Randomness Guide to London Menu

Cafe at Crystal Palace Station, part of a small (and very local) chain.

Entry is via the corner of the station hall (before the ticket barriers), into a narrow service area with attractive geometric tiling on the floor. To one side, the service counter is piled with baked goods, packaged sweet treats, and jars of interesting loose-leaf tea photo. Orders are taken and paid for here, and will be brought to your table when ready. The seating area is up a couple of steps towards the back, packed with mismatched wooden tables and chairs.

Kake and Toby visited on a Wednesday afternoon in December 2017. There were a fair few people in when we arrived a little after 2pm, and by 2:30pm all the tables were taken. Music was playing, not too loud.

The avocado, halloumi, and cranberry sandwich special photo suffered somewhat from being made with regular sandwich bread rather than the intended "buttie" (a toasted roll, which they'd run out of), as the bread was too flimsy to contain the generous quantity of filling. The quality of the ingredients was fine, though, with just-right avocado. A little more cranberry might have improved the balance.

They have free WiFi, with the password written up on a board on the wall.

Child-friendliness: They have a separate children's menu photo, a box of children's books, and at least two highchairs (IKEA Antilop without the tray). Toby (who is 5) was made to feel welcome.

Dog-friendliness: They are explicitly dog-friendly, and keep a bowl of water in a "Doggie Corner" near the entrance.

Accessibility: No steps to get in, but there are two (with no handrail) to the seating area. Toilet not checked.

See also:

• Photos of the menu as of December 2017: page 1, page 2, drinks, children's
• Time Out review
• Brian's Coffee Spot review
• The Triangle photo-essay