The 10 Best Restaurants in Brixton, London

Mama Lan brings the best of Chinese food from the streets of Beijing to Brixton Village Market. The restaurant’s founder, Ning Ma, was inspired by her grandfather’s dumpling and snack stall in the street markets of Beijing, and continues his legacy with her delightful menu. The Chinese café serves up a range of traditional street food with a contemporary twist, including seaweed salad with toasted sesame and spicy chicken ban mein. Be sure to try something from the teahouse collection of innovative flavours such as chrysanthemum flowers, goji berry and rock sugar tea.

Senzala crêperie bar and Brazilian-inspired cafe strives to serve up the best French crepes, both savoury and sweet, salad and tapas dishes. Try the fiery Picante crêpe which consists of cheese, home made spicy minced beef, red onions, fresh tomatoes, red peppers and jalapeño peppers. For those with a sweet-tooth, tuck in to the Banana Canela crêpe which has grilled banana, honey, cream and cinnamon or go for the fresh strawberries, mixed Belgian chocolate and cream. Senzala Brixton also offers a range of galette options for vegans.

Franco Manca is Brixton’s haven for delicious sour dough pizza. With its Neapolitan-style pizza, Franco Manca is a cut above the rest. All pizzas are baked fresh in a wood burning brick oven to bring the taste of Naples to Brixton. Now with 15 locations across London.

Once known as CHICKENliquor, this venue has now become a fully fledged MEATliquor dishing out the dirtiest burgers and wings in Brixton. Not only are the burger gods looking down over Brixton now, they have blessed this branch with their £10 lunch of any burger, fries and unlimited soda that’s served Tuesday to Friday until 5pm. If you’re feeling a little daring there’s the Triple Chili Challenge to take on that’s free if you can devour it in under 10 minutes – we dare ya!

After starting as a pop up in 2012, The Joint now has two restaurants in London and offers a spectacular take on fast food. Try the BBQ burger with either slow-cooked shredded chicken or 16-hour slow-cooked pulled pork with candied apple bacon, slaw and salad. A great place for burgers and simple food with a laid-back atmosphere. Perfect for those that love slow food, done right.

Inspired by ‘el mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria,’ Barcelona’s iconic market, Boqueria offers delicious Barcelona tapas. Whether you’re a fan of seafood, meat or prefer the vegetarian options, the menu caters to everyone. The contemporary interior and relaxed atmosphere makes Boqueria a great spot to enjoy a meal out with friends. It offers delicious dishes and desserts such as the Santiago almond cake with vanilla ice cream.

Located on the iconic Coldharbour Lane, Three Eight Four is a small plates restaurant and cocktail bar. It boasts an innovative menu that draws influence from a variety of cuisines. Try the Chimichurri Steak, rump steak marinated in chipotle and chimichurri served on a bed of rocket. Three Eight Four also caters to the health conscious, with winners like the heirloom tomato with burrata salad. As well as serving classic cocktails, Three Eight Four serves up a series of experimental concoctions like Watermelon Margarita and the Chimicherry Flip, so it’s perfect for drinks and snacks with friends. The restaurant also offers brunch favourites like American pancakes with maple syrup, blueberries and bacon.

Elephant has been offering up a handful of authentic dishes from Pakistan since 2011 and the prices are a lot lower than you’d expect for such high-quality food. The kitchen itself is tiny, but this doesn’t stop owner and Chef, Imran Bashir, from serving up huge flavours. They are best known for their Thali dishes which can be created with chicken, minced lamb or vegetables – wash it down with their chai in true Pakistani style.

Salon Brixton is where seasonal, locally sourced produce meets inventive dining. The restaurant celebrates the best of British ingredients and strives to serve up innovative dishes. Try an unconventional dish such as grilled squid with sweetcorn and cherry. The restaurant also has great vegetarian options. If you find yourself wanting more, you can visit the The Store Room on the ground floor, which sells British artisan cheese, charcuterie, baked goods, chutneys and more.

Located in the crypt of St. Matthews Church, Gremio de Brixton boasts some of the best Spanish cuisine in the area. The summer tapas menu uses fresh local produce, including the finest selection of cheese and meats. If you’re feeling adventurous try the Pulpo a la Plancha, which is grilled fresh octopus served on a bed of cassava mash, finished with coriander mayo. This Spanish tapas restaurant also has weekly events with resident DJs, so grab those dancing shoes.