Josh Barrie

Brixton is a whirlwind of a place. It’s somewhere Nico, John Cooper Clarke, even Vincent Van Gogh and Charlie Chaplin all called home; where David Bowie was born; which is home to Electric Avenue, one of the first streets in London to be illuminated by electric street lamps, and immortalised in Eddie Grant’s hit song. It’s an area known for its fabulous multicultural cuisine, great beer and top-quality live music, a postcode steeped in history and heritage, a lively hub of Black British culture since the Windrush era, and a neighbourhood that welcomes everyone with open arms.  Stepping off the Victoria Line and out into the lively hubbub on Brixton Road and you’ll find street preachers and bustlers jostling with harried commuters and exciteable gig-goers, aunties doing their big shop at the market next door, and kids larking about on the way home from school. It’s a truly overwhelming place, in the best way. Looking to make some sense of the chaos? Here’s a run-down of all the things you want to check out next time you pay a visit to SW9, as recommended by a local.

Tucked away in one of the railway arches on Valencia Place, Brixton’s foremost gallery aligns with the values of local people, championing emerging and underrepresented artists and focusing on works from marginalised voices that interrogate identity. Exhibitions often take the form of takeovers, giving each artist the entire space to showcase their imagination and expression. And displays rotate frequently: expect painting, multimedia installations, graphic and print works.

This natural wine bar and grill restaurant is not only one of the best places to eat in Brixton, but one of the best in south London, which is no small feat. Founder Margaux Aubry has grown and developed her little bistro into a real destination over the past decade, in part via  a fun and jazzy wine list, but also thanks to an evolving, playful menu that draws on the gastronomy of France, Italy, Argentina and beyond. Dishes are always interesting, and affordable; you can eat well here for £50 a head, and though bottles might meander into more expensive territory, there are usually some for £40 or so. In the tail-end of 2025, there was a further development: each lunch time, Naughty Piglets became home to one hell of a jambon beurre. Some say it’s the best in town. If nothing else, visit for the sandwich.

Real south Londoners know that Morleys isn’t just the name of a locally beloved chicken shop; it’s also a department store. Forget Harrods, Selfridges and Liberty, this place is an institution in its own right, and while it’s not quite as luxe or old as some of the bigger names, it’s been a presence on Brixton High Street since 1810, when it opened as Morley & Lanceley and operated as a general drapery business. Today, it’s a go-to for locals, serving up men’s and women’s fashion, beauty, luxury food and drink, homeware, furniture, and kids’ toys over four floors. 

It’s a shame that so many people on the Brixton High Road walk past Paula’s Colombian Bakery and enter McDonald’s next door. At midnight, such a move would be understandable – Paula’s is shut then – but during the day I’d implore you to instead opt for the empanadas, arepas, and aborrajados (plantain stuffed with cheese and deep fried) waiting inside this charming little shop. If nothing else, order a papa rellana, a near-nonsensical snack: what appears to be an entire deep-fried potato is actually a crispy sphere of potato dough stuffed with slow-cooked beef, spices, rice and herbs. The Maccy Ds Saver Menu could never.