan only
- Cooks and menus change each night
- Open 6:00pm – 10:30pm Tuesday to Saturday nights
- Open 11am – 3pm for brunch on Sundays
- Open for community lunches on Tuesdays 11-2PM with Roots & Shoots
- Check the evenings we are presently open below
How To Book
Choose your date from the schedule below, then phone or text the cook listed for that night first (Please note that we have different cooks each night) – or our Cafe organiser Natalia – and book a table with them. You can also turn up on the night, and our cooks will see if they can fit you in.
Please note the Bonnington Café is unlicenced to serve alcohol. You’re welcome to bring your own – we charge a small corkage fee per bottle.
Takeaways are available – please order and collect at the Café.
If you are interested in holding catered events at the Café outside our listed hours, please email our organiser in the first instance. Private arrangements with cooks are only permitted on BCCA premises with our express permission.
Address:
11 Vauxhall Grove
Vauxhall SW8 1TD
Cafe Organiser:
Natalia Boteva: cafeadmin@bonningtoncentre.org or (07999) 953512
Follow us!
Tuesday 19th of November
Tuesday Community Lunches
Welcoming warm space, free Wi-Fi and pay what you can vegetarian snacks and lunch. We will be cooking with food donated by City Harvest and fresh seasonal herbs from Roots and Shoots.
Our community lunches provide a “real life” cafe training opportunity to neurodiverse young adults currently in training at Roots and Shoots horticultural college in Kennington.
The cafe is open from 11-2PM serving cake, coffees, teas and other drinks as well as a starter and a main for anyone in need!
Supported by Lambeth Council Cost of Living Small Grant Fund.
Tuesday 19th of November
Twodogs TACO TUESDAY
Newish to the Bonnington Café are Twodogs’ Jen and Vic, who are bringing US vegetarian comfort food with a British accent.
It’s all the food you’ve heard about from America and the local, regional things you might not have. Cooked from scratch using seasonal British ingredients. Incorporating elements of British cuisine. Their food is fun, tasty and gives respect to both nations’ history and food cultures.
They are doing Tacos Tuesday now and it’s a bargain- everything £4!!
To book a table for Tuesday the 19th of November, call or text Jen on 07967712050
Wednesday 20th of November
Arfa Shah
The excellent Arfa Shah returns to the Café, with her dazzling synergy of Asian and European vegan and vegetarian dishes. “I have a passion for cooking and have been cooking for over 20 years,” she tells us. “I am an innovative chef with a creative flair in a five star hotel (Michelin star). And I’ve adapted my style to accommodate classic European with Asian cuisine.”
To book a table for Wednesday the 20th of November, call or text Arfa on 07833 582133
Thursday 21st of November
Misiek
Back with us at the Bonnington Café for his regular Vegan Thursdays is former longtime resident cook Misiek, whose Polish-influenced dishes are bursting with seasonal flavours!
To book a table for Thursday the 21st of November, call or text Misiek on 07435 618721
Friday 22nd of November
Twodogs BURGER FRIDAY
Newish to the Bonnington Café are Twodogs’ Jen and Vic, who are bringing US vegetarian comfort food with a British accent.
It’s all the food you’ve heard about from America and the local, regional things you might not have. Cooked from scratch using seasonal British ingredients. Incorporating elements of British cuisine. Their food is fun, tasty and gives respect to both nations’ history and food cultures.
They have recently started a Burger night on Fridays!
To book a table for Friday the 22nd of November, call or text Jen on 07967 712050
Saturday 23rd of November
Vic Conran
Vic is a long term resident of the Square and after training as a chef, cooked New Orleans style cuisine in the early days of the Cafe during the 1980s and 90s. Vic cooks a wide variety of menus and her aim is to bring you happiness while eating her food as a thank you to the wonderful plants on which our community depends.
To book a table for Saturday the 23rd of November, call or text Vic on 07949229256
Sunday 24th of November
Anya
Anya, an experienced chef at Bonnington Café, returns after a break with a renewed focus on holistic cooking. With a background in wellness, herbalism, and naturopathy, Anya seamlessly integrates these elements into her dishes, offering a unique culinary experience.
