Eat & Drink

Pan-Latin spot on Newington Butts serving arepas, ceviche, and comfort dishes from across the region.

Acasifer brings together food from several Latin American countries under one roof, with Venezuelan arepas and Peruvian ceviche among the staples. The kitchen uses imported ingredients and caters to vegetarians, vegans, and those eating gluten-free. Extended evening hours on weekends make it a useful stop before or after a night out.

New Kent Road barbershop with a 5.0 Google rating, offering haircuts and shaves at £25, open six days a week.

Adam New Kent Barber is listed at 189 New Kent Road and offers two core services , a haircut and a cut-and-shave combination , both priced at £25 for a 45-minute slot. The shop is bookable online through SumUp. Hours run Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 6 PM per the booking system, with the Google listing showing slightly different times. The 5.0 Google rating covers 14 reviews.

Cantonese comfort food and roast duck. Closed Tuesdays.

A Cantonese stalwart that survived the demolition of the old shopping centre. The roast duck is reliable, the dim sum is solid, and it stays open late. Not fancy, just decent Chinese food that the neighbourhood would miss if it went.

Rotating ales, Ginger Pig onglets, moules mariniere. A Victorian corner pub done properly.

A Victorian corner pub that's had a serious makeover, the Albert Arms pairs rotating ales and an old-world wine list with food that earns its gastropub billing: Ginger Pig onglets, moules mariniere, spiced Provençale fish stew. Cod croquettes and grilled sardines on toast are on the starter end. Desserts run to blood orange posset and chocolate and coffee torte.

South London's best-rated comedy club, running since 2011 with big-name headliners and tickets from £5.

Founded in 2011 by comedian James Gill, Always Be Comedy runs nightly at The Tommyfield pub in Kennington. The format mixes MC sets, guest headliners, and new act try-outs, with past performers including Michael McIntyre, Katherine Ryan, and Kevin Bridges. Time Out has called it consistently excellent, and it holds a 96% recommendation rating across 237 Facebook reviews.

Latin American women's fashion boutique at Castle Square, covering sizes 8 to 22 with shoes, shapewear, and accessories.

Anna Castro Boutique has been trading in Elephant and Castle for over seven years, specialising in Latin American women's fashion. Stock runs from casual daywear through to evening looks, with Colombian jeans and shapewear among the calling cards. Clothing comes in sizes 8 to 22, shoes in sizes 3 to 9, and the range also covers bags, scarves, hats, and underwear. Owner Anna relocated from Colombia and brings direct sourcing knowledge to the offer.

Accessories trader at Castle Square with over 15 years on the patch, selling hats, sunglasses, jewellery, scarves, and more.

AR Accessories is run by Abdul, who has traded in the Elephant and Castle area for more than 15 years. The stall at Castle Square carries a broad accessories range for men and women: hats, scarves, pashminas, sunglasses, umbrellas, socks, belts, jewellery, vests, t-shirts, and underwear. It opens Monday to Saturday from 10:30am and from noon on Sundays.

Old Kent Road salon run by stylists Marta and Jorge using Redken, Olaplex, and Wella products, with a 5.0 rating from 47 reviews.

Arcade Hair Studio sits in a unit on Old Kent Road, run by two experienced stylists , Marta and Jorge , with over 20 combined years in the industry. The menu covers cuts for men and women, beard care, colour treatments, balayage, conditioning masks, and ear piercing. Products used include Redken, Olaplex, GHD, Wella, and Moroccan Oil. The 5.0 rating across 47 Treatwell reviews reflects consistently positive client experiences. Closed Sundays and Mondays.

Venezuelan arepas. Terrace with park views.

Freshly made arepas and cachapas with a terrace overlooking Elephant Park. Weekend brunch with Venezuelan twists. Good veggie options.

Steak and chorizo grill stall inside Mercato Metropolitano. Burger with chips around £14.

The Argentinian Grill operates as a vendor inside Mercato Metropolitano at Newington Causeway, serving grilled steaks, chorizo, and mixed grills alongside chips. A steak and chorizo burger with chips is priced at around £14.

Possibly the best empanadas in London. Colombian cafe.

A Colombian cafe inside Tiendas del Sur that locals swear has the best empanadas in London. The rest of the menu is traditional plates: bandeja paisa, soups, grilled meats. Served to a room where strangers push tables together and chat. Coffee is Colombian, obviously.

4.8 stars from 699 reviewers. Independent cafe on London Road, open from 7am.

Art Cafe on London Road holds a 4.8 Google rating from nearly 700 reviews, a reliable neighbourhood regular rather than a destination draw. Open weekdays from 7am, Saturdays from 8am, and Sundays 9am to 4pm.

Windscreen repairs in a railway arch on Elephant Road.

Auto Windows operates from a railway arch at 113c Elephant Road, handling windscreen replacements and auto glass work. It sits among the vehicle repair shops that still line this stretch of arches south of the station.

3,000 square feet of tabletop gaming with sandwiches, pizza, beer, and coffee.

Bad Moon Cafe is one of London's larger dedicated tabletop gaming venues, with over 3,000 square feet of tables built for Warhammer, Magic the Gathering, and similar games. Food runs to sandwiches and pizza; drinks cover beer and coffee. Games Workshop pre-orders come at 20% off. Table reservations available online.

Florentine gelateria since 1932. Creative flavours, vegan sorbets, open until 11:30pm.

Badiani has been making gelato in Florence since 1932, and this counter on Newington Causeway is one of their London outposts. The range runs to creative seasonal flavours alongside vegan sorbets. Thursday through Saturday the counter stays open until 11:30pm, making it one of the few late-night sweet stops near Elephant and Castle.

Open 24/7. Jerk chicken and plantain bagels, Caribbean punches, Jamaican patties.

Bagel King runs around the clock from its Walworth Road counter, stacking handmade bagels with jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish, plantain, and a long list of fillings that lean heavily Caribbean. Jamaican patties, rice bowls, and homemade punches like sorrel ginger and pineapple Guinness round out the menu. Halal meat is available; vegan options are clearly marked. Deliveries go out via Uber Eats.

Grocery store and Post Office on Bartholomew Street, open seven days a week with Post Office services throughout.

Bagh Convenient Store took on the Post Office counter that had been missing from the area since Great Dover Street branch closed in 2017, reopening services in November 2022. Post Office hours run from 7am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 10pm on Sunday, giving the surrounding streets one of the more accessible postal counters in the area. The shop itself covers grocery essentials.

All-day bar and grill inside the Safestay hostel on Walworth Road: beer garden, pizzas, pub classics.

Bar60 occupies the ground floor of Safestay London Elephant and Castle, a hostel at 144-152 Walworth Road, and is open to walk-in guests as well as hostel residents. The menu covers burgers, pizzas, and barista coffee alongside a beer garden with tap beer, ciders, and cocktails. Continental breakfast with fresh pastries is served from 7am, making it one of the earlier-opening venues on Walworth Road.

Post Office counter inside a convenience store on Bartholomew Street, open until 10 PM daily with parcel services, bill payment, and travel money.

The Bartholomew Street Post Office operates as a counter inside a local shop, open from 7 AM until 10 PM most days , unusually long hours for a post office. Services include Royal Mail and Parcelforce drop-off, DPD and Evri buying and collections, Western Union transfers, bill and top-up payments, and a travel money card. The nearest alternative branch is about 0.4 km away on Harper Road.

London's first wood-fired pizza delivery chain, going since 1999. Italian-ingredient focused.

Basilico launched in 1999 as London's original wood-fired pizza delivery operation and still uses Italian-sourced ingredients. The Tower Bridge Road branch runs until midnight most nights. Signature options include the Bee Sting Burrata (pepperoni, burrata, chilli honey) and a selection of vegan pizzas including the Green Goddess.

Curated wine bar inside Mercato Metropolitano, pouring bottles from small sustainable vineyards worldwide.

BeBeMe selects wines directly from independent, family-run vineyards that use traditional and low-intervention methods, with vineyard stories communicated alongside each pour. Positioned inside Mercato Metropolitano, it works as a bar to linger at through the evening or a shop to buy a bottle from. The menu includes vegetarian and vegan-friendly options alongside the wine list.

Vegetarian-leaning cafe on Tower Bridge Road. Shakshuka, burrata, and good coffee.

Bermondsey Garden re-opened in early 2024 in a corner spot near the Albert McKenzie statue on Tower Bridge Road. The menu runs breakfast through lunch with a focus on plant-forward dishes: shakshuka, avocado toast, granola, burrata, plus eggs and smoked salmon. The exposed brickwork interior and large windows draw a steady brunch crowd.

