Brixton food & drink news: new restaurants, bars, pop ups, cafes and more

[editor]

I only nipped in for a coffee (which was fine) but 3 Little Birds on Coldharbour Lane looks great - cosy not cramped, full of proper Brixtonians, menu of mid-priced café-Caribbean food, and exceptionally friendly staff. There was a warmish buzz about the place which I've never felt in the other recent startups. I wish them very well. could it be the answer to editor's great laptop-friendly café quest?

I visited a while back and liked it too

The only downside for me that was the music was a bit too loud and I'm not sure if it's the kind of place where they want laptop tappers tarrying too long later on in the day. Either way, it's a welcome addition.

Brixton’s Three Little Birds: a contemporary Jamaican-inspired cafe and boutique bar – photos

 

[bimble]

That's some nice carpentry.

 

[DietCokeGirl]

Yep. Don't think we've reached the stage yet where we get genuine Japanese sushi chefs. Hands off the 'Indian' restaurants though, that way lies trouble.

Curry Uno in Market Row is run by a lovely Japanese guy, also the main chef, who moved here with his English wife. The foods as close to actual Japanese home cooking as I've found in London.

 

[bimble]

Food people of Brixton, can you help? I have a friend to take out for dinner this eve who is vegetarian (not vegan).
What's a good not too loud tasty place any thoughts ?
I mean apart from pizza, which works but has been done before.

 

[han]

Curry Paradise and Khan's are pretty good Indian places for veggies.

 

[bimble]

Is there still that Ethiopian (I think) place on CHL ?

 

[han]

I'm not sure!
Another place that's good for veggies is Beyrouth in Streatham.

 

[innit]

Is there still that Ethiopian (I think) place on CHL ?

Asmara, it's Eritrean.

 

[shakespearegirl]

khamsa - Algerian on Acre Lane. Excellent for vegetarians

 

[bimble]

khamsa - Algerian on Acre Lane. Excellent for vegetarians

That looks good - and free mint tea

 

[lefteri]

Yes. I like Pellone.

One day I want to try pizza from each of the four - simultaneously.

Unfortunately in my opinion this is impossible to do properly - pizza has to be eaten within a few minutes of coming out of the oven otherwise, especially with those sourdough bases, they become chewier and chewier - this happens while you eat one to such an extent that the last slice is nowhere near as good as the second - the first is of course not the best as you always eat it too soon and burn the roof of your mouth on the melted cheese

 

[lefteri]

I'm not sure if it's the kind of place where they want laptop tappers tarrying too long later on in the day.

this is probably a plus point for most people

 

[leanderman]

Unfortunately in my opinion this is impossible to do properly - pizza has to be eaten within a few minutes of coming out of the oven

I have been worrying about that too ... and I have a plan.

Two drivers: one to collect from Franco Manca and Pellone, the other from Bravi and Addomme.

Leander rd is ideally placed within an area boundaried by the four restaurants.

It might just work.

 

[ash]

I have been worrying about that too ... and I have a plan.

Two drivers: one to collect from Franco Manca and Pellone, the other from Bravi and Addomme.

Leander rd is ideally placed within an area boundaried by the four restaurants.

It might just work.

Do Pellonne deliver I couldn't see on their website??

 

[snowy_again]

Nope, but do takeaway.

 

[lefteri]

I have been worrying about that too ... and I have a plan.

Two drivers: one to collect from Franco Manca and Pellone, the other from Bravi and Addomme.

Leander rd is ideally placed within an area boundaried by the four restaurants.

It might just work.

Franco Manca pickup by car could be very tricky, optimum temperature could be blown whilst carrying it from market row to the nearest place a car can wait legally, you might have to employ drivers with bank job experience

 

[ash]

Nope, but do takeaway.

Oh that's a shame

 

[Winot]

Franco Manca pickup by car could be very tricky, optimum temperature could be blown whilst carrying it from market row to the nearest place a car can wait legally, you might have to employ drivers with bank job experience

It's going to be like the Italian Job, but with pizza. I'm happy to play Michael Caine to leanderman's Noel Coward.

