Guidebook for Greater London
Food Scene
O Cantina de Portugal is a lively Portuguese tapas place offering a hearty selection of grilled pork and chicken dishes alongside a traditional assortment of seafood. With generous portions and dishes like fragrant octopus salads, garlicky grilled prawns doused in olive oil and salted, dried cod flaked over thick chips and with and a friendly community atmosphere (it’s a particularly fun place to watch European football), this is a great restaurant for groups who want an informal and relaxed meal. Keep an eye out for the weekend specials including the whole roasted suckling pig.
22 locals recommend
O Cantinho De Portugal
137 Stockwell RdO Cantina de Portugal is a lively Portuguese tapas place offering a hearty selection of grilled pork and chicken dishes alongside a traditional assortment of seafood. With generous portions and dishes like fragrant octopus salads, garlicky grilled prawns doused in olive oil and salted, dried cod flaked over thick chips and with and a friendly community atmosphere (it’s a particularly fun place to watch European football), this is a great restaurant for groups who want an informal and relaxed meal. Keep an eye out for the weekend specials including the whole roasted suckling pig.
A cozy cafe offering delicious northern Chinese street food and excellent value for money. The housemade dumplings filled with king prawn and water chestnuts, pork and Chinese leaf, and spinach and mushrooms are the stars of the show, but diners could also choose noodle soups enveloped in rich and warming broths, refreshing cold noodle salads with fresh vegetables and sides such as smashed cucumber and seaweed.
53 locals recommend
Mamalan
A cozy cafe offering delicious northern Chinese street food and excellent value for money. The housemade dumplings filled with king prawn and water chestnuts, pork and Chinese leaf, and spinach and mushrooms are the stars of the show, but diners could also choose noodle soups enveloped in rich and warming broths, refreshing cold noodle salads with fresh vegetables and sides such as smashed cucumber and seaweed.
Situated in a shabby-chic dining room above the bustling Brixton market, this cool space offers seasonal British fare using ingredients from the market below. Dishes are succinct and beautifully plated, with the owners focused on delivering a limited menu well. Moreish snacks include ‘nduja croquettes and kale tempura before the limited set menu that features the likes of cured mackerel with elderflower and braised shoulder of lamb with wild garlic. Regular supper clubs and events with guest chefs keep the restaurant feeling vibrant and diverse.
41 locals recommend
Salon
18 Market RowSituated in a shabby-chic dining room above the bustling Brixton market, this cool space offers seasonal British fare using ingredients from the market below. Dishes are succinct and beautifully plated, with the owners focused on delivering a limited menu well. Moreish snacks include ‘nduja croquettes and kale tempura before the limited set menu that features the likes of cured mackerel with elderflower and braised shoulder of lamb with wild garlic. Regular supper clubs and events with guest chefs keep the restaurant feeling vibrant and diverse.
At this family-run Thai cafe, the grilled offerings stand out, be it juicy skewers of pork with tamarind and chilli dip or turmeric-infused chicken that can be smothered in the house peanut sauce. The rich and creamy lamb massaman curry is one of London’s best interpretations of the dish and the veggie larb — mixed wild mushrooms served with toasted rice, chilli, mint and lemon — is an innovative twist on a northern Thai speciality. It’s BYO, so stop off at an off-license on your way.
31 locals recommend
KaoSarn London
Unit 96 Coldharbour LnAt this family-run Thai cafe, the grilled offerings stand out, be it juicy skewers of pork with tamarind and chilli dip or turmeric-infused chicken that can be smothered in the house peanut sauce. The rich and creamy lamb massaman curry is one of London’s best interpretations of the dish and the veggie larb — mixed wild mushrooms served with toasted rice, chilli, mint and lemon — is an innovative twist on a northern Thai speciality. It’s BYO, so stop off at an off-license on your way.
Drinks & Nightlife
A fairly new addition to the Brixton bar scene, this bar-meets-restaurant meets-co-working-space is a perfect fit. Mixing simple, rustic decor with innovative menus and even their own house gin. The venue regularly hosts live bands and DJs, as well as serving some of the best pizza in Lambeth.
38 locals recommend
Canova Hall
250 Ferndale RdA fairly new addition to the Brixton bar scene, this bar-meets-restaurant meets-co-working-space is a perfect fit. Mixing simple, rustic decor with innovative menus and even their own house gin. The venue regularly hosts live bands and DJs, as well as serving some of the best pizza in Lambeth.
Tucked into Coldharbour Lane, Three Eight Four is an intimate space of cold, industrial style with exposed plaster and brickwork cladding the walls and eccentric light fixtures on the walls. This cool little bar focusses on knocking up some almighty crafty cocktail concoctions with tasty small plates (should you fancy a nibble) making Three Eight Four a perfect hangout for date night or chilling with mates.
19 locals recommend
Three Eight Four
384 Coldharbour LnTucked into Coldharbour Lane, Three Eight Four is an intimate space of cold, industrial style with exposed plaster and brickwork cladding the walls and eccentric light fixtures on the walls. This cool little bar focusses on knocking up some almighty crafty cocktail concoctions with tasty small plates (should you fancy a nibble) making Three Eight Four a perfect hangout for date night or chilling with mates.
Innovative, unique and one of the best cocktail bars in Brixton, Shrub & Shutter isn't the location for measly mojitos thanks to their unique roster of botanical drinks and ingredients. Head on down for the booze, but stay for the chilled atmosphere and fresh interiors.
55 locals recommend
The Shrub and Shutter
336 Coldharbour LnInnovative, unique and one of the best cocktail bars in Brixton, Shrub & Shutter isn't the location for measly mojitos thanks to their unique roster of botanical drinks and ingredients. Head on down for the booze, but stay for the chilled atmosphere and fresh interiors.
A top drinking hub in South London with more than just the one bar to its name, Pop Brixton is an amalgamation of the very best that the local community has to offer in a re-purposed selection of steel containers. Head on down for street food, DJ events, cocktail bars and more.
245 locals recommend
Pop Brixton
49 Brixton Station RdA top drinking hub in South London with more than just the one bar to its name, Pop Brixton is an amalgamation of the very best that the local community has to offer in a re-purposed selection of steel containers. Head on down for street food, DJ events, cocktail bars and more.