Best Restaurants In South London

Nudge Reader, meet South London’s best restaurants.

South London’s best restaurants, meet Nudge Reader.

You guys are going to get on.

MASTERFUL MODERN BRITISH FROM EX FAT DUCK HEAD CHEF: TRIVET

After twelve years at Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck, chef Jonny Lake has opened his first solo restaurant, serving seriously delicious Modern British food in a not so serious setting.

Details: 36 Snowsfields, Southwark, SE1 3SU | ££££

FRESH, HAND-MADE PASTA THAT WON’T BREAK THE BANK: PADELLA 

Home-made pasta never tasted so good… Though to be fair, a home could never compete with this slick, art-deco-styled pasta-house brimming with a possé of young, highly skilled pasta chefs.

Details: 6 Southwark St, London SE1 1TQ | ££

A LIVELY TAQUERIA IN BOROUGH: EL PASTOR

A mezcaleria, a tortilla-making machine and a chocolate dessert taco. Everyone else can queue for Barrafina, we’ll save you a seat at the real best restaurant from the Hart brothers.

Details: 7a Stoney Street, SE1 9AA | ££

FAULTLESS FOOD AND INTERESTING WINES: LEVAN

Just like its equally brilliant (and much missed) Brixton-based sibling Salon, Levan offers up seasonal, sustainable small plates, alongside a carefully-curated menu of natural wines.

Details: 3-4, 12-16 Blenheim Grove, Peckham, South London, SE15 4QL | ££

A CHIC SOUTH-AFRICAN DATE SPOT IN PECKHAM: KUDU

Taking someone to this stylish South African eatery could earn you some serious kudu-s. Expect artfully distressed surroundings, classic cocktails, and foraged ingredients cooked up by a former Paradise Garage chef.

Booked up? Try Kudu Grill.

Details: 119 Queens Road, SE15 2EZ | £££

A LAID-BACK, LEAFY RETREAT: THE GARDEN CAFÉ

Not just your common or garden café. Tacked onto the quirky Garden Museum, it’s a sleek Modern European spot housed in a stunning glass extension to the church, complete with gravestone flooring.

Details: The Garden Museum, Lambeth Palace Road, SE1 7LB | £££

A SKY-HIGH WINE BAR WITH INCREDIBLE VIEWS: FORZA WINE 

If you’re looking to make an impression, head to Forza Wine. Ideally around/after sunset. Here you can feast on Italian small plates, and swill large glasses of the finest Italian grapes, all to a backdrop of London, lit-up like stars.

(Seabird also have some pretty spectacular views if that’s what you’re looking for.)

Details: 5th Floor, The Market, 133 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST | ££

SOUTH LONDON’S BEST SUNDAY ROAST: THE CAMBERWELL ARMS

It’s South London’s answer to The Marksman – a handsome gastropub, serving outstanding food. Their Sunday lunch is legendary.

Details: 65 Camberwell Church Street, Camberwell, SE5 8TR | £££

NATURAL WINES AND FLAWLESS FOOD IN A CONVERTED RAILWAY ARCH: 40 MALTBY STREET

“We sell wines produced by a handful of wine-makers who eschew the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in favour of letting the land and the grape speak.” – 40 Maltby St. The grape spoke; it wanted to let you know that it tastes good. And that they also serve seasonal modern-European food, of course.

Details: 40 Maltby St, London SE1 3PA | ££

AN UNDERSTATED NEIGHBOURHOOD ITALIAN: ARTUSI

Tucked away along Peckham’s Picturesque Bellenden Road,  Artusi serves simple and considered Mediterranean cuisine, in a laid-back, Scandi-esque setting.

Details: 161 Bellenden Road, Peckham, SE15 4DH | ££££

BRUNCH AT ITS BEST: MILK

Vouched for by the queues. It’s a fuss-free South London eatery, serving up everything from caramel-topped buckwheat pancakes, to scrambled eggs with smoked caviar

Details: 18-20 Bedford Hill, Balham, SW12 9RG | ££

Liked exploring the best restaurants in South London? Round it off with a visit to the best bars in South London.