While the leafy streets of Dulwich might be better known for their pristine parks and the Dulwich Picture Gallery (Britain’s oldest public art gallery, no less), the area’s food scene has been quietly evolving into something special.
Nestled between the heavy-hitting restaurants of Peckham and the creative energy of Deptford’s dining scene, Dulwich is carving out its own culinary identity. Lordship Lane, in particular, has become a gastronomic thoroughfare, with an enviable concentration of independent restaurants that would make Soho blush.
With three stations (North, East and West Dulwich) serving the area, you’re never more than a short walk from your next memorable meal, whether that’s a Georgian feast with wine from clay vessels, satisfying, sprawling pizza, or modern Indian cooking that’s earning widespread acclaim. With the help of CJ Digital, a leading restaurant marketing agency in London, here’s our pick of the best places to eat in Dulwich.
Kartuli, Lordship Lane
Ideal for discovering the vibrant flavours of Georgian cuisine and wines from the cradle of winemaking…
Behind a striking emerald-green shopfront adorned with hanging baskets and Georgian bunting, Kartuli brings a slice of Tbilisi to East Dulwich. Housed in the historic David Greig building, the dining room marries bentwood chairs and warm wooden surfaces with trailing plants and a spectacular wall of Georgian wines – it’s the kind of place that makes you want to settle in for the long haul.
The menu reads like a love letter to Georgian cuisine. Start with badrijani – tender fried aubergine rolls filled with a ground walnut, garlic and spice paste – or their exemplary pkhali selection, where spinach, beetroot, carrot and beans are transformed through grinding with walnuts and aromatic spices. The legendary khachapuri (cheese-filled breads) come in several regional varieties, but it’s the Acharuli version that draws gasps: a boat-shaped bread filled with molten cheese, topped with an egg and butter that you stir together to create what might be the world’s most indulgent dip.
Main courses showcase Georgia’s mastery of slow cooking – the chakapuli (lamb shank fragrant with tarragon, spring onions and Rkatsiteli white wine) is soul-warming, while their shkmeruli (roasted poussin in garlic cream) shows how elevated ‘simple’ dishes can be. Vegetarians are particularly well-served; the lobio (pinto beans rich with herbs, fresh chillies and spices) is served with fermented vegetables and puts most meat dishes to shame.
The wine list is, quite simply, one of the most exciting in London. Georgia, widely considered the birthplace of wine, is represented in all its amber-hued glory. Start with their ‘First Time Taster’ flight, which includes a qvevri-made amber wine that will change how you think about white wine. Their Saperavi reds are powerful yet elegant, while their standout Shumi Qvevri sparkling wine offers a fascinating Georgian take on traditional method bubbles, made with 70% Chinebuli and 30% Mtsvane grapes.
End with their honey cake (layers of honey-infused sponge filled with caramel cream) or, better yet, the intriguing Pelamushi – a traditional dessert of Kindzmarauli wine and grape juice, served with roasted walnuts. A shot of chacha (Georgian grape brandy) provides the traditional finale.
Price: Starters £11-14, mains £16-24, desserts £9-11
Opening hours: Mon 6pm-10pm, Tue-Sat 12pm-10pm, Sun 12pm-9pm
Book ahead: Yes, especially for dinner and weekends
Website: Kartuli.co.uk
Address: Kartuli, 65 Lordship Ln, London SE22 8EP, United Kingdom
Franklins, Lordship Lane
Ideal for seasonal British cooking that lets the ingredients sing…
A quarter-century into its tenure on Lordship Lane, Franklins remains exactly what you want from a neighbourhood restaurant – unfussy yet special, with a daily-changing menu that reads like a greatest hits of British cooking. As Jay Rayner put it (some 21 years ago, admittedly), it’s “West End style without the hype.”
The farm shop next door may have closed, but its spirit lives on in the restaurant’s devotion to excellent produce. The menu shifts with the seasons and market availability – on any given day you might find clear venison soup with chive pancakes to start, followed by ox heart with chicory and chorizo, or cod with beetroot and tarragon yoghurt. The kitchen shows particular flair with game during season, and their generous Barnsley chops have achieved near-mythical status among locals.
There’s real value to be found in their set lunch menu (£21.95 for two courses, £24.95 for three), while the evening a la carte delivers proper cooking at prices that remain remarkably fair for the quality – starters hover around £9-10, mains £16-27. Even better, they’re celebrating their quarter century this November with a throwback menu offering three courses for £19.99.
