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Best Elephant and Castle Restaurants

It may not be an area that you know a great deal about, and until a few years ago it wasn’t somewhere you’d really consider going for a meal; but these days Elephant and Castle is actually home to a number of small-scale restaurants which offer a variety of different cuisines. From Japanese all the way through to Latin American and everything else in between, there’s something for everyone in Elephant and Castle. That’s why we think that you all ought to ride the Bakerloo line right to the end and try the amazing food being served at the best restaurants Elephant and Castle has to offer.

Updated on 26 February 2020

When you think of Elephant and Castle, your mind probably leaps to images of its infamously ugly shopping centre sitting on the edge of the large roundabout, or the impressive modern architecture of the “Razor” building. However, like many parts of London, this area just south of Southwark actually has a lot more to it than might initially meet the eye.

In fact, there are a whole host of things which might bring you to Elephant and Castle. The Southwark playhouse sits just down from the tube station with its cosy bar and café, while the wonderfully quaint Pullens Yard is home to various craftspeople including furniture designers and jewellery makers, who often open up their studios to the public. Don't miss the amazing Imperial War Museum on Lambeth Road either.

If you’re like us though, the most important thing when checking out an area is the food scene. And luckily Elephant and Castle has a range of fun restaurants to try when you’re there. Whether you’re wanting delicious Thai food, fun sharing plates from Latin America, or just a hearty pub meal, there will be somewhere in Elephant and Castle that tempts you. To make your lives a bit easier when you’re trying to decide where to eat, we’ve put together a list of the best restaurants Elephant and Castle has to offer.

Leños & Carbon

Leños & Carbon

113 Elephant Road, Elephant and Castle, London, SE17 1LB

Columbian cuisine may not be something you know a huge amount about, but if Leños & Carbon is anything to go by, they really go in for their meat. When it’s cooked as beautifully as this, who are we to complain?
Under £30
South American
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Dragon Castle

Dragon Castle

100 Walworth Road, London, SE17 1JL

Dragon Castle is a large contemporary Chinese restaurant which serves a variety of Cantonese food with a particular emphasis on dim sum. We suggest popping in just to try its amazing yum cha, served during weekends.
£30 - £49
Chinese
Dim Sum
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Costa Azul

Costa Azul

102A Rockingham Street, Elephant and Castle, London, SE1 6PG

Tucked away inside a railway arch, Costa Azul’s predominantly Ecuadorian menu is largely focused around its amazing seafood dishes which include a huge seafood platter. However, there are some other hidden gems on the menu such as the Bolivian pique macho.
Under £30
South American
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The Albert Arms

The Albert Arms

1 Gladstone Street, Southwark, London, SE1 6EY

Given that from the outside The Albert Arms has everything of the run-of-the-mill London boozer to it, the food isn’t as standard as you might think. Dishes such as stuffed rabbit leg and wild garlic, and sweet potato, chilli and parmesan ravioli appear on the menu.
Under £30
Pubs
Modern European
British
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Oaka

Oaka

48 Kennington Park Road, London, SE11 4RS

Serving a variety of pan-Asian dishes, the interiors at Oaka are just as impressive as the food, with an indoor water feature providing wow-factor. Tempting plates include smaller dishes like bang bang prawns, as well as a number of larger curry and noodle options.
£50 - £79
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Toulouse Lautrec

Toulouse Lautrec

140 Newington Butts, Kennington, London, SE11 4RN

You’d be forgiven for thinking on first impression that Toulouse Lautrec was just a decent pub, serving crowd-pleasing French plates of food. However, head up to the top floor and you’ll discover that Toulouse Lautrec also doubles as a fantastic jazz and cabaret bar.
£30 - £49
French
Wine Bars
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Koi Ramen Bar

Koi Ramen Bar

Unit 3, 19 Sayer Street, Elephant and Castle, London, 07796 463972

There aren’t many things which feel more cleansing than a bowl of beautifully made ramen, and this tiny ramen bar offers just that. Its very short menu covers everything you might expect, including a classic tonkotsu as well as pork and chicken gyozas.
Under £30
Japanese
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Pot & Rice

Pot & Rice

13 Sayer Street, Elephant and Castle, London, SE17 1FY

This pan-Asian eatery, which sprung up as part of the new Elephant Park development, does what it says on the tin really. As well as serving rice pots topped with a variety of different things, it also offers a selection of noodles, nibbles and sharing plates.
Under £30
Pan Asian
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Theo

Theo's Pizzeria Elephant and Castle

17-18 Elephant & Castle, Elephant and Castle, London, SE1 6TH

Wood-fired sourdough pizzas are the order of the day over at Theo’s Pizzeria. With a number of options under the £10 mark as well as a huge number of toppings which can be added to your pizza, it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.
Under £30
Pizza
Italian
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Mama Thai

Mama Thai

235 Walworth Road, London, London, SE17 1RL

On the Walworth Road, Mama Thai serves top notch, authentic Thai food at refreshingly low prices for London. Expect everything on the menu from tom yum to massaman curry, with the extra bonus that you can BYOB to accompany your food.
£30 - £49
Thai
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La Barra

La Barra

Eagle Yard Arch, 147, Elephant and Castle, London, SE1 6SP

La Barra really doesn’t look like much from the outside, but this Columbian café-restaurant has a trick up its sleeve. It serves amazing pica pollo (fried chicken with fried plantains) and charges just £10 for five pieces of this wonderfully spicy battered chicken.
Under £30
South American
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Beza

Beza

8A Sayer Street, Elephant and Castle, London, SE17 1FH

If you’re a vegan and find yourself in Elephant and Castle, then Beza is the place for you. This Ethiopian restaurant’s menu is entirely plant-based and includes dishes such as spinach gomen wat, and string beans and carrots cooked in garlic and turmeric.
Under £30
Vegan
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Paladar

Paladar

4-5 London Road, Elephant and Castle, London, SE1 6JZ

Serving a brilliant menu full of pan-Latin American dishes, Paladar is a restaurant led by chef Jose Rubio-Guevara. With creative plates ranging from tuna tostadas all the way through to seabass fillet tamal, you’ll be guaranteed to taste new and original food at Paladar.
£30 - £49
South American
Bars
Book now

Fancy eating somewhere nearer the river? Check our list of the best restaurants on the Southbank.

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