The best restaurants in South London

Paladar combines a restaurant, wine shop, and art space under one welcoming roof, complete with a hidden garden that feels miles away from the city. Proudly queer-led, fully gluten-free, dog-friendly, and accessibility-conscious, it has an easy, neighbourhood warmth, with Latin rhythms running through everything it does. The menu at the lively South London restaurant roams from zesty ceviche and arepas to comforting vegetarian plates, matched with a curated selection of wines and spirits.

At contemporary Italian restaurant Baccalà, South London stretches all the way to the Mediterranean. The local gem offers a welcome alternative to the hustle and bustle of Borough Market, providing a welcoming retreat for enjoying fresh seafood and seasonal ingredients, complemented by a meticulously kept wine list showcasing sustainable vineyards from the various regions of Italy. For a particularly memorable experience, book one of Baccalà's olive oil tastings.

Raaz brings polished Indian dining to South London, helmed by chef Imran Mansuri, whose career spans some of London's most respected kitchens, including Benares, Tamarind of Mayfair, Jamavar, and Kolamba. His solo debut opened in 2025, showcasing Mansuri's culinary philosophy of reworking regional Indian flavours through modern techniques. It's a stylish spot as well, thanks to details like floral accents, dark wood interiors, and a curated soundtrack.

The pair of Trinco restaurants in South London – Dulwich and Sutton, to be exact – are easy-going, all-day hangouts, part café, part Sri Lankan eatery, and part listening bar. By day, head here to sip coffee and enjoy light, largely plant-based dishes rooted in home-style Sri Lankan cooking. In the evenings, Trinco Nights bring heartier food, DJs, and events like wine tastings, turning these modern venues into sociable hotspots.

Founded by talented young chef and The Clink ambassador NattyCanCook, 2210 is a tribute to his deceased grandmother, who had instilled a passion for cooking in him. His solo venture channels that emotional legacy into a refined take on Caribbean food, elevating it through a fine-dining lens and the use of classical French technique. The space is modern and bright, with art Deco influences and a smart casual dress code.

Llewelyn's is an intimate neighbourhood bistro with a low-key romantic feel and a focus on elegant European cooking. Its regularly changing menu lines up with the seasons, offering refined plates such as pork loin embellished with parsnip, pine nut, and spinach, or delicate fish dishes rooted in French technique. The interiors are simple yet stylish, there's outdoor seating for sunny days, and a thoughtfully compiled wine list wraps everything up nicely.

The South London branch of Padella is the original, the one that shifted London's obsession with fresh pasta into higher gear. It's a compact venue whose reputation far exceeds its capacity, so queueing for a table is a given, especially as they don't take bookings. It's worth the wait, however, serving up plates of handmade pasta covered in rich sauces, and at affordable prices to boot.

Not even a year had passed since it first opened when South London restaurant Oma already received a Michelin star, becoming the first Greek restaurant in the UK to do so in the process. Full of bright, Mediterranean flavours, the menu features superbly executed dishes like masabacha-style hummus, harissa-charred prawns, and lamb belly skewers, with a 400-bin wine cellar on backup duty. For a more casual experience from the same team, head downstairs to the bustling Agora for smoky Athenian street food.

The impressively styled Joia is the first London venture from Michelin-starred Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, boasting fab views of the iconic Battersea Power Station from its 14th and 15th-floor perch. Utilising authentic Iberian ingredients and carefully sourced British produce, the chef draws on his culinary heritage to offer dishes such as rice with wild mushroom, black truffle, and Azores island cheese, or braised Iberian pork cheeks. At the bar, the emphasis is on signature cocktails and Iberian wines.

Gourmets flock to Trivet for a gastronomical experience rooted in Britain, but spanning the globe in its affectations and inspirations. Helmed by a team who trained under Heston Blumenthal, the Michelin-starred South London restaurant offers dishes such as chicken with a vinegar sauce or tandoori monkfish – comfortingly familiar, yet taken to new heights through their masterful execution. With more than 450 bottles of wine in the cellar, the perfect pairing isn't far away either.

