The Peckham Pelican — Restaurant in London

The Peckham Pelican — Art School Energy Meets Pub Comfort

If you’ve ever wanted to sip a pint while surrounded by mismatched furniture, student sketches, and the hum of half-written essays, The Peckham Pelican is your spot. It’s not polished—it’s purposefully scruffy, and that’s half the charm.

Atmosphere Located opposite the South London Gallery, the Pelican feels like a communal living room for Camberwell’s creative crowd. Think concrete floors, worn sofas, and rotating art on the walls. It’s spacious, laptop-friendly, and often buzzing with low-key conversation. The vibe is relaxed, occasionally chaotic, but rarely dull.

Food & Drink The menu is minimal but functional—pizza, toasted sandwiches, chips, and a few vegan-friendly options. Highlights include:

Chorizo pizza with a satisfying crisp Devilled cheese toast that’s indulgent and oddly addictive Filter coffee and cafetières, not barista-level but decent and unfussy

Drinks are affordable, with a solid selection of beers and wines. It’s more about the setting than the...

We stumbled upon this place because we literally were staying in an apartment a few minutes walk away and on our arrival we wanted to go for a drink, but were too tired to actually go anywhere, so this looked like our best option. This turned out to be a good match for us, plus the prices were reasonable (for London) and the pizza was unexpectedly delicious (initially we went for just 1 for the 2 of us, but later had to order a second one, because we couldn't resist). The atmosphere is extremely relaxed, but the food came pretty quickly, so it wasn't a bother for us. The interior is also partly a gallery, so it does have art vibes throughout and is quite reminiscent of Parisian bars, plus the building the bar is in, - is a beautiful 1920s example, but if you're looking for a Costa type of place - then it's unlikely you'll like it. We visited the bar every day while we were in the area and were sad to find that it was closed (due to Monday being a short day) on our last evening. Oh well,...

The Peckham Pelican — Where Art, Eats, and Atmosphere Collide

Located near Camberwell College of Arts, The Peckham Pelican is a local favourite that blends pub culture with a creative twist. It’s known for its eclectic crowd, rotating art displays, and a menu that’s simple but satisfying.

Food & snacks:

Chorizo pizza — one of the most popular items, spicy and cheesy Laksa — a surprising Southeast Asian touch Chips & bar snacks — perfect with a pint Cakes & bagels — ideal for daytime visits Vegetarian-friendly options — clearly marked and well-liked

Drinks:

Cheap beers & cocktails — great value for London Corona, wine, and spirits — casual and well-stocked Coffee & soft drinks — for non-alcoholic moments

Atmosphere:

Artsy and relaxed — attracts students, creatives, and locals Live performances & events — music, spoken word, and more Outdoor seating — great for summer evenings LGBTQ+ friendly — inclusive and welcoming Free Wi-Fi — makes it a good spot for solo visits...