If there’s one thing to know about Peckham’s food scene, it’s that it’s painstakingly, meticulously and inherently independent. The district left the glossy food chains to the likes of Mayfair, Soho and Knightsbridge decades ago, and instead welcomed smaller, arguably more creative, foodies to its corner of south east London. The result? An array of delectable and utterly unique eateries lining Queens Road and beyond. From South African-inspired cuisine to some of the finest pasta in the capital, here are the best restaurants in Peckham to book when you’re in the mood for a good ol’ feast. 

Kudu, Little Kudu and Kudu Grill

Kudu Grill

Little Kudu

Husband and wife duo Amy Corbin and Patrick Williams are at the helm of three South  African-inspired restaurants in Peckham: Little Kudu, Kudu Grill and, of course, Kudu. The collection sits close together on Queens Road and is undoubtedly the most popular trio in the district, celebrating a largely undiscovered cuisine with a selection of small plates, cocktails and larger sharing dishes. Head to Kudu Grill – housed within a former pub just off Peckham Rye – for a taste of authentic open fire braai cooking, resulting in delectable plates of pork chop in monkey gland sauce, monkfish in Cape Malay curry, and dry-aged sirloin with beer pickle onion and treacle bordelaise. 

Elsewhere, flagship restaurant Kudu showcases flavours from the homeland via small and medium plates of African carrot with ras el hanout and goat’s curd, harissa squid, and grilled duck magret with wild mushrooms and beetroot. Finally, for a more laidback vibe, head to Little Kudu. Serving tapas and wine under Peckham’s railway arches, the space caters for a relaxed date night or catch up with friends while enjoying smoked peri peri mussels, braaibroodjie (South African grilled cheese sandwich) with smoked tomato chutney, and a ham hock terrine with biltong scratchings. It’s fair to say you’re truly spoiled for choice with Kudu. 

Visit kuducollective.com

Levan

Images: Nic Crilly Hargreaves

Just moments from Peckham Rye station, you’ll stumble across a modern European bistro and wine bar called Levan. Having launched in 2018, it soon became a mainstay on Peckham’s food scene, famous for its comté fries doused in saffron aioli. While the fries remained, the rest of the menu has evolved into an inventive seasonal selection, allowing Peckham locals to feast on French-inspired dishes such as tripe, spring onion and cheddar, chalk stream trout crudo, and steak or moules frites. 

Levan’s next chapter arrived in November 2023, when the restaurant integrated a 34-seater wine bar next door to offer a more dynamic and playful menu, focusing on organic and biodynamic wines, alongside a selection of older vintages and unique “one-offs” by the glass. You’ll also find a focused aperitif list, specialist mezcal selection, and bar snacks created by the Levan kitchen team – it would be rude not to sample the rillettes, charcuterie, cheese, mussels on crisps and the signature croque monsieur… 

12-16 Blenheim Grove, SE15 4QL, visit levanlondon.co.uk

Omni

The passion project of chef George Matheou and restaurateur Jess McGill, Omni is an innovative plant-based restaurant showcasing seasonal produce from local suppliers alongside natural wines. It’s famous for its mean but limited vegan Sunday roast (be quick, it sells out fast) but the £40, 11-course tasting menu is not only incredible value for money, but also a real treat – think grezzina courgette fritti with tarragon ponzu, tortellini in brodo, Jerusalem artichoke and miso, and barbecue mushroom tacos with rhubarb salsa macha and burnt onion skin crema. Allow the staff to point you in the direction of a perfectly paired wine (they spotlight three unique bottles each week) and if you’re after light bites, Omni’s small plates menu starts at 5pm and serves delightful morsels of celeriac okonomiyaki, homemade focaccia and plenty of pickles. 

24A Peckham Rye, SE15 4JR, visit theomnicollective.com

Artusi

Artusi is one of Peckham’s best-kept secrets. Away from the chains in Soho and Mayfair, it’s on Bellenden Road that you’ll find some of the best Italian food in the capital. Effortlessly cool, Artusi’s dining set-up is extremely simple: wooden chairs and leather banquettes showered in light from the floor-to-ceiling shop-front windows and a small but mighty kitchen serving top-notch homemade pasta, inventive large plates and mouth watering sweet treats. Highlights include ravioli di erbette – fresh pasta stuffed with wild greens, ricotta, sage butter and parmesan – cod in butterbeans and lemon aioli, and caramelised white chocolate ice cream. Delicious. 

161 Bellenden Road, SE15 4DH, visit artusi.co.uk

Peckham Cellars

If you manage to nab a table here, let us know. Now one of the most popular joints in the area – it’s Michelin Bib Gourmand-winning after all – Peckham Cellars is simple but extremely effective. Founded in 2019 by three old friends, the bill of fare here is strictly small plates from Spanish native Pablo Urain Alfonso and an “eclectic yet considered” European wine list. We’d recommend plenty of wild garlic croquetas, smoked mackerel, brown crab and pink fir potato salad, and chicken wings in gochujang sauce. When it comes to wine, leave recommendations in the hands of the Peckham Cellars team and you won’t be disappointed. 

125 Queens Road, SE15 2ND, visit peckhamcellars.co.uk

Read more: Stanley Tucci – The Great Entertainer