Tucked into Brixton Village Market, Fish, Wings & Tings is a small, lively Caribbean restaurant that's become one of the market's best-loved spots. You'll find it in Granville Arcade, just off Coldharbour Lane, where the buzz of the arcade spills right up to the tables.
It's the work of Trinidadian restaurateur Brian Danclair, who opened it in 2012 with help from his wife. He'd felt that Caribbean food was missing from the line-up of London's leading, well-known restaurants, and he set out to change that. More than a decade on, it's still going strong, and Danclair has since opened a second Brixton spot, Danclair's Kitchen.
The menu's a celebration of Caribbean flavour, with generous portions and plenty of heat. Cod fish fritters with aioli are a firm favourite, and the jerk chicken's won fans who rate it among London's best. There's also curry mutton, oxtail, rotis, plantain and coconut curry prawns, plus a fiery hot sauce served on the side for anyone who's feeling brave. Wash it all down with a rum and Ting. There's plenty for everyone, too. Vegetarians are well looked after, and there are vegan and gluten-free options on the menu as well.
It's a small space, with a handful of seats inside, but most of the action happens at the outdoor tables. Don't let a chilly evening put you off: there are heaters and blankets to keep you cosy. The atmosphere's fun, lively and a little quirky, and the staff are friendly and welcoming.
Whether you're grabbing a quick lunch with friends or settling in for a long, relaxed dinner, it's a place that's hard to beat. It's casual, it doesn't take itself too seriously, and it isn't going to break the bank. Fish, Wings & Tings is Brixton in a nutshell: warm, vibrant and full of flavour.