[Please note, the London Particular is now closed. Time Out editors, August 2019.]
Food, described as ‘classic English with a modern twist’, is treated with respect at this tiny café just by New Cross station. Particular by name, particular by nature, founder and head chef Becky Davey and her team source seasonal ingredients from small-scale producers, then prepare them freshly on the premises.
Lunch shows vegetarian leanings – soft, tasty sweet potato and leek cakes served with halloumi, a salad and a beetroot dip, for example – while light suppers are meatier (rabbit rillette, harissa sticky pork ribs), but if you are the kind of person who encounters a vegetarian dish and thinks ‘this is delicious but it would be even better with bacon’ then you can add that too for an extra pound. Commitment to independent operators continues through to the wines (mainly organic or biodynamic) and beers (from Kernel and Cheddar Ales breweries).
Help yourself to a jug of water with mint, or order the refreshing Deptford elderflower with soda, but before you leave, go for the velvety punch of an HR Higgins coffee (iced, affogato or just flat white) to set you up for the rest of the day. Cash only.