Pogo Cafe

Pogo is a volunteer-run 'non-hierarchical' (their description not mine) organisation of dedicated individuals open Wed-Sundays 11AM to 9PM serving vegan dishes and snacks in an 'alternate' ambiance.

In short, you can go in and hang out, use the free Wifi, check out the revolutionary library, and reactionary wall posters ( & changing art exhibits) while being delighted by such varying dishes of the day as 'Goldfinger' or 'Dr. No' for £6.95. Or a more pedestrian but delicious, nourishing spicy cauliflower soup, which equates to something like the 'workers special' for £3. Organic exotic teas to choose from by the boatload and excellent coffee.

Well worth a visit. Also highly recommended to 'shake up' aging parents, grandparents and especially in-laws who will suddenly be transported back to the dim days of their youth when they had (the briefest) visions of changing the world, only in this instance, leave the establishment feeling pleasantly sated, with any anxiety about horse meat burgers left at the front door.
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8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Friendly people, delicious milkshakes, very satisfying meals and a temperamental cake selection - they always keep me guessing!!

Really recommend the soup of the day - since the chefs change, there is PLENTY of variety.
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Nick
10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, January 15, 2012

A shame to see a venue that has gone dowhill so much. The food is nowhere near the quality of how it used to be and it's clear the new group who are running things (some sort of animal rights people) know nothing about running a restaurant. I went there because my partner suggested we "give it another try". We both agreed this was the last time.
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Mike
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Friday, September 09, 2011

Went to Pogo Cafe with friends for an early dinner on Sunday 19th June 2011 and loved it! The roast dinner was just brilliant - the gluten-free nut roast was moist and tasty, served with rosemary roast potatoes, steamed carrots and greens and a hot boat of flavoursome gravy - these guys can cook! It took a little while to come but that was understandable as it was very busy, but we weren't in a hurry. We were made to feel so welcome and comfortable by the friendly waiter who couldn't do enough for us that we stayed for three hours! I followed my dinner later on with a heavenly coffee-chocolate shake. Yum. Well impressed. :o)
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L
10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, June 23, 2011

I went here the other day and I just can't believe how downhill it has gone. The food is just nowhere near as good as it used to be and it now takes even longer to arrive! The service is just abysmal; the girl on the till was so rude and inattentive I nearly walked out before the food arrived. The menu is small and offers little choice, which is unforgivable considering the range of food served by other, more easily accessible vegan eateries in London. My advice: go to one of those instead.
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2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, June 14, 2011

In response to the comment about there only being 2 items on the menu - you must have gone there on a Sunday when Pogo does breakfast from 11am until 4pm and then dinner (nut roast, etc.) from 5pm until 9pm. During the week they have an extensive menu, which I've heard they're planning to expand even more soon!

If your favourite drink wasn't there, then it probably means that it's popular with more people than just you! With only getting a food delivery once a week, things run out sometimes and it has nothing to do with how many people are on shift! Have you ever been to Holland and Barrett the week of a bank holiday or Christmas or New Year? They get the same amount of food as usual the week before and then don't order anything that week, so have hardly anything I want by the middle of the 2nd week! At least Pogo staff work around this (and they're all volunteers!)

While I agree with the comment about food that mimics non-vegan food (sausages, rashers, etc.) some people like this kind of stuff, some people only go vegan if they think there are things available that are like the meat and dairy that they already know they like and also, again, you went on a Sunday when they do a "full english breakfast" style plate.

If you have any problems with Pogo or suggestions, send them an email - maybe you'll find they like to know what people think and that they don't spend their time looking at review pages on the internet and spend their time promoting veganism instead!!

If you want to know what's on the menu for the day, give them a ring beforehand to find out!
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Joanne
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Sunday, May 30, 2010