Betfred betting shop at Metro Central Heights, open daily until 10pm in Erno Goldfinger's listed building.

This Betfred occupies Unit 3 at Metro Central Heights, the Grade II listed residential tower on Newington Causeway designed by Erno Goldfinger. It is the standard national bookmaker offer, open from 8:30am Monday to Saturday and 9am on Sundays.

Queer bar and comedy club at Elephant Park. The UK's first dedicated LGBTQ+ comedy space.

Betty and Joan's opened in December 2024 on Hewson Way, named after comedy icons Betty White and Joan Rivers. The venue hosts stand-up five nights a week alongside drag shows and cabaret, with full bar service until 2 AM on weekends. The space is single-level and fully accessible, with large street-facing windows rather than blacked-out frontage.

All vegan. All Ethiopian. All good.

Shared platters of lentil wot, gomen, and injera. Everything is vegan and gluten-free. Proper Ethiopian cooking on Sayer Street.

South London coffee shop with a Wild West theme, run by Nigerian-Texan trucker John Otagburuagu since 2015.

Black Cowboy Coffee was started in 2015 by John Otagburuagu, who spent nine years driving trucks across Texas before bringing his cowboy boots back to south London. The shop began as a wooden cart at Elephant and Castle market before graduating to a horse-box conversion and then a fixed unit. The interior displays historic photographs of Black cowboys from the 1800s alongside donated saddles and riding gear from Brixton's Ebony Horse Club. On the menu: seven single-origin Arabica roasts and Liege waffles, which are denser and richer than Belgian-style, served with toppings including spicy chicken and maple syrup.

Latin-inspired deli on Walworth Road. Breakfast, tapas, and bar from 6 AM.

Bodeguita Delicatessen runs a long service window on Walworth Road, starting at 6 AM seven days a week. The offer spans breakfast through tapas and into bar service later in the day, with a Latin-inspired menu that draws on South American produce and flavours.

Pool tables, Latin music, sports TV. Open till 5am Thursday to Sunday.

Bola 8 is a pool lounge and sports bar on Elephant Road with a Latin American feel: pool tables, sports on TV, and a soundtrack to match the big black-and-white mural on the wall. Late-night hours run to 5am from Thursday through Sunday. Tuesday and Wednesday close at 10pm. Closed Mondays.

Monmouth coffee and hand-tied bouquets from a Kennington Road stall. One of those rare combos that actually works.

Founded by Abraham as a stall outside St Anselm's church on Kennington Road, Bouquets & Beans pairs freshly brewed Monmouth coffee with hand-tied seasonal bouquets. It operates as a social enterprise and has built a strong local following since opening. Same-day flower delivery is available for orders placed before 1pm.

Brazilian-style hair salon on Newington Butts offering cuts, colouring, blowouts, and threading, open six days a week.

Brazilian UK Hair Salon sits on Newington Butts and covers a broad menu of hair services including cuts, colour, extensions, and hair removal. Reviewers single out stylists by name for their care and precision, with the salon described as one of the better Brazilian hairdressers in the area. Hours run until 8 PM six days a week, making it practical for after-work appointments.

Kebab cafe opposite London South Bank University, serving grilled meat and burgers with shisha pipes available.

Bridge Cafe sits on Borough Road directly opposite LSBU, drawing students and locals with a straightforward menu of kebabs and burgers at reasonable prices. The cafe also offers shisha pipes, making it a place to linger rather than just grab takeaway. It closes on Sundays and runs Monday to Saturday 10am to 9pm.

54-room hotel in a Victorian pub that survived the Blitz, with free Wi-Fi and a period-style bar on Hampton Street.

Brit Hotels Elephant Castle occupies a local building said to have survived World War Two bombing intact. The 54 ensuite double and triple rooms blend original Victorian features with contemporary fittings. The hotel includes a period bar and is positioned within a short drive of London Bridge and Tower Bridge.

Charcoal grill stall inside Mercato Metropolitano, serving steaks, loaded sandwiches, and wings.

Butchers Grill trades from inside the Mercato Metropolitano food market at 42 Newington Causeway, SE1, offering charcoal-grilled steaks, marinated chicken wings and ribs, and loaded toasted sandwiches. Ground-steak burgers come topped with cheese, bacon, and rosemary mayo. It sits within a 17,000 sq ft market housing more than 40 independent traders.

Budget cafe on Walworth Road. 4.5 stars from over 500 reviews.

Cafe Amore sits on Walworth Road and has built a 4.5-star Google rating across more than 500 reviews, a strong signal for a budget cafe on a competitive high street. The single-dollar Google price marker puts it firmly in the under-£10 category.

No-frills all-day British cafe on Walworth Road; breakfasts from around £4, bubble and squeak a standout.

Cafe House is a traditional British greasy spoon serving all-day breakfasts, jacket potatoes, and old-school puddings like apple crumble with custard. Prices run from £1 to £6, making it one of the cheapest sit-down options on Walworth Road. Regulars and tradespeople fill the place at lunch; the bubble and squeak draws particular praise.

Italian coffee bar inside Mercato Metropolitano, certified by the Espresso Italiano Institute. Good for a morning flat white before the market fills up.

Caffè Del Mercato is the in-house coffee operation at Mercato Metropolitano, run in partnership with Caffé Latino, an Italian coffee brand that launched here in 2017. The beans are Latin American Arabica, blended in-house, and the baristas hold certification from the International Institute of Coffee Tasters. Opening at 7:30 on Saturdays makes it a useful first stop before the market gets going. The food offer covers all-day light bites and lunch.

Italian-owned coffee shop on Tower Bridge Road. 4.7 stars on 224 reviews.

Caffè Latino opened at 44 Tower Bridge Road in 2019 as the first standalone shop from this Italian coffee brand. The small interior runs espresso-based drinks , cappuccino, flat white, cortado , alongside lunch food. Reviewers consistently praise the coffee quality and friendly service.

Tiny boutique coffee shop with a 4.9 rating, set in a former tattoo parlour on Kennington Park Road.

Capheum occupies a compact, light-filled space with four or five tables in what was once a tattoo parlour on Kennington Park Road. The coffee is full-flavoured and nutty, and pastries come from award-winning Celtic Bakeries. It is the kind of small neighbourhood spot that draws regulars fast.

Latin American butcher and deli on New Kent Road stocking Colombian cuts and South American produce at fair prices.

Carniceria La Reina stocks a wide range of Colombian and Latin American meat cuts alongside South American herbs, Caribbean vegetables, and specialist grocery items that are hard to find elsewhere in SE1. It serves the surrounding Latin community on New Kent Road and draws shoppers from further afield for its specialist imports. Prices are reasonable and the selection covers both everyday cuts and harder-to-source preparations.

Kizomba bar and event space in Borough Triangle running weekly classes, parties, and social dance nights.

Casa Ritmo is the home of Kizomba Addiction, a London dance community centred on kizomba, semba, and tarraxinha. Thursday nights run beginner-friendly classes followed by a late social, while Saturdays host Clube Vicio, one of the city's longest-running kizomba parties running until 3 AM. The two-room venue holds 60 to 160 guests and is also available for private hire.

Takeaway counter, a few seats, fish and chips from £ on London Road. 4.3 stars.

Castle Fish Bar on London Road is a well-established chippy: takeaway counter at the front, a few tables inside, and fish and chips from 11am until late. The 4.3 Google rating from over 320 reviews is a reliable score for a no-frills shop at budget prices. Open until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Self-service washers and dry cleaning. Open early.

Family-run laundrette and dry cleaner on Walworth Road. Self-service machines or drop off for dry cleaning. Open seven days.

Open-air market of independent traders , fashion, textiles, electricals, and cafes , a short walk from Elephant and Castle station.

Castle Square is a cluster of independent local businesses occupying units along Elephant Road, directly opposite Elephant and Castle station. Traders span fashion, textiles, electricals, and food, with the emphasis on owner-run shops rather than chains. Ash Avenue and Elephant Central form part of the same district.

Social enterprise coffee on Walworth Road: profits fund barista training for people experiencing homelessness.

Change Please trains people experiencing homelessness as baristas, pairing the job with a living wage, housing support, therapy, and a bank account. The Walworth Road shop has blue velvet seating, good coffee, and a calm enough atmosphere to settle in for a long session.

Colombian bakery in the arches. Since 2011.

Colombian cafe, deli, and bakery in a railway arch on Elephant Road. Empanadas, pan de bono, bandeja paisa, fresh tropical juices, and their own organic cheese. Open since 2011.