 

[lefteri]

It's going to be like the Italian Job, but with pizza. I'm happy to play Michael Caine to leanderman's Noel Coward.

You're only supposed to eat the bloody olives off!!

 

[deadringer]

Personally I prefer cold pizza the next morning over hot fresh pizza but there is no accounting for taste I guess!

 

[bimble]

Personally I prefer cold pizza the next morning over hot fresh pizza but there is no accounting for taste I guess!

See I reckon that (cold pizza for breakfast) is the only real innate difference between the genders.

 

[lefteri]

See I reckon that (cold pizza for breakfast) is the only real innate difference between the genders.

nah I love a bit of cold pizza for breakfast and so does my wife, but to prefer it to the fresh out of the oven state is to harbour a perversity which is, quite frankly, pathological

 

[editor]

this is probably a plus point for most people

Oh, I agree, but that's one of the things that made Kaff so good - it seemed to accommodate all sorts of people without any bother.

 

[lefteri]

Oh, I agree, but that's one of the things that made Kaff so good - it seemed to accommodate all sorts of people without any bother.

It was a good size which helped, 2 shop units - and hit a sweet spot between being a cafe and a bar which seems to elude most establishments

 

[Brixton Hatter]

Short review: Back to the food. Lunch in Cabana (Ferndale Rd). Nicely kitted out Brazilian theme restaurant but smacks of 'chain trying to look independent' a la Wahaca. Food average (heavy hand on the fried squid; overdone spicing to disguise cheap meat). And not cheap for the quality - £65 for 3 for mains, sides, one dessert and a couple of drinks. About the same as Nanban which is n another league. Would be a fun location with a group but better food elsewhere in Brixton.

We went in there on Saturday lunchtime as well - for the first time. It's 2 mins from where I live so seemed rude not to. Decor was good - agree on the 'chain trying to look independent' a la Wahaca, but I thought it was alright and the basement bar downstairs was cool, I'd quite like to get pissed up in there one evening without baby hatter and the family-in-law in tow! As a non-meat eater, it was pretty meat dominated (not even any fish) but I thought prices were ok and I left stuffed and pissed having spent about £25. Is that about average these days? Can't really afford to eat out much these days but it wasn't as bad as I thought price-wise. Also the staff were good and they tolerated a noisy and boisterous baby hatter which is always a good bonus.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

. Talking of chains, the Franco Manca pizza place in Tott Court Road had a huuuge queue outside it on Friday.

The Tott Court Road Franco Manca is always packed…and I'm not surprised, cos the local area is stuffed with boring shit like costa coffee, pret a manger and Sainsbury locals. Franco Manca probably seems totally exciting and exotic compared to all the other chain rubbish.

 

[ash]

The Tott Court Road Franco Manca is always packed…and I'm not surprised, cos the local area is stuffed with boring shit like costa coffee, pret a manger and Sainsbury locals. Franco Manca probably seems totally exciting and exotic compared to all the other chain rubbish.

The Indian YMCA is 5mins away I'd go for that over FM any day even though I really like FM's pizzas. The YMCA do a basic but authentic curry for about £5/ head. It used to be a secret but is very busy these days. There are quite a few little Indian places around and wild honey which I haven't tried but is supposed to be great. I also found an amazing Italian deli cafe (can't remember the name), these are all around Fitzroy square area.

 

[han]

The Indian YMCA is fantastic. An occasional work lunchtime treat for me.

 

[Ms T]

The Indian YMCA is 5mins away I'd go for that over FM any day even though I really like FM's pizzas. The YMCA do a basic but authentic curry for about £5/ head. It used to be a secret but is very busy these days. There are quite a few little Indian places around and wild honey which I haven't tried but is supposed to be great. I also found an amazing Italian deli cafe (can't remember the name), these are all around Fitzroy square area.

Do you mean Honey & Co on Warren Street? It's lovely but not cheap.

 

[bimble]

Do you mean Honey & Co on Warren Street? It's lovely but not cheap.

This place.. but don't tell everyone. Our Restaurant - YMCA Indian Student Hostel, London