London
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In the summer months, a trip up the all-pink staircase for a Negroni at Frank’s is a must. But as Peckham rooftops go, Forza Wine comes a close second, and is open year-round. The same city views, plus frozen Picantes, plates of cauliflower fritti, burrata and tomato-topped flatbreads. The Custardo – an espresso crowned with crème anglaise – is a sensational pudding choice, served hot or cold. Its little sibling at the National Theatre is a great pre-show spot. 

With its long trestle tables and steel thali plates, this southern Indian restaurant is the antithesis of an old-school curry house serving neon-hued chicken tikka. Recipes are inspired by Kerala and Tamil Nadu, with mango prawn curries, sambars and dosas. If you only eat one thing in Peckham, make it the Keralan paratha from Ganapati – perfect for dipping in the rasam broth.

Probably London’s coolest gallerist, Peckham-based Hannah Barry is part of a young crew keeping the art world on their toes. She’s best known as the founder of Bold Tendencies, the annual art programme synonymous with Frank’s rooftop café, and her eponymous gallery is tucked around the corner from Peckham Rye station. It’s free to enter, with a roster of shows that has been the launchpad for emerging artists such as George Rouy and Shaun McDowell. An art destination for those wanting to keep a finger on the pulse.

Bowls of "Dad's Broth" are served alongside a sour apple mezcal margarita. It's an overwhelmingly good start. To follow the Hausu open kitchen - based below ground level so that you can see all of the magic unfold - serves plates of deep-fried scallop and prawn toast, perfectly charred skewers of cabbage doused in sweet to sour concoction of tahini and molasses, cod cheeks bathed in mojo verde and sprinkled with spring onion and the iconic kohlrabi cake topped with a rich curry sauce and jerusalem artichoke puree. The flavours are top-notch, the wines slurpable and the hi-fidelity sound system in the background is pure perfection. 

The laser lights and hip crowd give this place its name. Jumbi is the Hi-Fi music bar that's bringing the groove to Peckham. With the drinks flowing, and guaranteed good music blaring, dance the night away. If you get peckish grab some plantain crackers or guava glazed chicken. 

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.

Every south London local will have a soft spot for this yellow-fronted Persian deli selling trays of baklava and sour fruit pastes. Owner Sally Butcher discovered a love of Iranian food from her husband Jamshid Gollshan Ebrahimi, and her recipe books line the shelves. There’s also a little vegetarian café (which Sally claims happened by accident) dishing up date-scrambled eggs and Middle Eastern khoresht stews. A hard-working community-minded delight.

This is exactly the sort of restaurant Peckham does well. There’s not really anything to say about the interiors, and ideally you wouldn’t visit the loos – because it turns into the neighbourhood’s in-the-know nightclub, The Carpet Shop, after dark. But arrive before then and join the queue for the tempura aubergine and spicy short rib tacos and you won’t be disappointed. Even better are the sweet corn esquites with chipotle and chilli nuts, alongside buttery bowls of refried beans.  

TOAD Bakery remains a firm favourite in our extensive London bakery guide, if not for the impeccably cool atmosphere then for its cornbread croissant with a polenta crunch and cayenne kick. This Peckham hotspot serves up pastries, savoury bakes and deliciously sweet treats that rival any French boulangerie. Best believe us with one nibble of the mushroom and savory cheesecake. If you do happen to miss the sandwich special, head over to Mondo Sando next door and grab a sweet treat instead from TOAD. The perfect south-east London morning.