Bonnington Cafe

Bonnington Cafe The community-run Bonnington Cafe- a short walk from Vauxhall tube- has been serving outstanding vegetarian & vegan food for 42 years!
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Open for evening dining on Tuesdays to Saturdays, & for Sunday & Tuesday lunch, we look forward to seeing you soon. The Bonnington Cafe today

The Bonnington Café is an affordable vegetarian and vegan restaurant in the heart of Vauxhall, managed by the non-profit Bonnington Centre Community Association (BCCA). One of South London's best-kept secrets and tucked amidst the beautiful community garden

s of Bonnington Square, the Café has been open since the early 80's when it was started as a squat Café to provide a good cheap meal for the community. Much has changed in the years since we opened, but not the sense of community. Originally managed by a cooks' cooperative and now directly run by the local community, our wonderful changing roster of cooks draw each night on a wide range of cuisines. The Bonnington Cafe continues to be committed to high quality vegetarian and vegan food; to affordable prices; and to an equitable share of proceeds between the cooks and the BCCA. Early history

Initially the café wasn't open to the public. It was an eating place run by squatters for squatters, because the local houses were in such a bad state and didn't have gas or electricity or sometimes even water. It was a communal space where food could be made for people from the community, and if they had nothing they paid nothing, or whatever they could afford. At the very beginning, people would go to the old fruit and veg market at New Covent Garden and pick up the throw-away vegetables. It didn't really cost anything, but was still perfectly good food that was just thrown away in our wasteful society. From squat to community centre

By the mid-1980s, as nearby homes were slowly renovated, there was less need for a squatters' kitchen. One of the squatters who had lived upstairs at 11 Vauxhall Grove turned the building into a community centre. The BCCA was founded in the early 1990s - and was able to purchase the whole builkdiong for the community thanks to a National Lottery grant. It was decided to turn the kitchen into a café, but still to keep it as a communal space for both cooking and eating. Because it is a very popular café there was always a lot of pressure to go upmarket, but to this day we don't want to, and aim to keep our prices affordable. A different chef every night

The original cooks' collective - sometimes known as the Café Users Group or CUG - originally ran the café on a co-operative basis. All cooks were members of the CUG, and this led to a great system where every day of the week somebody different cooked. There were blessings in that, but sometimes problems as well. If someone forgot that it was their night to cook, then the café would stay shut! Today, the BCCA maintains the same tradition of having different cooks each session. The nice thing about this unusual system is that there is a great variety of cuisines on offer. After paying the BCCA a flat fee for their session, a cook is responsible for buying the food, preparing and serving it, and cleaning up at the end of the day. Cuisine from around the world

The philosophy behind the café is the same today as it was 40 years ago - to have a community-friendly place where people can come in, sit down and meet people. It is also a place for people who like to cook vegetarian and vegan food to be able to do it without the risk and investment involved in opening a café of their own. We want to have as many different cuisines as possible, so we presently have people cooking with us whose food is inspired by Syria, Poland, Iran, Pakistan, and England. Many cooks make an effort to use local produce, such as from allotments, farmers' markets and UK farms. Everyone though has a different angle, so while some focus on seasonal food and organic, others focus on raw foods and for some its all about exotic ingredients from around the globe.

TONIGHT’S MENU by ARFA’S KITCHEN Open from 6pm 🌺
04/06/2026

TONIGHT’S MENU by ARFA’S KITCHEN

Open from 6pm 🌺

If you’ve ever fancied cooking a dinner at thecafé, or hosting a Sunday brunch, now is a great time to get involved, wit...
03/06/2026

If you’ve ever fancied cooking a dinner at the
café, or hosting a Sunday brunch, now is a great time to get involved, with our garden seating area open for the summer! Do you have a passion for cooking and an idea for a special evening you’d love to host? Whether it’s a one-off event or the start of something more regular with us, we’d love to hear from you. It’s a great opportunity to share your food, meet new people, and become part of the Bonnington Café community.
If you’re interested, please email Suzie, the Cafe Coordinator at:

[email protected]

ARFA is back in the kitchen tonight with her signature Asian/European fusion menu Open from 6pm 🍽️ BYOB 🍷
03/06/2026

ARFA is back in the kitchen tonight with her signature Asian/European fusion menu

Open from 6pm 🍽️

BYOB 🍷

June’s exhibition at Bonnington café showcases artist Liza Brett. Liza is showing works based on her travels on the Pemb...
03/06/2026

June’s exhibition at Bonnington café showcases artist Liza Brett. Liza is showing works based on her travels on the Pembrokeshire Coast, Scotland and Dorset, with an emphasis on glowing colour and light, using oil pigment sticks and Sennelier oil pastels. She aims to capture the atmosphere and abstract nature of the forms from seascapes to mountains.

Open from Monday, 1 June when the café is open. 🎨closing show party on Saturday 27 June from 1-3pm.
for more info.

