Bermondsey Street has a rich history dating back approximately 1,000 years. Originally, a causeway was constructed across the marshes from the south end of London Bridge to Bermondsey Abbey, now known as Bermondsey Square. In the 1970s, as the tanneries moved out, antique dealers began to occupy the industrial spaces, filling them with antique furniture. Visitors can still experience this little piece of London heritage every Friday morning at the renowned antique market in Bermondsey Square.
Antiques are all well and good, but as the title of the article suggests that is not the real reason we are here today. The restaurants have now taken over this street in London and Heart on Home has had the pleasure of seeking out some of the best places to grab a bite on this lovely little road (it’s not that little) and we are going to share some of the best spots with our readers. Please keep in mind these are in no particular order and we are just showcasing some of the places that we love to go to when we visit this part of the Big Smoke.
Texas Joe’s Slow Smoked Meats – 8-9 Snowsfields, Bermondsey, London SE1 3SU, United Kingdom
Just a minute’s walk from the top of Bermondsey Street, you’ll find an authentic taste of Texas BBQ. This establishment, overseen by Dragons’ Den’s Joe Walters, who is often seen sporting a 10-gallon hat, specialises in the usual Texas BBQ fare. Smoky meats that are slow-cooked over oak to give the meat a unique flavourful taste. This place offers a genuine Texas BBQ experience right in the heart of Bermondsey.
They have many popular dishes and even branch off from the norm as they have tacos on the menu that are to die for. The Beef Short rib is a game changer, and the Mac & Cheese or the Brisket Chilli are two amazing choices from a wide range of sumptuous sides that are available. This can all be washed down with a lovely pint of draught beer, a guest beer is normally available as well which for us foodies is excellent as more beer options are always a winner.
Baccalà Seafood & Wine Restaurant – Unit B3, 194 Bermondsey St, London SE1 3TQ, United Kingdom
Baccalà specialises in seafood, wine, and extra virgin olive oil (simple and effective choices right there). The menu features customisable tasting experiences for each person. This restaurant is one of the stand-out options for Italian culinary brilliance in London, not just Bermondsey Street, I am aware of the high praise but it is warranted.
Baccala has perfected the art of marrying modern dining concepts with authentic traditions. Under the guidance of executive chef Moreno Polverini, the restaurant has become a stalwart of this part of town. It’s highly recommended to try a variety of their small plates and pasta, but also make sure to enjoy a few glasses from their rotating selection of Italian wines. They have knowledgeable waiting staff on hand to help you choose a tipple to match the dish you have selected. For us, this is one of the places where everything on the menu is worth trying at least once as everything produced is of such a high quality.
If I were personally held at gunpoint and forced to choose a dish it would have to be the Chitarrine, Mussels Carbonara. This dish is put together with hand-made pasta and the mussels are sourced from Cornwall, its light elegant flavours make the pallet sing and its flavour profiles are simple but delicious.
The Garrison – 99 Bermondsey St, London SE1 3XB, United Kingdom
This early 2000s-style gastropub offers an all-day menu that ranges from breakfast through to beer and bar snacks, along with modern British cuisine and Sunday roasts. The Garrison has managed to achieve the impressive feat of being featured in the Michelin guide for six consecutive years. This, of course, speaks volumes about the quality of its food and drink.
The Garrison does something we find extremely cool, the pub sources fresh produce daily from a small day-boat fishery in Cornwall. Their seafood dishes are a must-try, and you won’t be disappointed as it’s always fresh and of the highest quality. Don’t sleep on the Rhubard and Custard tart either, it’s lip-smackingly good. As expected they have a decent wine list and some excellent beers on tap as well. The Garrison is a top-tier spot.
Jose Tapas Bar/Pizzaro 104 & 194 Bermondsey Street, Bermondsey, London, SE1 3TQ
We have a two-in-one to bring to you here as … well it just makes sense. They have two restaurants on the same street, so why not cover them in the same place and make it more bite-sized for our readers (pun intended).
The original tapas bar is a must-visit for those seeking authentic Spanish flavours in a setting reminiscent of La Boquería’s bustling tapas bars. The menu here changes daily, as they aim to select the freshest ingredients available on the market. It can be tricky to get a spot here (especially on weekends) as they operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Meanwhile, Pizarro, located further down the street at 194, maintains the same high standards in a slightly more formal and bookable environment.
This is the point where we would normally make a recommendation on what dish to dig into, but as the menu changes so often due to the way the restaurant operates, all we can advise our lovely readers to do is to just jive with it.
Casse-Croûte – 109 Bermondsey St, London SE1 3XB, United Kingdom
If French bistros are your go-to, then we have a little taste of Paris right here for you to enjoy. Casse-Croute isn’t the biggest venue, and as expected it is very popular with locals and tourists alike, so you must make a reservation here to avoid disappointment. This is another spot where the menu changes daily. They display the day’s offerings on a chalkboard. Everyone raves about the desserts here, and as expected with French cuisine the pastries are damn impressive.
Caphe House – 114 Bermondsey St, London SE1 3TX, United Kingdom
Vietnamese food took its time to make its way over to the United Kingdom and take off, but now, plenty of amazing spots are popping up nationwide. Caphe House is one such spot and they are a welcome addition to Bermondsey Street. This place prides itself on serving high-quality Vietnamese street food, The menu is simple and relatively small but this is a strength, not a weakness. I have recently become a huge fan of the Caramelised Pork served with a salmon fish sauce and ginger. Another fine addition to the menu is the array of coffees they have on offer. Vietnamese coffee should not be overlooked and a cup from Caphe House is the perfect way to end a lunch, especially if you have to return to the office after a bite.
Honourable Mentions
There is a lot to cover on Bermondsey Street and I wish we could feature them all but here are a few other places we feel deserve your attention. We will start with Kin + Deum a lovely little Thai Spot, another excellent option is the ever-popular Franco Manca, this is a brilliant place for those looking to dine on a budget, while still getting to experience delicious food. Finally, the last Talisman is a great shout this Asia-inspired restaurant even hosts a monthly quiz night if that’s of interest. I haven’t had the pleasure of going to the quiz night myself, but people I know say it’s a fun experience and they keep the fizz flowing.
We hope you enjoyed reading about these amazing spots almost as much as we did discovering them, and hope you find the time to patron a few of them if you are in the area.