North London Food & Culture

Free Weekend? Go South


There is such a thing as south of the river, Kentishtowners. And today I want to take you on a short stroll around Brixton, the much-overlooked manor that London has finally welcomed back into the fold.

Brixton’s reputation – a little like its northern chum Camden Town – has, over the years, gone up and down more times than Mrs Kentishtowner’s knickers (Enough already! Ed). But since the once-deserted 1930’s Granville Arcade was taken over by small, independent outlets and christened Brixton Village, its identity has had a well-publicised refresh, and it’s now an assault course of food, drink and shopping. Burger or thali, Japanese or Italian? Or just a nice bit of vintage clothing or homeware shopping?

This weekend, however, let’s leave the Village and take a mooch down Market Row, stopping by at my three favourite haunts. And if you really don’t want to spend a penny, just hang out and soak up the atmosphere, with its colourful fishmongers (plentifully stocked, unbelievably cheap) and butchers.


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1. Franco Manca
Where it all began. Be prepared to queue for this no booking pizza joint. Gorgeous sourdough, a choice of 6 toppings and 2 specials. Chuck in a Sam Smiths beer and it’s impossible to spend more than £20 for two people. Mrs Kentishtowner and I split just one pizza a few weeks back – and left with change of a tenner (she also admitted, a couple of wines in, that it was way superior to KT institution Delicious).

2. Seven
Oh Seven, how I love your hip interior, warm welcome, fabulous cocktails and those delicious pinxtos. This place is effortlessly cool, with no hint of pretension. The site is a former luggage store – in a playful nod to this, the bar is made up from vintage suitcases, and the cocktail menu printed on luggage labels. Just five cocktails on the menu, all for the very 2012 friendly price of £5. The Bramble comes in a teacup with a little fruit muffin to accompany it. And don’t forget to pop upstairs to see the regularly changing art exhibition.

3. The Bread Room
A cosy little café with a mouthwatering selection of breads and pastries. I recommend the pain de campagne – a rustic, crunchy beast (and vigorous workout for the mouth.) The croissants taste authentically – even nonchalantly – French. And the most perfect cup of coffee too. A little bit of Paris in Brixton (stop sniggering at the back!)

I could bore you for hours. Really I could (Really she can – Mrs Kentishtowner). And we haven’t even reached Brixton Village yet. Till next time, SW9 – as we say on Electric Avenue*.

Words & Pictures: Louise Perry

*Not really.


3 thoughts on “Free Weekend? Go South”

  1. Oh wow, and Brixton too! monsieur (et madam) you are spoiling us.. would have loved to be bored for hours by more article (ex-inhabitant of 9 Atlantic Road here, ringside seating for minor rioting, entire communal hallway and landings wall-papered very carefully with porn mags, though not by me). I won’t start off again, suffice to say that for any lazy sorts that can’t be bothered to check the place out properly, the essence of Brixton can be found in some brilliant novels by Martin Millar, starting with ‘Milk, Sulphate and Alby Starvation’.

  2. Thank you Fiona. I have to confess that I haven’t heard of Martin Millar – I’m intrigued. Any book with a tittle that good, has to be worth a look, Thanks for the tip off, I’ll definitely be seeking it out.

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3 thoughts on “Free Weekend? Go South”

  1. Oh wow, and Brixton too! monsieur (et madam) you are spoiling us.. would have loved to be bored for hours by more article (ex-inhabitant of 9 Atlantic Road here, ringside seating for minor rioting, entire communal hallway and landings wall-papered very carefully with porn mags, though not by me). I won’t start off again, suffice to say that for any lazy sorts that can’t be bothered to check the place out properly, the essence of Brixton can be found in some brilliant novels by Martin Millar, starting with ‘Milk, Sulphate and Alby Starvation’.

  2. Thank you Fiona. I have to confess that I haven’t heard of Martin Millar – I’m intrigued. Any book with a tittle that good, has to be worth a look, Thanks for the tip off, I’ll definitely be seeking it out.

Leave a Comment

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The award-winning print and online title Kentishtowner was founded in 2010 and is part of London Belongs To Me, a citywide network of travel guides for locals. For more info on what we write about and why, see our About section.