Tandoori for under a fiver. Open late.

Pakistani and Afghani grill house with a proper tandoor oven. Lunch curry with rice and naan for around four quid. Open until midnight every night.

Pan-Latin tacos and sharing plates at Elephant Park. Handcrafted cocktails, vegan and gluten-free options.

Cheeky Chicos on Ash Avenue is the Elephant Park branch of a small London group serving creative tacos, colourful sharing plates, and handcrafted cocktails. The menu is vegan and gluten-free friendly throughout. Open noon to 11pm Tuesday through Sunday, closed Mondays.

Korean fried chicken at Castle Square. Cult following, 4.7 stars.

CheeMc moved to its Castle Square site at the end of 2024, bringing its Korean fried chicken to one of the new development's ground-floor units. Timeout describes it as a cult spot; the rating of 4.7 from over 1,200 Google reviews backs that up. A second branch in Soho adds karaoke to the offer. Mains fall in the £10 to £20 range.

Shanghainese and Cantonese cooking in Elephant Park. Order the crab stir-fried with rice cakes.

Cheli sits on New Kent Road in Elephant Park, serving a Shanghainese and Cantonese fusion menu at the upper end of the local price range. The kitchen's signature is hua xie chao nian gao: crab stir-fried with rice cakes. Online reservations taken through the site. Saturday service runs until 11pm, with lunch and dinner sittings through the week.

Independent community pharmacy on Kennington Lane dispensing NHS and private prescriptions with a travel clinic.

Hills Pharmacy is a long-established independent chemist, formerly B Leung Chemist, serving the Kennington area. Beyond dispensing NHS and private prescriptions, the pharmacy runs a travel clinic offering vaccinations including flu, meningitis, and shingles jabs. Reviewers note the pharmacist knows regulars by name and that prescriptions are typically ready next-day with a text notification.

Fried chicken chain. Open until 4am daily, seven days a week.

Chicken Cottage is a counter-serve chain doing fried and grilled chicken, chips, burgers and wings. The Walworth Road branch runs until 4am every day. Available on Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats.

Flame-grilled peri-peri chicken chain with 23 London stores and grass-fed beef burgers , high marks for freshness.

Chicken Valley has been grilling peri-peri chicken since 2009, building to 23 London stores on the back of its open-flame chargrilling and customisable heat levels. The Walworth Road branch serves whole and half grilled chicken, hand-breaded pressure-fried pieces, and wraps made with 100% chicken breast on toasted tortillas. Grass-fed beef and lamb go into the burgers, and milkshakes round out a menu that skews fast-casual but takes sourcing seriously.

Film history in Charlie Chaplin's old workhouse.

Museum of cinema memorabilia housed in the former Lambeth Workhouse where Charlie Chaplin once lived. Tours by appointment, plus screenings and events.

Independent hotel in a converted granary near Borough Market, run by a family team with continental breakfast included.

City London Hotel occupies a former granary on Borough Road, eight minutes walk from Elephant and Castle tube and the same from Borough station. All rooms have a fridge, flat-screen TV, tea and coffee, and daily housekeeping. Continental breakfast is included and the hotel offers 15 to 25 percent off for direct bookings.

Colombian empanadas and arepas from £2.20 at Castle Square, with freshly brewed coffee and fruit juices.

Coma Y Beba occupies a small unit at Castle Square, serving Colombian empanadas, arepas, and gluten-free Latin American breads alongside freshly brewed Colombian coffee, cold beer, and exotic fruit juices and shakes. The setup is compact and counter-service, suited to eating in or taking away. Google reviewers rate it 4.7 across 77 reviews.

Ecuadorian small plates and platters on Rockingham Street. Closed Tuesdays.

Costa Azul sits on Rockingham Street in the Borough Triangle, serving traditional Ecuadorian small plates and sharing platters in a relaxed space. Friday and Saturday evenings run to 10:30pm; weekday lunchtimes close at 6pm. The 4.2 rating across 900-plus Google reviews points to a consistent local following.

24-hour Costcutter on Tower Bridge Road with baked goods, fresh produce, and alcohol.

This Costcutter on Tower Bridge Road runs around the clock every day of the week. It stocks fresh and packaged goods, baked items, and alcohol, in line with the standard Costcutter offer. The Google rating sits at 3.3, so expectations should be calibrated accordingly.

Dessert parlour chain open until 3am daily. Waffles, gelato, crepes, and sundaes.

Creams is a UK dessert-parlour chain with a broad menu of waffles, gelato, crepes, sundaes, and milkshakes. The Walworth Road branch is open until 3am every night, making it one of the few late-night options on this stretch.

Adults-only budget hostel on Newington Butts with free WiFi, a shared kitchen, lounge, and consistently strong cleanliness scores.

Cricketers Hostel occupies a spot on Newington Butts about a five-minute walk from Kennington tube. The adults-only setup keeps things calm, with shared kitchen facilities, a lounge, and luggage storage. Booking.com reviewers rate it 8.2 out of 10 across over 1,700 reviews, with value for money scoring notably high at 8.9. In-room lockers and daily housekeeping are standard.

Crisis charity shop on Walworth Road selling pre-loved clothing, furniture, and jewellery to fund homelessness support.

Shop from Crisis on Walworth Road is a charity shop run by the national homelessness organisation, selling donated clothing, furniture, and jewellery. Proceeds fund Crisis programmes supporting people on their way out of homelessness. The shop is rated 4.5 across 82 Google reviews, above the typical charity shop average.

Traditional Chinese on Tower Bridge Road. Set meals, hot pot menu, takeaway.

Crystal China on Tower Bridge Road runs a broad traditional Chinese menu across dine-in, takeaway, and delivery. The kitchen offers a dry hot pot menu alongside the main restaurant menu and a street food selection of small plates. Reviewers single out the spring rolls, duck dishes, and tofu in black bean sauce. Reservations via OpenTable; bookings also taken by phone.

Castle Square menswear unit specialising in footwear: boots, trainers, shoes, and sliders across a range of brands.

D & Eddy's holds Unit 18 at Castle Square, focusing on men's urban footwear. The range covers boots, shoes, trainers, and sliders from multiple brands. Open Monday to Friday from 11 am and Saturday from noon, the shop is part of the independent retail cluster that relocated to Castle Square from the former shopping centre.

Nigerian suya stall at Castle Square, charred and spiced to order since 2004.

Daddy O's has been trading since 2004, led by Olajide, who came to London from Nigeria in 1999. The suya , beef or chicken, seasoned with yaji spice (ginger, dried chilli, possibly cumin), charred and chopped on the bone , is the reason to visit. The menu also runs to jollof rice, pounded yam, egusi soup, plantains, and pepper soup, with mains between £10 and £20.

Men's barber on Tower Bridge Road with 4.9 stars, specialising in cuts, fades, and beard grooming.

Dapper Grooming Lounge on Tower Bridge Road has built a strong local following for its clean, precise barbering work. Services cover men's haircuts, skin fades, beard trims, and head shaves. Closed Sundays; open Monday to Saturday 9am to 7pm.

Wines from places you have never heard of.

Award-winning wine bar in a converted pub on Rodney Road. Wines imported direct from producers in Texas, Poland, China, and beyond.

Latin American grocery stocking Harina PAN, gandules, dulce de leche, and dozens of South American staples.

DistriAndina is a specialist Latin American supermarket serving the area's Colombian, Venezuelan, and wider South American community. Shelves run across twelve product categories from corn flour and dried beans to guava sweets, hot drinks, and beer. The shop also handles wholesale orders and delivers across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Latin beauty products wholesaler in the Elephant Road arches, stocking hair and skincare items.

Diva's Latin Shop trades from the arches on Elephant Road, selling beauty and hair products catering to the Latin community at Elephant and Castle. A TikTok presence under @divas_latin confirms the SE17 1LB arches location. The shop carries beauty products at wholesale quantities alongside retail. Google hours for Monday show unusual late-night times , treat with caution.

Pizza delivery chain. Open until 1am on weekends.

Domino's at Newington Butts runs the standard chain menu of pizzas, sides, and desserts with delivery and carryout from 11am daily. Open until midnight on weekdays, 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Colombian bakery and cafe under Arch 3 on Elephant Road, perfect-rated for its pastries and warm atmosphere.

Don d' William is a Colombian panaderia tucked into Arch 3 on Elephant Road, run by William and Juliana. The bakery produces breads, cakes, and traditional Colombian pastries, and also offers personalised cakes. It opens from 8am until 10pm, with dine-in alongside takeaway and delivery. A 5-star Google rating across 13 reviews reflects the quality and welcome it has earned.