The wine list is equally thoughtful and fairly priced, with interesting guest wines by the glass, while the puddings – think quince crumble with custard or chocolate and hazelnut parfait with red wine pear – make lingering essential. Their selection of after-dinner armagnacs and cognacs, including some remarkable aged examples, provides a final flourish.
Price: Starters £9-13, mains £16-27, set lunch menu £21.95/£24.95
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-12am, Sun 12pm-10:30pm
Book ahead: Essential for Sunday lunch, advisable other times
Website: Franklins.co.uk
Address: 157 Lordship Ln, London SE22 8HX, United Kingdom
Evi’s, North Cross Road
Ideal for contemporary Greek cooking that values substance over stereotypes…
There’s not a smashed plate or bouzouki in sight at Evi’s, and that’s exactly the point. This compact North Cross Road spot – from Evi Peroulaki and Conor Mills, who earned their stripes running the much-loved Souvlaki Street stall – delivers Greek food that’s both authentic and excitingly contemporary.
The narrow space, with its navy blue booths and whitewashed walls, offers just enough Hellenic hints without falling into taverna cliché, while the perspex-sheltered garden is a suntrap perfect for long weekend lunches. But it’s the cooking that makes this place special – elegantly rugged dishes that showcase just what happens when you spend years perfecting your craft in London’s street food scene.
Their famous pork souvlaki, made with premium Tamworth collar, shows how elevating ‘simple’ street food can be, while the tzatziki and melitzanosalata (smoky aubergine dip scattered with walnuts and pomegranate) have the vivid freshness you’d expect from something made minutes ago. The courgette fritters are a must-order, arriving as golden-crisp boulders with dill-flecked centers and cooling sumac yoghurt.
The drinks list is as considered as the food – think all-Greek wines and house-made sodas spiked with cucumber and lime. Don’t expect coffee or dessert (a conscious choice given the space), but do expect some of the most exciting Greek cooking in London.
Price: Small plates £6-9, mains £14-18
Opening hours: Tue-Thu 6pm-9:30pm, Fri 12pm-2:30pm & 5:30pm-9:30pm, Sat 12pm-3pm & 5:30pm-9:30pm, Sun 12pm-3pm
Book ahead: Essential – they recently introduced online booking for good reason
Website: Evisrestaurant.com
Address: 18 N Cross Rd, London SE22 9EU, United Kingdom
Yama Momo, Lordship Lane
Ideal for contemporary Japanese cooking with serious sushi credentials…
From the team behind Clapham’s much-loved Tsunami comes this sophisticated spot that’s been quietly serving some of South London’s best Japanese cuisine since opening a decade ago. The dining room strikes a perfect balance between sleek and welcoming, with the sushi counter providing dinner theatre for those lucky enough to grab a seat there.
The menu covers impressive ground without losing focus. Start with yellowtail hamachi with jalapeño and ponzu or their exemplary salt and chilli squid, before moving onto their selection of precisely crafted nigiri and sashimi – the scallop is a particular highlight. Their ‘special’ rolls show real creativity; the soft shell crab version, wrapped in tempura and served with avocado and spring onion, is lightness in batter form, and after the initial satisfying crunch, disappears on the palate.
For those seeking something more substantial, the black cod marinated in sweet miso is worth its £29.50 price tag, while the Scottish Angus rib-eye comes three ways: straight-up teriyaki, ‘dynamite’ style with chilli sauce, or with exotic mushrooms and truffle. Their bao buns – try the pork belly with truffle mayo or Korean fried cauliflower – make perfect drinking food alongside their selection of Japanese beers and sake.
Price: Starters £5-16, mains £18-29, sushi rolls £7.50-18.50
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 5pm-11pm, Fri 5pm-11:30pm, Sat 12pm-11:30pm, Sun 12pm-10:30pm
Book ahead: Yes, especially for dinner Thursday-Saturday
Website: YamaMomo.co.uk
Address: 72 Lordship Ln, London SE22 8HF, United Kingdom
Heritage Dulwich, Rosendale Road
Ideal for sophisticated Indian cooking that honors tradition while embracing modernity…
In a smart suburban parade on Rosendale Road, Heritage – Dulwich’s only Michelin-recognised restaurant – is quietly reinventing Indian fine dining in South London. Chef Dayashankar Sharma, who has led many of London’s finest Indian kitchens over three decades, now cooks alongside his son Anmol, creating dishes that are both reverent to tradition and thrillingly contemporary.