Specialising in plant-based, mostly vegan cuisine, Anya’s dishes showcase the natural flavours of her ingredients. Her dedication to sustainability and holistic living extends beyond the kitchen, as she is also the owner of a detox company and an herbalist to celebrities.
An accomplished author and TV expert on natural lifestyle, Anya invites you to savour her wholesome and innovative creations at Bonnington Café.
To book a table for Sunday the 24th of November, call or text Anya on 07763144010
Tuesday 26th of November
Tuesday Community Lunches
Welcoming warm space, free Wi-Fi and pay what you can vegetarian snacks and lunch. We will be cooking with food donated by City Harvest and fresh seasonal herbs from Roots and Shoots.
Our community lunches provide a “real life” cafe training opportunity to neurodiverse young adults currently in training at Roots and Shoots horticultural college in Kennington.
The cafe is open from 11-2PM serving cake, coffees, teas and other drinks as well as a starter and a main for anyone in need!
Supported by Lambeth Council Cost of Living Small Grant Fund.
Tuesday 26th of November
Twodogs TACO TUESDAY
Newish to the Bonnington Café are Twodogs’ Jen and Vic, who are bringing US vegetarian comfort food with a British accent.
It’s all the food you’ve heard about from America and the local, regional things you might not have. Cooked from scratch using seasonal British ingredients. Incorporating elements of British cuisine. Their food is fun, tasty and gives respect to both nations’ history and food cultures.
They are doing Tacos Tuesday now and it’s a bargain- everything £4!!
To book a table for Tuesday the 26th of November, call or text Jen on 07967712050
Wednesday 27th of November
Two Dogs
Newish to the Bonnington Café are Twodogs’ Jen and Vic, who are bringing US vegetarian comfort food with a British accent.
It’s all the food you’ve heard about from America and the local, regional things you might not have. Cooked from scratch using seasonal British ingredients. Incorporating elements of British cuisine. Their food is fun, tasty and gives respect to both nations’ history and food cultures.
To book a table for Wednesday 27th of November, call or text Jen on 07967712050
Thursday 28th of November
Misiek
Back with us at the Bonnington Café for his regular Vegan Thursdays is former longtime resident cook Misiek, whose Polish-influenced dishes are bursting with seasonal flavours!
To book a table for Thursday the 28th of November, call or text Misiek on 07435 618721
Friday 29th of November
Florence Creffield + Kaly Aluvihare
Florence used to be part of the old cooks collective at the Bonnington! She cooks with us once a month and always brings a guest chef friend with her ! Some of her last residencies at the cafe were with Lings Lings, the co-owner of Taco Queen and her Bravanese friend Mina. This time she is cooking with Kaly Aluvihare who was cooking at the allotment kitchen now, previously at Prince Arthur. They will be cooking vegetarian Sri Lankan food.
To book a table for Friday the 29th of November, call or text Florence on 07806692281
Saturday 30th of November
Two Dogs
Newish to the Bonnington Café are Twodogs’ Jen and Vic, who are bringing US vegetarian comfort food with a British accent.
It’s all the food you’ve heard about from America and the local, regional things you might not have. Cooked from scratch using seasonal British ingredients. Incorporating elements of British cuisine. Their food is fun, tasty and gives respect to both nations’ history and food cultures.
To book a table for Saturday the 30th of November, call or text Jen on 07967712050
Sunday 1st of December
Anya
Anya, an experienced chef at Bonnington Café, returns after a break with a renewed focus on holistic cooking. With a background in wellness, herbalism, and naturopathy, Anya seamlessly integrates these elements into her dishes, offering a unique culinary experience.
Specialising in plant-based, mostly vegan cuisine, Anya’s dishes showcase the natural flavours of her ingredients. Her dedication to sustainability and holistic living extends beyond the kitchen, as she is also the owner of a detox company and an herbalist to celebrities.
An accomplished author and TV expert on natural lifestyle, Anya invites you to savour her wholesome and innovative creations at Bonnington Café.
To book a table for Sunday the 1st of December, call or text Anya on 07763144010
Tuesday 3rd of December
Tuesday Community Lunches
Welcoming warm space, free Wi-Fi and pay what you can vegetarian snacks and lunch. We will be cooking with food donated by City Harvest and fresh seasonal herbs from Roots and Shoots.
