Eat and Drink in Elephant Park

Foodies are spoilt for choice in and around Elephant & Castle. From award-winning restaurants to brunch options that will make you want to hop out of bed at the weekend, there’s plenty here to keep you nourished.

Social butterflies are well catered for, too, with plenty of bars, pubs and clubs in which to enjoy craft beers and quirky cocktails. Many offer late-night licences, which will please night owls.

Coffee lovers will find a great selection of independent outlets providing the perfect spot to catch up with friends over a coffee and cake, or a welcoming space in which to plug in your laptop for a couple of hours.

One destination that will have you coming back for more is Mercato Metropolitano. Noisy, friendly and bustling, it’s impossible not to be won over by the charm of this undercover food market, and with dining options spanning the globe it’s the perfect place to meet a group of friends with different food tastes – or simply to try something new. Read about their newest venture. 

 

Tasty Jerk gained local popularity at Artworks Elephant – and now you can again enjoy authentic Caribbean cuisine right here at Elephant Park. 

Tuck into favourites like jerk chicken and spicy curries. Everything is made from natural ingredients and all dishes are MSG and nut free. What they have in spades though, is plenty of heart. During the Coronavirus pandemic, they distinguished themselves as restaurant heroes with a free school meals campaign.

Hungry for a night in with some good food? You’ll also find them on Uber Eats and Deliveroo. 

11 ELEPHANT ROAD, SE17 1AY

 

Another distinguished restaurant hero is Beza. After running a successful food outlet in Artworks Elephant, Beza Vegan Food returns with an authentic menu cooked with ingredients and spices imported from Ethiopia. As well as a vegan menu, you can expect dishes full of flavour, each served with rice or injera, – a sourdough flatbread.

“Our menu is alive with truly delicious and healthy seasonal food, all served in a beautiful setting”, says Beza Ethio, who founded the eponymous Ethiopian brand. “Everything on the menu is 100 per cent vegan."

8A SAYER STREET, SE17 1FH

 

Celebrating modern pan-Asian delights, at Pot + Rice you can expect Rice Pot selections, Cheung Fun (rice pastries filled with tasty fillings), and a range of kitsch sides like popcorn prawn tempura or crispy chicken sliders. Wash is all down with a selection of fruit and milk teas. Check out the full menu before you visit. 

13 SAYER STREET, SE17 1FY

 

Friendly and buzzing, this undercover food market has been serving food offerings from across the world from an array of canteens alongside beers and cocktails since 2016. Open daily, there’s a strong sense of community at Mercato Metropolitano, where small producers, home-grown produce and craftsmanship are all celebrated. Food is at the heart of the market and, with so many artisan food products to buy, you won’t go away empty handed – or hungry. You can also catch a film while you’re there, as it is the home to the independent film project Backyard Cinema.

48-50 NEWINGTON CAUSEWAY, SE1 6DR

 

An integral, new venture for Mercato Metropolitano is in fact emerging right here in Elephant Park, as of Spring 2021. While the Elephant & Castle market continues to thrive, its latest offshoot, MMy, is launching in the heart of the park itself in late summer of this year. 

ADDRESS TBC, ELEPHANT PARK

 

The new “home of craft beer” in Southwark, The Tap In is now serving up a selection of over 300 craft beers from the local area and beyond. To accompany your beverage of choice, tuck into Cuban food from Jama Havana, the Cuban sandwich maestros.

2 SAYER STREET SE17 1FY

 

With two successful stalls within PopBrixton and Tooting Market, KOI Ramen’s first “bricks and mortar” restaurant is situated at Elephant Park. 

Described as "serving ramen as it should be" by TimeOut London, KOI Ramen has certainly made an impact on the London food scene in just a short time. 

Customers, the restaurant claims, will find a small menu that is big on flavour. KOI Ramen Bar’s signature dish – Tonkotsu – is a creamy, pork broth, simmered for 16 hours and served over noodles. Its Gyoza (pork, chicken, or vegetarian dumplings) dish is also increasing in popularity among diners. 

During COVID, the restaurant took to including deliveries as part of their stellar service, so are also available on Deliveroo, UberEats and Just Eat.

19 SAYER STREET, SE17 1FY

 

With a string of Time Out London awards including best restaurant, best coffee place, best brunch spot and best bar in Walworth, this unassuming eatery is helping to put Elephant & Castle on the culinary map. By day, it’s a popular café serving great coffee, tasty sandwiches and homemade cakes. By night, the fusion of flavours drifts up Walworth Road as Louie Louie transforms into a bar and restaurant, with dishes carefully created by a variety of chefs. Choose from regularly changing menus featuring small plates such as smoked pork belly and pickled pumpkin for £7, or larger servings of roast hake, carrots, zhoug and yoghurt for £16. There are DJs at the weekend, and you can enjoy a late-night cocktail in the basement bar.

347 WALWORTH ROAD, SE17 2AL

 

For even more places to eat in Elephant Park, click here.

The new shopping opportunities in and around the Elephant Park development will really put Elephant & Castle on the retail map. Shopping doesn’t get any more local than this, with a mix of independent outlets and convenience stores just a few steps from your front door. And it’s been a busy few years – Elephant Park’s new shops have brought even more of a retail offer to the local area. Here’s a breakdown of the latest openings at Elephant Park.

 

A sister store to London powerhouse Mercato Metropolitano, MM Factory is a unique sustainable dining experience and food market. Step through the doors and you’ll be greeted by a range of artisan food stalls and producers, similar to its big brother down the road, but on a much smaller and more intimate scale. 

