Blue Turtle Oasis in Lambeth

Eaten in this cafe many times, especially when Adrian still owned it. the new owners are lovely UNTIL you run into issues. I love the bagels Rodney does, and even while having to wait over 30 minutes last time when he had to go to the shop to get ingredients, leaving me alone in the cafe, I didn't mind. Mistakes happened and I worked all my life in the hospitality industry to overlook certain things. But there's 1 thing I cannot overlook, and that is hygiene issues. I ordered a bagel and coffee as usual, it came pretty quickly compared to before and was just plain normal. I always wash my hands before eating and found there was no hand soap in the bathroom. Upon asking Rodney, he handed me washing up liquid. He prepared my bagel without washing his hands nor with gloves (he later claimed he used gloves, but I clearly saw him prepping food without gloves). I asked him how he can wash his hands without soap. It then went for about 15+ minutes back and forth and I returned my bagel and coffee without eating/drinking and requested a refund. He refused at first and even told me with a condescending smile I could go to the other cafes in the area. I persisted for a refund, but he wanted my bank details to do it later online. I informed him about GDPR data protection. He had no clue what I was talking about regarding handling data as a business. I responded that I could show him on his card machine how to issue a refund. After a long bacj and forth he finally called the credit card company that manages his account to issue a refund. I mentioned to Rodney that if an EHO visits and finds there's not hand washing while food's prepared etc., he also didn't know what an EHO is. There has never been a hygiene rating sign and there isn't even any allergy advise like restaurants/cafes do now since the whole Pret a Manger allergie deaths and injuries. Rodney is great guy, lovely vibe, art and music, the bagels are delicious, but when it comes to food hygiene, I don't close my eyes! We also just came out of a pandemic, and when a food place doesn't take hygiene serious, it should not deal with food. The way he patronised me and simply did not understand anything, neither with hygiene, nor allergies, nor data protection, not even how to issue a refund ... how did you get into this business Rodney?! I don't care how expensive food is, I don't care how long it takes, even go to the supermarket to buy ingredients while I wait, but do NOT muck around when it comes to hygiene!!!

I only popped in for a cup of tea, as I had 30 minutes to spare. Whilst ordering my tea at the counter, I spotted a loaf shaped cake and was told it's banana cake, so I ordered a slice to accompany my tea. I sat at a table, and it arrived with my English breakfast tea a few minutes later, covered in caramel, warm and succulent, as if it hadn't long been out of the oven. It tasted absolutely amazing. The service was as great as the food, so I will definitely back. Thank you for a great experience.

El personal super kooL, la decoración original y las vibraciones relajadas siempre se encuentran aquí en el Blue Turtle Oasis de golpes de cafeína, escalofríos de CBD y deliciosos bocadillos con un toque de las vibraciones esotéricas bohemias que hacen que esta área sea única e interesante. Dondequiera que vaya, allí está. Gracias Adrian y todos por existir y traernos cosas buenas. . . Mis amigos siempre tuvieron una buena palabra para este lugar. Paz. . . mORGANICo

La comida era deliciosa, fresca y a un precio razonable y conversé con Adrian que preparó mi desayuno (elegí el vegano) desde cero en su pequeña cocina al lado de nosotros, estaba realmente fresco. Tal vez el servicio es un poco poco convencional, pero siempre digo 'no juzgues un libro por su portada', que en esta ocasión realmente valió la pena.

Literalmente, nunca volveré allí de nuevo, la comida era impactante y el servicio era tan pobre que lo desafié solo para que me dijeran que era porque despedía una mala energía. Aprende un poco de respeto, pequeño.