Our community lunches provide a “real life” cafe training opportunity to neurodiverse young adults currently in training at Roots and Shoots horticultural college in Kennington.
The cafe is open from 11-2PM serving cake, coffees, teas and other drinks as well as a starter and a main for anyone in need!
Supported by Lambeth Council Cost of Living Small Grant Fund.
Tuesday 3rd of December
Two Dogs TACO TUESDAYS
Newish to the Bonnington Café are Twodogs’ Jen and Vic, who are bringing US vegetarian comfort food with a British accent.
It’s all the food you’ve heard about from America and the local, regional things you might not have. Cooked from scratch using seasonal British ingredients. Incorporating elements of British cuisine. Their food is fun, tasty and gives respect to both nations’ history and food cultures.
They are doing Tacos Tuesday now and it’s a bargain- everything £4!!
To book a table for Tuesday the 3rd of December, call or text Jen on 07967712050
Wednesday 4th of December
Gino Pino's
Marcella and Danny bring you rustic home cooked Italian dishes with a twist straight from the gut.
Diving into regional classics and some more off the beaten track dishes, Marcella brings in her experiences from her time spent fermenting in Mexico, as a chef in Elliot’s, running the infamous Venus Cafe of Harringey and growing up in Italy. Alongside, Danny drawing on his time as a chef in Paris’ canal side vegan restaurant Sol Semilla.
To book a table for Wednesday 4th of December, call or text Danny on 07825687568
Thursday 5th of December
Misiek
Back with us at the Bonnington Café for his regular Vegan Thursdays is former longtime resident cook Misiek, whose Polish-influenced dishes are bursting with seasonal flavours!
To book a table for Thursday the 5th of December, call or text Misiek on 07435 618721
Friday 6th of December
Two Dogs BURGER FRIDAY
Newish to the Bonnington Café are Twodogs’ Jen and Vic, who are bringing US vegetarian comfort food with a British accent.
It’s all the food you’ve heard about from America and the local, regional things you might not have. Cooked from scratch using seasonal British ingredients. Incorporating elements of British cuisine. Their food is fun, tasty and gives respect to both nations’ history and food cultures.
They have recently started a Burger night on Fridays!
To book a table for Friday the 6th of December, call or text Jen on 07967 712050
Saturday 7th of December
Vic Conran
Vic is a long term resident of the Square and after training as a chef, cooked New Orleans style cuisine in the early days of the Cafe during the 1980s and 90s. Vic cooks a wide variety of menus and her aim is to bring you happiness while eating her food as a thank you to the wonderful plants on which our community depends.
To book a table for Saturday the 7th of December, call or text Vic on 07949229256
Sunday 8th of December
Two Dogs
Newish to the Bonnington Café are Twodogs’ Jen and Vic, who are bringing US vegetarian comfort food with a British accent.
It’s all the food you’ve heard about from America and the local, regional things you might not have. Cooked from scratch using seasonal British ingredients. Incorporating elements of British cuisine. Their food is fun, tasty and gives respect to both nations’ history and food cultures.
To book a table for Sunday the 8th of December, call or text Jen on 07967 712050
Tuesday 10th of December
Tuesday Community Lunches
Welcoming warm space, free Wi-Fi and pay what you can vegetarian snacks and lunch. We will be cooking with food donated by City Harvest and fresh seasonal herbs from Roots and Shoots.
Our community lunches provide a “real life” cafe training opportunity to neurodiverse young adults currently in training at Roots and Shoots horticultural college in Kennington.
The cafe is open from 11-2PM serving cake, coffees, teas and other drinks as well as a starter and a main for anyone in need!
Supported by Lambeth Council Cost of Living Small Grant Fund.
Tuesday 10th of December
Rory Milanes + Guest
Cooking has always been an interest of Rory’s since he was a teenager but he really got into it during his years of living above Italo, sharing his passion with his housemate and cooking for all his friends on the square. He gets to travel a lot for work and enjoys trying the local food, he likes to cook things that he has learned on his travels and to recreate those special moments. He mainly cooks Italian food but also loves to make Middle Eastern dishes and classic English desserts.
