Birdhouse

Good coffee, great cakes, better sandwiches, awesome baked eggs and amazing company. All with smiles, and to go if you're in a hurry! Stop by and taste on.

I wasnt going to review this in order to try and keep it more of a secret....but that seems mean.This is my favourite place for brunch in the area, its different and great quality.  Its not your usual brunch (baked eggs are my fav) and the quality it great.  Coffee is good and tried the famous banana bread the other day and didnt disappoint.Love the vibe, love the food, love the service.  Go, just not when i want a table!

I thought it was time I wrote about my local, the charmingly quirky Birdhouse, which is perched on St John's Hill just up from Clapham Junction station. My housemates and I have coffee and brunch at 'Birdies' pretty much every weekend, and it has a warm neighbourhood-hangout vibe. That being said, its circle of customers has increased noticeably since its inclusion in Timeout's list of best coffees in London a couple of months ago.

The best thing about this place is that there aren't any other birds of its feather in the London coffee scene. From the food offerings to the décor, Birdies is as individual as they come; rather than being constructed according to a 'cool café' prototype, it's clear that the owners have created a space which embodies and serves exactly what they like. And that's a good thing.

The café's quirk is evident from the shopfront, which introduces the yellow-grey theme continued inside, and has a row of avian-related symbols (including a cage, drumstick and feather) painted about the entrance.

The interior is flecked with canary-coloured stools, cups and menus; bird paintings and memorabilia, including a poster depicting a cross-section of a fowl, decorate the walls; and there are an array of eating surfaces, from window benches to high tables. The space's former use as a doctor's surgery is also alluded to by a smattering of beakers on top of a cabinet filled with baked goods and the serving of water in large brown medicine bottles.

Onto the coff, which uses a medium roast blend from Climpson & Sons to produce creamy flat whites that are far too easy to drink (you'll find yourself doubling down in no time at all). If you're looking for a bit less moo-juice with your espresso, the menu - which is cleverly projected over what looks like an old x-ray machine (there's that medical reference again) - offers silky smooth cortados alongside all the regulars. The baristas are clearly passionate about their craft, resulting in consistently outstanding and beautifully presented java.

The eats are tasty and offer a different take on brunch staples. Instead of poached, fried or scrambled, they serve 'slow cooked eggs,' which are a deliciously gelatinous accompaniment to their pulled-pork baked beans (although I think the beans may have been yanked for the summer because they haven't been on the menu for the past few weeks), 'Chavo,' i.e. Brindisa chorizo and smashed avo on toast, or light-as-a-feather corn fritters and smoked salmon.

For a Sunday morning splash-out, my housemates swear by their baked eggs, consisting of a piping hot saucepan oozing with rich tomatoey, cheesy and eggy goodness.

And I can't forget their signature food, bocaditos, which are Cuban sandwiches (the word is Spanish for 'snack') and come with a variety of fillings; I recommend the steak and caramelised onion one, although you can't really go wrong with any of them. These toasted treats are a mouthwatering nod to the Cuban heritage of Alexei, one of the owners (the other, Cameron, is an Aussie - hence the great coffee!). Although they seem somewhat discordant with the rest of the food menu, which doesn't appear to have Central American influences, it's all part of Birdies' unique charm.

If you're looking for something on the sweet side, the rustically-presented jars of granola and yoghurt are light and tasty. For something more gluttonous you can dig into their cabinet of goodies, whose standouts include the 'chipster brownie' (a biscuit-brownie creation), warm banana bread, and flaky almond croissants.

Last but definitely not least, the Birdies employees are ultra relaxed while still managing to be efficient. The service is quick and no-fuss (the bill is simply comprised of a handwritten amount on a piece of paper) and they know our coffee orders by heart. All these little things make you feel like a local, which is always a win.

Birdies is a top-notch coffee house that's close to my heart, but I'm reluctant to admit that in case too many coffee-hunters fly into the aviary and I have to wait in line for my Sunday morning flatty.



THE NUTS & BOLTS:

Best for: a chilled social catch-up over a great coff
Price of a flat white: £2.50
Wifi: No
Dairy-free alternatives: soy milk
Address: 123 St John's Hill, Battersea, SW11 1SZ

My husband and I visited the Birdhouse on the 1st of April, 2023 - It was a brisk day. We live in the Caribbean, so walking around in this 5 degree weather was chilly and refreshing. Our first stop for the day was this lovely café, with yellow dishes and accents throughout. We were sat in the back–it was so cozy! We sipped on our cappuccinos and waited patiently for an avocado toast to share. The only bad thing I have to say is that we didn't order two, because it was pretty dang good, but, we did plan to eat our way through Clapham that day, so, sharing was a must that morning! Staff was pleasant - I'd for sure return for a morning coffee if I'm ever back in London/Clapham area again! I have to say some of the negative comments in Google reviews make me giggle. People complaining about their dogs not being allowed, almond milk separating (It does, all the time, no matter how fresh...) or their kids having to sit on their lap (What did anyone ever do without prams or highchairs back then?!) The café is tiny, so house rules must apply and we, as guests, must respect them in order for the day to flow. Lastly, humans can make mistakes, and some of these negative reviews I believe shouldn't even count for their star rating, because it's just cranky people not getting their way. Cheers Birdhouse!

Absolutely one of our favourite cafes in Clapham! Coffee is fantastic, love the food, especially the bocaditos, and the staff are always friendly! What more can you ask for! Note: I already had a sip from the coffee before I took the photo (too impatient), so if you want to critique the coffee art, that is my fault!

One of my favourite cafes. Run by a Cuban and a kiwi, this is reflected in the menus, with both smashed avocado and bocaditos on offer. While both of these are great, it's actually the coffee that sticks in my mind as outstanding, using a milder roast which allows for those fruitier flavours to shine through. The staff are pleasant and attentive. Also child and pet friendly.

Had a great very tasty sandwich - soft sausage with black olive paste plus plus. VERY tasty. Great friendly service.

It’s been on my bucket list for a while and I love it. Conveniently located next to a bike shop it’s a great local coffee place. No wifi but good avocado toast