The best restaurants in Vauxhall you should be booking

A charming Grade II* listed Georgian mansion that just so happens to serve some of the best food in London. This bohemian beauty is under the charge of chef Jackson Boxer, who serves up indulgent and pleasantly retro meals. Think potato bread with wild garlic butter, devilled eggs scattered with roe and raw dexter beef with smoked bone marrow. Don't forget to visit the pleasantly spooky, ye olde crypt below the main dining room, which has its own bar and hosts regular jazz nights.

At Jihwaja, you might find yourself wondering, "Is it karaoke? Or is it a restaurant?" This Korean gem nestled on Kennington Lane blurs the lines between dining and entertainment. The atmosphere is strictly party vibes central and it’s open until 3am on weekends. With a seriously extensive menu that spans over 10 pages, things can be a little overwhelming. Luckily there are convenient set food and booze menus for those who want to try a bit of everything. For those seeking comfort, stodge and sustenance, look no further than the five variations of Korean fried chicken, Korean-style cheesy corn, kimchi fried rice, and haemul pajeon (crispy seafood pancake). 

The award-winning café at the Garden Museum in Lambeth has a small but lush alfresco garden courtyard. It’s open for lunch daily and for dinner on Tuesdays and Fridays and head chefs Harry Kaufman (previously at St John Bread and Wine and Lyles) and George Ryle (Padella and Primeur) make seasonal sensations – think smoked eel and tomato starters and whole lemon sole mains with mussels and sea beets. 

It's a family affair down in Vauxhall. The dad of Jackson Boxer, who runs Brunswick House, is head honcho at Italo, a delightful deli on Bonnington Square which specialises in Italian produces and simple, delicious daily lunches and seasonal sandwiches. A real gem and proper community hub. 

This cooperatively run vegetarian and vegan restaurant was initially set up back in the 1980s to serve the local community – many of whom were squatting nearby. Today it retains the community feel, with a collective of cooks keeping the pans hot, and making anything and everything from Syrian and Moroccan to Pakistani and Polish food. The clientele tends to comprise locals and regulars, too. 

Housed in what was once a humble greasy spoon, this place retains the look and feel of an old caff. The prices are low, portions are huge and the flavours are bang-on. Drawing a real mix of locals, business folks and hungry cricket enthusiasts from the Oval stadium, its legendary Korean fried chicken is the star of the show, with options like sweet soy garlic, sweet cheese powder, Korean sweet chilli, and the padak, coated in a luscious honey mustard sauce and adorned with delicate spring onion slices. Chicken at Daebak strikes the perfect balance between moist and crispy. Beyond the chook-extravaganza, there are plenty of other street food classics, including jjigae Korean stews, Korean ramen, bulgogi, dumplings, and bibimbap.

A traditional Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurant on South Lambeth Road, where you can also get stuck into a coffee ceremony or some Tej aka Ethiopian honey wine. Lots of veggie and vegan options, too. 

A historic Vauxhall pub and dining room offering seasonal food alongside a drinks selection boasting real ales, continental beers and wines cherry-picked from across the globe. Swing by for scrummy Spanish tapas during the week and a trad Sunday Roast with all the trimmings or a decent Saturday T-bone steak deal. Also a place of pilgrimage for Taylor Swift fans after she mentioned the pub on her 2024 album, The Tortured Poets Department.