The Best Restaurants In South London
From long-loved neighbourhood favourites to brand new openings, South London’s current restaurant offering is the destination for foodies. There’s a mountain of great restaurants to be found, whether it’s sensational small plates, a riverside dinner, or a fuss-free brunch.
If you’re looking for recommendations on where to dine south of the river, these are the best restaurants in South London for food you won’t forget.
The Best Restaurants In South London
Fern, East Croydon
Located on the ground floor of Ten Degrees in East Croydon, Fern is a firm choice for craving contemporary sharing plates and flavours from across the globe. The menu is split into Land, Sea and Plants, and excels in their vegetable-forward section, which has a regularly changing selection of 6-8 vegetarian and vegan options.
Highlights include a Courgette Flower with chive whipped ricotta, truffle honey and pea hummus; Beef Tartare with egg yolk, truffle, and sourdough croutes; and Sea Bream Ceviche served with pomegranate, coriander, grapefruit and chilli. They also offer some fabulous cocktails.
Where: Unit 1, 100a George St, Croydon CR0 1GP
Website: www.fernlondon.co.uk
Naughty Piglets, Brixton
Lyonnaise Margaux Aubrey is the woman behind Naughty Piglets, a buzzy Brixton bistro (now with a second outpost in Victoria) serving up creative seasonal sharing plates and an extensive list of natural wines.
The intimate atmosphere and friendly service gives neighbourhood-restaurant-in-France vibes, and the food is delicious – from Devon crab with peanut and yuzu, to blood orange panna cotta.
Where: 28 Brixton Water Ln, London SW2 1PE
Website: www.naughtypiglets.co.uk
JOIA, Battersea
Looking for a Portuguese restaurant in South London? JOIA is the name that’s been on everyone’s lips since it opened earlier this year. And rightly so. It’s the first London restaurant from award-winning two Michelin-starred chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, the menu is inspired by his travels across the Portugeuse Iberian Peninsula, with flavorus you’d expect to find in Catalonia and Portugal.
Menu highlights include octopus salad with red pepper, potato and smoked paprika; Iberico ham croquettes; carabineros prawns with orzo, bisque and coriander; and dark chocolate mousse with sherry caramel and chorizo ice cream.
It’s a brilliant choice for dinner in Battersea, with pink interiors, city views, and stellar list of signature cocktails.
Where: 15th Floor, 1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ, United Kingdom
Website: www.joiabattersea.co.uk
Bank House, Chislehurst
Venture down to the leafy suburb of Chislehurst, and you’ll find Bank House nestled within a village-style parade of boutiques and bars opposite the common and a pond full of ducks. Launched by chef Stuart Gillies, previously CEO of The Gordon Ramsay Group, and his wife Cecilia, cosy and comforting is the name of the game here. Exposed brick walls, warm wood and velvet soft furnishings combine with open fires to make you feel immediately at home.
Mixing modern European cuisine and traditional British fare, the food is hearty with cheeky flair – from breaded turkey escalopes served with crushed new potatoes and caper sauce to custard tart with ginger-soaked rhubarb, the flavours are perfect combinations. If you’re feeling in the mood for some fun, Bank House also runs biweekly DJ bottomless brunches on a Saturday from 12-4pm.
Where: 11 High St, Chislehurst BR7 5AB
Website: https://bankhousechislehurst.com
Nandine, Camberwell
This family-run South London restaurant is a top spot for those searching for the best Kurdish food in the city. With a focus on sharing plates full of rich Kurdish flavour and fresh herbs, it’s loved by locals and has become a destination in its own right for foodies further afield. Menu highlights include the Lula Kebab (ground lamb flank and shoulder kebabs, served with Zataar flatbread); and Nandine’s signature 7-Spice Chicken Shish, coated in Nandine’s secret seven spice blend and served with Zataar flatbread and labneh amba dip.
For a sweet treat, there’s homemade specialty baklava and a trio of Halva, a favourite candy dessert in the Middle East, as well as Belatchuk, made up of candied butternut squash and a tahini ice cream.
