For many of us, an unexpected side effect of lockdown has been the discovery that we hate cooking for ourselves. Buy the food, eat the food, wash up the plate. The seemingly endless task is enough to drive anyone to Deliveroo.

Luckily enough, the end (of that particular grievance) is nigh. Restaurants are set to re-open fully on the 17th of May so we can look forward to the satisfying moment of somebody else clearing our plate at the end of a meal. 

So – what better time to round up the restaurants in Vauxhall we’ve missed most this past year. Don’t forget to tip your waiter!  

The Black Dog

The Black Dog is an award-winning pub based on Spring Gardens, Vauxhall. This is pub food done properly, using fresh, seasonal ingredients and paired with a thoughtfully collated wine list that’ll impress even the most discerning members of your party. As well as their main menu, they have an ever-changing daily menu and Sunday lunches featuring all the favourites. 

Brunswick House

Brunswick House – a Georgian mansion juxtaposed against the hustle and bustle of Vauxhall Cross – has somewhat of a cult status, and for good reason. Chef Jackson Boxer’s menu is fashionably minimalist and uncomplicated, but the food comes together in such a way as to reveal the deep thought behind the menu. Minimalist is not an adjective that can be applied to the decor however, a pleasing mixture of antiques and bric-a-brac that alone make Brunswick House worth visiting – if only for a spot of people watching and a drink at the bar. 

Dirty Burger

If, like us, you’re a hopeless devotee to the combination of meat, gherkins and cheese – stop whatever you’re doing and make plans to visit Dirty Burger now. The burgers are big, juicy and slightly messy to eat (something we’d recommend leaning into, so come here with friends). The pleasingly retro crinkle-cut fries are also delicious, and the perfect vehicle for ketchup and salt. Yum. 

Casa Madeira

Located just a short walk from the Thames foreshore, Casa Madeira is a local gem that you don’t want to miss. Serving Portuguese food and wine, if you’re sitting outdoors on a summer evening, you can almost convince yourself you’re on your holidays (which, in 2021, we all need – right?). Top tip – ask the waiters to serve you a selection of their favourite dishes – we promise you it will be delicious. 

Chino Latino

Chino Latino is perfect for a special occasion. Sophisticated, modern and – dare we say it – a bit sexy, this Pan-Asian restaurant is a star of London’s South Bank. The menu is laced with Latino and Peruvian references, and the restaurant’s ethos of ‘Love, Share and Enjoy’ shines through. Expect a modern menu made up of flavoursome sharing food, zesty cocktails and a dessert menu worth leaving room for. 

Darby’s

If ever you’re hankering for half a dozen oysters washed down by a pint of Guinness – Darby’s has got you covered. This Irish-American restaurant by Robin and Sarah Gill was described by Grace Dent as a ‘culinary bear hug’, and we couldn’t agree more. The food is sourced from local farms and the meat is aged on-site, meaning you know your food has been prepared with the utmost care. Oh, and the cocktails aren’t half bad either. 

Mezemiso

The Crowne Plaza Hotel’s terrace restaurant Mezemiso is a fusion of Lebanese and Japanese food in a fine dining experience. The interiors are almost as impressive as the food, as you’re whisked to the 14th floor in a glass elevator before being shown into the stylish restaurant. The star of the show has to be the High Tea, available from 2.30-5 pm Tuesday to Sunday. The offer includes a delectable choice of teas, alongside sweet treats and savoury delights, highlights of both ancient cuisines.