Zona Rossa Cafe

Quick info

The Castle centre, 2 St Gabriel Walk, Elephant and Castle, London SE1 6FG, United Kingdom

£10–20 · Reported by 25 people

About Zona Rossa Cafe

Zona Rossa Cafe sits inside the lobby of the Castle Centre community center on St Gabriel Walk, with part of its seating reached through a card-gated entrance and the rest open from outside. Orders are placed at the counter and food is brought to the table. The menu, running to 31 dishes, includes a Halal English Breakfast alongside the standard full English, avocado and halloumi on sourdough with rocket and dressing, and a set combo pairing the full English with a cappuccino. Juices and tonics also feature, including Super Green Detox, Booster Beets, and Banana Ashwagandha. The room is part of the community center's lobby, bright and modern in feel. The cafe opens Monday to Sunday except Fridays, and appointments can be booked ahead.

Good to know

Reservations
Accepts reservations
Accessibility
Wheelchair: entrance
Good for kids
Good for kids · Kids' menu · Family-friendly
Dietary
Organic dishes · Vegan options · Vegetarian options

Menu & Prices

31 dishes · mains £3–14

Majoon Banana Dates£4.90
Super Green Detox£4.90
Antioxidant Berries£4.90
Immune Booster£4.90
Booster Beets£4.90
Banana Ashwagandha£4.90

See full menu & prices →

Reviews

4.9/5

63 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention avocado and halloumi sourdough toast, full english breakfast, halal english breakfast and cappuccino.

5★

4★

3★

2★

1★

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention avocado and halloumi sourdough toast, full english breakfast, halal english breakfast and cappuccino.

Customer Review Summary

Breakfast is the clear draw here, with the full English and Halal English Breakfast repeatedly singled out as fast, delicious, and good value, including one pairing of full English and a cappuccino at fifteen pounds fifty called worth it. Close behind, the avocado and halloumi on sourdough gets praise for its thick-sliced toast, ripe avocado, and fresh rocket, and the coffee itself draws separate mention. Several reviewers highlight a particular server by name for going out of her way, and staff overall are repeatedly called friendly, polite, and quick. The setting, tucked inside the Castle Centre lobby and Southwark council building, is described as bright, clean, and relaxing, with one diner noting they were able to order and eat from outside despite part of the space sitting behind a card gate. One reviewer's only complaint was that food could run warmer and that two plates requested for sharing didn't look properly cleaned. The recurring close is diners saying they'd return, several calling it good value for money.

Customer Review Summary

Featured reviews

Google user
2 months ago
“This cafe is absolutely fantastic. The food is delicious and Sue went out of her way to make my breakfast delicious, putting together some bits when I had items taken off due to preference. The vibes are immaculate and if I were local, I'd be in here very often.”
Google user
2 months ago
“We had full English breakfast + cappucino for £15.50 pp, super worth it! It was delicious and good portion. The staff was very polite and kind too!”
Google user
3 months ago
“Shockingly good. I thought this was going to be your random mediocre fitness center café, but it was proper excellent. Great made-from-scratch food, served quickly, with friendly staff.. loved it.”
Google user
5 months ago
“What an exceptional cafe in the heart of Elephant and Castle. Avocado and halloumi on sourdough toast is one of my favourite dishes and this is honestly the best I've ever had! Thick-sliced crunchy toast, perfectly ripe avocado, tasty halloumi, fresh rocket and dressing. And the coffee was excellent. I'll definitely be back for more of the same!”
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Google user
6 months ago
“Really good portions! the prices are good The service is amazing! Very friendly! Sue was amazing with us”

Google user
6 months ago
“Their Halal English Breakfast was fast and delicious. Service was super friendly. Dining area is part of the Castle Centre lobby which is bright, modern, and airy.”
Google user
6 months ago
“I had such a lovely experience at Rossa Cafe in Elephant and Castle. The atmosphere was really welcoming and relaxed, perfect for catching up or just enjoying a quiet coffee. A special thank you to Sumayah who served us — she was so friendly, attentive, and made us feel genuinely looked after. Her service really stood out and made the whole visit even better. The food and drinks were fresh and well presented, and everything came out quickly. You can tell they care about both quality and customer experience. I’ll definitely be coming back again — highly recommend!”
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Google user
6 months ago
“Thanks to sue for her amazing breakfast it’s absolutely out of this world she a lovely person and her customer service is top notch! I love this place thank you so much sue!”
Google user
8 months ago
“The cafe is actually inside the Southwark council building. The staff is friendly and the food is quite tasty, but can be warmer. We also ended up not using the two plates we asked for sharing the food because they didn’t look like properly cleaned. A good place to hang around if you are in Elephant and Castle.”
Google user
1 year ago
“Lovely little place at the lobby of the community center. I was surprised to see half of the cafe was inside the center behind a card gate, but thankfully you can order and eat from outside too. The guy at the cashier was also kind enough to let me inside to take my order. Overall, it was a solid meal, and the environment was clean and relaxing. It's also pretty good value for money.”
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Read all 63 reviews on Google

Hours

Monday: 8:31 AM – 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:31 AM – 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Thursday: 8:31 AM – 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 9 AM – 2:30 PM
Sunday: Closed

Highlights

“From Zona Rossa "Welcome to Zona Rossa, Our family friendly coffee shops are located in Elephant and castle leisure centre (the castle), in the main the reception hall. Our barista beverages, protein shakes and sandwiches are the perfect treat in a great place to meet family and friends, before and after a nice workout or swim. Furthermore, step inside and you will find delicious home cooked food, together with excellent service and bags of community spirit. So come on in and join in the fun at Arcade Coffee!"”

Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for solo dining

Amenities

Wheelchair accessible entrance
Accepts reservations
No-contact delivery
Takeout
Dine-in
Family-friendly
Vegan options
Casual
Coffee
Free water refills
Prepared foods
Dessert

Show more amenities

Vegan options
Casual
Coffee
Free water refills
Prepared foods
Dessert

Offerings· 4: Organic dishes
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegetarian options
Facilities· 1: Restroom

Dining options· 3: Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Highlights· 1: Great tea selection
Crowd· 1: LGBTQ+ friendly

Service options· 1: Delivery
Popular for· 1: Solo dining
Family-friendly· 2: Good for kids
Kids' menu
Planning· 1: Appointment required

Location

Coffee shops near Zona Rossa Cafe

Zona Rossa Cafe

£10–20Vegan options

4.963

Change Please Coffee Elephant Park4.4204
0.2 mi
matcha, profits fund homelessness charity, laptop-friendly seating with sockets
Vanilla Black Coffee & Books4.4553
0.6 mi£10–20
toasted banana bread, Assembly coffee, back courtyard
Boulangerie Patisserie4.476
0.6 mi£1–10
full english breakfast, chocolate pistachio crepe, ham and cheese croissant

Place	Rating	Distance	Price	Mentioned in reviews
Zona Rossa CafeVegan options	4.963	—	£10–20	avocado and halloumi sourdough toast, full english breakfast, halal english breakfast
Change Please Coffee Elephant Park	4.4204	0.2 mi	—	matcha, profits fund homelessness charity, laptop-friendly seating with sockets
Vanilla Black Coffee & Books	4.4553	0.6 mi	£10–20	toasted banana bread, Assembly coffee, back courtyard
Boulangerie Patisserie	4.476	0.6 mi	£1–10	full english breakfast, chocolate pistachio crepe, ham and cheese croissant