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Best restaurants in Peckham, chosen by olive’s London team

• Helen Salter

Published: August 4, 2026 at 2:44 PM

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From modern European hot spots to hi-fidelity listening bars, these are the restaurants in Peckham worth booking right now – visited and recommended by olive’s London team

Peckham is home to an expanding roster of cool yet respected eateries, mostly located on the bustling Rye Lane. I've lived in south/south-east London for almost 10 years and Peckham is always the neighbourhood I head to for a casual yet exciting meal, either with friends or visiting family members. Hailed for its excellent breadth, you can find anything from quirky Vietnamese snacks to Parisian 'bistronomy' and London-style pizza. There truly is something to suit all tastes.

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For more London food inspiration, check out our guides to the best new restaurants in London, best restaurants in Deptford, best restaurants in Crystal Palace and best restaurants in Brixton.

Our local expert's personal recommendations

"I've lived in south-east London for almost 10 years and buzzy Peckham is always the place I head to for a casual yet exciting meal. Neighbourhood bistro Levan is my go-to spot to impress out-of-towners thanks to its hearty sharing plates and natural wine, while Janda's modern Malaysian menu is simply unforgettable. Lai Rai's quirky Vietnamese snacks makes a fun, laid-back spot to meet with friends for a midweek catch-up." Helen Salter, olive team member

Best places to eat and drink in Peckham

Janda Diner, Rye Lane

Peckham locals are in for a treat thanks to this fabulous, sleek new Malaysian spot on Rye Lane. Perfect for impressing out of towners, Janda serves interesting, playful sharing dishes which veer from tradition but still taste familiarly Malaysian.

Start with the beautifully presented roti jala sage, a type of crisp roti served atop a pool of mildly spiced dhal. Then move on to our highlight, the deliriously indulgent milk fried chicken, soft, plump and sat in a thick sauce made with oyster sauce, condensed milk, butter, white pepper, garlic and curry leaves. This single dish is worth a trip to Peckham alone.

Next came a terung sambal, grilled aubergine pepped in spicy sambal, crowned with a tangle of spiced fried okra for crunch. A small jackfruit salad with kohlrabi, apple, carrots, onions, tamarind, chillies and limes brought a refreshing antidote to the fierier larger dishes.

Wrap things up with a cooling, fabulous looking pandan crème brulee, or step out of your comfort zone with pulut hitam durian, a sweet black sticky rice porridge with creamy coconut milk and fresh durian fruit.

The three-strong list of mocktails (which you can pep with tequila, Malibu or vodka) is likewise wonderfully inventive: the cili padi, mixed with cucumber, tamarind, green apple and chilli powder, is a winning balance of freshness and spice. jandadiner.com

Lai Rai, Rye Lane

Meet friends for fuss-free snacks and cold beers at this dinky new-school Vietnamese on Rye Lane. With the name Lai Rai meaning ‘little by little’, the space is a homage to Vietnamese canteens, with a buttery colour palette, neon lighting and slick red stools. By day it serves bánh mì and Vietnamese coffee, by evening the menu mutates into playful twists on familiar Vietnamese flavours – you won't find any bowls of pho here.

Small plates include crunchy prawn lollies on sugarcane stalks and a light, multicoloured papaya jellyfish salad with lumps of pineapple, charred tomatoes, fresh Viet herbs and peanuts, wiped clean with charred bánh mì chunks. Larger dishes include a twice-cooked chicken leg atop a herby dressing and grilled betel leaf beef, swimming in a smoky pool of house-made coffee barbecue jus.

Vietnamese-inspired cocktails include the Xoài Kick, a bracing mix of tequila, mango, red chillies and fruit salt, and a Viet coffee-laced vodka martini.

Finish with a scoop of freshly churned ice cream made by small south London manufacturer Clingy Wrap, with funky flavours including fish sauce vanilla caramel and kumquat cucumber sorbet. If you're looking for something altogether unexpected, you’ll find it here. lairai.london

Levan, Blenheim Grove

This Peckham mainstay has undertaken a few refreshes as it enters its eighth year, with ex-Planque and The Clove Club chef Rani Raimondi in the kitchen. His appointment is accompanied by a thoughtful update of the restaurant’s interior, with big Parisian charm via a rich burgundy palate, softened lighting and carefully curated art.

