Cafe Sitifis review, Rushcroft Road - great for kids

[editor]

The issue of kid-friendly cafes comes up a lot here, and after grabbing lunch at Cafe Sitifis yesterday (11 Rushcroft Road, SW2) I have to say that they're one of the most kid friendly cafe/restaurants in Brixton.

Without us even asking, one of the staff came over, dismantled a table to create a large carpeted play area and brought out a big box of toys for the little one to wreak havoc on.

The food was good too - here's a little review:

http://www.urban75.org/blog/cafe-sitifis-review-11-rushcroft-road-london-sw2-1js/

 

[Ms T]

They really are lovely there. And they do great Eggs Benedict, mezzes and bacon sandwiches!

 

[gaijingirl]

Nooooooooooooo.... (somewhat selfishly) this has been my little secret till now... still can't complain and have to offer you and your kind lady many thanks as well as our fellow urbanite!!


(just to add a note of warning - no baby changing so it's a toilet floor and changing mat scenario). Still, this is my first choice of venue with the baby who has made many friends in there - the customers always seem to be very tolerant too. Not to mention the fact that his mezes are outstanding and amazingly cheap. Proper large mugs of tea too.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Sounds nice, but you don't mention what time kids can stay 'til

 

[gaijingirl]

Sounds nice, but you don't mention what time kids can stay 'til

He's only open daytime. Until 7ish.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

He's only open daytime. Until 7ish.

ah, missed that bit

 

[nagapie]

The owner is great. When I was last there, he locked the front door as mine was playing near it. The customers had to knock to get inside so the baby could play on the floor!

 

[uk benzo]

It's my sunday brunch place- eggs florentine + mezze plate to share with the Mrs. My baby boy just happily plays with the toy box while I munch away at the delicious poached egg sitting on a bed of very fresh spinach that lies on top of a toasted crumpet.

Sitifis do some great cakes/pastries as well.

 

[Ms T]

Nooooooooooooo.... (somewhat selfishly) this has been my little secret till now... still can't complain and have to offer you and your kind lady many thanks as well as our fellow urbanite!!

Not so secret, by the sound of it!

 

[gaijingirl]

Not so secret, by the sound of it!

maybe not, but not yet mentioned on here (in terms of child friendliness) and not rammed with kids a la Cafe Prov et al either... ... but then I've avoided weekends there tbh as it's only small - but UK Benzo may have to share next time...

 

[Mrs Redboots]

It so happened that as the editor posted his review, my daughter brought my grandson over for the day to escape tree-shredding outside her front window. So we had a lovely walk round Brixton - as she hasn't lived here for over 12 years now, she remembers a lot more clearly how it used to be than I do - and ended up at this café. Goodness, they couldn't have been kinder, clearing the carpet area for the Boy, bringing over the toys, bringing over a table so we could sit by him (I don't think I can get down as low as those pouffes these days, but there was a bench I was very happy on), and generally being very baby-friendly. We didn't have anything to eat, so I can't comment as to the food, but two huge mugs of Earl Grey and very smiling and willing service were well worth the £3 we paid!

 

[gaijingirl]

..... was it this afternoon? if so we briefly met - I was in to pick up my girl's drinking cup and you were kind to say that you were off soon so I could sit there...

 

[Mrs Redboots]

It was indeed this afternoon - I reckoned there was plenty of room for two kids if you'd come in to have a drink as well. Pretty child, your daughter, I thought!

 

[Ms T]

maybe not, but not yet mentioned on here (in terms of child friendliness) and not rammed with kids a la Cafe Prov et al either... ... but then I've avoided weekends there tbh as it's only small - but UK Benzo may have to share next time...

Please god, don't let it turn into Brockwell Lido Cafe...

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Please god, don't let it turn into Brockwell Lido Cafe...

Probably too late now

 

[gaijingirl]

It was indeed this afternoon - I reckoned there was plenty of room for two kids if you'd come in to have a drink as well. Pretty child, your daughter, I thought!

That's very kind of you to say! I was a little stressed because she was in a very boisterous mood and I'd just gone to softplay to find it closed - so I was just calling in on my way to the park.... also your grandson(? I only looked briefly so apologies if she's a grand-daughter!) looked super cute too...

 

[gaijingirl]

.

 

[Janh]

I'm always walking past it and have been tempted. Looks cozy. Having read these good reviews I will give it a try.

 

[editor]

I've probably ruined it now. Sorry!

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I've probably ruined it now. Sorry!

It'll be full next time you want to go in and you'll just have to trawl the streets of Brixton looking for a new place

 

[gaijingirl]

I mentioned your review to N*** the owner this afternoon and he was really pleased - to be fair - he deserves to do well.. but sometimes you just want a place to stay the way it is...

 

[Mrs Redboots]

That's very kind of you to say! I was a little stressed because she was in a very boisterous mood and I'd just gone to softplay to find it closed - so I was just calling in on my way to the park.... also your grandson(? I only looked briefly so apologies if she's a grand-daughter!) looked super cute too...

Grandson, yes! 7 months old and the first time I've really seen him either able to sit or doing more with a toy than just suck it.

 

[editor]

I've heard that the place is struggling to stay open, so please give it a go and support a local business! The food really is rather fab there and they'd be a sad loss to Brixton.

 

[editor]

I retweeted my mini-review from last year and was happy to see that it's had another couple of hundred page views today.

http://www.urban75.org/blog/cafe-sitifis-review-11-rushcroft-road-london-sw2-1js/

 

[London_Calling]

How are you pronouncing it? soft 'i'?

 

[happyshopper]

It's now been reviewed on the eatinbrixton blog as well.

See http://eatinbrixton.com/2012/06/13/cafe-sitifis/

 

[RubyToogood]

It's become my default bolthole/lunch spot when in Brixton, because it's cosy and good value and delicious and you get 6 of your 5 a day just by walking in the door.

 

[Leighsw2]

Hi everyone, not been on here for a while, but was browsing and saw this review and wanted to stongly agree. The staff in Cafe Sitifis couldn't be more courteous and helpful and the toybox for the kids is always in use - it does get a bit boisterous sometimes! They do an excellent (big) cup of coffee and I definitely recommend their cheesecake. Undoubtedly a hidden gem of Brixton!

 

[editor]

It's now been reviewed on the eatinbrixton blog as well.

See http://eatinbrixton.com/2012/06/13/cafe-sitifis/

And respect to them for referencing this site/thread in the review too.

 

[Ms T]

I've been twice this week and can recommend their new flatbread wraps - both the meatball one and the falafel. Comes with a mere side salad which is almost a meal in itself!