Five reasons why Brixton Village should become YOUR eating destination

News at Eden Harper | 15/10/2013


If you’re a Londoner, love good food and are always out and about looking for exciting new dishes and ingredients to savour, you’ll probably have already experienced the delights of Brixton Village Market (formally known as The Granville Arcade) and its vibrant array of restaurants.

Located in the sprawling Brixton Market, a stone’s throw from the tube station, the market’s made up of many parts, such as arcades, shops and street markets. Brixton Village Market’s the place to go for food around the world, from Caribbean to Asian, to African to South American. There are also lots of traditional Brixton fishmongers, fruit and veg traders and specialist stores, as well as fabulous restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops and cafes.

So here’s a guide to the best of Brixton Village Market and WHY it should become YOUR eating destination of choice:

Federation Coffee

Run by two New Zealanders in the corner of Brixton Market, this poky coffee house boasts of: “the finest coffee this side of Thames.” The house blend is a high roast that does well in a cappuccino or flat white. There’s also a delicious range of cakes and pastries to choose from and it’s a great place to work on your computer and watch the world go by. But be warned: it’s a popular place and is not exactly, ahem, spacious. The homemade brownies however make it well worth the wait if you do arrive to find there are no seats available...

Elephant

If you’re keen on sampling Pakistani food, why not check out this tiny cafe, which offers home-made curries, samosas, daal and thalis. The owner Imran Bashir, who set up the cafe two years ago, puts a lot of effort into his cooking and follows his mother’s secret recipes from his minuscule kitchen.  Worth a try!

Honest Burgers

This popular burger joint is often rammed - but don’t be put off. Simply ask the friendly staff to text you when a space is free and pop off to grab a coffee/aperitif while you’re waiting! The great thing about this place is its simplicity – straight-forward burger choices such as plain, cheese and ‘honest’ (bacon and cheese), with delicious signature chips too of course! Honest Burgers are in the game of civilising the fast food market and they’re doing a great job. To accompany the nosh – make sure you check out the wine list – fantastic ale from Redchurch brewery in Bethnal Green and local speciality Ossie’s ginger beer.

Franco Manca

Writing about Brixton Market simply wouldn’t be right without mentioning Franco Manca. If you’re a pizza fan don’t miss dining at what’s often referred to the best pizza joint in London. Choose from a variety of pizzas such as a Neapolitan-style, a tasty chorizo as well as a range of seasonal vegetables and meat pizzas. However, this little pizzeria’s been attracting massive crowds almost from the moment it first whacked its sourdough in its woodfire ovens five years ago so be prepared to queue!

Fish Wings and Tings

A tiny little Caribbean cafe, hidden away on the edge of the Village, Fish Wings and Tings has an authentic, grounded feel as well as a delicious homemade menu. Unsurprisingly there’s the expected reggae tunes vibrating quietly in the background, with the prize offerings being Jerk Chicken with rice, Cod Fish Fritters, Curry Goat and King’s Prawns. Prices aren’t scary either with a filling meal and drink coming in at just £10 - follow the Small Tings menu and you’ll have money left over for pudding....