Taiwanese bubble tea brand T4 on Walworth Road, with milk teas, fruit teas, and taro drinks customisable for sweetness.

T4 is a Taiwanese bubble tea chain founded in 2004 and present in the Elephant and Castle area at 137 Walworth Road. The menu covers milk teas, fruit teas, and specialty drinks including taro, lychee aloe, grass jelly, and passionfruit, all made with 100% sugarcane extract and no artificial sugar. Sweetness levels are fully adjustable and the menu is available in Chinese and English via an in-store order machine.

49 dim sum dishes. Lunch sorted.

Cantonese restaurant with daily dim sum until 5pm. Forty-nine choices on the trolley menu. Walworth Road stalwart since forever.

Kennington Road dry cleaner and laundry service with free collection and delivery, 24-hour turnaround, and repairs and alterations.

Dry Cleaning Junction on Kennington Road handles everyday clothing, delicate fabrics, bedding, shoes, and trainers, with a claimed 24-hour turnaround on collection orders. Free pickup and delivery covers the local area. The business also offers bespoke repairs and alterations alongside its core cleaning work. With over 20 years in garment care and a 4.8 Google rating, it has a loyal customer base.

Jamaican jerk burgers and rum punch at Mercato Metropolitano, Thursday to Saturday from 5pm. A 5-star Google rating, low volume.

Dub Burger (also known as Dub Pan Jamaican Stylee) is a Caribbean food stall inside Mercato Metropolitano on Newington Causeway. The menu centres on Jamaican jerk preparations served in burger format, with an iron-strong rum punch as the signature drink pairing. Open Thursday through Saturday evenings only, it runs a tight schedule that suits the market's later-night crowd. The 5.0 Google rating from 23 reviews is consistent.

Jamaican jerk specialists at Mercato Metropolitano , chicken marinated 24 hours, slow-smoked over charcoal.

Dub Pan brings Jamaican jerk cooking to Mercato Metropolitano, with chicken thighs marinated for 24 hours in a spice blend then grilled and smoked over charcoal in a steel drum. The menu covers jerk wraps, loaded jerk fries, wings in sweet or spicy, burgers, and a strong selection of Jamaican sipping rums and rum punch. The Elephant & Castle site runs Thursday to Saturday.

Weekdays-only pub near Borough Road. Wooden interior, outdoor tables, straightforward pub grub.

The Duke of York on Borough Road operates weekdays only, part of the 4and20 Restaurants group. The wooden interior and outdoor seating give it the feel of a working locals' pub rather than a gastro destination. The kitchen does straightforward British pub food. A 4.4-star rating from nearly 500 reviews suggests a consistent offer that keeps a regular crowd coming back.

Turkish grill stall inside Mercato Metropolitano serving shish, kofte, pides, and wraps from a live charcoal grill.

Duman Doner runs from a grill station inside the Mercato Metropolitano beer garden, turning out a wide range of Turkish grilled meats including chicken and lamb shish, adana kofte, and lamb chops alongside pide flatbreads with various fillings. Wraps are the most popular format with fresh salad and dips built to order. Lahmacun (Turkish pizza) rounds out the menu.

The market your nan went to. Still good.

Walworth's street market has been running since 1880. Fruit, veg, clothes, household goods, and proper local atmosphere six days a week.

Late-night burger kitchen beside Ministry of Sound, running from 10pm on weekends.

Eat Meat Cheese Repeat operates from 103 Gaunt Street, SE1, as the resident caterer at Ministry of Sound nightclub, where it has held the post for over a decade. Service runs from 10pm on Tuesdays and Fridays, and through the night on Saturdays and Sundays, with the kitchen holding what reviewers have called the best burger in SE London. The menu covers gourmet beef and meatless burgers, hot dogs, sides, and milkshakes, with main dishes in the £20-30 range.

Community art cafe on Kennington Road focused on low-alcohol drinks and live cultural events. Worth the trip.

Run by the team behind Drinkladiu, Eat The Sunshine Down The Sun operates as a neighbourhood cafe and arts venue at 303 Kennington Road. The space hosts intimate live events including improvised music sessions, and the licence conditions lock in its community-cafe character permanently. Coffee, cakes, and low- and no-alcohol drinks are the staples.

Photography studio in the arches at Elephant Road, rated 4.2 stars across 13 reviews.

El Arco Del Centro operates from the arches on Elephant Road, offering photography services under the mariogerphoto.com brand. The studio runs Monday to Saturday with extended weekday hours until 7 PM. With 13 Google reviews and a 4.2 rating, it has an established local client base.

Colombian bakery and takeaway on Walworth Road serving pan de bono, empanadas, and traditional breakfasts from 6am.

El Gran Sazón Latino is a Colombian bakery and takeaway on Walworth Road, open from 6am daily. The menu runs from pan de bono, empanadas, and pastries through to hot breakfasts, aguapanela con queso, and ice cream. It sits in the stretch of Walworth Road that has developed into one of South London's most distinct Latin American food corridors.

Colombian bakery. Empanadas and pan de bono.

Traditional Colombian bakery and restaurant on Walworth Road. Empanadas, pan de bono, aguapanela con queso, and proper Colombian breakfast. Food hygiene rating: 5.

Tiny Ecuadorian daytime spot at Castle Square. Meat-forward plates, plastic tablecloths, no frills.

El Guambra is a small Ecuadorian counter at Castle Square, open from early morning through the afternoon. The menu centres on hornado, hunks of crispy-skinned slow-roasted pork, alongside strip steak and chorizo, served with llapingacho potato patties, rice, and menestra bean stew. Caldo de manguera, a pork, tripe, and black pudding broth, is one of the more distinctive offerings. Portions are generous and the atmosphere is informal.

Basement Mexican on Amelia Street. 4.7 stars, tacos and burritos from £10, closed Sundays.

El Mero Taco operates from a basement on Amelia Street, serving tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and nachos from 4pm daily except Sundays. Each taco comes with Pico de Gallo as standard, with hard or soft shell. The pork burrito bowl with mango habanero sauce comes up repeatedly in reviews.

Dominican street food spot in the Eagle Yard railway arches, open daily until 11pm.

El Punto Sabrosura 2 sits at Arch 143 of Eagle Yard on Walworth Road, one of the railway arch units that make up the area's Latin American food cluster. The name references Dominican cooking, with dishes built around seasoned meats, plantain, and homemade sauces. Long hours, running daily from 10am to 11pm, suit the after-work and late-night crowd. The Eagle Yard stretch houses Colombian, Ecuadorian, and Dominican businesses across several adjacent arches.

Ten-unit independent retail arcade opposite Elephant and Castle station, carved from a former car park.

Elephant Arcade was built into the ground floor of Perronet House by Carl Turner Architects, converting a former indoor car park into ten retail units and a large cafe space. It was created to provide a base for smaller businesses displaced by the closure of the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre. The arcade houses independent shops, hair salons, and cafes, open daily from 8am to 9pm.

Colombian cafe under the railway arches. Arepas from £3 and £1 Americanos.

Set inside a railway arch on Elephant Road, this Colombian-run cafe draws a largely South American crowd and is known for the kind of prices that have become rare in SE17. Arepas come stuffed with chorizo, chicharron, shredded chicken, black beans and plantain; buñuelos and pandebono round out the Colombian baked goods.

Good cuts, fair prices, on Walworth Road.

Straightforward barbers on the main road. Consistent quality and reasonable prices. Open late on weekdays.

New park. Water playground. Free.

Two-acre park in the heart of the new Elephant & Castle. Lawns, rain gardens, the Elephant Springs water playscape, and the Tree House community pavilion.

Parkside multi-use space housing a cafe-bar, vintage furniture, independent craft shop, and cycle repair.

Elephant Stores on Ash Avenue brings together four independent operators under one roof: Little Louie cafe and cocktail bar, Vintage Matters furniture, SoLo Craft Fair gifts and jewellery, and Fix Your Cycle bike repair. The cafe runs from 8am with coffee, sourdough, and fresh pastries, then switches to natural wine and cocktails from 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Vintage furniture doubles as actual seating, giving the space an unhurried feel.

Latin American bakery and deli on Elephant Road selling handmade empanadas and artisan food from across the region.

Empananda World operates under the Chatica brand and positions itself as a Latin American food distributor and deli, with handmade empanadas as the centrepiece alongside fresh juices, traditional breakfasts, and specialty imported products. The Elephant Road site opens early and stays open most of the day, making it a practical option from breakfast through to the early evening.

