There’s a quiet culinary revolution underway in Bermondsey. The face of this formerly industrial suburb near London Bridge, once only really visited for its antiques market, is rapidly changing: garden bathrooms are swiftly being converted into bars and charming neighbourhood cafés, some of London’s best restaurants are popping up beside betting shops, and disused railway arches are increasingly playing host to buzzing street-food markets, some that now rival nearby Borough Market. For the best Thai fusion, Spanish tapas or upscaled pub grub, here’s where to find the best Bermondsey restaurants and markets. For the latest restaurant openings in London, subscribe to our foodie newsletter.
Hacha, Bermondsey
Best for: Mexican feasting
Those who like a margarita know there’s one name that stands out above all others in the capital. Hacha is London’s only agaveria – a place dedicated to spirits made from the agave plant. The original Dalston site has become nothing short of an icon, with its award-winning Mirror Margarita (renowned for its impressive glass-like transparency) drawing in tequila-lovers from all across the city. The Bermondsey site is located on the ground floor of the Bermonds Locke apartment hotel, with industrial interiors pairing metallic, steel furnishings with hanging plants and dangling greenery. The cocktails are just as good as you’d expect – the Mezcal Mirror Margarita offers a smoky take on the original – and the food doesn’t disappoint either. Visit on Tuesdays for bottomless tacos for £25 and choose between traditional ‘pastor’ pork shoulder with grilled pineapple, smoky shredded chicken with a chipotle sauce or moreish beer-battered Baja fish, among other fillings. Olivia Morelli
Address: 157 Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 3LW
Website: hachabar.com
Trivet, BermondseyTom Osborne
Trivet
Best for: Michelin dining
It’s rare when a Michelin star makes its way south of the Thames, which is why Trivet is one of the hottest tables to book in Bermondsey right now. The first solo restaurant from Fat Duck alumni Jonny Lake and Isa Bal opened in 2019 and was awarded a star in 2022. The vibe is welcoming and laid back, but the menu is serious business. Particularly the wine menu, which could double as a coffee table book with over 350 bottles organised chronologically from the historic beginnings of wine to the present day. If the endless options are too overwhelming, the staff are well-equipped to recommend the perfect glass. The dining menu is thankfully concise and delightfully unexpected. The star starter is Dante’s Pici, a creamy pici pasta with Salcombe crab. There are plenty of standouts for main, but don’t discount the vinegar chicken, a poached and roasted Cotswold White chicken breast that might just be the best chicken you’ll ever have. For pudding, the signature and most-talked-about is the Hokkaido Potato, an intriguing mille-feuille made of delicate layers of baked potato, topped with sake and white chocolate mousse served alongside a dollop of butter and sake gelato. Lauren Burvill