The Baos, Mr and Daddy, laid the foundations of what is now a multiple-restaurant-spanning group behind some of London's buzziest openings. It all started in South London, however, with Mr Bao serving Taiwanese steamed buns with various fillings and Daddy Bao taking the concept and flying with it. They remain a firm local favourite and some of the most popular spots for small plates, cocktails, and good company.

Another of South London's two-Michelin-starred destinations, Restaurant Story is where chef Tom Sellers takes diners on a journey documenting tracing the evolution of British cuisine. As the name indicates, there's a strong narrative-driven approach to the tasting menu here, with signature dishes such as the melting beef-dripping Candle matched by an inventive drinks menu. The space was renovated in 2023 and now encompasses a terrace, lounge, private dining, and an immersive chef's table.

Darby's by chef Robin Gill has a classic, picture-perfect New York brasserie feel – oyster bar, open grill, sunny terrace, the works. The kitchen turns out generous portion of globally influenced dishes from brunch through to dinner, while deals such as oyster happy hours and regular live music add to the atmosphere. There's an in-house bakery for speciality coffee and fresh pastries, too.

British–Sri Lankan chef Cynthia Shanmugalingam found a home for her debut solo restaurant in South London, spread across two levels of a space filled with pieces by independent Sri Lankan artists. The menu is shaped by the chef's deep dive into Sri Lankan cooking traditions and open-fire techniques, changing regularly and featuring everything from street snacks to seasonal, home-style curries. The restaurant has been receiving consistent praise since launching in 2023.

Plaza Khao Gaeng shines a spotlight on coast-to-jungle Thai cooking, with Southern Thai flavours taking centre stage. Known for delivering standout food at approachable prices, the original Tottenham Court Road site was awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide in 2023, and this is its South London sibling. The undisputed menu highlight are the rich, robust curries made with freshly pressed coconut milk and fragrant pastes, but there's plenty more to discover here.

Lai Rai shifts from a daytime Vietnamese café to a trendy South London restaurant and cocktail bar after dark. Mornings are about traditional Vietnamese coffee and bánh mì sandwiches in crispy baguettes, while evenings bring modern plates like twice-cooked crispy chicken or fried prawns with young green rice, paired with creative concoctions from the bar, for example a Vietnamese twist on an espresso martini.

Artusi is a refined yet welcoming Italian restaurant that has been a fixture of South London since opening in 2014. Infused with the spirit of a neighbourhood trattoria, it combines classic, seasonal cooking with a clean, understated interior and the regularly changing menus chalked up on blackboards. A large communal table facing the open kitchen offers a convenient place for groups to gather and chat, though more intimate seating is available as well.

This independent pub and restaurant in South London has won awards for its Sunday roast in particular, but it continues to live up to its reputation in all aspects. Having adopted a relaxed, family-style approach, it's all about spending quality time with your loved ones, without feeling rushed along. Hearty, British dishes such as whole roast chickens, rich beef and bone marrow pies, and slow-roasted lamb shoulder are the stars of the show.

The Dysart Petersham is a family-run, Michelin-starred establishment in Richmond. Housed in a beautiful Arts & Crafts building, it welcomes diners with fireplaces, contemporary art, and a leafy garden. Since earning its star in 2019, the restaurant has focused on seasonal European cooking, served through tasting menus and lighter set options that highlight natural ingredients, eye-catching plating, and deep flavours.

A pescatarian's dream, Applebee's is a family-run venture that emphasises a no-fuss, sustainability-led approach to seafood. Operating as both restaurant and fishmonger at Borough Market, access to the freshest ingredients is guaranteed, with fish cooked and served within 48 hours of landing. Accordingly, the menu is shaped by the day's catch, with cocktails and wines by the glass rounding out the meal.