Unisex salon at Elephant Park doing cuts, skin fades, and clinical-grade facials under one roof.

EP Cuts sits on Sayer Street in the heart of Elephant Park, offering men's cuts from £22 and ladies' wash, cut and blow-dry from £55. Beyond barbering, the team runs HydraFacial, radio frequency, and Dermapen microneedling sessions. Star stylist Dana holds a 5.0 rating across nearly 700 personal reviews on Treatwell.

Hair salon and barbershop on New Kent Road open until 10 PM on weekdays, serving men, women, and children including wash and shape-up services.

Exclusive Cuts on New Kent Road runs a combined hair salon and barbershop open six days a week, with hours running until 10 PM Tuesday through Saturday. Services cover cuts and styling for women, men, teenagers, and children alongside wash and shape-up treatments. Appointments can be booked through their Setmore platform. The Instagram account @alomaexclusive shows an active portfolio of cuts.

Kennington Road hair salon with a 4.8 Google rating, praised for its skill with curly hair, colour, and extensions.

Exstatic Hair Design occupies a quiet slot on Kennington Road, running limited hours Tuesday through Saturday. Reviewers call out individual stylists , particularly Fedoula , for their ability with curly hair, and the service menu extends to balayage, highlights, extensions, braiding, keratin treatments, and perms. The salon is closed Sundays and Mondays.

Pizza and cocktail bar 200m from Elephant and Castle station, serving Neapolitan-style pies made by an Italian chef.

Faktory occupies the ground and first floor at 113c Elephant Road, steps from the station. The kitchen is built around Neapolitan pizza with reported standouts including the salsiccia and friarielli combination, alongside other Italian plates. It operates as a cocktail bar in the evenings, open noon to 11pm daily. The space was previously home to Lenos and Carbon, a Colombian restaurant.

Volunteer-run food co-op on Crampton Street, open three afternoons a week for fresh produce and wholefoods sourced from ethical suppliers.

FareShares is a self-described experiment in community rather than a shop in the conventional sense. Run entirely by volunteers, the co-op supplies fresh vegetables, fruit, and plant-based wholefoods sourced from ethical suppliers including Infinity Foods, a workers' co-op based in Brighton. There are no paid staff, no profit motive, and limited opening hours: Thursday afternoons, Friday evenings, and Saturday afternoons. Volunteers are always welcome.

Barber shop in the Elephant Road arches, rated 4.8 stars, with late evening hours until 8 PM.

Ferstylos operates from the arches on Elephant Road, one of the area's Latin-influenced trading units. The barber shop stays open until 8 PM six days a week, making it one of the later-closing shops in the arches cluster. A 4.8 Google rating from 5 reviews suggests strong early customer satisfaction.

Charcoal kebabs. Twenty years of practice.

Turkish restaurant on Walworth Road with almost two decades of charcoal-grilled kebabs, fresh seafood, and a full mezze spread.

Filipino street food on Sayer Street: build-your-own rice boxes and burritos from £5.

Filishack was founded in 2014 by British-Filipino brothers Justice and Jonathan Cacho, starting as a food truck before landing on Sayer Street at Elephant Park. The signature chicken inasal is a boneless thigh marinated for 12 hours in lemongrass, garlic, soy, and annatto oil, then flame-grilled and served over garlic rice. Build-your-own bowls, burritos, and fries plates pair with a choice of protein and sauce; vegetarian options include crispy tofu and courgette.

Fish and chips on New Kent Road. Cod, haddock, rock, kebabs and burgers. Wide delivery across SE postcodes.

Five Star Fish Bar covers the New Kent Road end of the neighbourhood with a broad takeaway menu: cod, haddock, and rock fish with chips alongside kebabs, burgers, wraps, and pies. Cod with chips runs to £18.50; haddock or rock with chips is £15.80. Delivery extends across a wide stretch of SE and SW postcodes.

West African bakery and restaurant on Newington Butts, open six days a week.

Flakes operates as both a bakery and West African restaurant at 152 Newington Butts, serving meat pies, jollof rice, and rice rolls made fresh on site. The kitchen runs Monday to Saturday from 11am to 10pm, closed Sundays. With only a handful of reviews online, it remains a low-profile neighbourhood spot rather than a destination draw.

Home-style cake shop near Bricklayers Arms, open Tuesday to Saturday for custom bakes.

Flawlessbakes is a small cake shop on Burbage Close in SE1, operating Tuesday through Thursday from 9am to 4:30pm and Saturdays until 6pm. The business runs its public presence through Instagram as @flawless_bakes, suggesting a made-to-order and walk-in cake trade rather than a full retail bakery.

Kennington Road florist hand-selecting stems daily from the market, with same-day delivery by 3 pm.

Flowers at Tomorrow's People has operated at 299 Kennington Road for over 20 years. The team hand-selects stems each morning from the flower market and offers hand-tied bouquets, bespoke wedding flowers, funeral tributes, and table centrepieces. Same-day delivery is available for orders placed before 3 pm, and all packaging is compostable.

Florist operating from Newington Industrial Estate, offering seasonal flower subscriptions and bouquet delivery.

Flowers by Flourish is a florist based on the Newington Industrial Estate on Crampton Street, running a subscription flower delivery service for homes and offices alongside individual bouquet orders. The business model centres on regular, seasonally arranged deliveries rather than a traditional walk-in retail offer. Weekday-only hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) reflect its trade and subscription focus.

Pool table, jukebox, beer garden, sports TV. Brick-lined bar on Westminster Bridge Road.

Flowers of the Forest on Westminster Bridge Road is a brick-lined local with rotating craft ales, lagers, and an extensive spirits list. A jukebox, pool tables, and darts cover the entertainment; Sky Sports and BT Sport are on screen. The courtyard beer garden at the back is the draw on warmer days. Open until midnight or beyond most nights.

Sourdough pizza. Craft beer. Park views.

Wood-fired sourdough pizza and craft beer overlooking Elephant Springs. Run by two brothers. Natural wines and cocktails too.

Free arcade games with your pint.

25 retro arcade cabinets, console setups, and a big screen in a railway arch. Craft beer and cocktails while you play.

Barber shop on Walworth Road with long evening hours, open every day until at least 9 PM on weekdays.

G.B Enterprise London operates as a barber shop at 92A Walworth Road, with some of the latest closing times in the area , until 10 PM on Monday to Thursday and Saturday. The shop opens seven days a week. A 5-star rating from 2 Google reviews gives limited signal on quality.

London's oldest herbalist, trading on Walworth Road since 1844, with dried herbs, tinctures, and health foods.

Founded by George Baldwin in 1844, G Baldwin and Co has occupied Walworth Road for over 180 years and is widely cited as London's oldest herbalist. The shop carries dried herbs, herbal tinctures, essential oils, homeopathic remedies, and a range of health foods and supplements. The original core business of herbs and herbal medicine expanded into health food in 1978 when the adjoining unit at 171 Walworth Road was taken on.

Bread and pastries baked daily. Groceries, eat-in seating, Deliveroo. Opens at 6:30am.

Gail's on Sayer Street bakes bread and pastries daily, with a seasonal menu that shifts throughout the year. The Elephant Park branch also stocks a pantry section covering jams, spreads, cured meats, cheese, and eggs alongside the bakery counter. Click-and-collect via the app and Deliveroo delivery are available; wifi is on.

Chinese BBQ and karaoke on Walworth Road. Book a room, order the meat.

Galaxy combines a Chinese BBQ restaurant with private karaoke rooms, which is a combination that works better than it sounds. The address on Walworth Road puts it in straightforward reach of Elephant and Castle. Contact is via phone or email for bookings: +447904018377 or marketing@galaxy-london.com.

Indian restaurant on Kennington Road since 1982. Tandoori mixed grill, classic curries, delivery.

Gandhi's has been on Kennington Road for over 40 years, making it one of the longer-standing Indian restaurants in the area. The menu covers tandoori dishes, tikka, rogan josh, and mixed grill alongside paneer and vegetarian options. Delivery runs within a 3-mile radius covering Elephant and Castle, Kennington, Waterloo, and Lambeth. Open evenings only, seven days.

Argentine realism artist. £110 an hour, £330 minimum. Book via WhatsApp.

Gaston Gromnicki started tattooing in Buenos Aires in 2012 and now works from Tattooend studio on Kennington Road. He specialises in black-and-grey and colour realism, with a portfolio heavy on portraits, mythology and detailed figure work. Bookings run through WhatsApp and his books fill quickly.