The menu reads like a masterclass in balancing heritage and innovation. Start with old Delhi papdi chaat – wheat crisps topped with sweet potato and pomegranate – or venture into more ambitious territory with the venison badal jaam, where wild venison meets spiced aubergine and tomato. The tandoor section showcases technical precision: Heritage lamb chops are given the royal treatment with black cardamom and raw papaya, while king prawns come alive with Bengali shatkora citrus.
Mains strike a perfect balance between comfort and refinement – the rogani nalli gosht (lamb shank with black cardamom) is pure indulgence, while the Kashmiri lamb shows real respect for regional recipes. Their weekend thali lunch (£19.99) might be the best value fine dining in South London. For the full experience, opt for one of their tasting menus – the 7-course feast (£68) with matched wines (£40) shows particular ambition, moving from rabbit kebab with radish yogurt through to tandoor-grilled pineapple with salted caramel ice cream.
The wine list shows real thought, with interesting pairings like Grüner Veltliner with scallop moilee, while the cocktail menu plays with Indian flavors – try the Rajwara Old Fashioned, where cardamom-infused bourbon meets bay leaf and bitters.
Price: Small plates £8-12, mains £12-23, tasting menus £52/£68
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 5:30pm-10:30pm, Mon 5:30pm-9pm, Sat-Sun lunch 12pm-2:30pm
Book ahead: Yes, especially for weekend dinner
Read: 11 of the best restaurants in Richmond
Website: Heritagedulwich.co.uk
Address: 101 Rosendale Rd, Norwood, London SE21 8EZ, United Kingdom
Spinach, Lordship Lane
Ideal for creative all-day dining with a plant-forward focus…
Behind the charming white-painted frontage of this East Dulwich stalwart, complete with wooden benches and window boxes spilling with herbs, Spinach has been quietly revolutionizing neighborhood dining since 2013. Founded by Melissa Harwood, who you’ll still find between here and their sister site most days, it’s the kind of place that makes you wish all local restaurants could be this good.
The daytime menu sings with creative brunch dishes that work whether you’re virtuous or hungover. Their sweet potato shakshuka – two perfectly poached eggs swimming in a sauce livened up with cheddar, pickled onions and sriracha butter – has achieved cult status, while their brioche French toast with black forest compote offers indulgence done right. The ‘Oooh go on then’ section of add-ons (from £2-£6) lets you customise to your heart’s content.
Come evening, the lights dim and the menu shifts to sophisticated small plates that showcase vegetables without being strictly vegetarian. The burrata topped with roasted pumpkin and pesto (£12) is a standout, while the rump steak with Jerusalem artichoke purée (£12.50) shows they’re equally deft with meat. Their cocktails are well-crafted and fairly priced – the English Garden (£10), with gin, elderflower, cucumber and mint, is summer in a glass.
There’s real thought behind the sustainability here too, from careful menu planning to reduce waste to a commitment to local suppliers – the sourdough comes from nearby Blackbird Bakery, while William Rose provides the meat.
Price: Brunch £8-14, evening small plates £4-13
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 8am-5pm, Thu-Sat 8am-11pm, Sun 8am-5pm
Book ahead: Yes for weekend brunch and Thursday-Saturday dinner
Website: spinach.london
Address: 161 Lordship Ln, London SE22 8HD, United Kingdom
Yard Sale Pizza, Lordship Lane
Ideal for properly good pizza that doesn’t take itself too seriously…
Behind the distinctive orange and blue shopfront, Yard Sale has been quietly revolutionising London’s pizza game for some time now. The Lordship Lane outpost (the operation’s sixth) might be compact, with just a handful of seats, but that’s hardly the point – this is a pizza joint that knows exactly what it’s doing.
Each pizza starts with their signature slow-cooked tomato sauce and carefully sourced fior di latte mozzarella. The ‘TSB’ (tender stem broccoli with parmesan, pine nuts and garlic) has achieved cult status, while the ‘Holy Pepperoni’ – loaded with regular pepperoni, smokey gyula pepperoni and nduja – shows they’re not afraid of excess. For the truly committed, there’s the ‘Unholy Pepperoni’, which doubles down on everything and adds hot honey.
