The Platform Cafe in Lambeth

The Platform Cafe is pretty sneaky, the prices have been high since the beginning, with expensive items like kombucha and sandwiches that are small and overpriced. It's in the Loughborough Junction area where many cannot afford such prices. But the sneaky bit is that the cafe have a "pay-forward" scheme where customers can buy a lunch for someone else later to take for free who can't afford it. The problem is, the cafe keeps taking the money, but no-one in the community knows about it that they can get a free meal if they can't afford food. Not impressed with just accumulating money and not inform the community, many who are on benefits, many beggars in the area and so on. Too expensive with often non-fresh food produced.

I used to come once a week for a lunch even during Covid. I've missed it since it closed in the late spring for refurbishment. And now its back. The food is just a tasty and filling, but now there barista coffee for added joy. There is more space and light, and the same friendly staff. So I am very glad you are back and long may you stay!

Cosy cafe with a festive atmosphere and real community feel. Lunch was delicious, too! Had a cheese and leek toasty, and a celeriac slice with salad. Highly recommend.

I’ve been getting lunch here a couple of time a week all year. The menu changes daily based on what is seasonal and is always fantastic and great value. Great community vibe - they have been giving free meals out to people who can’t afford it over lockdown too. Really recommend this place if you live nearby.

El café de la plataforma literalmente me ayudó a pasar este verano con sus almuerzos para llevar. Las tartas son mis favoritas, pero nunca he tenido una mala comida en este lugar. ¡Me encanta que todo sea vegetariano también!

We had brunch here today. All the food was freshly cooked and very good value. We will definitely be visiting again.

Visited on a Friday with our Sutton U3 A Social Walking Group. We were presented with wonderful fresh food from Ghana, skilfully prepared by a guest chef. The vegan meal started with light pepper soup (her Grandmother's recipe), followed by Jollof rice, with beans & pulses, tomato & onion salsa, fried plantain & farm salad leaves. The tastes were absolutely delicious. The cost was only £6.

I've had lunch here most weeks since it opened. The food's always tasty and reasonably priced. There are guest chefs from the very diverse local community and so what's on the menu depends who's cooking--anything from Indian to Croatian! A lot of the veg is grown locally. Tables outside if its fine and a cosy atmosphere indoors. The staff and regulars are always welcoming and it's a good place to bring a friend or make some new ones.

A great place off the beaten track to get some nice fresh food with a weekly-changing menu and completely run by the community

The Platform Cafe is a wonderful community space at the heart of Loughborough Junction, attracting locals with delicious, affordable food and drinks. I visited on a Wednesday during a Local Squeeze takeover, where I enjoyed a super fresh medley of curries, a tasty vitamin filled smoothie and a fab almond and lemon cake. All of the food is gluten free and vegan, so I couldn’t resist going the whole hog! I hung around for a while, making the most of the speedy internet to get some work done, and I’d definitely do the same again :)