We love Brixton, forever evolving and shapeshifting, but always proud and staying true to its roots. The vibe is boisterous and welcoming from morning to night, and the options for amazing food are growing more plentiful as each day passes. Brixton Village, the indoor market just a short walk from the station, is the focal point of a good portion of the culinary endevaours here, and crowds flock every night of the week to experience the buzz and bites.
We’ve undertaken the enviable task of eating hundreds of meals here, and have whittled it down to just 9 of our favourites. So here it is, our 9 of the best Brixton Village restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Chishuru
One of the most exciting London restaurant launches of recent years, Chishuru was opened in August 2020 by Nigerian-born chef Adejoké ‘Joké’ Bakare, which was a bold, ambitious move considering that global events saw so many restaurants closing earlier in the year.
You could use ‘bold’ and ‘ambitious’ to describe the food, too; West African dishes are given a contemporary spin with lip service still paid to traditional techniques. The results are bloody marvellous, with high levels of spice, piquancy, fermented notes and brilliant rice cookery defining our last visit. The ayamase stew of goat is a must order; it’s smoky, herbaceous and pleasingly bitter, all whilst managing to be both rich and light. Just superb.
The food here is more than a match for any of Central London’s recent ‘contemporary West African’ openings, yet a fraction of the price. The lunch menu, where you can get 3 courses for £27, is an absolute steal.
Website: chishuru.com
Sarap Filipino Kitchen
Let’s just put this out there; the best dish found under the whole of Brixton Market’s two covered spaces is here, at Sarap. The dish in question? Lechon, the crispy, fatty roast pork beloved of the Philippines and, let’s face it, once they’ve tried it, the world.
Here, the dish isn’t ‘elevated’ or ‘refined’ or any other unnecessary adjective that’s often applied to a classic. Rather, Sarap’s Lechon is simply cooked to perfection by chef Ferdinand ‘Budgie’ Montoya. Texturally, it’s a masterpiece, and at £12.50 for a plate along with rice and atchara, the famous Filipino papaya pickle, it’s also a steal for a seriously nourishing lunch.
Website: saraplondon.com
Salon
On trend, in season and en vogue, Salon ticks all the boxes for a modern British operation. There’s a no-frills, no choice set menu, which starts with an awesome sourdough and some butter just on the right side of leftfield. Curt written descriptions don’t give much away, but the staff are cool and courteous, and the food downright delicious. If your pockets aren’t quite deep enough for modern British mainstays Clove Club or Lyles, this is cooking of a similar bent, but a little more affordable. The current set menu will set you back £49.
Website: salonbrixton.co.uk
Senzala
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This groovy, vibrant creperie is just the spot to dust off a hangover (or to embark on a new one). The crepe choice is extensive and the buckwheat versions divine. Their spicier offerings – such as a crepe of chorizo, avocado and refried beans, served with their made in-house, vicious, wonderful hot chilli sauce – are the ace in their suit. The coffee is excellent and the service efficient and kind. It’s a really wonderful place to have brunch, as the lengthy queues snaking around the indoor market will testify to.
Website: senzalacreperie.co.uk
Agile Rabbit
Although the village houses a more well-known pizza joint, Agile Rabbit is our choice if you’re looking for the Italian classic in cosy, lively surrounds. You can buy pizza by the slice here, and damn it’s good. Combine that with a rowdy, ramshackle atmosphere played out to live music most nights and you’ve found a real winner.
Website: theagilerabbit.net
Mamalan
Beijing street food is served here – super comforting, super nourishing and super delicious. The menu is refreshingly short – pleasing, as it’s difficult to choose when every dish reads, looks and smells so enticing. Particularly good is the beef noodle soup, rich in umami and star anise, and the dumplings. Just don’t wear your best shirt – with all the slurping and lustful devouring, things can get messy!
Website: mamalan.co.uk
Fish, Wings & Tings
No list would be complete without some glorious Caribbean cuisine, and there’s plenty to be found in Brixton. Fish, Wings & Tings is one of many great Jamaican joints in the area, and gets rammed with happy punters through the week consistently. Classics like jerk chicken, curried mutton and saltfish and ackee fritters are done brilliantly here, and the roti is perfectly suited to that necessary final clean of the bowl.
Website: fishwingsandtings.com
Honest Burger
Sure, you can find Honest Burger dotted all around London now, but its inaugural home is here in Brixton Market. This is where the magic all began, and the popularity is enduring. Crowds still flock here – you’ll find punters spilling out onto communal seating outside – and standards haven’t slipped. It’s a must visit, even if just for the sensational rosemary fries.
Website: honestburgers.co.uk
Nanban
Hey, it’s not exactly in the village (it sits on the outskirts), but still. Nanban is so damn fine, we had to shoehorn it into this list somehow. Read about just how much we love this Japanese soulfood joint here.
Website: nanban.co.uk
