From 1983 to today
Our Story
How a small delicatessen became a part of London's parks.
A simple belief:
Great coffee tastes better outdoors.
It started on Trafalgar Road in Greenwich. Aysin and Sally Djemil opened a delicatessen with one clear goal: honest, homemade food and excellent coffee. That simple philosophy outgrew its walls, moving from the high street into the heart of the neighbourhood — the local park.
1983
The First Delicatessen
Aysin and his late wife Sally co-found Pistachios at 115a Trafalgar Road in Greenwich. It quickly becomes a local favourite for homemade food.
1998
A Quiet Farewell
Sally passes away. The delicatessen remains, carrying forward her legacy of warmth, hospitality, and honest food.
2000
The Original Park Café
Aysin remarries Karen. Together, with the help of a lottery grant, they open Manor House Gardens — the very first Pistachios in the Park. Designed by John Hopkins, it redefines what a park café can be.
2012
Building Hilly Fields
Fred and Ruth join the family, building the Hilly Fields café from scratch. With its panoramic views over London, it quickly becomes a Brockley institution.
2013
Expanding the Vision
Aysin sells Manor House Gardens to Don and Lynn to focus entirely on expanding the franchise. The vision is clear: bring a Pistachios café to more parks across the country.
2021
East Greenwich Flagship
Debora and Gary take over the East Greenwich Pleasaunce location. The walled garden café becomes a flagship for the brand's community-first, quality-driven approach.
More than just a café
Today, Pistachios in the Park is run by individual franchise operators who treat their café as an extension of their own home. We are the place for weekend catch-ups, the mid-run breather, the dog walker's daily ritual, and the freelancer's morning office.
Part of the park. Part of the community.