Fancy a cheeky glass? Lulu's is a deli by day, selling delicious sandwiches and produce, and a lovely wine bar with bottles from around the world by night.

Cosied up next to one another by Herne Hill station (just west of Peckham) is another adored south London couple. First there was Llewelyn’s, which remained a secret for years, dishing up seasonal plates of bright asparagus and chopped egg followed by braised rabbit with butter beans. But word spread, and with it came Lulu’s in 2022, serving coffee, pastries and stellar sandwiches. In the evening diners pile in for supper next to the deli shelves.

This is a stock-drop type of place, meaning that if you're hankering for the full assortment of baked goods and sweet treats you have to commute to Maya's Bakehouse early. Serving everything from miso and sesame cookies, a nutmeg and custard swirl to the most moorish brioches filled with paprika spice, wild garlic butter, mozzarella and plenty of cheddar. Though there's no seating inside, grab your goods and tootle over the road to Brockwell Park to munch and, if you're feeling adventurous, have a dip in the Brockwell Lido. 

Find this taverna-style restaurant on a residential road east of Rye Lane. Albanian owner John Gionleka cooks padrón peppers, harissa chicken thighs and pork skewers on the charcoal grill. And while the service can be hit and miss, the flavours are worth it. The place is particularly lovely on a balmy evening if you can nab a table on the deck outside. There’s a reason the feta-stuffed courgette fritters don’t leave the menu: order a portion each.