Inspired by the ‘bistronomy’ movement and a longstanding love affair with French cuisine, Levan’s à la carte menu is split into four sections – snacks, starters, larger mains and sides. Start with a few snacks and starters: tuck into the must-have beef tartare, a rich, tender morsel perched atop a deeply golden Parisienne-style rösti.

The highlight of the starters is the scallop crudo – delicate slices of scallop are balanced by sweet-tart blood orange, accompanied by dabs of crème fraîche and trout roe for a fresh, mildly salty finish. For mains, the pork neck is tender and deeply succulent, crowned with slithers of buttery Cantabrian anchovies and charred sprouts which elevate its savouriness to heavenly new heights.

Finish with the chocolate pudding, uniquely fused with plums, hazelnut praline and sesame ice cream to create a mouthwatering experience.

The carefully curated wine list focuses on low-intervention and biodynamic wines. Dafni white is wonderfully herbaceous with a refreshing citrus finish – a native variety saved from extinction by the Lyrarakis family in Greece. There is also a snappy list of modish aperitifs: the Red Velvet Margarita, mixing mezcal verde with Lillet Rouge, plum brine, almond orgeat, cranberry and rosemary, will be what we order next time. levanlondon.co.uk

Hausu, Station Way

Housed inside a Victorian Grade II listed train station, Hausu makes a cool and cosy date night spot run by head chef Holly Middleton Joseph. Luckily, the backdrop of clattering trains is cleverly masked by a vintage high-fidelity sound system that plays funk and soul.

The menu's modern sharing plates promise bold flavours such as its signature spin on prawn toast, piled high with a mountainous helping of prawn and scallop mousse coated in black sesame seeds and deep fried until crisp. To finish, it’s plated with a fermented chilli ketchup and dusted with dehydrated scallop roe.

The menu changes with the seasons, along with the DJs, so every time you swing by it feels like a new experience. Plus, when you're ready to go home you’re handily already at the station. hausulondon.co.uk

The Flygerians, Bournemouth Close

We sent food writer Toyo Odetunde to check it out. Here are her thoughts: "A beloved casual spot for Nigerian street food flavours, go here for party and household favourites such as gizdodo – a medley of sweet peppers, ripe plantain and savoury diced gizzard that blends sweet and spicy flavours perfectly. Or the agege bread, a brioche-like Lagos bakery classic, here served toasted with garlic butter.

The restaurant is also known for house innovations like the Naija fish and chips, a Nigerian twist on the British classic with cassava fries and a fiery hot sauce. Their beef suya is some of my favourite in London, tender with a little more ginger in the yaji seasoning. You can also find its distinctively comforting and energetic cooking at the House of MOBO in Norwood." theflygerians.com

Slice Circle at The Old Nun's Head, Nunhead Green

Slice Circle at The Old Nun's Head brings serious New York-style pizza energy to Nunhead, courtesy of Angus Whitfield (ex-Dough Hands) and Methun Chelvan (Bad Boy Pizza Society).

Their 14-inch pies deliver the signature NYC crunch – light, super-thin, and satisfyingly crisp. The Nun Pie is a standout, loaded with San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte, soppressata, whipped ricotta, hot honey and pecorino, while inventive specials like the Tamil Pie nod to Methun’s Indian heritage with masala vodka sauce, chilli and garlic sausage, sweet peppers and pickled red onion. The menu is tight, focused and all about maximum flavour.

Juicy crusts are made for dunking into house dips such as Calabrian chilli and lemon, or classic ranch. Finish with a tableside tiramisu, and wash it all down with a well-curated list of craft beers, cask ales, cocktails, wines or alcohol-free options.

Set in the lively surrounds of The Old Nun’s Head, Slice Circle is a top pick for pizza lovers seeking serious craft and a buzzy local atmosphere. theoldnunshead.co.uk

Upstairs at Hausu, Station Way

Hausu takes its vintage hi-fidelity sounds and mid-century aesthetic to its upstairs loft space, a sultry drinking destination and listening bar. As you ascend the stairs you enter the dimly lit space, unfolding into rich chocolate-cherry sheer voile and wool-draped curtains. Speakers have been mounted high in the upstairs corners, broadcasting an eclectic repertoire of jazz and post-punk records on vinyl.

The concise cocktail list builds on the downstairs kitchen's predilection for worldly spins on classics. The salted iberiko tomato martini mixes vodka, dry vermouth and iberiko tomato water to make a fresh, umami-forward sip. Coconut daiquiri, with cachaça, coconut, lime and cardamom, is zippy while striking a balance of fruity-herbaceous. Make sure to order the luxurious buttered rum espresso martini (rum, salted butter, Kahlua, espresso) to round out the evening.