German Doner Kebab chain on Walworth Road. Halal, handmade waffle bread, open until 1am weekends.

GDK is an international fast food chain built around doner kebabs made with premium lean meats, handmade waffle bread, and signature sauces prepared fresh in-store daily. The Walworth Road branch is halal-certified, with an open kitchen. Weekend hours run to 1am.

Taproom brewery on Newington Causeway with a 15,000 sq ft beer garden and unfiltered Purity Law lagers on tap.

German Kraft brews unfiltered, unpasteurised lagers and wheat beers on-site using only water, malt, hops, and yeast, following Germany's 500-year-old Reinheitsgebot. The Elephant and Castle taproom has a 15,000 sq ft outdoor beer garden and sits within Mercato Metropolitano, giving access to over 40 independent food stalls.

Greek souvlaki counter in the SE1 6DR area, serving grilled pork and chicken skewers in pitta.

Go Souvlaki is a Greek food stall inside Mercato Metropolitano on Newington Causeway. The menu centres on souvlaki: skewered grilled meat served wrapped in flatbread with tzatziki and salad.

Brown sugar boba. £5.80.

Bubble tea and cheesecake. Pick your sugar level, pick your topping. The matcha is rich. The basque cheesecake is dangerous.

1930s three-room pub next to East Street Market, listed by CAMRA for its historic interior.

The Good Intent was rebuilt by Courage in the 1930s and has held on to its original three-room layout, fielded panelling, and brewer's rustic ceiling detail intact. CAMRA rates it as a pub interior of special national historic interest. Opens from 7am and draws a local crowd on market days.

Korean street food counter in Mercato Metropolitano, halal-certified and budget-friendly.

Green Choy operates from inside Mercato Metropolitano on Newington Causeway, serving bibimbap, crispy Korean fried chicken, Korean pancakes, and bao buns. The menu is halal-certified with vegan options throughout, and packaging is 100% biodegradable. Available for delivery via Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats.

High-street bakery chain on Walworth Road. Sausage rolls, sandwiches, and sweet treats from £1.

The Walworth Road branch of Greggs keeps the same format as every other: hot savouries, filled rolls, pastries, and sweet bakes at low prices. Open from 7am on weekdays. Useful for a quick, cheap breakfast or lunch on the go.

Greggs bakery chain on Tower Bridge Road; sausage rolls, pastries, and sandwiches from 6:30am on weekdays.

This Greggs on Tower Bridge Road opens early for the morning commute, selling the chain's standard range of sausage rolls, bakes, sandwiches, and sweet treats through to early evening. It serves the Bricklayers Arms junction with consistent, low-cost grab-and-go options.

Expert cuts at the top of Walworth Road.

Skilled barbers and stylists right by the station. Walk-ins welcome six days a week, or book an appointment.

Chinese takeaway on Kennington Road, priced below area averages, with lunch and dinner sittings.

Happy Family runs lunch from noon and evenings until 10:30pm with a break in between, and stays open Sunday evenings from 4:30pm. Salt and pepper squid gets positive mentions from regulars; prices run lower than comparable Chinese takeaways in the SE11 postcode.

Waffles, chocolate fondue, and sundaes at the SE17 branch of this dessert-only chain.

Heavenly Desserts is a national dessert cafe chain with a Sayer Street location near the shopping centre. The menu runs to elaborate waffles, chocolate fondues, and built-up ice cream sundaes, priced in the £10-20 range. Open from 10am daily, it stays open until 11pm or 11:30pm on weekends.

Quiet cafes to get things done.

Scandinavian roastery with space to spread out. Beans roasted on-site, decent pastries, no one rushes you.

Chinese, Japanese, and Korean supermarket at St Gabriel Walk, stocking instant noodles, frozen dim sum, sauces, snacks, drinks, and K-beauty products.

Hekede is a compact Asian grocery and beauty shop covering a broad sweep of East and South-East Asian products. Shelves hold ramen, udon, and cup noodles, frozen dumplings and dim sum, hot pot bases, rice, soy and chilli sauces, Asian snacks, and soft drinks from China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand. A beauty section stocks Korean and Japanese skincare. Same-day local delivery is available, and the shop also lists a cafe element under its full name Hekede Asian Mart and Cafe.

Colombian coffee. Roasted in a railway arch.

Colombian brothers roasting single-origin beans in a Walworth railway arch. Proper espresso, proper pastries, no fuss.

Sizzling fajitas, crispy tacos, vegan options inside Mercato Metropolitano. 4.8 stars.

Hermanos Taco House occupies a unit inside Mercato Metropolitano on Newington Causeway, serving inventive Mexican cooking built around tacos and fajitas. The kitchen keeps clear vegan and vegetarian options alongside the meat dishes. A 4.8 Google rating from over 330 reviews makes it one of the highest-rated spots in the building.

Independent pharmacy on Kennington Lane with NHS and private prescriptions, yellow fever vaccinations, and professional earwax removal.

Hills Pharmacy has built a reputation in the Kennington community as a genuinely independent pharmacy that goes beyond dispensing prescriptions. The travel clinic handles yellow fever certificates and other jabs, while the earwax removal service uses endoscopy for thorough results. Prescription management is available via an app, and medication delivery is offered for those who need it.

Cash-only pho on a backstreet. Real.

Tiny Vietnamese spot. The bun bo hue arrives volcanic red. Everything made to order. Cash only, no frills, no regrets.

Korean BBQ buffet with private karaoke rooms. £33 a head, open until 3:30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Horangee Pocha runs a Korean barbecue buffet inside the Crown and Anchor on New Kent Road, with private karaoke rooms alongside the dining. The buffet covers bossam, tteokbokki, japchae, kimchi jeon and Korean fried chicken in several styles. Vegan, vegetarian and halal options are available. Friday and Saturday service runs until 3:30am.

Pizza, burgers, and chicken from a Manor Place takeaway open until midnight most nights.

Hot Box sits on Manor Place in Walworth, turning out pizzas, burgers, fried chicken, and pasta for collection or delivery. Open from 11am through midnight seven days a week, it runs on Deliveroo and its own website with a loyalty points scheme. Google rating of 3.3 from 55 reviews suggests it's a reliable rather than standout option.

Gelato counter inside Mercato Metropolitano. Sharing the market with Florentine gelateria Badiani, this one keeps a lower profile.

Il Gelato del Mercato is a gelato stall within Mercato Metropolitano on Newington Causeway. Badiani, the well-reviewed Florentine gelateria, also operates at the same address. The 3.9 Google rating from 24 reviews is modest.

Aesthetic skin clinic on Kennington Road offering microneedling, Hydrafacials, semi-permanent makeup, eyelash sets, and injectable treatments.

Ink Beauty Skin Clinic on Kennington Road covers a wide span of skin and aesthetic treatments, from Korean ampoule microneedling facials and Hydrafacials to Botox, dermal fillers, and Profhilo skin boosters delivered by Dr Smith. Semi-permanent makeup including microblading, lip blush, and eyeliner tattooing is another core offering alongside Korean lash lifts and lash sets. The clinic holds a 4.8 rating from 100 Treatwell reviews, with clients consistently praising the personalised consultations.

InPost parcel drop-off and collection point inside Newington News on Penton Place. No locker needed.

This InPost Shop is a counter-based parcel service inside Newington News, a newsagent on Penton Place. Customers can drop off, collect, or return parcels by showing a QR code at the counter. Hours follow the newsagent, 9:30 am to 9 pm daily. The low Google rating likely reflects frustrations with the InPost service itself rather than the host shop.

Japanese sushi chain with 32 UK locations. Delivery and collection on Tower Bridge Road.

Iro Sushi on Tower Bridge Road is part of a 32-site UK chain focused on delivery and collection, ordering via the app or website from noon. Thursday to Saturday service runs close to midnight. The menu covers sushi, rolls, and standard Japanese takeaway fare at mid-range prices.

Long-running Indian restaurant under the railway arches, now permanently closed.

Ivory Arch operated for decades under the Walworth Road railway arches, serving tandoori meat dishes, spicy seafood curries, and a wide range of vegetarian options in a room strung with fairy lights. The restaurant has since closed permanently, with listings retained for reference only.

British seasonal menu inside the Imperial War Museum, open daily 10am to 5:30pm.

The IWM Cafe sits off the main atrium at the Imperial War Museum on Lambeth Road, serving a menu that draws on traditional British dishes including pie and mash. The recently refurbished interior takes cues from early 20th-century London dining rooms, with tiled walls and arched windows. Coffee, cakes, and sandwiches available throughout the day.