Lugar asombroso. Muy relajado Deliciosa cafetería y desayuno encantador. El chico detrás del mostrador es realmente dulce a pesar de su aparente peculiaridad. Aunque el lugar está al lado de una estación de tren, este café no es para los viajeros apresurados, sino para las personas zen de la zona <3

Such a disappointment!! Which is a shame as the area is really nice now. Tight, dark, tired and expensive with rude staff. Barista seems annoyed and tired, not friendly at all and very blaisé. Just wondering how much GQ was paid to write a piece praising this place.... unbelievable!! These kid of places belong to the past that Brixton wants to forget- pretending to be “artsy” to get away with ugly weird interior and organising sale of bizarre clothes that look used. Hope the place will change soon and adjust to changing surroundings with lots of young professionals moving to the area expecting high quality products and services.

As a nutrionists working at Kings hospital its difficult to find a place that meets my healthy eating criteria, but blue turtle exceeds it. Loved the breakfasts and then brunch yesterday. Chocolate cake was just right- not too much sugar and the coffee - the best I've had for ages. Great service too.. Well done

What an amazing little gem of a cafe this place is. I came across the place by chance and was pleaseantly surprised by the eclectic decor and delicious food on offer. You can get freshly made pastries, sandwiches, breakfasts and brunches. The service is attentive and responsive. Very friendly staff and I just love the whacky furniture.. rustic tables and crazy chairs. There’s an intimate basement eating area and the toilet is amazing... I loved my my vegan cooked breakfast and so reasonably priced. Brilliant..

I was not impressed with the service by the young man at the café.. no smiling, difficult to communicate with.. the food, coffee was brilliant and prices very reasonable. Need to get a friendly café person working there

Unlike some of the hipster cafes they do a good deal here which makes it more tempting. Nice food and quirky interiors. it's not the biggest place but its come on leaps and bounds over the past few years. recommended

BTO has one of the best coffees I’ve tasted in London! There are many options for dairy alternatives, and serves food too. Only issue with this place, service is quite slow. If you’re in a rush, this isn’t the place to go to, but the coffee is delicious!

Walked in, sat at a table near the window with my brother, and after 10 mins of no interest in us, approached the service area and asked for menu. Surly youth just pointed above his head to a small list masquerading as the menu. Ordered egg mayo and cress sandwich for my brother, croissant for me, and 2 expressos. No other customers in the cafe, other than man sitting on bar stool facing the wall, eating something, who left after 15 mins of our arrival, and another person, smoking an e cigarette, and transfixed by his mobile device, drinking water which he helped himself to behind the counter. After 15 mins or so, the youth dumped on our table the 2 coffees, and croissant ( cold ), and disappeared into the kitchen, we presumed to bring out the sandwich. we waited, and waited, and waited, and eventually had to drink our coffee before it became stone cold. It took a further 15 mins for the sandwich to arrive, which was so bad, it was an insult to the famous snack. It was a tiny 6 inch long baguette, sliced up the middle, and cut in half, with a thin smear of chopped hard boiled egg in the middle with no hint of mayo, and one tiny sprig of cress. Brother reported it to be dry, and totally inedible. Had my brother not been so immobile, due to a recent stroke, I would have had no hesitation in refusing to pay and walk out. but felt obliged to pay rather than embarrass him, as he also lives locally. a place to avoid.

Today I witnessed incredibly rude treatment at this place. I've had a coffee here before and it was (to be fair) not bad. Remembered the venue so when my heavily pregnant girlfriend needed an emergency bathroom stop on the way to the station we popped in. The guy literally looked at her, smiled, shrugged, said 'only for customers', and turned her out. His laugh as the anxious pregnant woman rushed out desperate to find another cafe to dash into was memorable. I understand having store policies, but basic courtesy is also important. Pity, as we've just rented a place in the neighbourhood.

The Blue Turtle Oasis - of BTO as it's called on the window - sells really good coffee, tea and cakes right next to Loughborough Junction station in Brixton. It's practically under the railway and you could miss it as you walk by but it's worth going in for the proper, loose-leaf teas, freshly ground coffee and great pastries. They do salads and sandwiches during the day too. It's quirky and relaxing. Worth a visit if you need take-out or just want somewhere gentle to sit for a bit.