As is to be expected, the food and produce is exceptionally good and the interiors are stylish, casual and comforting. What’s really special about it, is the sustainable nature of the produce. The Factory has its own mill which mills a selection of grains, right on site, creating nutritious bread, patisserie and pasta – made quite literally from scratch, right here in Elephant and Castle. 

This latest addition to Elephant Park’s new shops also operates as a social community hub, all centred around a love of food. And we for one can’t wait to see what sort of events and meetups take place this Summer.

1 WALWORTH ROAD, SE17 1GA

 

A ‘meanwhile use’ concept store that’s furnished almost entirely with vintage furniture and goods – Elephant Stores brings together three popular, independent businesses under one roof. Fix Your Cycle is a one stop shop for ken peddlers, a place where you can buy a second-hand bike, get some expert advice, or have your own bicycle repaired. 

In the main part of the retail unit, you’ll find a bewitching shop selling goods curated by SoLo Craft Fair: an organisation that promotes the very best manufacturers, creatives and artists from South London. Then, once you’ve tired yourself out perusing the wonderful goods, you can grab a refreshment in the oh so cool Little Louie – younger sibling of the area’s oh so popular Louie Louie bar and restaurant.

14 ASH AVENUE, SE17 1UB

 

Perhaps one of the greenest of Elephant Park’s new shops, is Crate to Plate. 

Crate to Plate’s aim is to bring home-grown fresh produce to inner-city neighbourhoods like Elephant and Castle. How do they do it? Technology. Crate to Plate’s unit (a transformed shipping container) uses controlled environments and minimal water to grow fresh produce like lettuce, herbs and vegetables, right in the centre of urban areas. Meaning no additional carbon is used for things like transportation, or flying produce from warmer climates at the other side of the world! You can even order online and they’ll deliver to your door. 

 

This is one for the budding chefs amongst our readers. KiKi & Miu Miu is an independent food market specialising in pan-asian produce. If you often cook Asian cuisine, this is your place to find authentic ingredients that you wouldn’t otherwise find in your average UK supermarket. 

Stocking ingredients and products that are revered in Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan and China, browsing the aisles is sure to transport you to a distant place. And it is not only fresh produce on sale here: sodas, candies, crisps, condiments, teas and milks are just a few of the different foodstuffs on offer. 

141 WALWORTH ROAD, SE17 1RW

 

One of London’s oldest herbalists, here you’ll find a vast range of natural beauty products and health remedies with bags of product knowledge and experience thrown in for free. Located on bustling Walworth Road since 1844, step inside and the sight of the traditional high counters, shiny wooden floors and well-stocked shelves bursting with herbs, oils and ointments will transport you back in time. But don’t be fooled by the nostalgic atmosphere – Baldwins has moved with the times and can offer advice on the health food market, as well as its extensive collection of natural remedies.

171-173 WALWORTH ROAD, SE17 1 RW

 

Arty types will love the creative space at these former Victorian buildings. Made up of Clements Yard, Iliffe Yard and Peacock Yard, the Pullens Estate was built between 1870-1901 by local builders, James Pullen and Son. The yards have a history of creativity and, in their early years, housed a number of interesting trades including industrial clogmakers for the fire service, makers of ships’ fans, and manufacturers of X-ray machines. Visit during one of the regular Open Studios weekends to meet the artists, craftspeople, and designers – and maybe even commission your own piece of art.

CLEMENTS YARD, ILIFFE YARD, PEACOCK YARD, SE17 3LH

 

This stylish stationer’s is a one-stop shop for all your art and craft needs. Whether you’re a budding artist or a weekend crafter, you’ll find everything you’re looking for at Kennington’s first stationery and art supplies shop. QueArts also offers a bespoke framing service, so if you have a picture waiting to be framed, look no further. You can also pick up quirky greetings cards and all manner of gift wrap.

220 KENNINGTON PARK ROAD, SE11 4DA

 

Need to do a big weekly shop? If you’ve forgotten to book your online shopping slot, don’t worry – you can stock up on all your household essentials and food items in one location at this Tesco superstore close to Old Kent Road. Open daily from 6am to midnight from Monday to Saturday and 11am-5pm on Sunday, you’ll also find an instore pharmacy and a handy petrol station.

107 DUNTON ROAD, SE1 5HG

 

Offering a wide range of unisex services including: waxing; manicures and pedicures; eyelash extensions; high-definition brows; and hair treatments at the salon’s blow-dry bar. Customers can give their feet some attention can sit back and relax in one of Dima Beautiful’s luxurious pedicure ‘thrones’ and enjoy some light refreshments.

220 KENNINGTON PARK ROAD, SE11 4DA

 

Whilst there are plenty of retail options moments from our flats for sale at West Grove and Park & Sayer - it’s not just the newer areas of Elephant & Castle that will make you want to indulge in some retail therapy. Once called home by Michael Caine and Charlie Chaplin, a trip down vibrant Walworth Road is a shopping must. Foodies will find everything on their list and more, with Caribbean bakeries and Lebanese street food all in the mix. Running south from the Elephant & Castle roundabout, almost as far as Burgess Park, it’s impossible not to be impressed by Walworth Road’s rich history, with some of London’s oldest retailers still trading there today. You can indulge your interest in art, recharge in a quirky café and, if you’re heading out for an evening at one of the Elephant’s bars or clubs, you can pick up some choice breakfast items for the morning after the night before.