A trendy South London neighbourhood, Camberwell is an absolute treasure trove of places to eat. But if you're not sure where to chow down? We've done all the leg work for you. From cult favourite Chinese canteens and beautifully prepared sushi to lauded pizza palaces and some of the top Turkish food in town, we're here to give you our rundown of the very best Camberwell restaurants.
🍜🍕🍣
Silk Road
If you haven't been to Silk Road yet... where have you been? Long been a cult favourite among hungry South Londoners and those with a penchant for authentic Chinese cuisine, this buzzing canteen-style restaurant specialises in Xinjiang fare (with a few tingly Sichuan dishes thrown in for good measure). It's undoubtedly one of the very best restaurants on Camberwell's Church Street, with people flocking to the laid-back eatery for punchy plates like stir-fried lamb with hand-pulled noodles, fish sheesh skewers, and pork with black fungus (don't knock it 'til you try it).
Silk Road just reopened on Church Street and is bigger and better than ever.
FM Mangal
You'll be hard-pressed to find better Turkish food this side of the river than at FM Mangal. Opened in 2009, after the closure of its predecessor Angel Mangal in Islington, this family-run restaurant slings out traditional Turkish food on Camberwell's most famous thoroughfare, Church Street. Decked out with velvet scalloped booths alongside vibrant fushia chairs with golden detailing, not to mention gleaming chequered floors, the place is downright stylish. When you're not admiring the interiors, get a load of the delicious Middle Eastern menu which completely spoils you for choice - but our favourite dish? It has to be the House Special, made up of chicken (or lamb if you fancy) topped with pureed aubergine and garlic yoghurt.
Pro tip: don't sleep on the baklava here.
Nandine
Boasting not just one, but two locations in Camberwell (on Church Street and Vestry Road), it's safe to say that Nandine is a hit with the locals. The family-owned restaurants offer homely Kurdish cooking in a calm, cafe atmosphere, with painted brick walls, woven lampshades and tropical plants dangling from the shelves. Swing by to dig into vibrant, fresh plates; brunch brings dishes like a sujuk sausage and egg toasted sandwich or shakshuka, while the all-day menu is a celebration of Middle Eastern flavours, including lamb borek, dumplings, kozi and chicken shish.
Nandine Camberwell is perfect for dates and catch-ups with mates.
Theo’s
Sometimes, all you want is a good slice of pizza. And when that moment occurs? Make a beeline to Theo's. Located on Grove Lane (as well as in Elephant and Castle), this trendy space is kitted out with a wood-fired oven that's the secret to their Neapolitan-style sourdough pizzas. Get ready for thick, chewy crusts (that are of course delightfully crispy on the bottom) topped with all kinds of fresh ingredients, from leeks and gorgonzola to salami and fresh chillis. Or if you fancy a lighter lunch? The afternoon menu features panuozzos (which are definitely having a moment right now), filled with sausage, mortadella, chickpeas or anchovies.
Don't miss a slice of the action over at Theo's.
Noko
A neat and petite place to eat on Church Street, Noko is one of Camberwell's most-talked-about restaurants where you'll find a droolworthy lineup of Asian street food bites, with a strong focus on Chinese flavours. Settle into the relaxed canteen-style vibe of this dainty space (if you can, nab a seat by the window for a spot of people-watching) and dive in. Menu highlights include the chaoshou dumplings in chilli oil, biang biang noodles, dishes hot of the robata grill and fried chicken – our favourite is the gochujang K-pop.
For a more casual vibe, Noko is your go-to.
Zeret Kitchen
Craving Ethiopian food? We’ve got you covered, as Zeret Kitchen is slinging out the goods from Camberwell Road. Open since 2004, this local legend offers a warm, cosy restaurant, with simple tables and chairs, as well as a sprawling alfresco area. On a warm, balmy evening, grab one of the many outdoor tables to tuck into traditional Ethiopian food; choose from a range of vegan, lamb or beef stews and curries layered on top of soft, fluffy injera.
The injera platters are great for groups, so make sure to bring the whole gang.
The Camberwell Arms
An independent, award-winning pub and restaurant, The Camberwell Arms offers a trendy dining destination on Church Street, where roughed-up brick walls covered in chalkboard specials are paired with Scandi-chic tables and chairs. Kick back here with a refreshing pint before digging into the delightful menus that change with the seasons. Though the Sunday lunches are undeniably some of the best in London, the main menu is also not to be missed – think weekly changing plates that champion the season’s best produce, such as scotch bonnet pork fat on toast, crispy pork belly with watercress and mustard dressing, plus fazzoletti with courgettes, wild garlic, pine nuts and Grana Padano.
Make sure to book ahead for this joint's Sunday lunches (word's got around).
Momo Sushi
Slinging out authentic Japanese fare on Church Street is none other than Momo Sushi, where you’ll find a range of mouthwatering munch made with fresh produce. Think everything from sushi and sashimi to donburi and bao buns. Our absolute favourites are the dynamite tempura rolls, featuring tuna, avocado, asparagus, tobiko, spring onions, mayo and eel sauce, as well as the salmon tacos, chicken katsu and tuna poke. Need something to wash down? Find a vast selection of signature cocktails and sake.
Sushi and cocktails - the dream combination.
Falafel And Shawarma
While not exactly a restaurant, this one just had to be on the list. A favourite among students, hungry lunchers and falafel fiends, Falafel & Shawarma is the place to get your fix of, you guessed it, falafel and shawarma. There’s usually a queue, but it moves quickly, with a well-oiled operation behind the food counter. Choose your meal (we highly recommend the falafel and aubergine wrap, which also features hummus and salad – don’t skimp on the garlic and chilli sauces either) with a side of spicy potatoes. Phwoar. Grab the goods then head to Camberwell Green to chow down, or perch on the inner side of the front window if you just can’t wait (we won’t judge you).
Snaffle a falafel at this legendary hotspot.
Discover more of the best restaurants in South London here and sign up to our newsletter for all the latest.
