A Balkan restaurant in Peckham?
Sounds Bazaar.
And that’s precisely what it is. Tucked right off the beaten track on the corner of Consort and Sturdy Road, Peckham Bazaar is quietly one of the best restaurants in Peckham, cooking up market fresh ingredients on their hefty, custom-made grill.
That grill is the first thing you’ll notice too, as you walk in. Not that you’ll see it, mind you, unless you happen to wander in via the back garden. No, it’ll be the smokey aroma of chargrilled meat, seafood, and veggies that hits you first. It’ll entice you into the warmly inviting space, and into one of their wooden chairs where you can bask in the glow of candles, and peruse the menu.
Celia Topping
That menu changes daily, but it’s all a love letter to the cuisine of the Balkans where chef John Gionleka hails from. He describes his food as being inspired by “former Ottoman lands, from the Dinaric Alps to the beaches of Anatolia” – and just in case you’re unfamiliar with what kind of dishes they cook up there, you can expect the likes of grilled octopus with a creamy white tarama, decorated with capers & herbs; some grilled marinated quail with a chickpea & apricot tagine, plus a little labneh & za’taar; and a plate of ludicrously crispy courgette, feta and mint fritters.
Celia Topping
And to drink? There’s a list of bottles from Greece, Hungary, Croatia, and even Moldova. It’s well-curated, and amongst them all you’ll find a couple of chilled reds, some orange wine, and even a Retsina – a 2,000 year old style infused with pine resin that’s making an overdue comeback.
You’ll likely be making a come-back, too.
NOTE: Peckham Bazaar is open now. You can find out more, and make a booking at their website right HERE.
Peckham Bazaar | 119 Consort Rd, SE15 3RU
After a pre-dinner aperitif? Try one of these excellent Peckham bars