TOMORROWCOMMUNITY LUNCH MENUBy Open 11am - 2pm 🍽️ 100% plant based 🌱
01/06/2026

TOMORROW

COMMUNITY LUNCH MENU
By

Open 11am - 2pm 🍽️

100% plant based 🌱

Today’s Sunday Brunch Open from 11amGarden is open 😎
31/05/2026

Today’s Sunday Brunch

Open from 11am

Garden is open 😎

TOMORROW- Sat 29th June are back with their signature gorgeous spices and hearty dishesOpen from 6pm 🍽️ Book a table - P...
29/05/2026

TOMORROW- Sat 29th June
are back with their signature gorgeous spices and hearty dishes

Open from 6pm 🍽️

Book a table - Pop in - Takeaway

To book: 07949086599

TONIGHT’S MENU by AN EID SPECIAL 🎉Open from 6pm
29/05/2026

TONIGHT’S MENU by

AN EID SPECIAL 🎉

Open from 6pm

Come and join us for some relaxed outside dining as evenings draw longer ☀️🍷🍴
28/05/2026

Come and join us for some relaxed outside dining as evenings draw longer ☀️🍷🍴

TONIGHT’S MENU by Misiek All Vegan 🌱 Open from 6pm
28/05/2026

TONIGHT’S MENU by Misiek

All Vegan 🌱

Open from 6pm

Tomorrow’s Community Lunch by Drinks from 11amFood from 12pm☀️☀️☀️PAY WHAT YOU CANAll plant based 🌱
25/05/2026

Tomorrow’s Community Lunch by

Drinks from 11am
Food from 12pm

☀️☀️☀️

PAY WHAT YOU CAN

All plant based 🌱

It’s the last day of the bank holiday WEEKENDER! They are being us a very special brunch menu, perfect for a sunny Sund...
24/05/2026

It’s the last day of the bank holiday WEEKENDER! They are being us a very special brunch menu, perfect for a sunny Sunday ☀️

- Kiwi Sweetcorn Fritters
- Masala Beans on Sourdough
- Special of the Day
- Sweet Bites

Open from 11am - 3pm

It’s the SECOND day of the weekender! Tonight we have ‘Tikka Vegetable/Halloumi Skewers’, ‘Din Bhuna’, ‘Tofu & Potato C...
23/05/2026

It’s the SECOND day of the weekender! Tonight we have ‘Tikka Vegetable/Halloumi Skewers’, ‘Din Bhuna’, ‘Tofu & Potato Curry’ plus some lovely little sweet bites

Open from 6pm for sit-in & take-away ☀️

To Book: 07949086599

TONIGHT is the first meal of bank holiday takeover! Flower 🌺 They will be serving up a delicious menu of ‘Toofish Finge...
22/05/2026

TONIGHT is the first meal of bank holiday takeover! Flower 🌺

They will be serving up a delicious menu of ‘Toofish Fingers’, ‘Courgette Fries’, their famous ‘Halloumi Comfort Bowl’ and more, plus some gorgeous sweet treats 🍽️

To Book: 07949086599

This Bank Holiday Weekend we’re thrilled to be hosting a WEEKENDER. They’ll be bringing us their global flavours from F...
21/05/2026

This Bank Holiday Weekend we’re thrilled to be hosting a WEEKENDER. They’ll be bringing us their global flavours from Friday dinner through Sunday brunch! Book yourself a table or just drop by! Also available for take-aways ☀️

To Book: 07949086599

TONIGHT’S MENU by MISIEKOpen from 6pm All Vegan 🌱
21/05/2026

TONIGHT’S MENU by MISIEK

Open from 6pm

All Vegan 🌱

Tonight in the Bonnington Centre, Top Room 7pm, there will be a wave of beautiful crystal harmonies to bring rest and pe...
21/05/2026

Tonight in the Bonnington Centre, Top Room 7pm, there will be a wave of beautiful crystal harmonies to bring rest and peace after a busy week. Come along and feel the peace vibrate through you. Only £10 for locals.

20/05/2026
TONIGHT’S MENU TACO TUESDAY 🌮 🌮 🌮 Open from 6pmBYOB 🍷
19/05/2026

TONIGHT’S MENU
TACO TUESDAY 🌮 🌮 🌮

Open from 6pm
BYOB 🍷

TOMORROW’S COMMUNITY LUNCHCooked by From 11am for ☕️ 12pm for 🍽️
18/05/2026

TOMORROW’S COMMUNITY LUNCH

Cooked by

From
11am for ☕️
12pm for 🍽️

Two Dogs are back this week for their regular taco Tuesday evening from 6pm. message Jen on 07967712050 to book. BYOB an...
16/05/2026

Two Dogs are back this week for their regular taco Tuesday evening from 6pm. message Jen on 07967712050 to book. BYOB and This week's menu is all vegan.

TONIGHT’S MENU by Kenyan Indian Thali Night |A comforting thali plate inspired by Kenyan Indian home cooking - full of ...
16/05/2026

TONIGHT’S MENU by
Kenyan Indian Thali Night |
A comforting thali plate inspired by Kenyan Indian home cooking - full of flavour, spice & nostalgia

BYOB 🍷

Only a few tables left, so book quickly!

Text: 07746 417509 to reserve your spot

TONIGHT’S MENU by Open from 6pm 🍽️
15/05/2026

TONIGHT’S MENU by
Open from 6pm 🍽️

Address

11 Vauxhall Grove
London
SW81TD

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