The menu plays with tradition without losing the plot – their vegan options aren’t afterthoughts (try the Texas VBQ with THIS™ plant-based chicken), and there’s a knowing wink in dishes like ‘Guindillas in the Mist’. Pro tip: the 18-inch pizzas are better value than two 12-inch ones, perfect for sharing or ambitious solo dining.
They’ve thought of everything: truffle mayo for crust dipping, the Ribman’s famous Holy F*ck sauce for heat seekers, and even marmite and cheese garlic bread for the brave.
Price: 12-inch pizzas £9.90-15.50, 18-inch pizzas £19-29.50
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 4pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-10:30pm, Sun 12pm-10pm
Book ahead: No bookings, collection and delivery focused
Website: Yardsale.co.uk
Address: 39 Lordship Ln, London SE22 8EW, United Kingdom
No. 5 at Belair House, Gallery Road
Ideal for special occasion dining in a Grade II-listed Georgian mansion…
Behind the grand columns of Dulwich’s most imposing mansion, No. 5 at Belair House delivers a dining experience that matches its setting. The restaurant balances special occasion glamour with neighborhood warmth, serving modern British cuisine across several menus that change with the seasons.
Their brunch game is particularly strong – the breakfast waffle topped with crispy bacon, poached eggs and hollandaise shows their knack for elevated comfort food, while their lamb kofta with yogurt and mint dip proves they can handle more substantial fare. The afternoon tea (£22, or £29 with prosecco) needs pre-ordering but delivers the full works: finger sandwiches, fresh scones and petit fours.
Evening brings more ambition to the plate – think scallop and prawn with butternut squash purée, or herb-crusted corn-fed chicken with garlic and rosemary potatoes. Their Sunday roasts have earned a loyal following, with options including slow-roasted beef ribeye and whole roasted poussin (£17-18), all served with a pleasing array of trimmings and Yorkshire puddings the size of your head.
The cocktail list shows similar attention to detail – try their English Garden (gin, elderflower, cucumber and mint) while taking in those park views. Just remember to book ahead and check they’re not closed for a wedding – it is, after all, primarily an events venue.
Price: Brunch £8-14, mains £15-33, afternoon tea £22/£29
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 12pm-5pm & 6pm-9pm, Sun 12pm-7pm (closed Mon)
Book ahead: Essential, especially for Sunday lunch
Website: Belairhouse.co.uk
Address: 5 Gallery Rd, London SE21 7AB, United Kingdom
Rocca di Papa, Dulwich Village
Ideal for relaxed Italian dining that doesn’t sacrifice authenticity…
Named after a village in the Alban Hills southeast of Rome, this independent trattoria brings a genuine slice of Italian hospitality to Dulwich Village. The bright, airy space offers alfresco seating both out front and in their rear garden – perfect for long summer lunches after a stroll around Dulwich Park or the Picture Gallery.
The menu reads like a greatest hits of Italian cuisine, but done with real care. Pizzas come on dough made with Wildfarmed flour – try the pizza Romana with spinach, pork salsiccia and chillies, or the bianca which swaps tomato sauce for a decadent mix of mozzarella, parmesan, and goat’s cheese with caramelized onions. The pasta, all made in-house under Executive Chef Francesco’s supervision, ranges from comforting classics (the carbonara with guanciale and Clarence Court eggs is textbook) to more ambitious plates like tortelloni filled with lobster and prawns in a sage and caper butter sauce.
For those seeking something more substantial, the branzino puttanesca (grilled seabass with a punchy sauce of capers, anchovies and olives) shows they can handle fish with finesse, while the lamb cutlets with mint sauce prove there’s more to Italian cooking than pasta and pizza. Their wine list focuses entirely on Italian bottles, with helpful pairing suggestions for each dish.
End with their torta della nonna or pecan caramel cheesecake, and don’t skip the digestivi – their grappa selection is impressive.
Price: Pizzas £9-15, pasta £9-16, mains £18-24
Opening hours: Daily 8am-11pm
Book ahead: Yes, especially for weekend dinner
Website: Roccarestaurants.com
Address: 75-79 Dulwich Village, London SE21 7BJ, United Kingdom