The Best Restaurants in Vauxhall

Get the Instagram stories ready for this one, because Brunswick House truly offers a magical experience from the second you walk in. Extravagant chandeliers, velvet drapes, greenery hanging from the ceiling. The best way we can describe it is the love child of an Italian opera house and an enchanted garden!

With an ambience like this, the menu didn’t surprise us. Limited and fancy options, but of course, all made with the finest ingredients and presented in the most elegant ways. The menu changes seasonally, so keep an eye out for that. We got to enjoy the autumn range, beginning with a true British classic — the devilled egg. But the real star of the show was the grilled potato bread. Super fluffy, decadent, and made even more so with the heavenly garlic butter. Obviously, we had to put lashings of this delicacy on every mouthful.

They do offer single portions, but the sound of the sharer options was much more enticing to us. Plus, it’s a great way to keep the costs lower for groups. We went for the pork jowl, marinated in a smoky-sweet maple glaze and served with almond mole and mojo rojo. A fun blend of bold, unexpected flavours, especially after our very British starters.

We ended beautifully with their panna cotta topped with life-altering caramelised peanuts.

Have to try: Grilled potato bread with garlic butter
Perfect for: Special occasions
Approx price for 2: £90–£110 (with drinks)

We’re stripping it back to a much more homely, lowkey spot with Jihwaja, located on Kennington Lane. 

It’s a Korean restaurant that unexpectedly knows how to get the party started. The first few pages of the menu honestly blew us away — their alcohol selection is insane. Shot flights, cocktails, traditional Korean drinks — they’ve got it all. We decided to kill two birds with one stone by trying out their fun cocktails made with Korean alcohol. Our favourite? Definitely the Midori Soju Colada — insanely alcoholic but dangerously good.

They’ve got every Korean dish imaginable here: BBQ, soups, salads, bibimbap, dumplings — even the quickest decision-makers will struggle to pick. We started off in fried heaven with their fried veggie dumplings and crispy seaweed balls. Honestly, after that drink, something greasy to soak it all up was essential. For mains, we landed on the fried chicken platter, which is meant for four people but honestly, we didn’t need convincing. It’s death row meal potential — five different boneless fried chicken flavours, each one as incredible as the next, served with pickles, salad, chips, and fried rice cakes. No one’s leaving hungry, let’s just say that.

The party vibes here started to make sense when we discovered they even do karaoke. An unassuming spot, but aren’t those always the most fun?

Have to try: Soy garlic fried chicken
Perfect for: Fun with friends
Approx price for 2: £60–£80

Italo gives all those wholesome streetside Italian ristorante vibes. Vibrant red décor, outdoor tables that practically beg for an Aperol on the side, and that effortlessly homely, low-key charm we can’t get enough of.

They’re best known for their brunch and lunch options, which honestly felt like a refreshing switch-up for us. Let’s be real, we eat pasta way too often. The menu changes almost weekly, but just count on fresh ingredients and something a little bit different each time.

We kicked things off with their salt and vinegar crisps — obviously the superior flavour — served with whipped cod’s roe. A chip-and-dip combo so simple yet so satisfying. And yes, that Aperol we mentioned earlier? The perfect match.

Then came the main event — a hearty Italian sandwich loaded with salami, rocket, pickled onion, and a zesty lemon mayo. The balance of spicy, tangy, and creamy was spot-on. And because we’re British through and through… of course we stuffed a few of those crisps inside. It just has to be done!

Have to try: Lunch sandwiches
Perfect for: Quick lunch
Approx price for 2: £35–£45

Bonnington Café is everything we want and need from a café. These days, so many London cafés are doing way too much. All sleek lines, minimalism, and office-core décor — completely forgetting the real reason people come to cafés in the first place. This spot gets it. It’s all about those quaint, cutesy, wholesome vibes that made us want to stay for hours.

It’s a fully veggie spot, but trust us — meat won’t be missed. It didn’t even cross our mind, because every plant-based dish here still hits that hearty, comforting, indulgent craving. For ultimate comfort food, the kimchi fried toast topped with a fried egg is a must. The cheese pull on this thing is unreal, and that fresh, tangy kimchi pairs perfectly with the buttery, golden bread.

For those with a sweet tooth, the brioche fruit toast is another must. The toppings are what make it: bourbon-spiced cherries, mascarpone, and dark chocolate. We love when we don’t have to choose between fruity or chocolatey — the answer is always both!

Have to try: Kimchi cheese toastie
Perfect for: Casual lunch out
Approx price for 2: £30–£40 

The Black Dog is the perfect family outing spot. It keeps all those traditional, cosy pub vibes we love, but with just the right touch of elegance and sophistication. We are in Vauxhall after all.

The menu here is honestly cruel. Every single item (and no, that’s not an exaggeration) sounds absolutely drool-worthy. It’s pure comfort food heaven that hits every craving — even the ones we didn’t know we had. We started off with a full-on seafood bonanza. Salt and pepper calamari, garlic butter prawns, and a homemade fishcake with the essential tartare sauce. Paired with an ice-cold Corona, we could’ve sworn we were dining by the seaside. Wishful thinking, but close enough.

Then came the mains, and wow — they didn’t hold back. Picture this: garlic buttermilk chicken schnitzel topped with melted mozzarella, salsa, aioli, and slaw. As if that wasn’t enough, it’s served with a generous helping of parmesan fries on the side. That combo speaks for itself — no need for a long-winded description when something’s just that good.

Have to try: Garlic buttermilk schnitzel with parmesan fries
Perfect for: Family meal out
Approx price for 2: £45–£55

Cottons brings all the vibes and energy — and honestly, we’d expect nothing less from a Caribbean joint with daily happy hours. The atmosphere is pure buzz, whether you’re sat inside soaking up the music or outside enjoying the sunshine.

