The Ivy Café Blackheath

As a legendary celeb-magnet, The Ivy’s watchword has always been exclusivity, but this elegant chain of grown-up neighbourhood cafés manages to capture some of original’s seductive charms without seeming derivative. All the telltale signs are here, from the spot-on service and decadent food to the ‘see and be seen’ thrills, while each branch brings echoes of The Ivy look to its lavish ‘café’ setting: counter seating lit by vintage table lamps, art-deco hints from bevelled mirrors, geometric flooring etc. Just about everything on the pitch-perfect menu screams ‘eat me’ and it’s all brilliantly executed – from scallops atop truffled mash or crispy duck salad to shepherd’s pie, fishcakes and no-frills steak with béarnaise sauce. For a spectacular finale, order the chocolate bombe, which the waiter dramatically defuses with hot salted-caramel sauce. If there’s one other thing that The Ivy group does well, it’s showmanship.

Blackheath is a little gem in the south-east of London, nestled between the boroughs of Greenwich and Lewisham. It’s a quaint area that is full of charm and is home to the grand Eltham palace – which is well worth a visit for its stunning gardens and royal residences. It’s only fitting that this lovely part of London is also home to a prestigious Ivy Café. Punters can grab a quick bite or have a leisurely meal at this stunning grand café style eatery in the hub of the town.

The restaurant is situated amongst the bustle of the city, surrounded by lots of shops and rolling vistas of green courtesy of the Blackheath itself. Whether you’re a local looking for a great dining option after a gander through the heath or are a visitor checking out the area's many attractions – Greenwich park, the royal observatory, and Blackheath halls to name a few – you’d do well to stop off at this elegant eatery.

The interiors of the café are splendidly decorated with colourful and exciting bursts of colour, an immediate visual feast before you tuck into the real one. The menu offers up all the standard Ivy fare that has made the brand so famous, such as the wonderfully homely Shepherd’s pie and fantastic range of steaks.

The menu also dips into the more luxurious side with truffle arancini and yellowfin tuna carpaccio for starters, as well as lobster linguine and sole meuniere for mains. The dessert menu will help round off the fine dining rather nicely, with sweet treats such as apple tarte fine or a decadent chocolate bombe set off with a hot salted caramel sauce, to reveal a glorious honeycomb and vanilla ice cream centre. The booze on offer will perk you up around cocktail hour too, with lovely concoctions such as the Ivy Royale sure to get your buzzing.