If you’ve wandered through Clapham Common on a sunny afternoon, you’ll know the scene: rosé being sipped at Pear Tree Cafe, cricket matches on the oval, locals starfishing across the grass and a queue snaking outside Common Pizza. Now, there’ll be one more hub for the neighbourhood to add to its rota: Spread, which has opened its second cafe beneath a canopy of trees on the park’s edge.
Spread two brings the same neighbourhood hospitality that’s made the original a favourite on nearby Lavender Hill. Owner Koray Ozer built Spread around a love of community, and he's bringing the same approach to Clapham Common. As he puts it, the aim is to create “a space where people feel like they’re hanging out with their mates”, with quality coffee at the centre of the experience.
Occupying the park’s former pavilion – once used as changing rooms – the new cafe has been transformed into a minimalist space with plenty of outdoor seating. Designed by Lindsay Ann Martin of Lam Designs, the fit-out preserves the building’s original features, including a bricked-up chimney, with sage timber detailing and white tiling.
On the drinks side, espresso and filter coffee are made with beans from Origin Coffee. The list draws inspiration from Melbourne’s coffee scene – fitting, given the neighbourhood’s sizeable Australian community – and the viral creations that have come out of it, such as the mont blanc (cold brew with cream foam, and grated nutmeg and citrus zest on top) as well as seasonal specials like a cold brew topped with a house-made vanilla-miso cold foam. There’s also matcha and hojicha.
The cafe is currently in soft-launch mode, but when it launches its food menu it’ll be deliberately small, focused on doing “just a few things well”, says Ozer. Head chef Daniel McIntosh (ex-Lockdown Bakehouse and Milk) has put together a menu of counter sandwiches built around local produce. There will be a harissa, honey and labneh chicken sandwich with pickled cucumber and rocket, and a caprese number layered with house-made pesto, black olive tapenade and burrata from nearby cheesemonger Hamish Johnston. There will also be a selection of pastries and sweet treats, including miso banana bread finished with burnt brown butter.
Plans are already in the works for live music and events, and it’s shaping up to be a great spot for a coffee after Saturday-morning Parkruns. A liquor license is also in the pipeline.
Spread on the Common
Clapham Common West Side SW, The Avenue, SW4 9AZ
Hours:
Mon to Sat 8am–5pm
Sun 9.30am–5pm
