The best area of London debate is hard-won, each part of the capital’s compass putting its best foot forward to prove to the others that it’s the superior place to live. But as a through-and-through Southerner, the fact that South London is best is a hill I’ll die on. Again and again.

It may be filled with a melting pot of London stereotypes, but it truly has everything you could need, from bakeries for a morning pastry and spots to while away long afternoons to dinner menus so moreish you’ll be setting up a renters’ alert for Hot New Properties in South as you ask for the bill.

This is what a perfect, single day in South London could look like. Choose your fighter from each category, and you’ll always have a good one.

Morning

Bunhead Bakery

The softest buns filled with the flavours of Palestine and inspired by South London, Bunhead Bakery is like no other. Buns are always veggie/vegan, and specials include the OG cinnamon and the tahini and grape molasses. You can also order bake-at-home Knafeh, and the team has just started serving a daily veggie sando – get them before they’re gone.

Herne Hill, SE24 | bunheadbakery.com

Elsewhere Coffee

A local brew is like music to the ears, and you don’t get more local than coffee roasted in Deptford. You can pop into the roastery for a flat white and watch the team at work. Elsewhere always has interesting coffee, sourced from expert growers, and whatever your coffee order, it comes with tasting and origin notes, so you can learn about these things as you sip. Educated and caffeinated.

Deptford, SE8 | elsewherecoffee.com

Milk

Since brunch is the best meal of the day, it’s important to go somewhere that does it right. Milk’s menu changes seasonally, but there is always a delicious, house-baked cornbread, topped with local preserves, baked eggs, French toast, and Sweet Maria (corn fritters). Plus, all the sauces are made in-house, too. Top your brekkie with Hangover sauce, chorizo oil mayo, or burnt butter hollandaise.

Balham, SW12 | milk.london

Afternoon

The Half Moon

Right by the river, Putney pub The Half Moon gives traditional pub vibes – with fish and chips on the menu, red leather bar stools, and a great garden – but minus the sticky floor of old geezer boozers. It also has a banging live music line-up, and was even home to Kate Bush’s first public show. Come for the beers, stay for the tunes.

Putney, SW15 | halfmoon.co.uk

The Selkirk

If you’re one day in South London falls on a Sunday in winter (or summer, no judgement on the months you consider gravy to be appropriate on a plate), then Tooting’s The Selkirk is where to go for a roast dinner. The pub feels like a home away from home, especially with the way it piles the roasties. Scoff a crumble for dessert and you’ll be rolling out of there.

Tooting, SW17 | theselkirksw17.com

Pear Tree Cafe

It’s basic, it’s boozy, and it's brilliant. Battersea’s Pear Tree Cafe sits right in the centre of the park, and it’s where Whispering Angel drinkers unite and lads wear signet rings. Head down early and secure your seats for an afternoon of matchmaking and live music. Because it’s actually a necessity to hear an acoustic version of Natasha Bedingfield’s ‘Unwritten’ in the sun every weekend.

Battersea, SW11 | peartreecafe.co.uk

Evening

Mr Bao

On a corner by Peckham Rye, you’ll find Mr Bao’s home. With a kitchen that slings out Taiwanese delights, it’s a standout of South London’s dining scene. You always need to order corn ribs, fried chicken, and whatever bao they have as a special that day. You’ll also find Daddy Bao on the other side of South, in Tooting, doing more of the same, with Good Measure, a bar inspired by the scene in Taipei, in the basement.

Peckham, SE15 | mrbao.co.uk

Mauby

The naturally gluten-free menu of Brockley’s Mauby is served as home-style small plates and features tastiness such as tempura courgette, orange and rosemary chicken wings, and fried cassava chips. Dine comfortably and dive into some great dishes here. And don’t skip on the Mauby cocktails, all costing a tenner and all with a twist.

Brockley, SE4 | maubybrockley.com

Drop Dulwich

With an extensive wine library of over 300 bottles, Drop Dulwich is heavy on the vino and lighter on the dinner. But you can enjoy plates of cheese, salami, empanadas, olives, anchovies, and fancy crisps by night. The by-the-glass and carafe wine menu changes weekly, allowing you to try something new without committing to a bottle. Fortified, fizzy, or sweet, there’s something for all tastes.

East Dulwich, SE22 | dropdulwich.co.uk

Late nights

Jumbi

Celebrating the sounds and flavours of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora, Jumbi is a hi-fi music bar and restaurant in the heart of Peckham with a giant disco ball on the dancefloor for you to feel the magic under. Jumbi makes its rum punches in huge batches, try one, then another, and before you know it, you’ll be asking to DJ on the vinyl-only decks and holding up the photobooth queue taking solo shots.

Peckham, SE15 | jumbipeckham.com

Queen of the South

It couldn’t be a South London round-up without la reina (related to Peckham’s Prince, too); Queen of the South in Tulse Hill has a secret basement where the party goes on ‘til the early hours. But pace yourself, you’re going to want to be there early enough to enjoy some dishes by kitchen residents, Original Flava, first.

Tulse Hill, SE27 | queenofthesouthpub.co.uk

Little Orange Door

London’s Little Door group knows how to throw a party that feels like a house party. While I’m still petitioning for a summer of hiding drinks in cupboards and pretend DJs, for now, Little Orange Door in Clapham is a good enough replacement. It has a happy hour until 8 pm on a Friday night that includes a Picante, so you don’t need me on Find My Friends to know where I’ll be. Get in the bathtub outside the toilets to recreate that Skins moment.

Clapham, SW4 | thelittleorangedoor.co.uk

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