The Railway Streatham

Conveniently placed opposite Streatham Common station, the aptly named Railway has been transformed into a really enterprising neighbourhood boozer with lots of strings to its bow. The local farmers’ market pitches up here, quizzes and comedy nights are a regular attraction and the pub even supports Streatham library with books and browsing on offer; it also boasts a daytime tearoom serving brunch, sourdough sandwiches, locally baked artisan cakes and hand-roasted coffee from Volcano Coffee Works in West Norwood (note that the tearoom entrance is on Ellison Road). As an avid supporter of local and independent producers, the pub dispenses only London-brewed ales from the likes of Belleville, Twickenham and Redemption, alongside small-batch spirits and a menu of “reliably good food”. Starters of grilled goats’ cheese and piccalilli on toast or pan-seared squid with Peckham chorizo and roasted peppers could precede steak and Southwark porter pie, rare-breed sirloin with peppercorn sauce or ‘sustainable’ haddock and chips. Wines come exclusively from Old World vineyards.