The Jerwood Space in Southwark, renowned for its rehearsal and exhibition spaces, has recently undergone a quiet refresh. Its public areas, including the café and glasshouse, have been redeveloped, bringing a new energy to this creative venue. The café is now run by Scenery Coffee, which immediately piqued my interest. With the Jerwood just a twenty-minute stroll from home, I headed over to see what was new. The first time was for a solo breakfast and a cup of coffee. The second, I returned for lunch with my Jack Tzu dog in tow. If you’re on the lookout for the best coffee in SE1 or a relaxed lunch spot on Union Street, Scenery is well worth a visit.
“The setting is peaceful, the coffee is taken seriously, and the food menu is a concise yet carefully curated selection of breakfast and lunch options,” Homegirl London.
Scenery Café Coffee And Food Menu
The coffee, as you’d expect from a café run by Scenery, is excellent. They roast their beans and serve up a great selection of espresso-based drinks and brewed options. You can order an espresso, long black, filter coffee, flat white, mocha, or a house special. There’s also chai, matcha, teas, iced drinks and a changing line-up of soft drinks and kombucha.
From morning through to afternoon, there’s always something sweet to enjoy alongside your drink. When I visited, the counter featured cinnamon and cardamom buns, frosted coconut and coffee cakes, banana bread with miso and sesame, caramel slice and chocolate chip cookies.
Those wishing to linger longer can enjoy breakfast until 11.30 am. The honey and olive oil granola with Greek yoghurt and strawberries looked lovely, but it felt a bit too virtuous for me. I opted for the grilled banana bread with blueberry compote, whipped cream and hazelnut brittle, which was delicious. The breakfast roll, with a sausage patty, one egg omelette, cheese and habanero sauce, is a heartier choice. You can also order fried eggs on toast with avocado or halloumi on the side.
Lunch begins at midday and features savoury plates, sandwiches, salads and sweets. On my visit, I tried the spinach and feta quiche with a side salad, and it was genuinely one of the best I’ve ever had. The orzo salad with dill and olive oil was also fabulous. The previous week it was broccoli and feta with rocket, shallots, lemon dressing and poppy seeds. Add grilled chicken or halloumi to make it a complete meal.
Sandwiches might include pork carnitas in a brioche bun with queso fresco and pineapple chilli salsa, or a meatball sub for the carnivores. Those looking for vegetarian options will enjoy grilled oyster mushrooms or aubergine schnitzel with kimchi and gochujang mayo, both in a brioche bun. For comfort food, the grilled cheese with mojo rojo, pickled jalapeño and red onions ticks all the boxes.
Helpful Information About Scenery Café At The Jerwood Space
If you’re unfamiliar with the Jerwood Space, it’s a converted Victorian school in Southwark that now functions as one of London’s leading rehearsal venues. Initially opened in 1998, it was part of a broader mission from the Jerwood Foundation to support the arts, education and young talent across the UK.
The building itself is striking, with café seating spread across a covered indoor room, a bright greenhouse-like section and a courtyard at the back. There’s a calm, creative energy about the place, a sense that it’s still very much a working space and not just a café, which gives it a unique kind of charm.
Scenery Café is located at Jerwood Space, 171 Union Street, London SE1 0LN. The closest stations are Southwark on the Jubilee line and Borough on the Northern line. It’s also within easy reach of London Bridge and Waterloo. The café is open Monday to Friday from 7.30 am to 4.00 pm, making it an ideal stop for breakfast, coffee breaks or lunch during the week. For more information or to check the latest menu and coffee options, visit the Scenery Coffee website.
If you want to explore the area, you may find these articles of interest:
Backstreets of Bankside Historic Walk
Ten Unusual Things To Do In Bankside
Ten Tourist Things To Do In Bankside
Explore Southwark Via The Low Line Walk
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. I only write about eateries where I had a good experience. I recommend you do further research, as standards fluctuate, as do opinions. Please check if the establishment is still in business and what the opening times are before you go. If you discover this restaurant has closed, contact me to remove it from my blog.