Vegan
Italian
Western
Take-out
Caribbean
Fusion
Vegan cafe and event space est. 2017. Open Thu 13:00-16:00, Sat 13:00-16:00.
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Holdrons Arcade Unit 23, 135A Peckham Rye, Peckham, South East London, England, SE15 4ST
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- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 29 Jan 2023 by snicklin
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Added by LondonAfroVegan on 13 Dec 2017
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26 Reviews
First Review by Annecupcake
bronczas
Points +473
Just wow! - Edit
The food is delicious and portions are HUGE. I went for a regular size plate and I couldn't finish it (and I love to to eat a lot). I can't even imagine how the large plate would look like 😅
Read moreCheck the menu on instagram, as it changes everytime the place is open. Oh, it's also only £14. You can easily feed two people with it.
Pros: Portion sizes, Tasty food, Very friendly owner
Cons: Small seating area
Guest
DominiqueHegarty
Points +205
Cannot recommend enough! - Edit
Had the most amazing food here! So nourishing and delicious, and extremely well priced. Will be sure to visit again.
Read morePros: Generous portions, Variety of dishes, Friendly staff
Guest
caecilieee
Points +42
Wholesome - Edit
Great atmosphere, lovely food.
Read moreEnded sitting here for three hours talking around the table with other guests and the owner joint in on the chat once in a while. It was really a good experience.
And the food was absolutely amazing. I’m full!!
Pros: The owner, The food, All the hot sauces available 😂
Guest
julo_
Points +70
wholesome home cooked vegan food - Edit
Esme is serving amazing Caribbean flavours! we picked up a large meal and the southern fried jackfruit for dinner to share between 2 - very generous portion sizes, lovely people, amazing flavours. Would 100% go back and check out what kind of food Esme is doing on the day. love the concept of the set menu! gotta get it all😄#Veganuary
Read morePros: vegan Caribbean food, Great flavours, exclusively vegan
Guest
nicface
Points +28
my absolute fav place to eat - Edit
if i could i’d eat here every week i would, honestly it’s just so good. so much flavour and variety in each meal. the portions are absolutely massive i usually get another meal out of my leftovers. just wish it was open more days a week!
Read moreGuest
lg6
Points +28
Be prepared to wait for ages to get served on a Saturday! - Edit
Food is lovely but I had to wait an hour to get take away food, the disorganisation is terrible. I got the large portion of everything, it was tasty but food is very dry, there’s not much sauce with the sweet potato stew and they ask you to add condiments hot pepper sauce which isn’t my thing, but now I know why as the food needs moisture! No one has mentioned in the reviews that you have to wait a long time in a stinky corridor to get your food. Such a shame and disappointment after hearing so many good things!
Read morePros: Portions big , Tasty food, Healthy
Cons: Waiting time is ridiculous it’s not on!!!, Food is dry, get extra condiments , Unorganised
nicface
this seems kind of harsh, it’s a one woman enterprise and it’s popular so you might have to wait, it’s always been worth it for me. also not sure what you mean by a “stinky corridor”? its just inside the market and it doesn’t smell bad??? i’ve waited there lots of times it’s perfectly fine.
Read moreGuest
BassDbler
Points +46
Incredible - Edit
This is one of the greatest places in London. The food is fantastic - fried jackfruit alone (the batter tastes close to the way I remember my grandmother’s). The menu is always a bit different. You get an enormous amount of food. The vibe is dope and everyone who comes to eat is sound. Esme is a legend and should have a statue. I recommend DC to everyone.
Read morePros: Great food, A lot of food, Simple menu options
Guest
snicklin
Points +74
11/10 Best food, best vibes - Edit
Esme has not only created an incredible menu but a community hub full of amazing conversation and meaningful connections. The food is unlike anything I have ever experienced, it’s delicious and the portions are always generous. If you’re lucky you’ll get the ‘mac no cheese’ but you’ll always get the southern fried jackfruit. Be prepared though, you’re going to need to have enough space in your belly. #Veganuary
Read morePros: Home cooked food, Great portions, Brilliant atmosphere
rasika.venkat
Omg this all looks AMAZING!! 🤤
Read moreGuest
johnny1990
Points +28
Amazing - Edit
Huge portions, consistently great food and the fried jackfruit is unrivalled
Read morePros: Huge Portions, Tasty, Friendly Staff
Guest
Bella1219
Points +44
Tastiest Vegan Food Ever - Edit
Not the easiest to find but totally worth it. Delicious vegan food with loads of creative ways of cooking vegetables and yummy spices. The atmosphere was like a cozy kitchen and the staff was very friendly.