Bar snacks are inspired by head chef Holly’s dedication to Italian influences and local produce, designed for sharing and late-night snacking. Glossy boquerones are dressed in lime leaf oil, plump Wright Brothers scallops are cooked over coals, pepped up with in-house XO sauce and topped with a tangle of sweet, salty seaweed for a crispy finish. Thin, peppered slices of filetto lardato – premium Italian cured pork – were delicately delicious, melting in the mouth with every bite. hausulondon.co.uk

Image credit: Adam Firman

Kokum, East Dulwich Road

This smart neighbourhood restaurant on the East Dulwich/Peckham border serves some of the highest quality Indian cooking this side of the river. It should be no surprise, given the restaurant is the vision of Sanjay Gour (ex-head chef at Gymkhana) and Simeron Lily Patel – co-founders of the Michelin-rated Dastaan and Black Salt Sheen.

Far from Michelin prices, Kokum offers a competitively priced menu that bridges delicate starters with bowls of gravy-laden curries and flaky lachha paratha.

Dahi puri saw dainty layers of potato, chickpea and moong sprout submerged in deceptively fiery layers of tang, sweet and spice. Pickled and charred tandoori roast cauliflower sat in a pool of hot makhani sauce, jewelled with pockets of mint and coriander chutney. The curries that followed accommodate to the neighbourhood clientele, with deep bowls of lamb rogan josh and lemongrass-infused makrut lime prawns. A side of dal makhani – eight-hour slow-cooked black lentils – countered the mains with its dark sultriness.

There’s plenty of choice to drink too – the sharp cocktail list includes an espresso martini spiced with chai liqueur, and a punchy strawberry blush, pepped with tamarind spicy vodka and lengthened with basil tonic.

Desserts include a rich kulfi made with Iranian pistachio and rum-flambéed gulab jamun, tempered with vanilla ice cream. kokumlondon.com

Taquiza, Rye Lane

Mexican-inspired eatery, Taquiza, is a fun, laid-back spot, perfect for dinner with friends. It's an open and buzzy space, situated under a Peckham archway, with a menu of eat-with-your-hands dishes: grilled elote showered in chipotle aïoli, chilli and queso añejo (Mexican cheese), 12-hour beef tacos with salsa roja, onion and coriander, chiles toreados (blistered chilli peppers) and smoked tofu chorizo tacos with xcatik cream (a spicy chilli pepper cream), guacamole and jalapeños. There’s an impressively sized pasilla chocolate mousse for dessert, topped with vanilla cremate and sprinkled with pumpkin seeds and pistachio. Wash it all down with margarita picantes or, if the evening calls for it, a shot of smoky mezcal. instagram.com/taquizaldn/

Peckham Arches, Blenheim Grove

Find this trendy south-east London haunt underneath the railway arches of Peckham Rye station, complete with a botanical garden terrace, two cocktail bars and art gallery. Watch chefs as they sling pizza from a wood-fired oven, laden with toppings such as Italian spicy sausage, mozzarella and Frank’s hot honey or – our favourite – ’nduja with mozzarella, pickled red chilli and red onion, finished with lashings of creamy garlic sauce. Choose from a selection of hot, crunchy morsels on the ‘nibbles’ menu – the mushroom and truffle arancini and the crispy courgette fries are not to be missed. Cocktails are given equal attention, offering refreshing mezcal and tequila numbers like a picante, a grapefruit margarita and a passion fruit mezcalita. Natural wines, ‘regular’ wines, draught and local beers are also available. peckhamarches.com

Maiz, Peckham Rye

Maiz is London's first dedicated 'pozoleria' and the latest addition to London's advancing Mexican food scene.

This relaxed spot is the vision of two Mexican chefs: Dany Vázquez, who previously worked at Eleven Madison Park as well as under José Andrés, and London-based chef Erick, who ran the Los Ilegales food truck in Greenwich.

Maiz has a cantina atmosphere comparable to Mexico City’s buzzy taquerias, where you can spot the chefs loading up tacos while you sip on a Michelada.

