Cafe Elena

470, 472 Garratt Ln, London SW18 4HJ, United Kingdom
+44 20 8946 9712
$$$ Cafe
(90 Reviews)
Price Range £10–20

Cafe Elena on Garratt Lane presents itself as a versatile local cafe where the everyday rhythms of London life meet a subtle Italian influence. Tucked a short walk from Earlsfield Station, it strikes a balance between being lively without feeling overcrowded—offering a steady flow of visitors with tables generally available, making it convenient for both planned stops and spontaneous breaks.

The cafe caters well to morning routines, especially for those after a solid breakfast. Their take on the English Breakfast stands out as a popular choice among locals, providing a well-rounded start to the day that comes at reasonable prices. You’ll also find a good range of paninis, omelettes, and light Italian-inspired dishes like calzones, which appeal to those looking for something a little different beyond the standard cafe fare.

Visitors often enjoy the easygoing atmosphere, where friendly staff contribute to a welcoming environment rather than polished formality. The presence of outdoor seating, pleasant on sunny days, makes it a preferred spot for a relaxed coffee or breakfast in the warmer months. It’s a quiet pause away from the busier parts of London, making it suitable for families, commuters, or locals who appreciate a strong coffee paired with straightforward, tasty food.

Afternoons can also be a good time to drop in, especially if you want to linger over a calzone and beer while watching Garratt Lane’s everyday scenes unfold. This makes Cafe Elena a practical and approachable neighborhood hub where Italian flavors subtly weave into a classic British cafe experience.

Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining
What they serve
Coffee
Quick bite
Small plates
Best for
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Parking
Paid street parking
Parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

08:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

08:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

08:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday

08:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Saturday

08:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday

08:00 AM - 10:00 PM

90 Reviews
Robert Slomka

26 Dec 2025

This a nice and friendly cafe with a selection of English breakfasts which I was most interested in. However, they do have other food like omelettes, pizzas, pastas, paninis, sandwiches. I paid £10 for my full English. It's my third visit. There are always people inside but also every time there were always tables available so no wait at all. I guess the owner is Italian, so I really need to try some pizzas and Italian breads in the future.

Michael Brocklebank

12 Dec 2025

Called in with the fam for a coffee, good coffee . Also had a bit of food being a bacon sandwich, the breakfast looked very good on the table near us. Staff really friendly.

Melanie Wessels

31 Oct 2025

The breakfast is great value for money! Nice outside seating in the sun. Close to Earlsfield Station but away from the hustle and bustle.

Martin Brown

27 Oct 2025

Popped in for a mid-afternoon bite, great menu, chose a Calzone and Moretti, excellent Pizza and ice-cold beer perfect for watching the world go by - great service as usual and always a smile, need to stop by more often and so should you

Sühan Sencer

25 Oct 2025

Most probably best Italian taste in London. We loved every piece of dishes that we tasted. Strongly recommended.

David Wright

21 Oct 2025

Great place for a cheeky breakfast or brunch before the football. They do a great selection of set English breakfasts and fairly priced. Friendly staff and quick service but whether you get bread or toast and coffee or tea, can be a bit of a lottery. Have never had a pizza but they look great. Would definitely recommend.

gianfranco g

11 Oct 2025

Authentic Neapolitan pizza. You also have the fried pizza which is a closed delicious version. But be careful it is much more difficult to digest, sharing is caring and smart

Jan E

04 Oct 2025

The food is very delicious. But it's on the expensive side and they are not very generous with the meat on the pizza. I ordered a pizza with salami. But there was hardly any salami on the pizza.

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