The Kennington

You're walking down Camberwell New Road and you spot The Kennington tucked in among the usual south London mix of independents and chains. Inside, it's got that lived-in gastropub warmth—wooden floors, decent lighting that doesn't feel like a hospital, and the kind of crowd that's genuinely here for the food rather than the Instagram moment. The kitchen takes itself seriously without being precious about it: think elevated comfort food done properly, seasonal menus that change regularly, and they're clearly thinking about provenance. It's the sort of place locals actually return to week after week, which tells you everything.