How to Live Like a Local In: Bermondsey
Bermondsey is well and truly up-and-come. Once dotted with working warehouses and wharfs, these now play home to young professionals – lovers of exposed brick walls and statement pieces of furniture. Alongside the history of the area, Bermondsey is renowned for it’s unique foodie scene, despite being so close to Borough Market. Pretend to be a local and instead of diving straight into the crowds as soon as you exit London Bridge station, smugly pass by and head to Bermondsey Street, Maltby Street, Druid Street and beyond for unmissable salted caramel doughnuts, intimate cinemas and the infamous Bermondsey bomb. Read on…
The Watch House
Coffee and Art
Is a guide really a guide without a coffee recommendation? No. And can a guide to Bermondsey really be a guide to Bermondsey without mentioning The Watch House? Built in the 19th century, The Watch House’s original purpose was to be a home for the guards who protected the graves in the churchyard. The guards have gone, the place has been refurbished (we’d be concerned if it hadn’t) but the name remains. Now instead of guards you’ll find darn good coffee, pastries, cakes and local art on the walls which you can buy, you know, if you fancy a painting with your caffeine fix on a Sunday morning.
Where: 199 Bermondsey Street, Bermondsey, SE1 3UW
Website: http://www.watchhousecoffee.com/
The Garrison
Gastro Pub
If you want a little gastro with your pub then look no further than The Garrison on Bermondsey Street. Stop by for their Full & Proper English breakfast, tuck into the likes of smoked mac ‘n’ cheese, Welsh rarebit and Suffolk roast chicken on a Sunday. They also have a Cinema Room which is described as somewhere between a garden shed and a country cottage and can be hired for private dining if you fancy hosting a supper there.
Where: The Garrison Public House, 99 Bermondsey Street, Bermondsey, SE1 3XB
Website: http://www.thegarrison.co.uk/
Fatties
Salted Caramel Dreams
If you’re looking for a hero in these dark times, looking for someone to brighten your day and make it a little sweeter then let us introduce you to Chloe Timms. The sweet-maker and baker is every bit as obsessed as we are about salted caramel – it laces brownies, is swirled over puddings and oozes ever so seductively from Smores that we come over rather giddy #foodporn. You’ll find her stall Fatties in our dreams (and every Saturday at Druid Street Market). Take your SO or make salted caramel your SO.
Where: Druid Street Market, Druid Street, Bermondsey, SE1 2HH
Website: http://www.fattiesbakery.com
Pizarro
Proper Spanish flavours and cool interiors
Amongst the bustle of Bermondsey Street, with the feel of a Parisian backstreet, lies the very Spanish Pizarro. Authentic Spanish flavours delivered with aplomb; a visit here is not complete without trying the Bermondsey Bomb. A big ball of potato, pork mince and plenty of garlic topped with a spoonful of aioli and hot tomato sauce. Giant G&Ts and prawn fritters are also compulsory. Once you’ve tried it out, visit José Tapas Bar just a few metres away.
Where: 194 Bermondsey Street, Bermondsey, SE1 3TQ
Website: http://www.josepizarro.com
40 Maltby Street
Dine under the railway arches
If walking down Maltby Street has you poking your head in every archway, 40 Maltby Street is one of the few you can actually sit in. One of the highlights on market day, this eating and drinking spot is unassuming and features just a few highly creative dishes scribbled on a blackboard. Warning: seats are in high demand but it’s worth the wait – Head Chef Stephen Williams’ CV includes The Ledbury and The Harwood Arms. If time (or patience) isn’t on your side, they also sell the boutique, organic wines from Gergovie Wine, a few arches down, by the bottle or to drink in, by the glass.
Where: 40 Maltby Street, Bermondsey, SE1 3PA
Website: http://www.40maltbystreet.com
Village East
Cocktail bar by night, brunch by day
Open till 1.30am on Friday and Saturday nights and with brunch served till 4pm on weekends, Village East has all bases covered. The chances of you there for brunch if you’ve been sipping whisky at 1am the night before are slim but it’s this all-day approach that the locals love. Oh, and its moody interior is hard to beat.
Where: 171-173 Bermondsey Street, Bermondsey, SE1 3UW
Website: http://www.villageeast.co.uk
Shortwave Cinema
Independent 52-seater cinema with licensed bar
Independent cinemas are few and far between so when you have one on your doorstep you’ve landed on your feet. Lucky locals of Bermondsey count the independent Shortwave Cinema as an intimate, arty alternative to the Odeons and Vues out there and can enjoy a glass of wine from the bar pre or post film.
Where: 10 Bermondsey Square, Bermondsey, SE1 3UN
Website: http://shortwavecinema.com/Shortwave.dll/Home
Bone Daddies
The very best of Bone Daddies south of the river
Following the success of their Shackfuyu pop-up at their Bermondsey site, Bone Daddies have decided make their residency more permanent with a Saturday Ramen bar. Bone Daddies keeps things simple at this rustic pop-up, serving up their classic favourites, such as their 20-hour pork bone Tonkotsu ramen. At the bar, Japanese margaritas can be found as well as an impressive selection of whiskey, sake, Asahi beer and Bone Daddies’ own-brewed cider. No bookings available, so if you’re the sort of person who gets hangry then make sure you get there early; no one wants to deal with your tantrums.
Where: Units 27 & 28 Old Jamaica Business Estate, 24 Old Jamaica Road, Bermondsey, SE16 4AW
Website: http://www.bonedaddies.com/
