Salon

"Booking Salon as a dinner destination for you and your mates will instantly earn you a seat at the cool kids’ table. This affordable casual fine dining spot in Brixton market (with a heavy emphasis on the casual) is knocking out some of London’s best seasonal cuisine, even if it is hard to nail down. It’s a bit British, a bit Italian, a bit French, a bit Japanese, and a lot eccentric. Don’t worry though, there’s nothing too funky going on that you will give cause for alarm or even heavy eye rolls, there’s just some straight up great food, and an equally great wine list. One way to experience Salon is to book a table in the dining room upstairs and opt for the very long but reasonably priced tasting menu. Dishes like cuttlefish, monk’s bear and blood orange are typical of what they do here. It sounds weird and it takes a minute to process, but it works, and the more you eat of it, the more you’re into it. That said, a seven course dining experience can feel a bit like a marathon. It’s the kind of meal that’s great if you’re with an old friend and have lots of catching up to do, but if you’re here on a first date you’ll be worrying about running out of things to talk about somewhere between course four (salmon tortellini in salmon dashi broth) and your vegetarian main of turnip and miso celeriac. For those times you’re going to want to stay in the bar area downstairs, order a few snacks like the ’nduja croquettes, and drink some very good wine. Then you’re going to want to come back again and again. photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch" - Eileen Twum

"Choose from one of the dozen outside tables, situated in a covered section of Brixton Village market, and prepare for a far more difficult decision revolving around what to drink. Serbian Kövidinka? South African Chenin Blanc? Whatever drinkers go for at Salon, it’s bound to be good." - Lucas Oakeley

"Salon’s seasonal offering didn’t disappoint when it was just one menu in previous years, and now it’s received an upgrade, with three different casts of dishes available at £39, £49, or £69. The centrepieces are as follows: a chicken and chanterelle pie; porchetta, rolled with citrus and served with fennel; and roast duck with a honey, thyme, and lavender glaze." - James Hansen, Emma Hughes

"As the wine brains behind Brixton’s Salon and Peckham’s Levan, Salon Wine Store know their wines. That’s why it’s totally okay by us that they’re shipping mixed cases all over south London, elsewhere in London for a small delivery surcharge, and further afield for a larger delivery surcharge. There are four options, from Fun (at £70 for six bottles) all the way up to Off The Charts (£210) which they promise contains a curated selection of six iconic, elegant, and classy wines. Order here." - Jake Oliver

"This modern European spot in Brixton has things like buffalo mozzarella with shallots and crispy sage on the menu, and for bookings before 6.15pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, you can get their set menu at a discounted price of £33." - Rianne Shlebak