Where: 45 Camberwell Church St, London SE5 8TR, United Kingdom
Website: www.nandine.co.uk
Canova Hall, Brixton
When it comes to all-day restaurants, you can’t go wrong with Canova Hall. From freelancers downing bottomless coffee during the day, to DJs and wood-fired pizzas in the evenings, and a banging bottomless brunch on weekends, it’s a cool spot that’s managed to stand out in an already busy Brixton.
As for cocktails, they certainly know their stuff, leaning into gin in particular, with 13 different options on the menu, from ‘The Unicorn’, made with their small batch Magic Blue Gin, tonic, grapefruit and rose petals; to the ‘Roberta Sour’ with Basil infused gin, lemon juice, apple juice, egg white and sugar syrup.
Where: 250 Ferndale Rd, London SW9 8BQ, United Kingdom
Website: www.canovahall.com
Linnaean, Vauxhall
Instagrammable Linnaean is the wellness and lifestyle concept store in Embassy Gardens, ticking all of the boxes on interior goals, healthy wellness spots and a restaurant that’s almost entirely plant-based.
Expect pastel colours, florals galore and mirrored walls, with a menu that’s heavily health-focused. There’s also a hair and beauty salon if you fancy treating yourself further post-lunch.
Where: Embassy Gardens, 2 New Union Square, Nine Elms, London SW11 7AX, United Kingdom
Website: www.linnaean.co.uk
Karluti, East Dulwich
A Georgian restaurant painted in rich, deep greens and decorated with bountiful lush plants, hanging lamps, ceramic pots and vintage ornaments, this one’s a must visit on your next South London outing.
The restaurant and wine shop was set up by two friends from university in an old David Greig supermarket. Their aim is to show off Georgian hospitality through beautifully cooked and presented classic Georgian dishes. Georgia is considered the birthplace of wine – and wine is an important focus here. Expect beans, dumplings, slow-cooked beef, charcoaled pork and plentiful vegetarian alternatives. Wash it down with Georgian wine that’s produced in Qvevri, large clay vessels buried in the ground in cellars.
Where: 65 Lordship Ln, London SE22 8EP, United Kingdom
Website: www.kartuli.co.uk
Gremio de Brixton, Brixton
Next time you go to Brixton then forgo the market and village and instead head to St Matthew’s Church because underneath it you’ll find tapas restaurant, Gremio de Brixton. Walking down the stairs you’ll find yourself in a dimly lit, cavernous room with exposed brick arches. There are nods to Roman Catholicism and Spanish matadors throughout but it’s the tapas that we’re really there for.
Well priced and with generous portions, make sure you order the chorizo with cider, patatas bravas and chicken skewers with aubergine hummus. At the weekend then dance it all off when the DJs take to the decks – if you’re not too full.
Where: St Matthew’s Church, Basement, Brixton Hill, London SW2 1JF, United Kingdom
Website: www.gremiodebrixton.com
Levan, Peckham
Nicholas Balfe and his team headed to Peckham this October to open Levan, the second restaurant after the successful Salon.
The restaurant is inspired by the new wave of bistronomy that began in the quartiers in Paris. It’s open all day, with a European dish focus along with natural wines.
Where: 12-16 Blenheim Grove, London SE15 4QL, United Kingdom
Website: www.levanlondon.co.uk
Milk, Balham
A Balham institution, Milk is the no-reservations South London brunch spot that always has a queue of hungry brunch-goers on its doorstep. And deservedly so. When you do grab your table, start with Sweet Maria – sweetcorn fritters, halloumi, avo and kasundi – and add a poached egg and bacon. Or, go for the classic sweet staple of banana bread with halva butter and pumpkin seed tahini.
In sunny weather, try to nab a seat outside where you can soak up some rays in a perfect people-watching location. But they usually open their huge windows in sunny weather anyway, so if you fancy some cover whilst tucking into some incredible food, it’s the perfect spot.
