The best restaurants in Bermondsey

A welcoming cave of warm wood, black leather banquettes, exposed brick and splashes of painted Spanish tile. You'll find rambunctious tables packed with laughing pals and pleasantly sloppy fifth dates – the one where you stop caring about dripping mojo rojo down your chin. This is Bermondsey by way of Barcelona, and the stage is set for a feast of epic proportions, from glistening jamon Iberico, Cantabrian anchovies in golden olive oil, and perfect croquetas. Mains are elaborate but still relatively rustic, with dishes such as bogavante y huevos rotos – native lobster, egg and triple cooked chips. Lots of fun. 

A teasing shot of warm, villagey France in Bermondsey, this infectiously cosy eatery works to a daily blackboard menu of smartly executed bourgeois classics scrawled up in the native tongue. There are just three choices per course, but prices are sensible and flavours are true (sardines escabèche followed by veal marengo, say). You can even come here for a plate of cheese or charcuterie with a shot of pastis. Either way, you’ll leave feeling oh-so satisfied.

Like many good things in London, 40 Maltby Street sits inside a renovated railway arch. Unassuming but charming, this small restaurant is a microcosm of London culture. The menu changes weekly, with around 12 small plates written on a chalkboard. Exciting and imaginative, it's a testament to the skill of the kitchen staff. It’s quintessentially London – and extremely brilliant.

As modern Thai restaurants go, Kin + Deum (literally ‘eat + drink’) is the full shebang: a laid-back, minimalist space serving up big helpings of thrilling, Bangkok-inspired food with the aid of some genuinely lovely staff. 

Spawned from José Pizarro’s namesake restaurant further along Bermondsey Street, this tapas bebé has the genuine feel of rustic Spanish hangout – all plain brick walls, timbers, tiles and stools. Food-wise, expect fantastically fresh renditions of the classics at easy-to-swallow prices. You can’t book, but José’s doors-wide-open attitude is bang-on for the neighbourhood.  

From the folks behind Casse-Croûte, this charming restaurant in a mock-Tudor pavilion on the edge of Tanner Street Park is affably Gallic right down to its untranslated menu and French-speaking staff. Flavours are gutsy, rustic and traditional to the core. Expect things like asparagus with a poached egg and charcuterie on toast, soupe au pistou and braised lamb neck with barley.

Jose Pizarro will not stop until every single shop front on the delightfully quaint Bermondsey Street is serving up unparalleled pan con tomate and endless boquerones, the cobbles awash with streams of sherry. Lolo is the street’s third joint from the convivial Spanish chef. Neither super-fancy Michelin star Madrid grill house nor a bare-bones Cadiz cava bar, Lolo is casual but content with its easy-breezy lot. The menu is short and divvied up into a series of enticingly snackable Spanish dishes with coyly British bent.

Have a beer, scoff some food and watch a movie… all under one roof. That’s the deal at this well-liked Bermondsey gastropub – a stylishly designed spot with a little cinema for hire in the basement. The menu picks and mixes at will, touting everything from cured sea bass with tempura seaweed to confit rabbit with pearl barley.  

Flour & Grape flies the Italian tricolore. Fresh handmade pasta is the star attraction, but also expect sprightly aperitivi, gelati and an extensive list of Italian wines. High seating at the bar counter emphasises the casual vibe.