Sugahill, SE26 4NL
- 020 8659 5828
- 250 Kirkdale, SE26 4NL (streetmap) (osm) (gmap) (bingmap) (streetview)
- Mon: closed; Tue-Wed: 9am-5pm; Thu-Fri 9am-late; Sat-Sun 11am-late
Nice little cafe in Sydenham, fairly near Sydenham Station.
It's small inside, seating only about 20 people at most, but light and bright due to the fully-glazed frontage and pastel walls. Tables and floor are wooden, and sacking-upholstered banquettes line the walls.
The menu consists of sandwiches, pancakes, omelettes, and things on toast, but they also do the occasional themed evening. Drinks include hot drinks, juices, and smoothies, as well as bottled beers and spirits.
Kake first visited on a Wednesday lunchtime in February 2008; it was fairly quiet, but there was a trickle of customers so it didn't feel echoingly empty. Staff were perhaps over-attentive, but very friendly. Piped music was provided by some radio station or other — not too annoying.
I tried the "home-made organic chicken soup" (£3) that I'd seen advertised on a board outside. To be perfectly honest I wouldn't have guessed it was home-made, and would probably have put it down to New Covent Garden Soup Company or one of the other premium pre-packed soup companies, but it was quite tasty, and not overpriced for what it was. I liked the (warmed and pre-buttered) crusty bread that came with it. I also liked my freshly-pressed apple and orange juice (£2.40 for a generously-sized glass).
Kake visited again on a Thursday morning in May 2016. There were a couple of other customers when I arrived a little after 11am. Music was playing on the radio (Jazz FM), not too loud, but interspersed with adverts.
Egg and smoked salmon on toast (£4.50) photo came with a choice of scrambled or fried, and I chose the former. The eggs were a little dry, and unfortunately contained a couple of tiny pieces of shell. Overall, though, it was fine; the well-buttered toast made up for the dryness of the eggs, the smoked salmon was sufficient, and the salt level was nicely-judged. A cup of tea (£1.50) arrived weak, as requested, and was a generous size.
They have free WiFi; ask at the counter for the connection details.
Kake's verdict: I'd visit again if I was passing and peckish, or wanted somewhere to sit for a while with a cup of tea and a book.
Accessibility: A very large step to get in, and a door that pulls towards you. Another small step and very narrow access to the toilet.
See also:
- South East London Cafes review
- Sydenham Town article
- Sydenham Town forum threads: 1, 2, 3