Coal Rooms

Housed in what was once Peckham Rye station’s ticket office, The Coal Rooms mixes pale-wood Scandi and sea-green upholstery with a proper dining space and stools around a sunken open kitchen, while the menu at this cool eatery reads like a hipster ingredients test – all burnt hispi, furikake and crispy gutweed. Still, after a little decoding from our clued-up waitress, we decided to kick off with a plate of oatmeal, Peckham saké, crispy chicken skin and summer truffle – no prizes for looks, but a joyful savoury wallop of flavours. Elsewhere the Bermondsey Frier (halloumi-like cheese) with aubergine and smoked marinara sauce is like a squeakier, smokier version of parmigiana, while mains of Gloucester Old Spot pork chop and smoked goat are what meat is all about: thoughtfully cooked, packed with flavour and well-seasoned – and you get to choose your own ‘house sauce’. For pud, our apple and Cheddar pie with cinnamon-toast ice cream was awesome, the cheese adding a savoury note to perfect short pastry. To drink, there’s a fine selection of craft ales, some intriguing seasonal cocktails and a pleasing number of wines by the glass. Overall, a welcome addition to the Peckham scene.

Coal Rooms is a refined bar, restaurant and café in the heart of Peckham focused around a bespoke, coal-fired grill. Set inside the grand old ticket hall of Peckham Rye Station, this all-day eatery serves up seasonal plates and gutsy meat and fish dishes from an open kitchen. From lazy weekend brunches to elegant dinners and a slap-up Sunday roast, Coal Rooms is a relaxed and welcoming spot for dining at all times of day.  

The space is split into two separate dining areas. To the front, a coffee shop where guests can grab a drink to go, or try something from its epic brunch menu throughout the day. To the back, a clean-looking dining room mixes pale-wood Scandi and sea-green upholstery, while stools stand around a sunken open kitchen.  

Guests visiting the café, which is open daily, will be offered a menu featuring a wealth of not-your-average brunch dishes. Smoked salmon kedgeree with a crispy duck egg, tamarind glazed oyster mushrooms on toast and a coffee-cured, smoked and deep-fried BLT are all up for grabs. 

In the evening, it serves a multi-course set menu of around five courses. Start with the likes of hogget croquettes with smoked cod roe, lovage and mint, followed by crinkle potato crisps, yuzu, Yorkshire pecorino and a truffle dip. Mains might include monkfish with cauliflower, scallops and bone marrow trompettes, while dessert is super seasonal with a caramelised pear tart with brown butter crumble, crème fraiche and blackberry sorbet.  

Coal Rooms is also famous for its Sunday roast, with a separate a la carte menu available on Sundays. 

Cocktails keep things classic with the likes of a Negroni, Espresso Martini or Amaretto Sour to kick things off. It also pays close attention to its wine list, with a number of smaller producers and interesting bottles on the menu.