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Voting is now open for this year’s Time Out Love London Awards, and we’re asking you to nominate your most loved local venues. But in a city with so much goodness, we know that’s a tricky ask – so we’ve sought inspiration from the Time Out Tastemakers, our super-community of locals with their fingers on the pulse of London. First up, Michael Ratcliffe – aka @rattyboom – picks twelve terrific places in his local neighbourhoods of Greenwich and Deptford.
‘My most loved local coffee place is Mouse Tail – Coffee Stories. It has its own ever-changing house blend, but the food is also fresh, homemade and delectable. It’d be a mistake not to try their amazing chunky double chocolate cookie.’
‘My most loved local brunch spot is Zeytin Turkish restaurant. I always get the Sunday £9.95 all-you-can-eat buffet spread of Turkish delights; salads, falafel, cacik, freshly baked Turkish bread, and meats. Such good value for money.’
‘My most loved local restaurant is Marcella. Using only seasonal ingredients, it delivers a simple yet deliciously impactful menu, and after I visit I’m always left craving every single dish I’ve tried.’
‘My most loved local park is Greenwich Park. It’s got no end of beautifully landscaped lawns and flowerbeds, sweeping views of the city and an abundance of cultural hotspots (the Observatory, the Maritime Museum, the Queen’s House) along its borders. It’s a day out in itself.’
‘My most loved local shop is Forest in Deptford Market Yard. It sells a huge range of affordable houseplants and succulents, but what makes it special is that it’s managed to transform a brick archway into a little slice of lushness. Even the air in there feels cleaner.’
‘My most loved local LGBTQ hangout is the Rose & Crown. It’s changed hands a lot over the years but it remains really the only outwardly LGBTQ-friendly, Pride flag-waving watering hole in the area. I want them to bring back their drag shows and the Greenwich Drag Race and Street Party.’
‘My most loved local landmark is Greenwich Market. Despite the flurry of tourists at the weekends, this place is a local staple, selling everything from food and art through to bespoke furniture and quirky printed fabric. Come hungry, because the street food is well worth your attention.'
‘My most loved local pub is Blackheath’s Hare & Billet – or maybe Deptford’s Job Centre. It’s so hard to choose: the former serves the best Sunday roast in the south-east, while the Job Centre has craft beer on tap, a delicious and diverse menu, and weekly live music.’
‘My most loved local late-night spot is Little Nan’s Bar in Deptford. It’s in two of the newly repurposed brick arches under the rail tracks and is done out in a kitschy nanna style, with “EastEnders”-inspired decor inside and out plus homely food and wacky teapot cocktails.’
‘My most loved local culture spot is the Cutty Sark historic sailing ship, an exquisite and surprising sight as you come out of the DLR station. It’s now a museum and hosts events including afternoon tea, life drawing classes and silent discos.’
‘My most loved local club is Oliver’s Jazz Bar. It’s in a basement near the Greenwich Theatre and serves cheap booze and live jazz music until the early hours of the morning.’
Now it’s your turn! Vote for your favourite local places in our Love London Awards.