Exploring Crystal Palace: Top 4 Café and Bar Finds

Discover the hidden gems that added a special touch to my days in Crystal Palace, from morning coffee to evening jazz.

Photo by Olena Bohovyk

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For the past few months, I have been exploring in Crystal Palace.

Here are my top 4 finds that accompanied me on my walk in the park with a smile on my face and a follow-through of making the most of my day in so many ways.

In no particular order:

Kamari The Authentic Greek

One of the few places that open at 7am, serving a standard-size cup with a range of plant milk options.

My choice: Extra hot latte with almond & coconut

The mix of almond & coconut can go horribly wrong but Kamari nailed it a few times by different servers which proved to me it wasn’t a fluke.

The balance of almond and coconut when done right, lets you taste the coffee with the almond milk coming through first with a subtle yet obvious coconut flavour coming through. The almond milk helps to not make it too watery either.

https://www.kamari.london/

Blowing Dandelion

This cute little place is known for its artisan chocolate with a later opening time of 10am.

To me, their coffee has a subtler taste while bringing in the chocolate element. Their serving sizes align with the artisan vibe, yet you'll still get the standard 2 shots of coffee per serving. Your options for plant milk are minimal - soya or oat.

My choice: Extra hot latte with oat milk.

Between not being a fan of soya milk, not being a regular milk drinker, and incorporating bio hacks where I can, my only choice here was oat. It no doubt gave the coffee that creamy taste which let me dip into my coffee preference pre bio-hacking.

https://www.blowingdandelion.co.uk/

Crespidia

A cute quirky quiet hideaway for laptop working on Anerley Road. The owner is super lovely and they have a selection of cakes and pastries with limited vegan options for food but a choice of oat, soy, almond & coconut milk. Crespidia also serves cocktails.

My choices: Extra hot almond matcha and a rose mint tea.

Crespidia does a matcha lavender. No lumps, and no bitterness from the matcha powder. The lavender is very subtle but noticeable with attentive sips.

Neither the mint nor rose overpowered through so if you appreciate subtle flavours and a twist to your standard matcha or mint tea. These are worth a try.

Oh and my favourite thing in the place? The clown in the bathroom :)

There are 2 Crespidia’s in the area under the same owner. I found the clown at the 51 - 53 Anerley Road location.

https://www.instagram.com/crespidia/?hl=en-gb

HopScotch Taprooms

A newly opened intimate whiskey and cocktail bar with live jazz on Saturdays within the Crystal Palace triangle.

I discovered this the day after it opened by walking past. With a laid-back rustic charm to the place, I took a seat with my laptop and had an afternoon where I received several creative downloads :)

My choice: Cacoa tea.

Beautifully smooth, indulgent and pure. It just made me :)

The live jazz on Saturday is free entry. The vibe is again, laid back with a bit of a romantic charm to it. A great addition to the local area.

https://www.hopscotchtap.com/

Comment below which is your favourite and why!