Walworth Road grocery open until midnight daily, with a selection including organic and biodynamic wines.

Jays Food and Wine sits on Walworth Road and opens from 7am until midnight seven days a week. Beyond the standard grocery range, it has stocked organic and biodynamic wines and offered online ordering and delivery. Company registration records show it dissolved in December 2024 , worth checking it is still trading before visiting.

Taiwanese fried chicken and bubble tea chain at Castle Square, part of a 20-plus-branch UK operation. Open daily from 11am.

Ji is a UK chain bringing Taiwanese night-market fried chicken to Castle Square, the new retail strip at the heart of the Elephant Park development. The kitchen fries bone-in thighs and chicken breast to a crisp golden coat, and a counter of up to 12 seasoning powders lets customers dress their order at the table. Bubble tea runs alongside the food menu. With over 20 UK locations, it is a chain rather than an independent, but it is among the few food options currently operating at Castle Square.

On-site gin distillery inside Mercato Metropolitano, G&Ts from £7.50.

Jim and Tonic distils its own small-batch sustainable urban gins on the premises at Mercato Metropolitano, including rhubarb, Mediterranean, and hopped grapefruit varieties. Three bars cover the venue: a flagship distillery bar between the two warehouses, plus two outdoor stations in the garden. Tripadvisor reviewers consistently call the G&Ts some of the best in London.

Danish juice chain at Elephant Park: fresh-pressed juices, sandwiches, and coffee from 7am.

Joe & The Juice is a Danish chain known for fresh-pressed juices, signature sandwiches like the Tunacado (tuna mousse, avocado, rye flatbread), and espresso drinks. Juices run £8.50–£10.40; sandwiches £9.50–£11.90. The Elephant Park branch is one of several London locations, open Monday–Friday from 7am.

4.9 stars from 700 reviewers. Fish and chips on Tower Bridge Road. Closed Sundays.

Joseph's Fish and Chips on Tower Bridge Road carries a 4.9 Google rating from over 700 reviews, which puts it among the highest-rated chippies in London. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday evenings. No delivery or online menu available from accessible sources.

Healthy bowls under Grade II arches.

Pan-Asian eatery and juice bar inside the restored Walworth Town Hall. Breakfast bowls, salads, cold-pressed juices.

Ex-Gymkhana chef. Set lunch is a steal.

Refined North Indian cooking from a former Gymkhana and Benares head chef. Set lunch at £19.50 for two courses. Tuesday Spice Night is £29 all-in.

Guyanese cooking at Castle Square. Oxtail, coconut lamb curry, fish cakes and fresh mango juice.

Kaieteur Kitchen brings Guyanese home cooking to Castle Square with a menu of oxtail and red kidney beans, coconut lamb curry, chicken curry and fried fish alongside traditional sides. Smaller plates include fish cakes, pholourie balls with mango chutney and fresh mango and ginger juice. Wheelchair-accessible entrance and outdoor seating available. Delivery and kerbside pickup offered.

KeyNest key drop point inside a partner shop at Metro Central Heights. Useful for Airbnb hosts and property managers.

KeyNest operates a network of over 7,000 key exchange points across more than 800 cities. At this Newington Causeway location, guests or contractors can collect a securely stored key by scanning a QR code at the counter. It is primarily used by short-let hosts and property managers who want contactless check-in. Pickup starts from £5.95 per exchange.

Latin American grill on Walworth Road. 4.8 stars from over 1,200 Google reviews.

La Brasa is a Latin American grill on Walworth Road with a rating of 4.8 from over 1,200 Google reviews, placing it among the most consistently praised restaurants in the area. Kitchen opens for evenings from Monday to Thursday, with longer hours across the weekend including a lunchtime service on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Ecuadorian plates. Open until 2am. Late-night local.

Latin American comfort food on New Kent Road. Cheap, generous, and open late on weekends. One of the area's longest-running Latin spots.

Colombian plates. Big portions. Under the arches.

Bandeja paisa the size of your head. Colombian home cooking under the railway arches on New Kent Road. Regulars chat in Spanish over rice and beans.

Latin butcher. Early start. Real cuts.

Latin American butcher and grocery on Elephant Road. Brazilian and Colombian meat cuts, Caribbean veg, South American herbs. Opens at five in the morning.

Xinjiang spice. Big plate chicken. Discover it.

From the team behind Silk Road in Camberwell. Xinjiang-style big plate chicken, lamb ribs, hand-pulled noodles, and cumin-heavy skewers in a gorgeous Grade II-listed room.

Walk-in hair salon inside Tiendas del Sur.

A walk-in Latin American hair salon inside the Tiendas del Sur arcade. Haircuts, straightening, and styling at neighbourhood prices. No appointment needed, just turn up.

Colombian grill under the railway arches. Huge portions, T-bone churrasco, proper fruit juices.

Leños and Carbon sits under the arches near Elephant and Castle station, serving generous Colombian plates that lean heavily on the grill. The mixed parrilla brings chicken, beef, pork steaks, Colombian sausages, and ribs; the churrasco al carbon is a thick T-bone, blackened outside and rosy within. Bandeja paisa, empanadas, and Colombian fruit juices round out a menu that does not do small portions.

Late-night shawarma. Cash only. Queue and eat.

Takeaway-only Lebanese grill on New Kent Road. Open until 2am. Generous portions, low prices, and a queue that tells you everything.

Colombian grill. Late night.

Grilled meats, arepas, and Colombian comfort food. Open from breakfast to midnight on weekends. The local Latino spot.

Cafe by day. Cocktails by night. Both good.

Fresh bread, pastries, and coffee in the morning. Natural wines, cocktails, and local beers when the sun goes down. Ash Avenue, Elephant Park.

Every noodle you can't find elsewhere.

Asian supermarket stocking Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, Japanese, and Filipino ingredients. Also has a bubble tea counter inside.

The big university library.

London South Bank University's four-storey hub. Ground floor cafe is open to all. Upper floors for students.

Pie, mash and liquor since 1902. Jellied eels, fresh-made pastry, secret-recipe parsley sauce.

M. Manze has been making pies by hand since Michele Manze opened this Tower Bridge Road shop in 1902. Pastry is made fresh daily, potatoes are peeled and mashed to order, and the parsley liquor contains a proprietary ingredient they won't share. Stewed or jellied eels are also on, and there's a vegan pie option for those who want the ritual without the meat.

Send parcels, print documents, rent a mailbox.

One-stop shop for parcels, courier services, printing, and mailbox rental. Useful when the post office queue is too long.

Mangonadas. TikTok-famous. Sticky fingers.

Mexican-style mango drinks and fruit snacks from a bright yellow stall on Elephant Road. The volcano mangonada comes with chamoy, tajin, and a tamarind candy stick.

40+ food traders under one roof.

Huge community food market on Newington Causeway. Pizza, ramen, tacos, wine bar. Open late Thursday to Saturday.

The nightclub. In your neighbourhood.

One of the most famous clubs on the planet, three nights a week. House on Saturdays, trance on Fridays, student night on Tuesdays.

Full-range supermarket on Walworth Road with a market street, deli counter, and own-brand staples.

Morrisons on Walworth Road is a mid-size superstore with a broader fresh offer than most local chains, including a staffed deli counter and in-store bakery. Open seven days with long weekday hours, it covers the weekly shop without needing multiple stops.

12-foot noodles for under £15. Worth it.

Xi'an hand-pulled noodles with unlimited refills. The biang biang is twelve feet long and the best cheap lunch on Castle Square.

Peri-peri chicken chain. Outdoor seating, delivery, wheelchair access. Does what it says.

Nando's Elephant and Castle sits inside Metro Central Heights, offering the familiar peri-peri chicken menu across a range of heat levels. Dine-in, takeaway, and delivery all available. Outdoor seating and wheelchair-accessible entrance on this branch.

Alterations and repairs. Over 20 years' experience.

Claudia handles almost any clothing alteration or textile repair. In Castle Square, open seven days a week including Sundays.

Good sushi. Date-night mood. Sayer Street.

Japanese-Korean restaurant with sushi, robata grills, and bento boxes. Sister branch of the Camberwell original. Sleek interior.

Grade II listed pub with a hidden beer garden. Pints from £4.95 before 7pm.

A pub has stood on this site since 1750, and the Grade II listing means the low ceilings, wooden beams, and mock-Tudor exterior are going nowhere. The conservatory at the back was converted from the original outdoor toilets, which tells you something about the building's longevity. Sunday roasts include a vegetarian wellington, and the beer garden is bigger than it looks from the street.

