Bermondsey Bites

Once considered one of the less desirable areas of London after a vast amount of investment over a decade ago this area has come on leaps and bounds. Situated next the the Thames in ear shot of Tower Bridge it's now known for it's weekly antique market and creative vibe.

We stayed in the Think Apartments just off Bermondsey Street, within walking distance of the famous Borough Market we were also surround with an array of cafes and restaurants, not to mention the Fashion and Textile Museum and the antiques market.

First stop was Borough Market, we arrived quite early to see the stall holder still setting up and most activity taking place in the Monmouth Coffee shop as commuters crammed in to get there caffeine hit. After a wander around we nipped into The Market Porter for a drink, before heading off down the South Bank for a spot of sightseeing.

Borough Market entrance.

The Market Porter beer mat collection.

The next morning we were back in Bermondsey and on the hunt for some breakfast. We nipped into Bermondsey Street Coffee. It's a quirky little place, the food is nothing spectacular but the all day breakfast roll and cuppa did it's job. What I loved most was the interior, they have light fittings made from takeaway coffee cups, cutlery holders made from Lego, a selection of 'posh coffees' and 'chav coffees' and a wonderful array of old posters that are straight from the bedroom walls of the 80's & 90's. My personal highlights were George Michael a la Wham days, Phillip Schofield a la Live and Kicking.

Another highlight of this area is The Garrison, it's a Michelin recommended gastro pub with a really friendly atmosphere and cool shabby chic interior. The food looked and sounded fab, but around here you snooze you lose, and we didn't book in time to get a table but we did bag ourselves two seats at the bar and a bowl of delicious olives.

On the lower ground floor they have another room which can be hired out for private events and then every Sunday night is turned into a Cinema room.

Other places along this one street that you can visit to satisfy your hunger pains are....

Village East, a modern bistro set over two locations, one a glass apartment block,
the other a listed warehouse; there are areas on different levels and the entire package
is topped by an open 'theatre kitchen' in the upstairs dining room.

The Hide Bar, cocktail bar located on the ground floor of the International Wine & Spirit Centre
it also serves food to help soak up some of the alcohol.

Al's Cafe, a proper greasy spoon and proud of it.

Teapod, offering 20 top quality loose leaf teas, fantastic home made cakes and pastries 

Delfina, a studio Café opened as a canteen for artists, but
has now evolved to become a leading restaurant on the Southbank.

Bermondsey Kitchen, an authentic charcoal grill (made to the Turkish 'ocakbasi' design)
holds centre stage in the cool, open-plan dining room.

Zucca, serving modern Italian food it opened in 2010 by chef,
proprietor Sam Harris a former River Café employee

The Woolpack, a cool little pub with decent pub grub to match.