In a converted warehouse at the end of Columbia Road is a neighbourhood restaurant with a reputation that’s reached city-wide. Run by a husband- and-wife duo, it’s completely unflashy but serious about ingredient-led cooking that complements its largely natural wine list: fresh crudo, charcuterie from Coombeshead Farm in Cornwall and rabbit legs with peas and wild garlic. A little further afield, sibling restaurant Sargasso, on the wall of Margate’s harbour arm, is worth a day trip from London.

Compania is a dim-lit rustic Italian restaurant. A cosy wooden nook for pasta night, red wine and tiramisu. Enjoy the view of their open kitchen as you immerse your senses in their rotation of classic Italian dishes and before you leave, take some focaccias for the upcoming week. 

You don’t need to hunt hard to find a 90/00’s gem when at West Archive. Almost painstakingly cool, to say it’s a treasure trove is an understatement. 

Tapas, but make them global. Morito does a wonderful job of crafting a thoughtful menu of small plates with origins from Spain to North Africa.