JOHNNIES — Restaurant in London

I've been staying in Camberwell for a while now, and I'd often pass this joint and I would muse, how American, I really should check that place out. So I finally stopped procrastinating, and went In with the missus. "I've always wanted to visit this place" I told her as we rocked up to the joint. She looked at me with a sideways glance that said, it's just round the corner, why did you wait till now? There was a bit of a queue, as they were quite busy, what with it being Saturday lunchtime. And after a ten minute wait, we ordered our food at the counter and took our seats. As a lover of pancakes, I ordered the pancake breakfast. And I managed to convince the missus that she should go for the same, but the herbivorous version. After a very brief wait of about five minutes, it turned up. That was quick the missus quipped, Too quick, her eyes narrowed. Well, it seems the reason for the speedy arrival was the fact that the pancakes were premade, and obviously had been sitting in some type of warmer. For they arrived in two states. The top cake of the three was hard on the bottom and around the edges. The middle cake was burnt and hard around the edges and the base cake was a hybrid of both. The missus gave me another look. We tried, but it really wasn't edible, she had a third of her scrambled eggs a rasher of turkey bacon, a bite of that vegan sausage, and gave up. I finished the pig meats served up to me and the middle of the non burnt pancakes, because I'd paid £10 for that "meal" and I was for damn sure going to eat the edible bits, which were just about passable. All through this she keeps giving me the look. "The hot chocolate is very nice she" pipes up, "but It came out of a machine though, pretty hard to mess that up" she says, theres that look again. She snags a passing waitress to inform her of her displeasure. The young lady then informs the "cook" and returns with the offer of a couple free desserts. The missus agrees because chicas love cake, and decides on the red velvet. (Which turned out to be just as below average as the rest of the food) So in conclusion, below par food, (burnt, dry pancakes, flavourless scrambled eggs one sausage instead of the two I saw the table next to us receive, and a bland chewy red velvet cake) but the establishment was very clean, there is that. Maybe because it was a busy period, the food was premade, but that was no excuse when the table next to us gets the exact same dish that was clearly freshly made. Lost a star for that crime, as well as the crime of the worst cup of tea I've had In a long time! Imagine being able to purchase a better pancake breakfast with the same items for half the price from a McDonald's, and it would taste better. Oh, and I had to request syrup, as they forgot to add it to mine. Woeful, worst £24 for breakfast I've paid in a long time. I shall not...

Johnnies Café – Best Café in South London? Maybe So. ★★★★★ (4.875/5 Overall – Rounded to 5 Stars)

Johnnies is what I’d call a staple of the area easily one of the best cafés in South London. Is it pricey? Yes. But is it worth it? Absolutely. They serve what I’d describe as gourmet-level breakfasts and lunches, all done in a humble café setting. Here’s my usual breakdown:

★ Food – ★★★★★ (5/5) For a café, the food doesn’t get much better. The quality is outstanding: high-grade pork sausages, proper back bacon, and everything cooked fresh to order. Nothing feels mass-produced or cheap. From the beans to the black pudding, every element on the plate hits the mark. This is a breakfast you’ll actually remember. Possibly the best traditional fry-up I’ve had in South London and I’ve had a few.

★ Service – ★★★★½ (4.5/5) No table service, you queue up and order at the counter. Personally, I prefer a more traditional sit-down café service, but that’s just me. Staff are friendly, welcoming, and despite how busy it gets, they keep things moving smoothly. Given the customer volume they handle, the system works.

★ Atmosphere – ★★★★★ (5/5) The vibe is brilliant. Constant buzz, always busy, and yet it never feels chaotic. Everyone comes here locals, key workers, police, builders which says a lot. It’s a bit tucked away and not in central Camberwell, so it still feels like a bit of a hidden gem. You feel part of something real when you’re in here.

★ Value for Money – ★★★★★ (5/5) Yes, it’s expensive. Full English is around £14, and most mains fall between £10–£15. But I’ve got no issue paying a bit more for proper quality. Portions are generous, ingredients are premium, and everything’s cooked with care. They do run some £7 daily specials too, which offer solid value when available.

Final Rating Breakdown: • Food: ★★★★★ (5/5) • Service: ★★★★½ (4.5/5) • Atmosphere: ★★★★★ (5/5) • Value: ★★★★★ (5/5)

★ Total Score: 19.5 out of 20 ★ Average Rating: 4.875 → Rounded to ★★★★★ (5 stars)

Conclusion: Johnnies Café might just be the best in South London. Quality food, great service, proper atmosphere, it nails what a top café should be. Yes, it’s a little expensive, but you genuinely get what you pay for here. In a world of overhyped brunch spots, Johnnies keeps it real, and...

I recently visited Johnnies with my kids and nephew. It is located on Coldharbour Lane, close to Denmark Hill and just a short walk from Loughborough Junction station. The place has a distinctly American-style aesthetic, with a menu that leans heavily on hearty portions, indulgent pancakes stacked high with syrups, and milkshakes served the classic way — in tall stainless cups.

The food is big, bold, and unapologetically sweet. The pancakes are massive, and the milkshakes are almost impossible to finish in one sitting because of how rich they are. Thankfully, they provide takeaway packs, which is a nice touch if you can’t polish off your meal.

In terms of price, I wouldn’t call it cheap or expensive. Four of us spent around £70, which works out to roughly £17.50 per person — fair considering the portion sizes. Customer service was excellent; the staff were attentive, friendly, and handled the busy atmosphere well. The nice lady attendant even helped with a family picture on our visit.

They serve both breakfast and brunch, and it can get very busy at peak times, so I’d recommend going a little earlier if you want a more relaxed experience. While the overall vibe is American, there’s also an Italian touch — I noticed a shelf with snacks from Italy, which adds a bit of variety to the experience.

For me, this is the kind of place you try as a one-off treat or for a fun brunch outing, rather than a daily breakfast spot — unless you’ve got your sugar levels well...