Whether you want a slice of pizza or fancy giving Veganuary a go, we’ve rounded up all of the restaurants that won big in 2024 and why you should pay them a visit this year.
Bad Boy Pizza Society, Norwood
Starting off with pizza, the Bad Boy Pizza Society in Tulse Hill was named in The Times Top 50 Pizza Places in the UK for 2024.
Their menu offers thin and crispy New York style pizzas with bold toppings like honey and spicy nduja, as well as sides like classic arancini and cheesy garlic bread, with prices starting from £4.
Forza, Peckham
Crowned as the winner of the CODE Hospitality Happiest Place to Work Awards 2024, Forza in Peckham is a popular spot serving Italian fare.
Forza in Peckham is a popular spot serving Italian fare. (Image: Dashti Jafar)
The restaurant has been visited by acting star Morgan Freeman, who claimed the pasta was “the best he’d had”, and some of their most popular dishes include the Cauliflower fritti, soft serve and Custardo according to restaurant owner Bash Redford.
Oru Space, East Dulwich
If you’re giving Veganuary a try this month, Oru Space – a popular wellness space and restaurant and café – won a Gold Seal for Cafes in the Good Food Awards 2024.
Oru Space won a Gold Seal for Cafes in the Good Food Awards 2024. (Image: Oru Space)
The restaurant serves plant-based Sri Lankan-influenced food in the day and in the evening it turns into a cosy space serving a modern interpretation of Tamil Sri Lankan cuisine along with house cocktails.
Rambutan, London Bridge
Another south London Sri Lankan restaurant that celebrated success in 2024 was Rambutan in London Bridge, which was named in SquareMeal’s Top 100 London Restaurants for 2024.
Based in Borough Market, this restaurant serves a range of Northern Sri Lankan dishes created by chef Cynthia Shanmugalingam, along with plenty of vegan options if you are taking part in Veganuary.
Camille, London Bridge
Moving on to French fare, Camille in London Bridge was named in the National Restaurant Awards list of the top 100 UK restaurants.
Camille in London Bridge was named in the National Restaurant Awards list of the top 100 UK restaurants. (Image: Eightyfour)
The restaurant serves French cuisine created by duo Clare Lattin and Tom Hill, with a daily changing menu presented on a chalkboard inspired by Parisian restaurants.
Kolae, Borough
Located in the thronging area of Borough Market, Kolae celebrated two successes this year, being named in SquareMeal’s Top 100 London Restaurants for 2024 and again in the National Restaurant Awards list of the top 100 UK restaurants.
Located in the thronging area of Borough Market, Kolae celebrated two successes this year. (Image: Ben Broomfield)
The business was created by chefs Andy Oliver and Mark Dobble following a successful crowdfunding startup and serves a menu of southern Thai cuisine.
Koi Ramen, Tulse Hill
Staying within Asia, another south Asian restaurant that celebrated success in 2024 was Koi Ramen in Tulse Hill.
This affordable ramen spot was named the Best Japanese restaurant at the Deliveroo Restaurant Awards 2024.
This affordable ramen spot was named the Best Japanese restaurant at the Deliveroo Restaurant Awards 2024. (Image: Deliveroo)
Some of their dishes include crispy Gyoza grilled dumplings and bowls of homemade ramen made in south east London.
Legare, London Bridge
Another south east London restaurant featured in SquareMeal’s Top 100 London Restaurants for 2024 was Legare in London Bridge.
Created by Jay Patel and Matt Beardmore, this restaurant offers a cosy setting with a “homely approach” serving Italian fare using seasonal ingredients, if you fancy a hearty bowl of pasta.
The Montpelier, Peckham
If you’re craving a burger, Peckham is home to what has been crowned as Champion of Champions at the National Burger Awards 2024.
The winning business, Whole Beast, won with their Aged Cheeseburger at The Montpelier pub, made with aged beef patty, bread and butter pickles, smoked bone marrow, Whole Beast burger sauce and diced white onions, topped off with American cheese.
Whole Beast won with their Aged Cheeseburger at The Montpelier pub. (Image: Fleet Street)
This whopping burger certainly had the odds stacked in its favour when it won the title after competing with 29 other finalists across the UK.
Mr Bao, Peckham
Popular Taiwanese restaurant Mr Bao in Peckham was also named in the CODE Hospitality Happiest Place to Work Awards 2024 for its “welcoming” atmosphere and diversity.
Sollip, London Bridge
Fusing together French techniques and Korean flavours, Sollip is the creation of chefs Bomee Ki and Woongchul Park.
The restaurant was featured in the National Restaurant Awards list of the top 100 UK restaurants coming in at number 36.
Fusing together French techniques and Korean flavours, Sollip is the creation of chefs Bomee Ki and Woongchul Park (Image: Goya Communications Ltd)
The restaurant offers a tasting menu that changes seasonally, featuring French-focused cuisine with elements of Asian ingredients, with dishes like baby artichoke with lobster, strawberry and almond and peach pavlova.
Trivet, London Bridge
Created by chefs Jonny Lake and Isa Bal, Trivet celebrates the diversity of food with a menu of dishes from around the world.
The restaurant celebrated two major successes in 2024, being named in SquareMeal’s Top 100 London Restaurants for 2024 and again in the National Restaurant Awards list of the top 100 UK restaurants.
The food celebrates rustic “age-old cooking” styles with food prepared in an open plan kitchen and cooked on an iron tripod.
White Men Can’t Jerk, Peckham
If you’re after a bit of spice, White Men Can’t Jerk in Peckham serves its award-winning jerk chicken and dishes using Caribbean flavours.
The restaurant was named as Independent Restaurant of the Year for Greater London at the Deliveroo Restaurant Awards 2024 and has racked up a number of Deliveroo awards since 2021.
White Men Can’t Jerk in Peckham serves its award-winning jerk chicken and dishes using Caribbean flavours. (Image: Deliveroo)
It’s also based in the Prince of Peckham Pub, perfect if you fancy grabbing some food and a drink after work or on a lazy weekend.
Zeret Kitchen, Camberwell
The final restaurant in our roundup is Zeret Kitchen in Camberwell, which serves authentic Ethiopian fare.
It was another south London restaurant named in SquareMeal’s Top 100 London Restaurants for 2024, for its dishes “packed with flavour and spice.”