Just off the Greenwich end of Deptford High Street, on a quiet stretch of one of the area's oldest roads, The Watergate is a neighbourhood bar and restaurant that is easy to love. It sits in the quieter part of Deptford, with leafy trees out front that make it a lovely spot for a cocktail.
It's the third Deptford venue from Gordon McGowan, the owner behind Buster Mantis and Stockton, and it opened in March 2020, shortly before the first national lockdown. Inside, the room is pared-back and stylish, with wooden tables and art on the walls. It feels relaxed rather than showy, and it's lively but still easy-going.
Drinks are a big part of the experience. The Watergate is a natural wine and cocktail bar as well as a restaurant, and the cocktails are playful and carefully made. Beer comes from Villages Brewery, which is also based in Deptford.
The food is built around small plates for sharing, with menus covering dinner, brunch and lunch. Past favourites have included salt cod croquettes, sriracha grilled tiger prawns with mango salsa, and grilled sea bream with a mustard and tarragon sauce. Weekend brunch has a loyal following, with dishes such as seven-hour slow-cooked salt beef with bubble and squeak, poached egg and hollandaise.
It suits most occasions. The Watergate works well for a date, dinner with parents, birthdays, anniversaries or a night out with friends, and it also caters for large bookings and private hire. Dogs are welcome at quieter times, at the staff's discretion. The Watergate is warm, unpretentious and full of character, a good reason to make the trip to Deptford.