A haven for fine dining restaurants, stylish cafés, and hidden bars, you’ll be spoilt for choice living in South London. Whether you want to find somewhere for a cocktail with friends, a cosy brunch spot for the weekend, or an elegant brasserie for date night, we’ve compiled all of the best places to eat, drink and play south of the Thames.
Craft London
Curated by chef Stevie Parle, fine dining restaurant Craft London is a celebration of British cuisine. The restaurant expertly utilises locally grown vegetables and fruit from the SE10 area, as well as cured meats from neighbouring butchers, offering a luxurious level of intimacy.
Right on the doorstep of The O2 arena, Craft London is the optimum place to visit before an event. In fact, it serves an early pre-show menu specifically for attendees.
You can expect a lively atmosphere any day of the week. And there’s a menu to tempt all tastes; from the traditional à la carte to tasting menus, and even a separate vegan menu. Or pop by on Tuesday nights to sample ‘Test Kitchen Tuesdays’, a weekly experimental cooking endeavour by head chef, Thomas Greig.
Find at Peninsula Square, East Greenwich, London SE10 0SQ | Follow @craftldn
Marcella
With its simple Scandi-inspired interiors and its creative mix of Italian-British cuisine, Marcella is an achingly cool haunt for those living in South London. Located on Deptford High Street, the restaurant is the little sister of the acclaimed Artusi in Peckham, so you can expect good things.
The menu rotates with the seasons, favouring the sumptuous flavours of locally grown produce. All of the pasta and ricotta is home-made on site too. It's paired with their own hand-pickled fruit, to fresh fish and seasonal vegetables. As well as their expert drinks pairings alongside each dish, you can extend your night by visiting their secret bar for a classic cocktail or Italian vino.
Find at 165A Deptford High Street, London SE8 3NU | Follow @marcelladeptford
First Aid Box
If you’re looking for a cocktail with a twist, First Aid Box offers a remedy for your thirst with its medically themed drinks that aim to ‘cure, revive and enliven’.
The bar’s cool mixology pairs your favourite spirits with fresh fruits and homemade juice mixers. Whether that’s the carrot-infused ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit?’ or their ‘Watermelon G&T’. There’s also a Peaky Blinders-inspired backroom, which is the ideal spot for private events or parties.
Find at 119 Dulwich Road, Herne Hill, London SE24 0NG | Follow @firstaidboxhh
Champagne + Fromage
You don’t have to travel to Paris to enjoy the delights of French cuisine. Those living in South London can enjoy it courtesy of Champagne + Fromage. The bistro and shop, based on the edge of Greenwich Market, serves an authentic selection of all your French favourites. From delectable cheese and charcuterie boards to tartines and pastries. Or indulge in their afternoon tea menu, which boasts sweet macarons and cheeses.
You’ll also be able to choose from their extensive collection of wines and vintage champagnes, enjoying the perfect pairing with your dish.
Find at 34 Greenwich Church Street, East Greenwich, London SE10 9BL | Follow @champfromage
Sparrow London
Lewisham’s stylish Sparrow restaurant is family-run by husband-and-wife duo Terry Blake and Yohini Nandakumar. The pair hold numerous foodie accolades and ventures between them, so they are no strangers to experimental cooking.
Although the restaurant’s menu looks relatively simple at first glance, you can savour a delicate mix of flavours across its small plates, inspired by cuisine from all corners of the globe. The restaurant’s menu changes regularly with the seasons so there is always something new to sample. Be sure to treat your sweet tooth to one of their cakes or desserts too.
Find at 2 Rennell Street, London SE13 7HD | Follow @sparrow.london
601 Queen’s Road
The chic 601 Queen’s Road in Wimbledon is the ideal spot to enjoy an evening cocktail, weekend brunch, or an after-work drink. The restaurant-bar has a large, stylish indoor dining area surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows. This gives guests a spectacular view across London whatever time you visit. In the sunnier weather, you can even enjoy a drink or al fresco eating on the leafy rooftop terrace.
When it comes to dining, 601 Queen’s Road serves up a real mix of classic pasta dishes and salads, as well as comfort food in the form of burgers and toasties. As a self-professed ‘neighbourhood bar’, you can also expect all your favourite cocktails, alongside an impressive selection of wines and craft beers.
Find at Centre Court Shopping Centre, No 4 Queen’s Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 8YA | Follow @601queensrd
Bermondsey Arts Cocktail Club
Art Deco speakeasy and cocktail bar, Bermondsey Arts Cocktail Club, is a true hidden gem in Bermondsey near Tower Bridge. Descend the iron stairwell to find an opulent and intimate bar complete with marble table tops, leather barstools, and a checkerboard tiled floor.
The team of mixologists are experts at conjuring up delectable cocktails with a meticulous attention to detail. They even use seasonal ingredients from the local Borough Market. Visit the bar on the right night to be treated to an evening of jazz music or an artistic performance. This bar always has a secret up its sleeve.
Find at 102a Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 4TP | Follow @bermondseyartsclub
Sticks & Sushi
Offering a mouth-watering Asian menu of sushi and yakitori, the popular Stick & Sushi combines a Japanese and Danish heritage. As such you can expect authentic cuisine amidst cool interiors. Your taste buds will be spoilt, with dishes to suit all diets, as well as traditional Japanese beers and sake.
With a number of locations across London, the restaurant’s Greenwich branch near the waterfront is particularly cosy. This is thanks to its Nordic-inspired interiors, greenhouse-style roof, and traditional Japanese sharing tables.
Find at 1 Nelson Road, East Greenwich, London SE10 9JB | Follow @sticksnsushi
Westow House
With their impressive selection of craft beers, traditional pub grub and cosy interiors, Westow House in Crystal Palace is a lively haunt that’s likely to become your local. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to relax with friends for a Sunday roast or a place for after-work drinks, the pub offers the ideal atmosphere if you're living in South London.
Check out their rotating line-up of events. These include open-mic nights, live music gigs and pub quizzes, helping to mix up your working week routine. In the sunnier weather you can also enjoy their beer garden, making the most of British summer time.
Find at 79 Westow Hill, London SE19 1TX | Follow @westowhouse
The Old Brewery
Historical gastropub The Old Brewery is nestled within the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College, just around the corner from the legendary Cutty Sark ship in Greenwich. The Grade II-listed pub has a brewing history dating back to the 18th-century, making it a local landmark.
Now boasting a stylish dining area and expansive outdoor terrace, with views across Canary Wharf and the Thames, the pub offers a relaxed atmosphere every day of the week. It’s the perfect place for those living in South London to enjoy beers with friends or some delicious pub grub. They even have a separate selection of Sunday roasts. All of the food is sourced by suppliers within the southeast and the drinks menu includes a number of London craft beers and spirits, letting you sample the best of the capital.
Find at The Pepys Building, The Old Royal Naval College, East Greenwich, London SE10 9LW | Follow @oldbrewerygreenwich
Living in South London
Whichever corner of South London you choose to live in, you’ll be treated to an abundance of cool hangouts right on your doorstep. Pair this lifestyle with one of our luxurious Union Wharf apartments in Greenwich and you’ll truly be making the most of living in South London.