Where: 20 Bedford Hill, London SW12 9RG, United Kingdom
Website: www.milklondonshop.uk
Kricket, Brixton
Kricket started life in a shipping container in Pop Brixton, and was such a hit that it’s not only shifted into bricks-and-mortar premises on nearby Atlantic Road, but opened a second restaurant in Soho. So they must be doing something right, right?
Find out for yourself by trying their best selling samphire pakoras and Keralan fried chicken. Incredible.
Where: 41-45 Atlantic Rd, London SW9 8JL, United Kingdom
Website: www.kricket.co.uk
Kudu, Peckham
A favourite spot for South Londoners in the heart of Peckham, Kudu and Kudu Grill have been pinned as one of the most exciting additions to Peckham’s buzzing restaurant scene, priding themselves on their incredible South African food and hospitality.
Enjoy open-fire braai cooking with dishes including scallop potjie, grilled prawns and peri peri sauce; pork chop with monkey gland sauce (a name for south african barbecue sauce); and dry aged T-bone, beer pickled onions and treacle bordelaise for two.
Where: 119 Queen’s Rd, London SE15 2EZ, United Kingdom
Website: www.kuducollective.com
Trivet, Bermondsey
If you’re looking for fuss-free Michelin star food in South London, Trivet is the one for you. Known for its charm and high standards, with unfussy, mouth-watering dishes, Trivet offers a laidback fine dining experience with the most charming staff to boot.
Chef Jonny Lake and sommelier Isa Bal are both Fat Duck alumni, who’ve combined their extensive experience to create a menu of top notch dishes paired with a fascinating wine list.
Where: 36 Snowsfields, London SE1 3SU, United Kingdom
Website: www.trivetrestaurant.co.uk
Brunswick House, Vauxhall
In the middle of the high rise buildings of Vauxhall is the jewel that is Brunswick House. A listed Georgian mansion once home to the Dukes of Brunswick, it fell into disrepair but was restored to its former glory in recent years.
Diners can now lounge amid fancy bric-a-brac and beautiful antiques counter-balanced by the earthy yet refined British menu.
Where: 30 Wandsworth Rd, London SW8 2LG, United Kingdom
Website: www.brunswickhouse.london
Rick Stein, Barnes
It might not be the Cornish coast, but the view from Rick Stein’s London outpost definitely doesn’t disappoint. Located on the banks of the River Thames in the gorgeous district of Barnes, the delicious seafood and waterside setting make it easy to convince yourself you’re on holiday.
Ask for a window seat when booking to make the most of the Thames vista whilst wolfing down some of the chef’s famous seafood dishes, like Indonesian seafood curry with cod, sea bass and prawns; and Hake with clams, asparagus, peas and parsley.
Where: Tideway Yard, 125 Mortlake High St, London SW14 8SW
Website: www.rickstein.com
Padella, Borough
If you’re yet to try Borough restaurant Padella’s sage butter pasta, make sure to get yourself in that queue, pronto. We could wax lyrical about this place and have tried just about every dreamy pasta dish on the menu.
It’s almost criminally affordable but the queues are intense – be prepared for a lengthy wait that’s totally worth it.
Where: 6 Southwark St, London SE1 1TQ, United Kingdom
Website: www.padella.co
Swan London, Bankside
Located Bankside, with sweeping views of the Thames, Swan London is a riverside gem.
This modern British restaurant is a cosy comfort food dream, serving up seasonal flavour, Sunday roasts, and craft beers on tap, with a beautiful view of St Pauls to boot.
Where: 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT, United Kingdom
Website: www.swanlondon.co.uk
The Ivy Café, Blackheath
The Ivy restaurants are some of London’s prettiest, but the food hits the mark for pretty much any occasion you can think of, serving breakfast, elevenses, weekend brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, light snacks, cocktails and dinner.
The interiors of this particular spot are no less than impressive. The critically-acclaimed Martin Brudnizki Design Studio consulted on the restaurant’s interiors, creating a stylish yet laid-back environment, including a Parisian-inspired terrace, for all-day dining in Blackheath village.
Where: 43-45 Montpelier Vale, Blackheath, London SE3 0TJ, United Kingdom
Website: www.ivycollection.com