As mentioned, happy hour runs daily from 4 to 7, and we all know how dangerous that can get. Mix good food with good cocktails and suddenly we’ve spent half a month’s rent. Their drink list is packed with Caribbean classics and some seriously fun twists. Our favourite? The Back to the Tropical cocktail — a mix of rum, lychee, mango, and coconut. One sip and we were daydreaming about lying on a beach somewhere with zero responsibilities.

Of course, drinks like that demand salty, flavour-packed starters, and Cottons absolutely delivers. We went for the jerk chicken spring rolls (served with sweet chilli sauce, naturally). A perfect little fusion bite. Another must-order is the hot honey halloumi. Sweet, salty, spicy… it’s the ultimate flavour combo.

For mains, we couldn’t resist going classic with the jerk chicken meal. Those spring rolls gave us a teaser, but this was the main event. Beautifully smoked, rich with marinade, served alongside rice and peas, veggies, and a good drizzle of that heavenly jerk sauce. A balanced meal, right? Well… it would’ve been if we hadn’t chased it with about 13 cocktails.

Have to try: Jerk chicken spring rolls and mai tai
Perfect for: Fun with friends
Approx price for 2:  £45–£75 (depending on how many cocktails!)

Vine Bar is a classy, sleek Italian spot that oozes romance. Think moody lighting, rich tones, and all the sultry Italian wine bar vibes — basically, the perfect setting for date night.

Obviously, we had to start with (you guessed it) wine. Their by-the-glass selection is fairly limited, so really, what choice did we have but to order a bottle? It was out of our hands! We went for the Chianti Classico Riserva — the perfect fit for a chilly evening and hearty food in a dimly lit setting. It also paired beautifully with our truffle bruschetta starter. They took what’s usually such a light, fresh dish and elevated it with that indulgent truffle twist. Pure decadence.

For mains, we were truly spoiled for choice. We’ve never seen a restaurant divide its menu by pasta type before — separate sections for classics, gnocchi, and ravioli. Usually we’re lucky to get one token gnocchi dish, but here we were in pasta heaven. After a lot of back and forth (and another glass of wine or two), we landed on the green gnocchi. Creamy basil pesto, courgettes, spinach, almonds, and a generous hit of garlic. Maybe not the best choice for a first date, but honestly? Worth it.

Have to try: Basil pesto gnocchi
Perfect for: Date night
Approx price for 2: £70–£80 

Daebak is the perfect chilled-out hangout spot.  Good vibes, great company, and seriously hearty, comforting food.

We knew from the start that the mains were going to be a full-on chicken feast, so we kept things veggie for starters and went for the tasting selection. This included kimchi, spinach, beansprouts, and roasted seaweed. Sounds pretty green, we know, but the way they season and prepare everything makes it just as rich and satisfying as any meaty dish.

They’ve got all the Korean staples covered — soups, bibimbap, noodles. But let’s be honest, the fried chicken is the main event. We went for their classic Yangnyeom, coated in a spicy, sweet Korean-style chilli sauce, and it did not disappoint. There is the option to add fried rice for an extra charge, but honestly, we’d say skip it and try a few different chicken flavours instead. Variety over carbs this time!

And listen, if you’re thinking “more fried food?” — yes, absolutely. The cheese powder fries are an unexpected must. Sounds a little odd at first, but one bite and it all makes sense. Addictive doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Have to try: Korean style sweet chilli fried chicken
Perfect for: Catch up with friends
Approx price for 2: £45–£55

The Waterfront  instantly wowed us when we walked in. It’s spacious and elegant, with floral décor, moody lighting, and bursts of colour that somehow make it feel both stylish and vibrant. As if that wasn’t enough, it’s got beautiful riverside views through their aquarium-style windows. Truly a hidden gem.

The vibe here just screams cocktails and small plates, and while they do have a full à la carte menu, we couldn’t resist diving into their tapas-style picks. We tried to make our way through the entire cocktail list but got hooked on their lychee martini. Perfectly balanced, not too sweet, and dangerously drinkable.

Their deal of five small plates for £20 is actually pretty great value, especially considering the generous portions. Out of everything we ordered, the popcorn chicken and BBQ Korean-style wings were the undeniable stars — crispy, saucy, and full of flavour. The spicy vegetable samosa also deserves a shout-out for packing a serious punch. Every bite was ideal for a fun, drink-fuelled evening.

They’ve even got heated outdoor seating for those riverside views (and people-watching opportunities), plus a shisha bar if that’s the vibe.

Have to try: Tapas and cocktails
Perfect for: Fun with friends
Approx price for 2: £50–£60

Harar was our introduction to Ethiopian cuisine — and what an introduction it was. We might not be experts on the scene (yet), but this cosy, homely spot instantly made us feel like we were in for something authentic. We could just taste the love and tradition in every bite.

We started with their homemade sambusa, a crispy fried pastry stuffed with potatoes, onions, and peas. Think samosa, but with a completely different spice story. Alongside that, we tried the Azifa, a cold lentil stew dip made with jalapeños, onions, lime juice, and mustard. Normally, we’d run from anything described as “cold soup,” but this was so fresh, tangy, and flavour-packed that it completely won us over.

For mains, we went with the Doro Wot, a traditional Ethiopian chicken stew simmered with spiced butter, chilli, and an incredible blend of herbs. Fair warning — this dish brings serious heat. But honestly, it’s the kind that warms the soul and clears the sinuses in the best way possible.

If we had one wish, it would be for a dessert menu to help cool things down after that spice fest. Instead, we rounded off the meal with a glass of Ethiopian honey wine, which was sweet, floral, and the perfect little treat to end on.

Have to try: Lentil soup
Perfect for: Homely food
Approx price for 2: £40–£50