The Flaneur: A Guide to Camberwell
For such a small and unsuspecting neighbourhood, Camberwell plays host to a surprisingly good cluster of well-established haunts alongside newly opened independents. Sandwiched between, but no longer overshadowed by its southern neighbours, Peckham and Brixton, Camberwell offers handsome Georgian architecture, leafy parks and friendly-faced small businesses a plenty!
Here is our guide on where to eat, drink and hang out in the neighbourhood.
01.
65 Peckham Road,
London SE5 8UH
Showcasing internationally renowned artists, from the contemporary heavy-weights such as Gilbert & George, Tracey Emin, Sherrie Levine and Antony Gormley. The public gallery opened in 1868 and has been a focal point of the community ever since. You’ll also find regular showcases from the neighbouring Camberwell College of Arts. Be sure to pop into Crane’s Kitchen on the ground floor for a spot of lunch.
02.
2 Camberwell Church Street,
London SE5 8QU
Located within a former bank building, this grocery store cum deli cum off-license on Camberwell Church Street opened its doors in March 2022. Priding themselves on their selection of hyper-local produce, you will find goods from the likes of Flor, St John Bakery, Neal’s Yard and Mons Cheesemongers.
03.
78 Camberwell Church Street,
London SE5 8QZ
The new kid on the block for local bottle-buffs, Véraison Wines opened in April 2022 by expert wine lover Patrycja Lorek, formerly of 10 Cases.
04.
49 Camberwell Church Street, London SE5 8TR
Through the steamed-up windows of this humble Chinese restaurant lies a Camberwell institution. The dining room of Silk Road offers a cheap, cheerful and functional setting to enjoy hearty and fiery dishes from the north-western region of China, Xinjiang. You’ll struggle to find a sit-down meal this inexpensive.
05.
2 South Island Place, London SW9 0DX
The Di Lieto family have been running their Italian bakery, delicatessen, coffee shop and now pizzeria since 1980. You’ll find their counters stocked with incredible cannoli, antipasti and freshly baked bread all day long. Check out the chalkboard menus for the most inexplicably cheap Italian lunch in London! Buon appetito!
06.
12 Calais Street
London SE5 9LP
Named after a market gardener called Myatt, reputedly famous for his strawberries, Myatt’s Fields is a leafy 14-acre Victorian park with a bandstand, café, tennis and basketball courts. Open all year round, the park’s family-run Little Cat Café is the perfect spot for a flat white (or negroni)!
