Blue Mountain Cafe

long standing east dulwich landmark

07 Mar 08, 00:52 As expected

Blue Mountain heralded the rise of the East Dulwich trendyfication - Ive been local for 20 something years and seen all the changes. There's a great offering of food and cakes, which hits the spot. The decor is nice, especially the mosaic work out front - reminiscent of Barcelona.

But... the place does feel cramped at weekends. Expect to pay more than average prices. There certainly are a lot of kids about, which I can see is off-putting if you don't have any, but there are other places to go in the area for a quieter bite.

Mixed feelings

17 Dec 07, 17:32 As expected

Why?

The good things.... There is a good range of food, including some unusual flavours as well as standard cafe fare. The food is always tasty and satisfying. They have decent coffee. They cater for vegetarians (not just in a token way). The fish cakes are superb. I love the mosaics, and being able to have breakfast/lunch on the patio in summer.

But... It's a bit pricey for a casual and somewhat cramped place. I'm not sure who the staff were that the other reviewers were talking about - they usually seem to be run off their feet with no time for niceties. More than that, I have serious doubts about how clean the place is. One time I went my friend pointed out that there was some food on the floor, and they didn't bother to clean it up, even when reminded!

So.... I do go there from time to time, but with some misgivings!

Overpriced, tiny portions, overpriced and overrun with little kidlets

05 Oct 07, 17:22 Well below expectations

Not that I have anything against Dulwich sprogs, but it's enough to make your head spin how many kidlets are running around the place and screaming their heads off. Admittedly, I came here with my step-daughter and she did throw an almighty tantrum. Might be something in the organic elderflower presse that they serve that sends the wee ones loopy?

But my main beef with this place is the price. It's really horrendous how much it costs, especially when you compare it to the prices when it first opened. The portions are quite tiny and I spent about £15 on lunch and really wasn't feeling as stuffed as I'd like to.

Not top on my list of places to go in East Dulwich.

Very possibly the best cafe in East Dulwich

20 Jul 07, 18:04 Above expectations

This is a great little cafe with fantastically friendly staff and really excellent food. They do everything from your posh fare with your unusual ingredients to your basic fried breakfasts. It's all good, and it all tastes fairly healthy. Plus they don't look at you funny if you order a bottle of wine with your breakfast.

There is also room to sit out the front and out the back, and both the front porch and back yard are covered in some really excellent mosaics.

It also has one of the friendliest and most upbeat waitresses I've ever encountered. She's one of those people who can't help adding at least one term of endearment to every single sentence, so you get practically assaulted with beautifuls and darlings and lovelies and loves. It would drive you mad if you lived with her, but for a one-off cafe experience, it is very endearing.

One star knocked off because a) I can't keep giving five stars because my reviews will seem to lack value b) I once received a vegetarian sausage instead of a meat one and c) it's a tiny bit pricey (but it's worth it). So really this is a five-star review in a four-star review's clothing.

Oh, it's also on a great road with a fish van and knick-knacks market and a woman selling fudge. Good old East Dulwich.