Expect a punchy menu offering two authentic Mexican dishes: pozole and street food-style tacos. Deep bowls of red pozole – a traditional Mexican stew made with hominy, pork and a red broth that’s simmered with spices and chillies for hours – offers soothing comfort and offsets the fresh, tongue-tingling tacos which disappear in minutes. Taco highlights include the 24-hour beef birria, served with melted cheese and its own consommé, plus the 12-hour cochinita pibil (pork), sprinkled with pickled red onion and habanero sauce.

The strong cocktail list straddles mezcal and tequila-based creations with classic tipples – make a beeline for the 'Chelada' for a fresh and lighter take on the spicy classic. instagram.com/maizgroup

En Root, Peckham Rye

Brothers Nish and Harsh have come a long way since selling hot sauce at markets in 2016, expanding to a bricks-and-mortar in Clapham and, more recently, a plant-based restaurant in Peckham decked with plants, draped mandala tapestries and decorative cushions.

Sip on the watermelon juice with beetroot, apple, ginger and mint during summer evenings, or ask for the modestly priced cocktail menu, where juices are livened with rum. Nourishing vegan fare lies at the heart of En Root, offering Indian classics and street food nibbles infused with Gujarati spices. Start with sharing bites: puri is filled with beetroot, onions and chickpeas, and submerged in date tamarind masala water, while the plantain chaat – seasoned plantain on a bed of beetroot, onions, chickpeas, ‘spice krispies’ and chutney – is an explosion of sweet crunch.

For mains, saag aloo-filled dosas come with lentil soup and coconut chutney. Or, for optimum health, try the buddha bowl, generously filled with rainbow salad, baba ghanoush, sprouted lentils, curried chickpeas, plantain and avocado. To finish, the mango lassi cheesecake on an oaty coconut base offers a healthier twist on the original – best served with creamy chai. enrootldn.co.uk

Peckham Cellars, Queen's Road

Elegant floor-to-ceiling Crittal windows frame this breezy, laid-back wine bar on Queen's Road in Peckham. Start with a glass of lemony Gusbourne fizz from Kent before delving into a wine list defined by sustainably minded, small-scale producers, with plenty of affordable options by the glass. We try another Kentish stunner – Westwell's Ortega Amphora 2019, fermented in terracotta jars – with fragrant apricot and honey suckle notes, before moving onto summery, cherry-tinged chilled gamay, available on tap at the bar.

A quietly industrious open kitchen, led by chef Henry Freestone – garlanded with a Bib Gourmand in 2020 – amiably sends out plates of unfussy yet deceptively luxurious food. Highlights include springy sourdough with whipped lemon and rosemary butter, porchetta layered with crispy, salty shards of crackling, and filo-wrapped asparagus with a soft-boiled duck egg for dipping. Save space for pudding – a decadent lemon meringue pie sundae is the childhood dessert of dreams. peckhamcellars.co.uk

Frank’s Café, Rye Lane

This is about as trendy and hipster as you get, but in the best possible way. On top of a multi-storey car park in Peckham, there's a pithy list of on-trend drinks, from negronis, margaritas and cucumber gimlets to jug cocktails such as white port and tonic, and fruity rum punch. Snacks include brown sugar hot wings, deep-fried mackerel in a bun, and lamb breast kebab with burnt chilli yogurt. It closes for winter and opens in the spring each year. boldtendencies.com/franks-cafe

Persepolis, Peckham High Street

Pay a visit to Persepolis for a taste of Persia in the heart of Peckham. Beyond the deli’s impressive selection of tins, spices, Persian yogurts and display of shisha pipes, you’ll find a cosy hideout where diners feast on freshly made meze platters and veggie and vegan delights such as eggs scrambled with dates and fragrant spices, and dairy-free knickerbocker glories.

This popular café is a favourite among locals for its no-nonsense, avocado-free breakfasts (think mango and tamarind smoothies and pots of Persian tea with cardamom); however, the £20 tasting menu is the real standout: a colourful carousel of food spanning meze, soup, mains and a dessert platter filled with ice cream, paklava and fruit. foratasteofpersia.co.uk

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Check out more London restaurant guides here:

Best restaurants in Marylebone
Best restaurants in Mayfair
Best restaurants in Fitzrovia
Best restaurants in Brixton
Best restaurants in the City of London
Best restaurants in Notting Hill
Best restaurants in Shoreditch
Best restaurants in Camden
Best restaurants in Covent Garden
Best restaurants in Soho
Best restaurants in London Bridge
Best restaurants in Hackney
Best restaurants in Paddington

Authors

Helen Salter

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