I’ve had Peckham Bazaar on my list for a long time, and last night I finally visited with my partner and our little Jack Tzu dog (who snoozed through the whole thing). It turned out to be our best meal of the year, hands down. The focus here is Balkan cuisine, featuring elevated rustic grilled dishes and mezze-style plates with thoughtful vegetarian options alongside meat and seafood. The menu draws inspiration from Albanian, Turkish, Greek, and Iranian cooking. Even on a Monday night, it was buzzing, which says a lot about this neighbourhood favourite that’s been going strong since 2015. The restaurant is run by chef-owner John Gionleka, who is clearly passionate about his food, and you’ll see him grilling in the open kitchen. If you’re looking for one of the best restaurants in Peckham or standout mezze in SE15, Peckham Bazaar should be high on your list.
“Peckham Bazaar is a relaxed neighbourhood Balkan-inspired restaurant where every plate is exceptional, even the humble Greek salad feels extra special,” Homegirl London.
Peckham Bazaar Balkan Menu
The menu changes regularly, so you’re always in for a treat. There’s much more variety than I expected, and while you can get a tantalising taste of the Balkans in one sitting, it’s John’s evolving and eclectic menu that will keep drawing you back.
We started with marinated Chalkidiki olives while browsing the menu, followed by ultra-fluffy pitta topped with za’atar. These are perfect for dipping, and you should order a few of the spreads, like white taramasalata, babaganoush, or tirokafteri.
From the smaller plates, we shared a few vegetarian options. The chickpea croquettes with roasted butternut squash, tahini, and lemon sauce arrived golden and crisp, full of flavour and beautifully balanced.
I’m not a big fan of beetroot, but I was captivated by the marinated beetroot, which featured both purple and golden varieties, paired with whipped mizithra and pangrattato. It looked so pretty on the plate and tasted just as good; earthy, creamy, with a lovely crunch.
A beautifully presented Greek salad featuring heritage tomatoes and barrel-aged feta impressed with its thoughtful use of herbs, with tarragon adding an aniseed note and dill providing a fresh, grassy lift that complemented the sweet tomatoes and salty feta.
Moving on to the larger dishes, I ordered the pumpkin and Parmesan manti with sautéed Scottish chanterelles and roasted celeriac. The dumplings were rich but not heavy, with sweetness from the pumpkin, depth from the Parmesan and an earthy note from the mushrooms. Comforting, elegant and one of my favourite dishes of the night and the year.
We also shared the stuffed courgette globe with pine nuts and raisins, served on a layer of lemony hollandaise. This dish truly stood out visually and flavour-wise, soft and comforting, slightly sweet from the raisins, with crunch from the pine nuts and a bright citrus lift from the hollandaise.
Neither of us eats meat, so we skipped the grilled pork souvlaki, Welsh lamb skewers, and traditional beef moussaka, although I must admit, they did sound amazing. My partner fancied some seafood, and after considering the sautéed Cornish squid and hand-dived Scottish scallops, he chose the grilled tiger prawns with Greek orzo, samphire, and herbs. The presentation was stunning, with the prawns skewered over the orzo, and the flavours were fresh, smoky, and well-balanced.
By the time dessert arrived, we were very full but still shared the chocolate and prickly pear liqueur mousse, which was light, indulgent, and not overly sweet. Other dessert options included sourdough donuts with dark chocolate and Kahlúa sauce, bougatsa with pear and pistachio, as well as a selection of homemade ice creams and sorbets, including strawberry, raspberry, and mango.
Nibbles and small plates are priced from around £4 to £13, larger plates mostly range from £16 to £24, with whole fish for sharing at £56. The drinks list focuses on Balkan and Eastern Mediterranean wines, with some great options by the glass, as well as digestifs such as Limoncello and Skinos Mastiha liqueur. I had a gin and tonic, not very Balkan, but it’s my fav.
Helpful Information About Peckham Bazaar
The interiors feel warm and inviting, with wood panelling, candlelight, and soft lighting creating a cosy atmosphere that’s ideal for both date nights and dinners with friends. There’s a main dining area and a conservatory, and the open kitchen fills the space with the aromas of grilling meat and seafood.
Peckham Bazaar is situated at 119 Consort Road, London SE15 3RU, just a six-minute walk from Peckham Rye Overground and National Rail station. The restaurant mainly operates in the evenings during weekdays from around 6 pm, with both lunch and dinner served on weekends. Saturdays often stay open late, while Sundays tend to close earlier and are more relaxed. Reservations are highly recommended.
This is a must-visit restaurant in Peckham and is now my favourite in London. It evokes that holiday feeling, taking you back to your favourite destination. I recently visited Albania, and the food there was superb. Peckham Bazaar genuinely captures that same spirit. It caters exceptionally well to vegans, vegetarians, fish, and meat eaters, so everyone will be pleased. There’s nothing else quite like it in London. I can guarantee you’ll love it. Book now!
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Author: Homegirl London. Images: Homegirl London.