Restaurants in South London

Named after open air Arabic markets, SOUK is a bar and restaurant in Clapham that offers a taster of Middle Eastern opulence; with the smell of incense thickening the air, dimmed lights and sensual dark tones. As one of the most popular restaurants south of the river, SOUK pairs its exotic menu with an extensive selection of wines and opens up the dancefloor to get the party going after dinner.

A lovely all day hangout in Clapham, Ben's Canteen is one of our recommended restaurants in South London for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or evening drinks. Offering a selection of very reasonably priced comfort foods alongside a selection of tasty lookin' cocktails, Ben's Canteen is a popular choice throughout the year. Why not try Ben's Canteen Earlsfield too? 

Inspired by the rustic, traditional bistros of Madrid, Camino is Southwark's newest Tapas and wine bar. From delectable exe cheeses, mouth-watering prawns in a garlic sauce and succulent steak served with a potent portobello mushroom, this South London hotspot will definitely leave you well-fed and wanting more. Bursting full of life and the vibrant flair that's come to define Spanish life, Camino is certainly well-worth a visit.

Perfect for a fun birthday celebration with your nearest and dearest, or a fun team night out with work friends, the brunch and burger menu at Ben's Canteen is certain to please all different palates and diners. The venue's wine menu bursts with as much spice and flavours as the food menu and features both old and new world bottles. Mosey down to this South London restaurant and soak up all the great vibes on offer. Why not try Ben's Canteen Clapham too?

Based on the banks of the River Thames and offering amazing views across, the Crown Plaza Battersea is an elegant venue that offers everything you'd expect from a Central London hotel. Armed with fresh ingredients and a talented team of chefs, the kitchen offers an all day menu full of both classic dishes and intriguing creations. 

Open as a bar and restaurant during the day, this south London restaurant doubles up as a late-night party den to cater for all of Clapham's needs. The Jam Tree is a versatile space offering "a unique collection of tastes and flavours", and keep an eye-out for the bookshelf which leads to a private bar, with its own ping pong table and access to the patio garden.

Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s The Walrus And The Carpenter, this sophisticated Battersea number comes fitted with rich woods, glass-encassed taxidermy and plenty of textured furnishings. Start with a couple of hand-crafted cocktails to get settled, before sampling a menu of tapas-styled plates, oysters and lobster rolls at this impressive south London restaurant and bar.

The famous Rosa's Thai Cafe brand has spread its wings and now boasts a new site south of the river. Having been created by a husband and wife that were inspired by their travels across Asia, the restaurant uses a selection of fresh ingredients and traditional recipes to create authentic Thai dishes that have all been infused with modern influences. Guests can tuck into the likes of Rosa's green curry, chilli and basil stir fry and salmon red curry. 

Based in the shadow of the O2, Market Brasserie is a luxurious restaurant and bar that couples great flavours with an amazing setting. Armed with its own rooftop cocktail bar, boasting breathtaking views of London's skyline, the venue's kitchen serves a range of classic British recipes, including fresh seafood plates, hearty roast dinners and flavoursome cheese boards. 

Serving sticky chicken wings with blue slaw alongside fish pie plucked from the Billingsgate markets, you can delve into the various culinary delights of New York and London under one roof here. A joint venture from Virgin Atlantic and Delta, ease into the first-class lounge feel of NY-LON and share some plates around the table before catching a gig at the O2.

Canova Hal is a place of two halves: while it acts as a café space with bottomless coffee and fast wifi in the morning, at night it becomes a great lunch and dinner spot. They offer a variety of Italian dishes, all while sipping on cocktails from their drinks trolley.

If it's an extensive menu of tasty favourites with modern tweaks that you're looking for, then look no further than this Bermondsey haunt, just round the corner from London Bridge station. Tuck into a delicious dish as you nestle into cosy sofa seats and soak up the homely vibes.

Promising "industrial sophistication" just a stone’s throw from the Tate Modern, The Refinery is another of our favourite restaurants south of the river. Bright, airy and undeniably sophisticated, the food here is fantastic, but it’s the range of innovative cocktails and global wines that really stand out here. Ideal for business brunches, after-work lounging or dinner and drinks with friends.

Expect to experience flavours from the far flung corners of the world at Mommi where the cultures of Japan and South America collide for cocktails and culinary specials. The bar is well versed in punchy piscos and the kitchen will exhilarate your palate with plates that have been crafted with Asian and Latin leanings. 

Look out for the meat sweats, they’ll get you when you’re dining at the Blues Kitchen. Rich and tender Texan BBQ goods come slow-smoked on site, with the biggest selection of bourbon and rye in London on cue to help wash it all down. Pig out at one of the best BBQ restaurants in South London but don’t go too crazy; there’s dancing to be done afterwards with live bands and DJs playing funk & soul until 2am at weekends.

South London has received another Iranian paradise in the form of Bababoom. Delivering on big flavours such as Persian flatbreads topped with charcoal grilled meats and punchy vegetables, they combine quality British produce with big Middle Eastern flavours.

Dose up on the best of the British when it comes to eating out in South London as The Castle provides the marker for some of the best gastro grub South of the river. Notable for their British bites, head on down for flavour and real ales combined. 

You're in Streatham and you're hungry, that's why you're due to be headed to Exhibit B. Whether it's trying out their epic brunches, curling up with a few cocktails or trying their interesting and international menu, all hunger pangs are cured here.

Regularly topping up Balham’s rumblin’ tums, The Exhibit serves carefully curated drinks and a hearty menu of fresh British produce. Bag yourself a table and get ready for a festival of eating; there’s everything from roasted pheasant to Grilled royal beam and Galloway beef burgers with all the trimmings. There’s an eclectic entertainment programme for dessert, too.

SAMA Bankside in Southwark should probably be on your list of restaurant bars in London. While the contemporary space offers a variety of drinks to enjoy in the 6000 square foot space, they also deliver a variety of tasty Caribbean dishes too.

Found within a stone’s throw of the Oval cricket ground, the Fentiman Arms is rightly considered one of the best gastropubs in south London. Homely and snug, the venue has made a name for itself with its glorious range of British cooking; take your pick between sausage & mash, chicken pie and beer-battered fish & chips, available to enjoy in the garden in the summer months.

Making a name for itself as one of South London's best casual dining spots, Meat & Shake in Tooting plates up hearty meat-based dishes with flavoursome, freshly-made shakes. Enjoy a belly-warming brisket, sink your chops into a seasoned steak or enjoy a cheese and sauce topped burger that's full of attitude.

Cartel in Battersea is a tequila and taqueria bar that celebrates the best flavours that Mexico has to offer. Alongside a range of fresh tequila and Mezcal-infused cocktails, guests can enjoy a variety of hand-pressed taco dishes - think pulled chicken cooked in Mezcal and slow-cooked beef brisket served with chorizo and radish. 

There’s only a handful of places in London where you can dance all night then return for a hearty hangover cure the next morning. Gigalum is one of these glorious all-rounders, trading in its cocktail bar rep for a good quality restaurant come day-time. Feast on a high-quality range of treats whipped up by an award-winning chef - Gigalum serves restaurant standard food at pub grub prices.

While a gastropub by honest nature, The Lighthouse is also primed for those that want a top dose of British dining in South London. A humble restaurant made up of cosy interiors and classic charm, tuck into everything from gastro burgers to a rich pork belly main.