Exploring Brixton

Welcome back to the annual edition of my inspiration series - a series where I aimed to highlight areas in London and all their exceptionally designed restaurants, cafés, shops etc. And managed to highlight just the one. Here’s hoping my drive to get on the property ladder will help me get out and about. Where better to start than the area I currently live in: Brixton and it’s surrounds.

I’ll start with a few key facts about the area.

Where is it?

Located in South London, Brixton is part of the London Borough of Lambeth. It is bordered by Stockwell, Clapham, Streatham, Camberwell, Tulse Hill, Balham and Herne Hill. 

How are the transport links?

The most important question. Brixton underground station is on the Victoria line. Brixton overground station also operates southeastern services towards London Victoria and Orpington - I’ve never actually used this line, but Kuleen’s old flat window used to open directly onto the tracks, so there’s that. 

What is the neighbourhood like?

Coming out of Brixton station certainly has a unique feel - it is lively, loud and exciting. As a multicultural neighbourhood, there is music, street art, a strong food scene with global cuisines and culture aplenty!

How does it lean, politically?

Since 2006, Lambeth council has been under Labour majority control. 

What are the properties like?

Mainly Victorian buildings, large housing estates and modern blocks of flats. According to Zoopla and data produced by the Land Registry, properties in Brixton had an overall average price of £637,245 over the last year. The majority of sales in the neighbourhood were flats, selling for an average of £483,185. 

Key facts out the way and onto the important info - where is best to eat and drink? What is there to do?

Breakfast and Coffee

Annapurna - Hands down my favourite coffee shop in the area. A tiny spot with a selection of pastries and delicious lunches by guest chefs. They also host private events and cocktail evenings

Maya’s Bakehouse - What started as a micro bakery during lockdown has grown into a permanent site. The cookies and Basque cheesecake are 10/10.

Volcano Coffee Works - Coffee and all the paraphernalia 

F. Mondays - More great coffee. With a couple of spots in Brixton, the one closest to the station has a fun green facade  

Stir - Even more great coffee (and sandwiches). A perfect little spot to work

Dinner

Naughty Piglets - A natural wine bistro serving creative cuisine. I’ve actually only been to the Victoria site (which has now closed down), so this is firmly on my list 

Llewelyn’s and its little sister, Lulu’s - The former is a chic neighbourhood modern European restaurant with white walls, green leather banquettes and a terrazzo bar. The latter is a little deli come wine bar with cute branding. Both are perfect for date night 

Maremma - A traditional Tuscan restaurant, decorated in a rustic / minimalist style 

Multiple spots in the market - Black Bear Burger for burgers (duh), La Nonna for pasta, Three Uncles for delicious Cantonese food   

Drinks

I’m not a huge pub goer, but Kuleen certainly is…

Trinity Arms - Slightly tucked away from the main road, it has a friendly, chilled out vibe 

The Landor Pub - Similarly chilled, it has a large pub garden that is perfect in summer 

Canton Arms - With shelves lined with pickling jars and and an upscale gastropub menu, this pub is a bit more of me!

Hacha - A relaxed tequila bar located above the market

Bottle and Rye - A Parisian style wine bar by Robin Gill. Another on my list that I need to visit! 

Cable Cafe - A spot that transitions from café to bar, with live jazz. Its mix and match antique tables and chairs, little details collected from various flea markets, and buzzy atmosphere always draw me in, but I’ve never actually been for a drink. The list is getting longer…

Activities

Ritzy - An arts cinema that shows blockbusters, independent films and live theatre

Brockwell Lido - A pool that first opened in 1937. 400 Rabbits have now taken over the cafe too, serving pizzas, craft beer, gelato and brunch. Win win 

Shopping - So many markets! There’s Brixton Market, Herne Hill Market and a similar yet smaller market down by Oval station

It’s funny - you live in an area for so long, but you don’t take the time to actually see what is there. Or you get so stuck in your weekly routine, that you don’t make time to visit that restaurant or bar that’s been on your list for years. Anyway, whilst Brixton has been a great place to live, not least because of its perfect location on the Victoria line, it may be a little too loud and exciting for life right now…