Southwark, British, Traditional Restaurant Guide

2021 Review: “A firm favourite for breakfast and brunch in Southwark” – this café-style fixture a short stroll from Tate Modern serves “a great menu to suit all tastes”, and fans say it’s “unbeatable”.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, this attractive operation makes the most of its spectacular setting overlooking Borough Market from a dramatic wrought-iron and glass structure (that once formed part of Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House). Flying the flag for traditional British cuisine – in particular steaks and Beef Wellington – it is most popular for business entertaining, and particularly well-established as a “reliable and enjoyable” destination for work breakfasts, with “decent food, professional service and strong coffee” (“just what you need when entertaining clients at 8am”). In terms of value for money, though, it loses out to numerous neighbours in and around the market.

“A wonderful location overlooking St Paul’s and the river” – complete with “fantastic view of the Thames” – creates a “gorgeous”, if unavoidably touristy, setting for this South Bank pub, which is incorporated into Shakespeare’s Globe theatre. Locals support it too though: in particular it’s “a lovely spot for afternoon tea” and “even if the teas are Shakespeare-themed, they aren’t over-tacky”. The contemporary British food is also well-rated at other times.

The idea that Borough would be achingly cool (or that you might need to book here!) would have seemed bizarre back in 1982 when former Smithfield trader Terry opened his traditional red-check-tablecloth caff. Nowadays if you want to grab your hipster full English before a day’s Instagramming in the local food markets, you may need to join the virtual queue.