Johnnies Cafe Dulwich — Restaurant in London

My family are staying in East Dulwich for a few days visiting dear friends. After watching a movie at the Dulwich Picture House and Cafe across the street (another absolute gem) with three kids 6 to 8, we had to find lunch FAST. Luckily, Johnnies Cafe was open and, even better, the food was great!

Raised in New Jersey, I know my way around a diner and if anything like that exists here on these isles, this is it! Extensive menu, hearty English comfort food, veggie options, dinner items, salads, things for kids. My 6 yo got the pasta Bolognese and loved it (and she can be particular with her Bolognese -- our win rate is maybe 67% when ordering it out). Our friend's 6 yo grandson did too and he licked the bowl clean, lol. My 8 yo got the fish fingers, fries and peas and was very happy.

My wife got the tuna salad and had enough to take back to the Airbnb. Our friend had a spectacular looking Greek Salad that she enjoyed.

Going in I figured a Full English for me -- or the killer version that comes with a short stack of pancakes that the dude at the next table got and devoured. But, my Doctor's advice prevailed and I got the delicious Chicken Halloumi Avocado salad instead. The Ketchup and brown sauce in large squeezable tomato-shaped pots kept the kids distracted while the food came. Bonus!

The staff were friendly, if a bit serious. But they were super helpful and patient with us.

If you're on Lordship Lane and hungry, stop in. We'll...

As a loyal customer of this café for years, today was undoubtedly the worst experience I've ever had. I felt humiliated and marginalised in a way that I have never experienced before. As a Black woman, I walked into the café, sat down at my usual 4-seat table, and was promptly approached by a waiter who told me I had to move. She insisted it was because they might get busy, despite me explaining that I have sat there many times before without issue.

Reluctantly, I moved to a smaller 2-seater table, all while feeling the eyes of everyone in the café on me. The embarrassment was overwhelming as I realised that the entire café was aware of the situation. To add insult to injury, a white gentleman entered and sat at the very same 4-seat table without any pushback from the staff. He was promptly served while I was left to stew in my discomfort.

Feeling frustrated and upset, I couldn’t even finish my meal. When I approached the counter to express my dissatisfaction, the manager dismissed my concerns and asked why I was taking it personally. This lack of empathy was shocking and only reinforced my feelings of being treated differently.

I can no longer support a café that clearly has a bias in how they treat their customers. It’s disheartening to see such blatant disregard for equality in a place I once enjoyed. I will not be returning, and I urge others to be aware of how they may be treated based on the colour...

Beyond Rude!. Never been treated so rude in a restaurant/cafe before. Place was busy but still had at least 10 two seat tables (next to each other therefore could have been used as 5 times a four table). Moved from a 2 seat to a 4 seat because my mum felt uncomfortable sitting where I had chosen and told a member of staff so the order we had made would come to the correct table. My mum asked the older female worker is this ok? The member of staff replied it was NOT ok that we had moved. The manner in which we were spoken too was so rude. When I had recovered from this shocking response I said, "so if I sit here you are refusing to serve me?" And an even bigger shock was her response.....YES!. Absolutely disgusting way to treat customers. I had been going there for quite a few years on a regular basis. I will NOT be stepping foot in there again....