Our guide to spending the day in Brixton, from food and shopping to culture and beauty
Words Catherine Hales
Home to The Ritzy, the Brixton Academy, excellent street art (don’t miss the Bowie mural) and the covered market, a day out in Brixton is always a treat. Here we round up a few places to go slightly off the beaten track for a day of alternative activities in the hub of South London.
Food and Drink
Brixton has long been a mecca for food and drink, offering fantastic Caribbean restaurants and all the treasures of the market. However, you can’t beat breakfast at Duck Egg Café. Located just off the market (and with a pop-up at The Prince of Wales too), this is much more than a greasy spoon – as you might guess, duck eggs are paramount. We recommend the delicious take on eggs Benedict to really get your morning into gear.Culture
South London certainly has no shortage of galleries and artistic spaces to get lost in and one of the very best has to be Knight Webb. Established in 2012, the space brings together a cabal of international artists including Berlin-born Juliane Hundertmark, Brixton sculptor Lesley Hilling and New York’s Anders Knutsson. Currently showing at the gallery is the stunning work of Douglas McDougall that has to be seen to be believed.Nearby can be found Brixton East, a multi-functional space that serves not only as a gallery but also as a venue that can be hired out for any number of events. Formerly a warehouse, the interiors are gorgeous, a mix of exposed brick and beams, concrete floors and a giant clock face suspended from the rafters.Shopping
What started life as a silver jewellery stall on Brixton’s street market has blossomed into a full blown store that champions local makers and artists as well as cultivating artisanal products from around the world. Diverse Gifts is the only stop you need to make if you’re looking for something unusual for a friend’s birthday or something quirky for your home. You are guaranteed to stop in for ‘just five minutes’ and end up staying all afternoon.
