La Chatica

Colombian cafe, deli, and bakery in a railway arch on Elephant Road. Empanadas, pan de bono, bandeja paisa, fresh tropical juices, and their own organic cheese. Open since 2011.

The painted shopfront at arch number 2 has been a fixture on Elephant Road since 2011, back when the Latin Quarter was larger and louder. La Chatica does Colombian food the way it should taste when someone’s grandmother is involved: empanadas with a proper crunch, pan de bono still warm, tamales, bunuelos, and a bandeja paisa that fills the plate.

The coffee is 100% Colombian. The juices are fresh. The hot chocolate comes with cinnamon. The attached shop sells imported ingredients from Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Peru for anyone cooking at home.

Run by Gloria “Chatica” Storey, whose family also operates La Casa De Jack, a South American food importing business. The brand has expanded to Leyton and Maltby Street Market, but this Elephant Road arch is the original. Also on Deliveroo.