Crystal Palace restaurants: a local shares her favourite places to eat and drink

Crystal Palace pulls people in from every surrounding postcode. The weekends have a particularly leisurely feel (perhaps that’s what comes from being the final destination on an Overground line), with locals and visitors drawn in by the Sunday farmers’ market in the park, the dinosaurs that, let’s be honest, appeal to grown-ups as much as they do little people, and the restored Grade II listed subway that gives a glimpse into the neighbourhood’s rich history.

The main bulk of eateries (plus its shops, antique markets and pubs) are clustered around a triangle of three main streets but some of its best loved spots are found on its edges. So whether you’re looking for a great little date spot, ice creams so delicious you’ll plan a day around them or somewhere to grab a pretty epic sarnie for a picnic in the park, read on because Crystal Palace has got you covered.

For more south London food recommendations, check out our reviews of the best restaurants in Brixton, best restaurants in Peckham and best restaurants in Totting.

Chatsworth Bakehouse

There aren’t many places I’d queue for 45 minutes with two small children in tow but Chatsworth Bakehouse is somewhere I regularly make an exception for. And I’m not the only one. Tom and Sian started the venture in lockdown – it now has such a dedicated cult following that it’s had to spread across two nearby sites. I queue for the doorstop-like slabs of focaccia and savoury seasonal galettes but the puffy maritozzi buns and cinnamon rolls are big hitters.

From Wednesday to Friday it does pre-order sandwiches which will fill you up for a week, and on Saturdays it's back to queuing for giant slices of focaccia pizza with flavours, such as fennel sausage ragu, that change each week. See you in the queue! instagram.com/chatsworthbakehouse

The Sourcing Table

This is just the sort of wine bar you want to have in your neighbourhood: approachable, easy-going and with passionate people behind it. The wines by the glass list changes constantly (a marker that the bar is buying interesting stuff in small quantities rather than sticking to big distributor lists) so there’s something new to try with each visit, whether that's a skin-contact white or a juicy beaujolais. It’s no stranger to a get-together and hosts regular music and wine nights, and seasonal celebrations with guest chefs. thesourcingtable.com

Taro

Among my most craved spots in Crystal Palace is Taro, a relaxed and authentic Japanese eatery on Church Street – the table by the window makes for a great people-watching spot. It’s a chain but you wouldn’t know it. Everything is delicious and fresh to order, from deep bowls of ramen and katsu to nigiri and temaki, gyoza and stir-fried yakisoba. To make choosing easiest go for a bento box. If you like tempura, the Palace Bento is by far the best order and a serious feast. tarorestaurants.uk

The Alma

Dating way back to 1854 The Alma has earned its stripes as a mainstay on Crystal Palace Triangle and is, in my opinion, the best pub for food around here. A relaxed and unfussy gastropub with a no under-10s policy (rare for these parts) it has a strong line-up of indie London beers on tap and a food menu focused on seasonal produce and refined pub classics. Out the back is a big pub garden too, which is great in the summer and covered and heated in the winter. thealmapub.com

Marcelo’s

Come rain or shine each weekend you can expect to find a crowd queueing in Haynes Lane Courtyard for Marcelo’s hand-churned gelato. Vegan, though you’d never know it, it’s all made in small batches from scratch using Wildfarmed regenerative oats for its oat milk base. Its unusual flavours that change each week are what keep people coming back for more, more, more. Some recent favourites include fig leaf and raspberry, roast banana caramel crumble, and a palate-cleansing melon, lime and sea salt. instagram.com/marcelosicecream

Dem

For somewhere comforting and always delicious, Dem is the spot: a traditional Turkish meze grill that’s been part of the neighbourhood for more than 26 years. It’s everything you want from a place like this – generous, well-priced dishes with punchy, authentic flavours, and warm bread and dips whisked over as soon as you sit down. The charcoal grill dishes are the main crowd-pleaser but there’s plenty for vegetarians too. demrestaurant.co.uk

The Douglas Fir

Halfway down the hill on Anerley Road, five minutes’ walk from Crystal Palace station, The Douglas Fir is a micro bar that was until recently a taproom for south London brewer, Gipsy Hill. Taken over by new ownership to give it a permanent future it’s now a larger space with a screen for sports but the same easy going vibe and great selection of local beers. Somewhere I’d go to read a book while nursing a pint. instagram.com/_thedouglasfir

Crystal Palace Park Market

Every Sunday traders set up along the tree-lined avenue at the bottom of the park for Crystal Palace Park Market. Among the mix are fresh vegetables still covered in soil, Isle of Wight tomatoes, local honey and mounds of cheese, and street food stalls featuring cuisines from all corners of the globe. If you’re here for lunch make a beeline for Ceylon Kothu for its Sri Lankan paneer curry served with a flaky parotta, or Mandala for its moreish veggie momos. crystalpalaceparkmarket.com

Bar Palazzo

Bar Palazzo is one of a handful of great pizza spots to choose from in Crystal Palace. An Italian bar and diner (from the guys behind Made of Dough), it’s fun and relaxed with a menu that asks to be shared, spanning pizzas, fritti (the artichoke fritti with a mint mayo are a favourite), fresh light salads and big plates, like chicken milanese. Pizzas are two for one on Mondays. instagram.com/bar.palazzo

Lorenzo

This family-run Italian trattoria has been piling up plates of pasta since 1985. It’s nothing fancy but it’s comforting, easy and wouldn’t look out of place in Italy with its checkered tablecloths and menu that doesn’t stray far from the Neapolitan classics. I love the salt and spiciness of the linguine Lorenzo, with capers, anchovies, garlic, chilli and olives, or the heavy on the cheese aubergine parmigiana. lorenzo.uk.com

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