40 Maltby Street

Part of a foodie enclave under Southwark arches, 40 Maltby Street is essentially home to Gergovie Wines – a fervent independent supplier dealing in pickings from just 25 organically minded, artisan producers in Italy, France & Slovenia. You can drop by for a glass of something interesting at the bar, or purchase a bottle at just £10 over the wholesale price. Two evenings a week (plus all day Saturday), the owners rev up their pint-sized kitchen & feed a crowd of boisterous locals sitting elbow-to-elbow at a long communal table. The fixed-price blackboard menu keeps it short & sweet – perhaps artichoke & lemon brik, ahead of mussels with chermoula or guinea fowl with smoked wheat, plus date, chocolate & cinnamon cake for afters. Breads, charcuterie & cheeses are also out of the artisan drawer. Note: no bookings.