The Knowhere Guide

Eating and Drinking in Crystal Palace, Greater London*

Crystal Palace, Greater London Pubs, Cafes, Coffee Shops and Restaurants

Food

• update - I've just been reading the restarants bars etc, section. Have to tell you guyz that Chez Bernard ("best restaurant")moved a few years back. There is even a message board notice asking for it's new address in the main section you mention.
• Numidie opposite murphy toonz
• TamnagThai - I can't believe the comments - this is one of the best Thai restaurants in London. Their red curry is fantastic - I have not found better anywhere and believe me I have tried! The service has always been good, the portions generous. One of my favourite restaurants.
• Tamnag Thai - The whole set up is great - nice environment, friendly enough service. But when the food came it was in very very small portions. If you're looking for value for money, this is not the place.
• That's an outrageous comment from a so-called ex-employee of Joanna's. More like disgruntled ex-employee! Joanna's is by far one of my most favourite places to eat, - and believe me I travel all over the world. The food is excellent, the staff are friendly and obliging (obviously happy in their work), and the restaurant owner is a brilliant guy that will always have a chat and sing Happy Birthday to your Mum.
• Lorenzo's, Westow Hill. We have eaten there regularly since they opened. Excellent value. Weekdays lunch at £3.50 is unbeatable. Very clean loos and kitchen. Signed Richard, Peter and Terence
• Numidie (next to the Tamnag) is excellent for Meditteranean cuisine with friendly service. Took a while to take off, but is now fairly busy most nights of the week. Also has a wine bar downstairs with occasional live music
• Try Domali, a mostly veggie cafe which has just got a full drinking license and has a good 1/2 price happy hour most weekdays 6-8pm
• Lorenzo restaurant is one of the best restaurants in south-east London ,so I can't quite understand why you knock it. I personally worked at Joanna's and can tell you that having done so I would never want to eat there again.
• Ferrari's pizza place (just along the road from Pizza Express in the new-style wood-fired-oven mode. Starters are fabulous. Peter Pan's Pick and Mix late-night-shop-thing is a source of many wonders. Try their mixed olives.
• lorenzo's restaurant is not so good,I sometimes,went to eat there and I assure you is not so typical is totally different to italian food that you can eat in Italy
• Cafe St Germain - on the parade for a decent croissant on the way back from the paper shop.
• Chez Bernard - down the road opposite Joannas is the best restaurant in the area
• One of the best curry houses I've ever found is just down the hill, opposite Gypsy Hill station. The Red Rose Brasserie does some unusual food, which is always delicious; it's quite cheap; and you get oranges, hot towels and a small glass of port afterwards.
• We know of no other place in London where in a small area, known as the Crystal Palace Triangle, there are so many pubs & restaurants. Here's our guide
  • Smokies (Westow Hill) Great atmosphere downstairs in the wine bar. The way to meet people in the area. Food good but not cheap. Friday nights is party/music night. Having a go at Keith the owner of Smokies is a local sport.
  • Tamnag Thai (Westow Hill) Wonderful food, poor service.
  • Rockwells (Westow Street) Burger type place. Decent meals at a reasonable price if you stick to a variety of snacks.
  • Joanna's (Westow Hill) Airy restaurant. Good food & wine. Excellent lobster.
  • Mr Kai Chinese (Central Hill) The best Chinese in south London but comes at a price.
  • Sun Sun (Church Road) Unpretentious and good value.
  • Chez Bernard (Off Westow Hill) Serious French Restaurant. A bit claustrophobic.
  • Lorenzo's (Westow Hill) The best value in the area for Italian. Seafood salad is brilliant. Book early weekends.
• If you can't find it to eat in Crystal Palace, it's not legal! The place has more cafes and restaurants than people. Or at least it seems like it. Avoid Rockwells: very pricey and pretentious.
• Lots of food at Crystal Palace ranging from cafs near the bus stops on the Parade to all manner of Thai, Indian and Chinese.

Pubs

• When was this site last updated!? The Occasional Half is now called 'Jack Beards' which, is absolutely disgusting horrible experience even with the good people of palace. The Orange Kipper is now called 'The Black Sheep Bar' and is nothing like what the Kipper once was. Go if you want a cool jazzy and classy environment or head to your nearest off-licence if that's not your sort of thing.
• Worked in the occassional half and met my husband there. It's a bit of a shit hole but the punters are a good laugh and the drink is cheap. The Blue Bottle is a bit too far up its own arse, drink there if you want to be seen in clothes you can't afford. The postal order is the weatherspoons, not much character, nice hanging baskets and lecherous old drunks spending their pensions wisely. The orange kipper (can't remember it's new name?) is a hot spot for the locals making an arse of themselves in that fine japanese tradition kareoke. The alma constantly seems to be being redecorated, reckon this is because local decorators piss there wages in there and pay off their tab by offering labour services! The O'Neils has a nice pool table but they require a tenner deposit, suppose this ensures that you have at least enough for a curry at the end of a session - providing you don't use the pool cue to rough up the locals and return it in one piece. The puzzle has a nice big fire and occassionaly guest DJ, a bit "Look at me" but plaesant with beer garden. I'm sure I've missed out one old man drinking den but I'm impressed that I've retained such detail as the only time (even when I worked there) I spent time in the palace was when I was pissed. Enjoy.
• The Paxton pubs in Gypsy Poad has live jam session, every other wedneday bring your instrument Pa and drum kit supplied Good relaxed company, mostly musicians, entrance is free normal bar prices 9 til close. send for info to zeodeo@yahoo.com
• ORANGE KIPPER PUB IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST I EVER BEEN TO.
• The Bluebottle
• The Occasional Half is good, the best round here for miles. The barman Rob is a hunk who can fill my glass anyday!
• Gipsy Hill Tavern, next to Gipsy Hill station. Live acoustic music Thursdays & some Sundays, DJs Friday & Saturday, good (but difficult) pub quiz on Wednesdays. Generally a very friendly pub where you will always feel welcome. Internet access available if you that's what you go to the pub for?!!
• Just to let you know that the Sportsman was refurbished about 9 months ago and is now called the 'Occasional Half'. It's much brighter and friendlier and seems to attract a younger crowd
• Don't go to the Orange Kipper- possibly the worst pub in South london
• I used to drink in the Swan: crap! Smokies is ok though (I used to dive between the Albert & Smokies during the night when on a "roll").
• Lots of pubs up at the Norwood triangle (no, really!) - The Albert, The Holly Bush, etc., The Sportsman, (opp. The Duke of Cambridge) is cheap but not exactly welcoming. A place for serious drinking only.
• The Queens Arms is now The Orange Kipper, which seems rather unneccessary.
• Railway Bell off Gypsy Hill.
• Woodhouse, right along by Sydenham Hill has a good garden for summer. Not too far from the camp site.

Cafes and Coffee Shops

• CJs Cafe serves the widest range of meals I've ever come across in a cafe and the potions are huge.

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Last updated: 2008-02-25