How to spend a perfect day in Peckham, according to a local

The charm of Peckham is not a novelty to its residents, who have wandered down Rye Lane, smiling at food stall owners blasting music from street speakers or winding through crowds gathering outside the latest hotspot for many years. But now, it feels like the rest of London is suddenly waking up to the joys of this South East London borough. Like most beautiful things, Peckham is not perfect – it’s busy, messy and loud – but it’s a place that’s bursting with community, personality and charm. It goes without saying that this is one of the best foodie spots in London, thanks mostly to its diverse population: nearly half of the local population identifies as Black, Black British, Caribbean or African, and as a result, there’s a vast amount of options, from restaurants to street food stalls. I fell in love with Peckham back in 2019, and I love nothing more than spending my weekends finding new gems. As a local of nearly five years, here’s how I would spend a perfect Saturday in SE15.

8.30am Morning coffee at Ron’s

This tiny coffee shop inside the entrance to Holdron’s Arcade, which houses multiple local small businesses, may sit just a handful of people, but it’s always bustling with locals popping in to say hi and get their caffeine fix. Opened by owners Abi and Andy in 2022, it feels like a true local spot where you’re likely to strike up a conversation or befriend a neighbour. All the food is vegan, the coffee is excellent, and the pastries the size of my head keep me returning consistently. What more could you ask for?

Address: 135a Rye Ln, London SE15 4ST
Website: ronspeckham.com

9.30am Rooftop yoga at the Bussey Building

There are few views of the London skyline as unspoiled as those from Peckham’s rooftops at Frank’s, Forza Wine and the Bussey Building. Most of the time, you’re likely to experience them from the afternoon onwards with a cocktail in hand, but there’s something special about heading up (many stairs) to the top level of the Bussey Building and taking in the scenes in silence. Yogarise is a studio I always recommend to locals, and in the warmer months, there’s no better class than the Dynamic Flow out in the open air. The end-of-class Savasana feels extra special with a distant soundtrack of London slowly waking up.

Address: ​​Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Road, Peckham, London, SE15 3SN
Website: yogarise.london

11am: Shopping local

While chain stores are popping up more frequently than most would like, independent businesses are what give Peckham its personality, and it’s easy to spend an afternoon browsing and being tempted. Around Copeland Park you’ll find Etc. Store for unique homewares and trinkets, while Little Sister, a vintage shop that’s been a local favourite for years now, has recently moved to this cosy little spot and feels right at home. A short stroll away is Bellenden Road, a charming part of Peckham home to D.A.Y Boutique and Form SE15, which both stock small brands and chic designers to help you dress like a local. While there, you might want to pop into the very cool General Store, which is a grocery store and deli with stock so tempting it’s hard not to overindulge.

1pm: Grab a quick bite at Rye Lane Market

Rye Lane Market has long been the spot to pick up African foods, find a hair salon or even get your pictures framed. Recently, though, a food court has popped up offering some of the most impressive, authentic foods in the neighbourhood. Guacamoles2023 is run by Manny, who moved to the UK from Mexico and is wowing the community with his homemade tortillas and moreish fillings, and many locals are already labelling them the best tacos in London. If you’re in the mood for something different, there are plenty of other stalls offering cuisine from Peru, India, Bolivia and more.

If you’re still hungry, a short walk away is Melange, a charming chocolate shop run by artisan chocolatier Isabelle Alayain. In winter, there’s nothing more warming than an indulgent hot chocolates, and in the summer months you can enjoy a cocktail themed around the eighteen different chocolate flavours on offer, paired with chocolates in matching flavours.

Address: ​​48 Rye Ln, London SE15 5BY
Website: ryelanemarket.com

3.30pm: Afternoon walk around Peckham Rye

If there’s one thing to know about Londonders: we’re going to the local park at the first sign of summer sunshine. In the warmest months, Peckham Rye becomes the place to picnic with friends, or relax on a blanket with a great book. Before I lived in Peckham, I never realised just how beautiful Peckham Rye Park is, with its fauna and flora, lake (where you can spot tiny chicks in springtime) and water gardens. Right in the middle is a new hotspot, Peckham Bowls, where you can book a game for yourself and friends, or simply enjoy a drink and some snacks in the sunshine.

If it’s raining, I might skip the walk and instead go to Peckhamplex, a local independent cinema that’s been a local institution for 30 years thanks to its incredibly affordable (£5.99!) tickets. It’s loved for its accessibility – there are regular screenings for parents with babies, hearing impaired and monthly Autism friendly showings – and involvement in local events including Peckham and Nunhead Free Film Festival, the Young Filmmakers Competition and Peckham Festival.

7pm: Golden hour at Forza Wine

There’s a reason this Peckham favourite has since expanded to Camberwell and even the National Theatre on the Southbank; it serves some of the best cocktails in London, at a price that won’t make you gasp in horror. The wine selection is also impeccable, and it’s almost impossible not to order the cauliflower fritti (with mouth-shockingly garlicky aioli for dipping). The view from the terrace outside overlooks the Shard, London Eye and even St.Paul’s, and on an evening when the sun is setting behind pink fluffy clouds, there’s nowhere better to be.

Address: The Rooftop, 133A Rye Ln, London SE15 4BQ
Website: forzawine.com

8.30pm: Dinner at Kudu

Deciding where to have dinner in Peckham is truly a difficult decision since there are more than a handful of spots I’d highly recommend. For something really special, though, it’s hard to beat Kudu, a chic restaurant serving up modern European cooking with a South African twist. From the moment you dip the milk bread into melted seafood butter with almonds, you’ll be sold. Meat dishes really show off here, and the roasted pork belly with piccalilli and white peach will have you salivating for days afterwards. The SE15 Martini is a must-try, but there’s also a wonderful wine selection to help you stretch the evening out. The restaurant is small, so expect to be pulled into conversation with the tables nearby (who, incidentally, will often share more local tips with you).

Address: 119 Queen's Rd, London SE15 2EZ
Website: kuducollective.com

10.30pm: Dance it off

If you’ve still got the energy to keep going, there are plenty of spots that keep the vibe up until the early hours of the morning. The Carpet Shop hosts various DJs and live music nights at a small bar under the train arches, while Jumbi is the spot to celebrate the sounds & flavours of the African-Caribbean diaspora. Plus, no visit to Peckham would be complete without a trip to the Prince of Peckham, a pub that’s easy to spot thanks to its ‘Welcome to Peckham’ mural on the side, and which celebrates the local community with regular events.