To book a table for Tuesday the 10th of December, call or text Rory on 07931447662
Wednesday 11th of December
Arfa Shah
The excellent Arfa Shah returns to the Café, with her dazzling synergy of Asian and European vegan and vegetarian dishes. “I have a passion for cooking and have been cooking for over 20 years,” she tells us. “I am an innovative chef with a creative flair in a five star hotel (Michelin star). And I’ve adapted my style to accommodate classic European with Asian cuisine.”
To book a table for Wednesday the 11th of December, call or text Arfa on 07833 582133
Thursday 12th of December
Misiek
Back with us at the Bonnington Café for his regular Vegan Thursdays is former longtime resident cook Misiek, whose Polish-influenced dishes are bursting with seasonal flavours!
To book a table for Thursday the 12th of December, call or text Misiek on 07435 618721
Friday 13th of December
Hind Danoun
Hind is from Syria and came here six years ago. She studied philosophy in Syria and wanted to find a new home. It was hard for her to feel like she belonged in a different country. She thought about how to create a place that felt like home. Hind decided to use cooking to show her culture. She started making her mom’s recipes and really liked cooking. She added her own ideas and then started her own business called Utopia.
To book a table for Friday the 13th of December, call or text Hind on 07597446957
Saturday 14th of December
Two Dogs
Newish to the Bonnington Café are Twodogs’ Jen and Vic, who are bringing US vegetarian comfort food with a British accent.
It’s all the food you’ve heard about from America and the local, regional things you might not have. Cooked from scratch using seasonal British ingredients. Incorporating elements of British cuisine. Their food is fun, tasty and gives respect to both nations’ history and food cultures.
To book a table for Saturday the 14th of December, call or text Jen on 07967 712050
Sunday 15th of December
Hind Danoun
Hind is from Syria and came here six years ago. She studied philosophy in Syria and wanted to find a new home. It was hard for her to feel like she belonged in a different country. She thought about how to create a place that felt like home. Hind decided to use cooking to show her culture. She started making her mom’s recipes and really liked cooking. She added her own ideas and then started her own business called Utopia.
To book a table for Sunday the 15th of December, call or text Hind on 07597446957
Tuesday 17th of December
Tuesday Community Lunches
Welcoming warm space, free Wi-Fi and pay what you can vegetarian snacks and lunch. We will be cooking with food donated by City Harvest and fresh seasonal herbs from Roots and Shoots.
Our community lunches provide a “real life” cafe training opportunity to neurodiverse young adults currently in training at Roots and Shoots horticultural college in Kennington.
The cafe is open from 11-2PM serving cake, coffees, teas and other drinks as well as a starter and a main for anyone in need!
Supported by Lambeth Council Cost of Living Small Grant Fund.
Tuesday 17th of December
OUT ON TUESDAY
OUT ON TUESDAY QUEER COMMUNITY NIGHT
Wednesday 18th of December
Arfa Shah
The excellent Arfa Shah returns to the Café, with her dazzling synergy of Asian and European vegan and vegetarian dishes. “I have a passion for cooking and have been cooking for over 20 years,” she tells us. “I am an innovative chef with a creative flair in a five star hotel (Michelin star). And I’ve adapted my style to accommodate classic European with Asian cuisine.”
To book a table for Wednesday the 18th of December, call or text Arfa on 07833 582133
Thursday 19th of December
Misiek
Back with us at the Bonnington Café for his regular Vegan Thursdays is former longtime resident cook Misiek, whose Polish-influenced dishes are bursting with seasonal flavours!
To book a table for Thursday the 19th of December, call or text Misiek on 07435 618721
Friday 20th of December
Hind Danoun
Hind is from Syria and came here six years ago. She studied philosophy in Syria and wanted to find a new home. It was hard for her to feel like she belonged in a different country. She thought about how to create a place that felt like home. Hind decided to use cooking to show her culture. She started making her mom’s recipes and really liked cooking. She added her own ideas and then started her own business called Utopia.
To book a table for Sunday the 20th of December, call or text Hind on 07597446957
Saturday 21st of December
Local Community Christmas Party
Local Community Christmas Party
Sunday 22nd of December
CLOSED
Tuesday 24th of December
CLOSED
Wednesday 25th of December
CLOSED
Thursday 26th of December
CLOSED
Friday 27th of December
CLOSED
Saturday 28th of December
CLOSED
Sunday 29th of December
CLOSED
Tuesday 31st of December
CLOSED
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