The best restaurants in Bermondsey
Bermondsey gives the feeling of a tiny town community, but in the middle of our city. For a relatively small square-mile area, its restaurant scene boasts a host of establishments that draw you in like an extra-large magnet – and that’s before you even think of exploring the local delis, cheesemongers, coffee roasters, or the Beer Mile that the area has to offer.
I could write a love letter to the restaurants of Bermondsey, an ode, an entire spicy romance novel, a true love dedication. And that’s because I’ve tasted some of the best plates in its SE1 postcode that, to this day, remain some of my favourite dishes.
These are some of the best restaurants in Bermondsey that you need to try.
HAKATA Ramen+Bar
The ultimate comfort food on Bermondsey Street. HAKATA Ramen+Bar is inspired by the ramen-ya of Japan. This Bermondsey Street ramen-ya specialises in Tonkotsu ramen and has a range of small plates, which can be served tapas-style.
I go here to slurp up some ramen – the Hakata tonkotsu, shio tare (or salt seasoning) with 12-hour pork broth, beni shoga, and slices of chashu pork, served with a soft-boiled egg, menma, bean sprouts, and yakinori – and I always order a side of chicken karaage with yuzu kosho mayo, and an Orbit beer to sip on.
Arguably, the best thing about this spot is adding toppings and extras to your ramen to make it perfect for you. I’d recommend the burnt corn for a pop of sweetness.
Beneath the restaurant sits a dimly lit bar, which is great for a cocktail or two after your cheeks have been flushed by the flavourful ramen.
Flour and Grape
This Bermondsey Street staple treats pasta as the star of the show. Flour and Grape does its namesake of pasta and wine so well (it’s better than Padella, imo). Anything drenched in sage butter is a win with me.
Pasta dishes change with the seasons, but often include the beef short rib ragu on pappardelle, a spaghetti carbonara that takes the classic to another level with its confit egg yolk, and a sausage and fennel ragu punched through with tomato, nduja and chilli and mixed between tubes of mezze maniche.
The small plates to start aren’t to be slept on either, simple flavours but high-quality ingredients. Order a bowl of my favourite type of olive, the Nocellara, a plate of burrata and olive oil, and the polpette (meatballs) to kick things off on the right foot.
Bermondsey Corner
Seats outside this spot spill onto the courtyard of the White Cube gallery for the chance to sit in the sun and snack on charcuterie on warmer days. Bermondsey Corner serves veggie plates, a selection of tinned fish, meats, and smorgasbord platters of all the best stuff. Paired with an expert wine list and equally expert staff to share recommendations.
And if you book in advance, you can order the Fondue Savoyarde, served with bread, gherkins, and Bonnet Basque Saucisson, to share between two to four people. Dip away.
There is also something about dining in a bottle shop and wine bar that feels extra sophisticated, purchasing a bottle at the end of the meal to recreate this corner of Bermondsey at home.
José Pizarro
Chef José Pizarro loves Bermondsey so much that he has three restaurants on one street.
The Tapas Bar was his first restaurant in London and the site that started it all. With a “no booking” policy, diners often fill up every seat in this cosy location to get a taste of the chalkboard-written menu. Think croquetas, jamon, Catalina anchovies, and gazpacho.
The Pizarro Restaurant does larger plates that can be main courses, or for sharing between diners. Cooked in front of you in the open kitchen, you can sip on a Spanish sherry and feast on plates of lamb leg, bean stew, and grilled Galician sirloin.
The latest spot, Lolo, is an all-day dining affair. For breakfast, enjoy classic devilled eggs with salt-cured Cantabrian anchovy, lazy omelettes, and Sobrasada toast, until the all-day menu opens up with more delights.
Casse-Croûte
French dining in a bistro-style setting, the menu at Casse-Croûte is seasonal and changes daily, so you never know what dish you might become enamoured with next.
Expect plates such as assiette de cochon, l’escalope de saumon à l’oseille, or oeufs chimay. There’s no English translation, so it’s a good time to practise that GCSE French.
And if the ile flottante is on the dessert menu, it’s a must-order. Enjoy the decadent floating meringue as if on the streets of Paris.
Andanza
Andanza’s menu of tapas y pintxos transported me to sipping on an orange wine in a Basque-region town of Spain, with my feet still firmly in SE1.
The patatas bravas were perfectly spicy, the tortilla oozed out a rich mix, and the gildas were almost the size of a kebab, piercing the olive, Guindilla chilli, and smoked sardines to make a deliciously salty mouthful or two.
When it comes to the pintxos, or things on bread, I fell in love with the modern take on the Spanish classic. Serving a “fish and chips” pintxos, another with blue cheese, apricot chutney, and tapenade atop bread, but it was the yuzu-brined fried chicken pintxos that was almost the entire reason for Andanza’s addition to this list. I still think about it often.
Lahpet Larder
Shining a light on Bermese cooking, Lahpet opened its third site on Bermondsey Street, with a shopping larder attached to the restaurant where you’ll find dried and pickled imports from Myanmar.
The flavours of Lahpet spotlight regional specialities and staple dishes, but with that hint of refinement from the founders’ London influences.
The ginger salad here bursts with pickled ginger, double-fried beans, and shallot oil, while the kachin beef is perfectly herby and spicy with ribeye, green tomato, Szechuan pepper, and relish. And if in doubt, always add a side of shan pickles.
Editor's note: Spot any incorrect information? Or have an article idea for HeadBox.com? Get in touch at submissions@headbox.com
Stop searching and let the perfect venue find you!
Tell us what you're looking for
We'll share your enquiry with suitable venues
Get messages from venues & match with your favourites