Read morePros: Massive portion sizes, Great flavours, Very good value for what you get
Guest
J:)
Points +22
Been loving this yum yum - Edit
Nice food, friendly staff.. 😋😋😋😋
Read morePros: Lots of food for the price. Nice food
Guest
KingKas
Points +50
Amazing flavours - Edit
Creative dishes I loved the flavours
Read moreGuest
SamanthaRussell
Points +18
Best Vegan Spot in Peckham - Edit
Deserted Cactus is a welcoming hub of great conversation and amazing vegan food! I can't wait to visit on a Saturday and eat one of their giant plates of mac no cheese, Southern fried jackfruit, rice and peas and everything else on the side😄My mouth is watering right now just thinking about it.
Read morePros: Delicious food, Generous portions, A good price!
Cons: No cons
Guest
sagaciouswoman
Points +16
Great food & vibes! - Edit
Never a dull moment in this quirky little gem of Peckham! The food is always on point with the homemade feel and portion! I look forward to every visit as I know I will not be disappointed. A great place to meet like-minded people and have a laugh. Do yourself a favour and visit this amazing vegan spot!
Read moreGuest
AmandaAmand
Points +18
The BEST! An absolute gem! - Edit
I love this place! The food is amazing and the atmosphere is so welcoming! Everytime I go there I make a new friend which is really testament to the ethos of the place. The food is 10/10 too - I always make sure I get everything on my plate. Whenever I'm in the area, I always stop by and even sometimes when I'm not in the area!
Read morePros: Great food, Homely atmosphere , Huge portions
Guest
tishajohnson
Points +16
Caribbean Vegan Food Heaven - Edit
Love love love this place, I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by a variety of Vegan restaurants where I live but Desserted Cactus is always my 1st go to place, only reason I wouldn’t go is if it’s not open. The food is amazing and bursting with flavour, everything is freshly prepared which I love and the atmosphere is always so warm and welcoming. In addition to all of that the portion sizes are great, I always end up not being able to finish it and have the pleasure of knowing there’s food for me to enjoy later.
Read morePros: Full of flavour, Portion sizes/ Prices, Atmosphere
Guest
SimoneBrown
Points +16
Delicious Caribbean Inspired Vegan Food - Edit
One of my favourite places to eat vegan food in London. The food is delicious and the serving sizes are GENEROUS. Anytime I'm in the area I have to stop by and eat.
Read morePros: Delicious Food, Generous Servings, Affordable
Cons: Small Seating Area
Guest
BlissAlexandra
Points +270
A lot of food for a lil shmoney - Edit
Love the vibe and food is yummy and wholesome— will definitely fill you up!
Read morePros: Local vibe , Black owned , Affordable
Guest
Vegfix
Points +7190
Friday lunch - Edit
Loved the crispy fried jackfruit (see photo). Casual little place in an arcade. Friendly service, very reasonable prices. Would go back!
Read moreGuest
smartyfish
Points +199
Fresh-cooked Vegan fast food - Edit
I arrived a bit early but the friendly owner opened up and let my niece and I sit and wait. I love the fact that a special is cooked fresh- the southern fried jackfruit burger was hot, spicy and delicious and a welcome change from healthy vegan options!
Read morePros: Freshly cooked, Friendly, cosy fast-food joint, Delicious vegan ‘junk’ food
Cons: Little choice (if that bothers you)
Guest
ldd_happy
Points +581
Great tasting food - Edit
Lovely tasting plate of a few different things, mac and cheese and southern fried jackfruit were particular highlights!
Read moreGuest
lianamarmol
Points +245
So good - Edit
Price is good too! Sometimes very spicy but that’s the style so it’s fine
Read moreGuest
vegatsu
Points +29
Great Food! - Edit
Great spot for truly tasty food, in a great atmosphere!
Read morePros: 100% Vegan, Delicious food , Great atmosphere
Guest
economydreams
Points +1447
Delicious! - Edit
Turned up on a Saturday to find them closing as they’d sold out of food. However, they still had a few small portions of some of what had been cooked that day and said they’d give us it for free! The food was absolutely amazing, really delicious and very fresh tasting. The southern fried jackfruit was a stand out but everything was so nice. We bought a cake to thank them which was also lovely. Would definitely recommend as the food is really tasty and the owner lovely.
Read moreGabeuk
That jackfruit is the best.
Read moreGuest
Gabeuk
Points +83
Lunch review - Edit
Just went for the first time. Very good lunch. Some kind of jack-fruit burger. Highly recommended!
Read moreGabeuk
I've been back quite a few times since this review. Great place. Excellent food. Six stars!
Read moreGuest
Annecupcake
Points +95
great food - Edit
Excellent meal. Great value.
Read moreGuest
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