Where To Eat In Herne Hill, According To A Local

With its village-like charm, famous lido and coveted location beside Brockwell Park, Herne Hill is fast-becoming one of the city’s buzziest South-East neighbourhoods. Sandwiched between Brixton, Dulwich and Camberwell, this pocket of London may be small, but it’s got a lot to offer – particularly for foodies. The area is filled with independent cafes, gourmet food stores and cosy pubs, as well as hosting a weekly Sunday market which draws in visitors from all over the capital. Here C&TH’s Ellie Smith, who lives in the area, shares her pick of the best places to eat and drink in Herne Hill.

A Foodie’s Guide To Herne Hill: Best Restaurants, Pubs & Bakeries

For Pizza: Bird House Brewery

Tucked away under the arches of Herne Hill you’ll find Bird House Brewery, a surprisingly large taproom and event space. It serves freshly brewed beers, but that’s not all: you can also order sourdough pizzas and other Italian nibbles. Head there on a Wednesday to make the most of the £4 pint deal, or visit on a weekend for more of a party vibe with live DJs.

Arch 1127, Bath Factory Estate, 41 Norwood Rd, London SE24 9AJ, birdhousebrewing.com

For Wine & Small Plates: Lulu’s

Eagle-eyed residents may have spotted this oh-so-trendy deli in the 2024 film We Live In Time, starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. Perched beside its sister restaurant, the more formal (and pricey) Llewelyn’s, Lulu’s offers coffee, pastries, salads and sandwiches during the day, before transforming into a cosy bar for the evening – with both indoor and outdoor seating available. Enjoy a glass of wine alongside seasonal plates, like stracciatella with beetroot and hazelnut, and cured sea bass with cucumber.

291 Railton Rd, London SE24 0JP, lulus.london

 

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For Ice Cream: Minus 12˚ Craft Ice Cream

Serving up some of London’s finest gelato is Minus 12˚, the ice cream parlour perched within the walls of Herne Hill station. The kiosk may be small, but it certainly delivers on quality, with a rotating selection of flavours to choose from each day, including seasonal specials. Look out for long-time favourites like Birthday Cake, plus the Pistachio Kataifi, inspired by the viral Dubai chocolate. Minus 12˚ also has a sister site just down the road, Koala Coffee, where you can get scoops as well as larger pots to take home. Prepare to queue on sunny days – but I promise, it will be worth it.

Railway Station, Booking Hall Herne Hill, London SE24 0JW, minus12.co.uk

For Special Occasions: Llewelyn’s

If you’re marking a special occasion and you live in Herne Hill, there’s a high probability you’ve booked a table at Llewelyn’s. This Michelin Guide-listed restaurant is known for its refined Mediterranean menu and pretty interiors, with a handful of al fresco tables dotted around the pavement outside. Begin with the house cocktail (a sour cherry margarita right now) and some potato bread ahead of a selection of seasonal small plates, like tuna tartare with cucumber and melon, baked gnocchi with smoked mozzarella, and gurnard with prawns and scallops. Pair with wines from the carefully curated menu, which includes organic and natural varieties – the perfect spot for date night.

293-295 Railton Rd, London SE24 0JP, llewelyns-restaurant.co.uk

For Brunch: Archie’s

Another neighbourhood favourite, Latin American restaurant Archie’s is located just moments away from the station, open from brunch through to dinner. For the former, there are hearty dishes like breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, and steak and eggs, alongside coffees and juices. Alternatively, visit for dinner and try the new weekend asado offering, a twist on the classic roast featuring a generous selection of grilled meats and sides like chips, and fried corn ribs. Nab a table outside to soak up the buzz of the area and enjoy views of the park.

319 Railton Rd, London SE24 0JN, archieshernehill.co.uk

For Street Food: Herne Hill Market

On Sundays, the streets of Herne Hill come alive for the market, which features stalls selling food, vintage clothes, ceramics, art and more. There’s an abundance of great produce on offer, including fresh fish, fruit and vegetables, olives, jams and cheeses, as well as plenty of street food stalls to choose from. My number one pick is Flippin’ Nel, which dishes out filled flatbreads like the Marrakesh Express, made with Merguez sausage, honey walnuts and mint yoghurt. Elsewhere you’ll find tartiflette, gyozas, roti, noodles and salad bowls.

Every Sunday from 10am – 4pm, Railton Rd, London SE24 0JN

 

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For Pastries: Bunhead Bakery

This organic, Palestinian bakery was founded by self-taught baker Sara Assad-Manning during lockdown, opening its first bricks-and-mortar location in 2024. As the name suggests, it’s all about irresistible sticky buns, made with Palestinian flavours. Think date and pistachio, baklava, and blood orange and cardamom, as well as the classic cinnamon bun. Get there early on weekends – this is another one that pulls in big queues.

145 Dulwich Rd, London SE24 0NG, bunheadbakery.com