I have to be honest with you.
The restaurants in Brixton are far, far better than the ones we have on offer in Notting Hill.
You can’t turn a corner in Brixton without finding a little gem of a joint, bustling with happy eaters. There’s a very Mediterranean cafe culture, and the prices are pretty Mediterranean too.
I can’t name a single spot near me where you can feast for a tenner, but in good ol’ Brixton you can.
The only thing that can be a little overwhelming is the sheer amount of choice you’re faced with, when it comes to where to eat.
So, I plan on doing a little more adventuring south of the river to show you some of my favourites.
Starting with Wild Caper.
King of Bloody Mary’s, they might be small but they pack a seriously spicy punch.
Nothing slips down better on a Sunday.
^ Harry’s poached eggs, bacon, hollandaise and home baked bread.
^ PJ’s eggs royale.
Hands down the best eggs royale I’ve tasted. The salmon live on vast farms, and have so much room to swim that they’re as close to “wild salmon” as you can get… but more sustainable. This really shines through in the rich flavour of the fish, which goes wonderfully with the zingy, creamy hollandaise and buttered sourdough.
Now, I will admit that my full English is not the most beautiful of the bunch.
But holy guacamole, it was cracking.
Runny eggs oozing over buttery fresh bread, free-range bacon and perfection in sausage form.
Honestly, I would happily go all the way to Brixton right now… just for another of those sausages.
Ok, one of their coffees would seal the deal nicely.
They have the Rolls Royce of coffee makers.
Built in 1965, they proudly proclaim that you wont find a proper espresso anywhere else in London.
If you want real Italian coffee, this is the place.
The only bit dreamier than the price list is the crema.
We joined Giuseppe & his old mucker, Bill for a never ending river of caffeine and bloody marys.
Snap happy PJ couldn’t resist the light, and I can’t resist this picture ^ because it looks as though Harry’s hand is getting to know Bill a little better!
G is the most fabulously Italian man I know.
He owns lots of famously wonderful restaurants in London, including everyone’s favourite; Franco Manca.
He has a new pizza cookery book out, seeing as he taught the Pizza Pilgrims everything they know, I trust his instruction!
Having just bought a caper farm near Sicily, he wants us to sail down and check it out, stopping for foodie adventures on the way. So we spent the rest of brunch scheming and planning our attack like gently pickled pirates.
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After brunch, we explored.
If you don’t put any money in these old scales, then you don’t weigh anything at all!
Just the ego boost you might need after a huge breakfast!
Brixton is perfect for meandering.
Little shops sell everything from dresses, to chairs, plates and candles.
Fishmongers, butchers and grocers display their goods with pride and chattering shoppers spill out into the streets with bulging shopping bags.
7 for all mankind jeans // Alexander Wang silk shirt (half price here)
River Island slip ons // Prada bag // Jimmy Sunnies
Powder Hill necklace // Jiya bracelets // Daniel Wellington watch
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If you’re particularly fond of Spanish food (I like you), then you’ll love Brindisa.
Here you can buy anything you’d find in your local spanish tienda.
Including, drink of my childhood! Aquarius.
And my mum’s favourite; olive oil tortas (^ those colourful things on the bottom shelves).
When Harry and I were kids in Spain, we literally never finished a meal without mum bringing out these crispy, sweet, treats. They’re a bit like a cross between baklava and a popadom. Very thin, individually wrapped and often dusted in cinnamon.
Just the sight of them made me feel 12 years old again. I could taste the sugar, hear the cicadas singing and feel the breeze fluttering through the vines overhead.
We lived in Frigiliana for many years (back when there were no roads and you had to get deliveries by mule!) and Brindisa never fails to send me right back.
Just around the corner we found a fun little homewear shop.
And I bought a silly print.
But the food shops are still my favourite bit of Brixton.
If you haven’t been yet, then Wild Caper deserves to go firmly on your “to-eat” list.
You can even follow them for a continuous stream of food porn, which is always a plus!
