The Kerfield Arms

Sibling to the Baring in Hoxton, this tastefully restored Victorian pub is already a hit with Camberwell locals. Stripped-back interiors, Art Deco-style lighting and neutral colours could be the template for a new-wave urban pub, but the quality of the food and unstuffy atmosphere raise this place above the crowd, while outdoor seating is a bonus in this neck of the woods. Jay Styler’s cooking is clever and confident, plays to its strengths and knows its limits, with seasonal British produce in the box seat. The menu is short and deceptively simple, bursting with big flavours that hit the spot. Halibut pastrami with buttermilk dressing and house pickles is a zesty starter, while desserts include a must-have fruit-topped doughnut oozing camomile custard. In between, there are grilled bacon chops, slabs of Highland sirloin to share, and seafood such as Peterhead cod with Jerusalem artichoke, spinach, and hazelnut sauce. With ‘incredible lunch deals’, real ales on tap, some terrific wines by the glass or carafe, and a rosehip spritz on the aperitif list, it’s the sort of pub you’d be happy to call your local.