Latin small plates. All gluten-free.

Colombian-Peruvian small plates near the roundabout. Also an art gallery. The set lunch menu is a steal.

Free and low-cost classes. Real community hub.

Community centre in Walworth running free and low-cost activities: dance, sewing, cookery, cinema nights, music school, and a community cafe.

Clay pot rice. Crispy bottom layer. Worth it.

Southern Chinese clay pot rice with a crispy scorched base. Cheung fun and dim sum sides. Comfort food done right on Sayer Street.

Old-school local on St Georges Road. Beer garden, pub food, sports TV, open till 1am.

The Prince of Wales is a no-frills local on St Georges Road with a beer garden, live sport on screen, and a pub food menu that includes vegetarian options. Mains sit in the £10 to £20 range. Kitchen serves from noon daily; the pub stays open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, midnight the rest of the week.

Your local pharmacy on Walworth Road.

Independent NHS pharmacy. Prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and health advice. Open six days a week.

Cash only. Peruvian home cooking. Real deal.

No-frills Peruvian spot opposite St Mary's Churchyard. Beef heart skewers, lomo saltado, and ceviche at prices that have not caught up with the regeneration.

Large Sainsbury's on New Kent Road, rated among the better-stocked options near Elephant and Castle.

This Sainsbury's store on New Kent Road carries a solid range of groceries, fresh produce, and household goods with long weekday hours. It is one of the larger supermarkets within walking distance of the tube and sits close to the Elephant and Castle regeneration area.

Keys cut, shoes fixed. Quick and fair.

Local key cutter and cobbler on Walworth Road. Quick turnaround, fair prices, and a helpful owner. No appointment needed.

Dry cleaning and alterations. Handles delicate fabrics.

Specialist dry cleaners on Walworth Road. Good with delicate and special-care fabrics. Fitting service and alterations on site.

Off-West End theatre. Two stages. Local.

The original Southwark Playhouse on Newington Causeway with a 240-seat main house and 120-seat studio. New writing, musicals, and revivals.

Off-West End theatre. 310 seats. Opened 2023.

The newer Southwark Playhouse venue on Dante Place with a 310-seat auditorium. New writing, musicals, and revivals at a fraction of West End prices.

When the cafe table won't cut it.

Proper coworking in two railway arches. Day pass gets you a desk, fast wifi, and free coffee until 5:30.

Eye tests and hearing checks. Open seven days.

NHS eye tests, glasses, contact lenses, and hearing services. Five minutes from the station on Walworth Road. Open every day.

Jerk chicken under a tenner. Proper portions.

Caribbean takeaway doing jerk chicken, escovitch fish, and curried goat for around £10. Big portions. Sayer Street location.

Cuts, colour, and nails. Ladies, gents, kids.

Full-service hair salon at Elephant Park. Cuts, colouring, styling, extensions, plus nails and waxing. Walk-ins welcome.

Swim, gym, sauna. Two minutes from the station.

Public leisure centre with a 25m pool, teaching pool, gym, sauna, and steam room. Southwark residents swim free on Fridays and weekend afternoons.

Big corner pub on Kennington Road. Heated terrace, live sport, open till 1am Friday and Saturday.

The Dog House occupies a sizeable corner site on Kennington Road near The Oval, with a heated stretch-canopy terrace that seats large groups. Draught beers, pub food, and live sport on screen are the staples. Friday and Saturday closing time is 1am. The terrace is described on the pub's own site as one of its main draws.

Two-floor pub open until 2am at weekends. Quiz nights, DJ Saturdays, beer garden, sports on screen.

On the site of a pub that dates to 1765, this two-floor venue packs a lot in: craft beers and cocktails on the ground floor, a basement bar for late nights, and a beer garden when the weather holds. Monday quiz nights and Saturday DJ sets keep a regular crowd coming back. Friday and Saturday late licence runs until 2am.

Walk-ins welcome. Seven days a week.

Reliable local barbers on Wansey Street. Haircuts, beard trims, and head shaves. No appointment needed.

Weekend market. 20+ local traders.

Saturday and Sunday market on Castle Square. Street food, fresh produce, crafts, and local designers. Discover something new weekly.

Three kilometres of street art under the railway.

Free walking route along London's oldest railway viaduct. Street art, independent shops in the arches, and food markets along the way.

Wetherspoon in Metro Central Heights. Cheap pints, all-day food, open until midnight most nights.

A JD Wetherspoon sitting inside Metro Central Heights, open from 8am and offering the chain's standard spread of budget meals, real ales, and a full spirits menu. Step-free access and a licensed outdoor area make it practical for the area. It's a Wetherspoon: you know what you're getting, and the price is the point.

Roof terrace views over the Imperial War Museum. Craft ales, pies, and Sunday roasts since 1825.

One of the older pubs in SE11, The Tankard has been serving pints since 1825 and recently reopened with its character intact. The first-floor roof terrace looks directly over the Imperial War Museum, making it one of the better spots in the area for a summer pint. Food runs to proper pub classics: steak and ale pie, chicken and leek pie, fish and chips, with Wednesday deals worth checking.

Seasonal gastropub on Kennington Road. Sunday roast worth booking for.

The Three Stags runs a rotating seasonal menu with dishes like confit duck leg, chicken Kiev, and croquettes alongside a well-regarded Sunday roast. Craft beers, cocktails, and a wine list cover the drinks side. There is a private dining room upstairs and a small front terrace for when the weather cooperates.

Kennington Lane pub with rooms and a comedy club. Steaks, pies, real ale.

The Tommyfield on Kennington Lane is a British pub-with-rooms running a menu built around fish, pies, and the grill. Battered coley with chips and sirloin steak both feature; desserts run to sticky toffee pudding and jam roly poly. Real ales include Timothy Taylor Landlord and Sharp's Doom Bar. Google lists an award-winning comedy club as part of the offer.

Neapolitan pizza. Two minutes from the station.

Wood-fired sourdough pizza right by the station. Proper Neapolitan method. Quick lunch or a relaxed dinner.

Peace garden. Opened by the Dalai Lama. Free.

Contemplative garden with a bronze Kalachakra Mandala and a stone pillar inscribed in four languages. Opened by the Dalai Lama in 1999. Free to visit anytime.

A Latin American arcade hiding restaurants, a salon, and groceries.

Tucked inside the ground floor of Sherston Court, this compact indoor market is where the Latin American community shops, eats, and catches up. Stalls sell Colombian groceries, traditional gifts, clothes, and music. The real draw is the food: Tropikazo and Aroma de Cafe are both inside.

French food upstairs. Jazz downstairs. Real local.

Wood-panelled brasserie with a proper jazz club in the basement. Steak frites, croque monsieur, and live music most nights.

Turkish grill with 27 years on Tower Bridge Road. Lamb shish £21, meze from £6.90, open until midnight.

Tower Mangal has been grilling on Tower Bridge Road for over 27 years, with a menu that runs from cold meze (hummus, cacik, vine leaves at £6.90 each) through to charcoal-grilled kebabs and chef's specials. The Ali Nazik, a lamb kebab over smoked aubergine puree, and the Halep Kebab are standouts alongside the standard lamb and chicken doner. Mains sit between £17 and £22; the kitchen stays open until midnight every day.

London's oldest tandoori restaurant, open since 1978. Charcoal oven, lamb shank, proper naans.

Tower Tandoori has been running its traditional charcoal tandoor since 1978, a distinction that earned it a mention in The Economist. The menu spans tandoori grills, Mughlai slow-cooked dishes, and South Indian coastal curries. Regulars point to the Mughlai lamb shank and the naans, which come out soft, slightly charred, and hard to leave alone.

Colombian set lunch for under £13. Bandeja paisa, daily soups.

Hidden inside Tiendas del Sur, Tropikazo does proper Colombian home cooking. The daily set lunch (soup, main, and a drink) is under thirteen pounds and enormous. The bandeja paisa is a mountain of steak, beans, rice, chorizo, arepa, and fried egg. Nothing fancy. Just good.

Award-winning garden. Free to visit.

Community garden and charity in a quiet corner of Walworth. Plant nursery, greenhouses, and gardening courses. Free to wander around.

Free, quiet, no purchase necessary.

Public library five minutes from the station. Over 20,000 books, study desks, bookable PCs. Free.

Your phone screen, fixed while you wait.

Phone and watch repairs in Castle Square. Screen replacements, battery swaps, and a good stock of accessories.