Vanilla Black Coffee & Books Kennington in Lambeth

Llevo viviendo en Kennington 10 años, y normalmente voy a Due Amici Garden Café, pero decidí probar este lugar de al lado — y me arrepentí desde el momento en que entré. Tan pronto como me senté en una mesa con dos sillas, inmediatamente me regañaron y me dijeron que me moviera a un asiento de ventana incómodo que se sentía como sentado en un bolardo junto a la carretera. Cuando volví a mi mesa original, me encontré con el escrutinio del gerente, mientras él charlaba casualmente con otros clientes —que, por cierto, también estaban sentados en dos— mesas de sillas sin problema. Al final, el gerente me dio un sermón sobre la espera para sentarme, revelando que se había ofendido desde el principio porque "ignoré" una señal que ni siquiera vi. Insistió en tener la última palabra, y esa actitud fue la gota que colmó el vaso. Parecen pensar que están dirigiendo un restaurante de alta cocina en lugar de una cafetería en Kennington. Este tipo de gentrificación esnob no es bienvenida aquí. Y luego estaba la comida. Por 19 libras, compré una pequeña porción de ensalada cohete, un poco de humus de remolacha insípido untado tan delgado que podría haber sido un derrame, y un café servido en una taza tan pequeña que apenas era un sorbo. Sí, me senté en una mesa para dos, y parece que me cobraron por dos también. Este lugar es una estafa absoluta. El personal es grosero, con derecho y poco acogedor. Evítalo. Terrible vibra, servicio de un bocazas atascado - quiere ser conserje Michelin. El restaurante de al lado es más amable, más barato e infinitamente mejor.

Maravilloso lugar para disfrutar de un gran café ne bocado rápido para comer (tostadas de aguacate era excelente!). Como visitante por primera vez a esta zona, me sorprendió muy gratamente

Fin de semana de prueba. Muy poco personal. Las camareras jóvenes se quedaron defendiéndose de las quejas de clientes furiosos. He estado varias veces anteriormente y realmente disfrutado, pero hoy estaban decepcionados y sentían pena por el personal joven

Unwelcoming staff. They took my order for an orange juice and poached eggs and then ignored me for twenty minutes. I was a little on the clock and still no sign ( it wasn’t that busy). In the end I asked for a refund and left without service as nothing seemed in to be in preparation. Bemused indifference at the till and not apology, a very weird place.

enjoyed a really good americano and thoroughly gorgeous salted caramel cannoli cake. It's not genuinely a 'book' place - nothing special there, and the staff - whilst good looking, lack real warmth. The food I saw on other people's plates looked lovely - a typical sourdough coffee joint in a pretty building on Kennington Road.

We were in a B&B around the corner and the breakfast was so bad that we decided to look for improvement. We arrived at Vanilla Black and been going here for the rest of our stay, daily. Great coffee, great food, great vibe. Well done!!

I work nearby to this place so thought I would go in to do some office work with breakfast (I usually go to the coffee shop next door but thought I would come here this morning). After ordering my food and drink I went to find a plug but the staff told me they don't let customers use the power which was a slight inconvenience but I thought I'd just go to the coffee shop next time so my laptop can run. The staff forgot the egg on my order which was fine, I was willing to wait a few minutes longer. The food was good but of comparative quality with next door which is much cheaper. On my way out I asked the man who worked there, (I had to go there to pay because the card machine wasn't working at the beginning) how long they haven't let customers use the power and I honestly had to cut the conversation short because of how rude he was being. He sarcastically said "ummm.. as long as they've put the prices up." I left and cycled to the office so I can plug in my laptop and will not be coming back. Paid over £20 for a coffee and some salmon on toast, with no access to power and rude service, I think I'll be giving this place a miss in the future and suggest others do the same.

I went to have an avocado and toast and it was £17:50 on top of the service charge, they didn’t even bring the bill to the table .they were doing it on the computer I ask to give my received to see what I have been paying and they tell me the computer does automatically. They can't give my received Anyway, the coffee also is terrible. I will not recommend Tiny Place for those prices. Not even in the centre of London pay The portion was so small. Forget it.

Imagine cheerfully arriving at your fave new cafe after newly moving to the area and being refused coffee and water. Reason: it's 4:02PM. Apparently this is 120 seconds after closing time. An iron fist denial of service, not even takeaway was offered which is what I asked for. I do hope they are not forced to pay their bills 2 mins late due to a dramatic drop in customers. Avoid this place. Zero effort = zero stars.

Piccola ma graziosissima caffetteria, sempre molto affollata, lontana dalle zone turistiche. Hanno un’ottima scelta per la colazione o il brunch, ed è tutto buonissimo! Da provare

Nice cafe with some good humoured staff and great coffee, and an opportunity to browse cookbooks and a range of seasonal cards whilst having your drink

Came here for a quick lunch, really good choice of dishes, lots for vegetarians. Smashed avo was delicious Nice friendly atmosphere

I think this cafe is beautifully presented and the food and drinks are very good. No complaints there! My issue is about the staff unfortunately. I feel that they put a front of being friendly by asking how are you etc when you first walk in but when you ask them any sort of questions about food, tables etc. it's returned with a very cold front and very rigid. For that reason, I left feeling like I did not want to return. It's a shame as I do just live around the corner. Maybe it was just a bad day and I will try again. Just didn't leave feeling great. Also would benefit from having wifi although this is not a big issue of course!

Popped in around rush hour for a quick coffee before a conference at the Oval. It's a charming little cafe with a bright and airy atmosphere, and quiet music in the background at just the right volume. They have a steady stre of customers at this time of day but not too crowded, the staffmember was friendly and courteous and the space looks very clean. A little confusion for this visually impaired customer as the sign said wait to be seated due to covid restrictions but realized quickly we were supposed to ignore that as the people in front of me went straight in and up to the counter. That however is a minor issue and easily resolved.

I'd been many, many times to Vanilla Black but since I moved away from Kennington I've particularly missed this place and I the following is why. The ingredients used are noticeably decent, the dishes are simple staples but incredibly well made, the staff are always really nice, the space itself is warm and welcoming (it's part cafe/part shop and in the summer it has the courtyard sun trap thingy), the coffee is superb, service top-notch, etc. But the standout is the food. The smashed avocado on sourdough with poached eggs, rocket and chilli flakes may be a familiar order to many, but I would say they make it better than anywhere in all of London. Good on you, VB. Also pricing is alright.

Il posto è delizioso una caffetteria molto bella e caffè, cappuccino e prodotti da forno ottimi. Il locale ha anche un piano sotto (che sembra un salotto di casa) e una parte esterna nel retro bellissima. Personale super cortese...andateci!! Stra consigliato

Zona Kennington non distante dalla metropolitana, sembra un coffee come altri ma é molto di più, ottimo il cappuccino e i dolci sono buonissimi. Simpatici e disponibili, c'é un esterno nel retro che é un piccolo gioiello all'aperto. Controllate gli orari causa COVID si é ristretto

The poached eggs at Vanilla Black are incredible, and all the pastries and cakes look delicious too. My friend and I enjoyed our brunch (especially the smoothies!), were greeted with a smile and found the surroundings lovely. Can't wait to go back and sit in the garden next time!

Really good food. Even better coffee!!! And such a nice setting garden outside. Have been to Vanilla Black many times since I live locally and always recommend it to friends.