Exploring The Best Cafes in New Cross

It’s also known for its eclectic cafes, galleries, and live music venues, such as the Amersham Arms and the New Cross Inn, which reinforces its lively energy.

Want to learn more about New Cross? Check out this article, Living in New Cross: An Overview.

The Best Cafes in New Cross, London

Corner, New Cross

Corner, New Cross, is a warmly welcoming LGBTQIA+ coffee shop, cocktail bar, and creative space stationed at 117 New Cross Road. With its light and airy decor, Corner is your go-to place for great brews and even better art.

Expect roasted coffee (from Deptford's Elsewhere House), scrumptious lemon drizzle or tangy carrot cake, plus a superb selection of deli-style food.

Open every day except Mondays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and again from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm, customers have the opportunity to experience the cafe during the day and the cocktail bar at night.

Wakey Wakey Cafe

Wakey Wakey Cafe, conveniently nestled, just a few minutes walk from Goldsmiths University. Known for its welcoming, buzzy atmosphere, artisanal wall art, and mouthwatering dishes perfect for meeting up with friends or working away from home.

Delight in firm favourites like avocado and toast, eggs three ways, chicken caesar wraps, halloumi burgers, and even a selection of pancakes.

Drink-wise, enjoy an eclectic selection of lattes, from beetroot latte to turmeric latte, as well as rooibos teas and a charming chamomile blossom tea. And with generous opening hours from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, there's plenty of time to get your Wakey Wakey fix.

Ron's Coffee House

Ron's Coffee House, a cosy vegan cafe tucked away within Holdron's Arcade on Rye Lane in Peckham. It's the perfect place to experience Peckham's dynamic community spirit and enjoy a relaxing cup of java.

An entirely plant-based cafe that transforms from a charming daytime java spot into a lively evening venue serving local beers, cocktails, and rotating small plates. From the day menu, choose from grilled peach toast, Tuscan stew, or a plain cheese toastie.

If you're planning an evening out, enjoy the occasional live band, plenty of soul music, and even the odd tarot reading night. All accompanied by good wine and even better company.

Mughead Coffee

Mughead Coffee is an independent shop located at 359 New Cross Road. The venue boasts an industrial and retro aesthetic, featuring ample wooden seating. Their signature artisan cup of joe, roasted locally by Red Brick, with oat milk, is particularly popular. Be sure to match your brew with either a cinnamon bun, a croissant, or a pain au raisin.

Mughouse provides breakfast, brunch, and a delightful selection of tasty cakes to choose from. Open daily from 7:00 to 4:00 pm, this cafe also offers chill-out music and even shows classic films on its projector, creating a cosy backdrop for relaxation or work.

Zest

Zest Brunch & Bar, nestled in the heart of Lewisham, is more than just a restaurant; it presents itself as a culinary masterpiece, crafted to serve delectable food and beverages. Located at Unit 1, Exchange Point, Loampit Vale, they serve freshly brewed coffee and a mouthwatering menu that features classic breakfast favourites and innovative brunch options.

Choose from classics like avocado sunrise, eggs Benedict, and the ultimate English breakfast. Lunch options include a grilled cheese sandwich, smoked salmon, and a chicken avocado wrap. And to wash it all down, opt for java favourites like espresso, cappuccino, or hot chocolate.

They even offer a seasonal menu featuring honey lattes, gingerbread cappuccinos, and the autumnal pumpkin-spiced latte. We can already feel those cosy vibes coming.

NOLA Coffee

Nola Coffee, meaning coffee for everyone, is situated at 224 Rye Lane, Peckham. The shop stands out for its natural earthy tones, minimalistic interiors, and, of course, tempting baked treats. Open from Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm, and on weekends, one hour later.

They serve speciality-grade brews, Colombian decaf, teas, kombucha, and cold-pressed juices. Make sure you try their sticky cinnamon buns, salted caramel brownies, banana bread, and pistachio-courgette cake, to name a few of the finger-licking goodies.

Nola Coffee also sells merchandise, including hoodies, t-shirts, baseball caps, mugs, tea towels, tumblers, and gift cards, on their online store. You can also buy Ethiopian and Colombian coffee beans, ensuring you get your coffee fix at home.

Awake Coffee and Bakery

Awake Coffee and Bakery is a delightful cafe serving freshly baked treats in an inviting cafe setting. Located at 161 New Cross Road, Awake Coffee and Bakery has become a firm favourite among locals, acclaimed for its sweet baked goods and delicious, artisanal sandwich offerings.

Renowned for its reasonably priced lattes, mochas, espresso, macchiatos, and tea options, including Earl Grey, green tea, camomile, and mint tea. They also offer a wide variety of smoothies and hot drinks made with white or dark chocolate.

Chestnut Bakery

Chestnut Bakery is a stunningly beautiful bread-baking shop, adorned with gorgeous floral arrangements upon entering the venue. Established in May 2021, their Belgravia branch, located at 17-21 Elizabeth Street, is one of three stores in London that open daily from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm.

Chestnut Bakery crafts delicious breads and cakes that are almost impossible to choose between. However, their signature offerings include standout pastries such as Lemon Meringue Croissants, Mille Feuille, Chocolate Hazelnut Babka, and speciality croissants.

If you fancy baked delights delivered to your door, be sure to use Chestnut's popular delivery service via their website or through Deliveroo or Uber Eats.

SIENNA

Sienna is indeed a serene cafe, a place to relax, unwind, and refresh. Stationed at Unit 001, Paynes Wharf, 25 Wharf Street, Deptford. Serving coffee, tea, cakes, pastries, sandwiches, and more from Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 4.00 pm, and Saturdays, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Their cosy interiors and welcoming atmosphere ensure customers return regularly. Drinks-wise, enjoy the usual coffee offerings, teas, and juices. If you're feeling peckish, choose from their selection of cakes, pastries, sandwiches, bagels, quesadillas, and burritos.

La Café Boulangerie

La Café Boulangerie is an alluring, bespoke café that captivates food lovers with its freshly prepared offerings, situated at 258 New Cross Road. La Cafe Boulangerie is celebrated for its excellent coffee and wide selection of pastries.

Enjoy a breakfast sandwich with turkey bacon, sausage, a fried egg, or a combination of egg, sausage, and bacon. Panini’s come with tuna, cheese, ham, or Mexican chicken and pesto. Wash it all down with all the usual java offerings such as espressos, mochas, and macchiatos, or your favourite freshly squeezed juice.

Move closer to your favourite cafe

From delightful interiors and welcoming vibes, to bespoke cafes, and dreamy coffees, there's something for everyone's taste.

Whether you enjoy working in your favourite café or meeting friends and family after work, New Cross's café offering is second to none.

Want to live smack bang in the middle of all this goodness? Why not check out an UNCLE apartment and start putting down permanent roots in New Cross?