Greenwich

This little enclave of South East London not only has a magnificent past but a pretty happening present. Site of the Royal Observatory, National Maritime Museum and recently restored clipper ship Cutty Sark, bubbling away alongside all this history is a foodie community of folks who know a thing or two about doing things properly, says Linda Cooke.

Photo: butterflygoldphotography

Bakery: Paul Rhodes
37 King William Walk, SE10 9HU
Grains for Brains is the slogan, and honest food is the order of the day. Passionate Michelin-starred chef Paul Rhodes opened his own bakery in 2003 and now has two shops including this one, selling artisanal sourdoughs, éclairs, tarts and Rhodes’ famous brownies.
www.rhodesbakery.co.uk

Butcher: Drings
22 Royal Hill, SE10 8RT
Royal Hill is the conscientious dinner party planner’s dream. For meat, Drings is synonymous with seasonality, local provenance and quality, and this traditionally-minded business is a proud purveyor of Blythburgh free range pork. Butchery classes and sausage-making workshops are now on offer.
www.drings.co.uk

Retailer: The Creaky Shed
20 Royal Hill, SE10 8RT
Supplied mostly by farms in Kent and Sussex, the baskets and shelves are filled to bursting with organic, seasonal produce. You can order vegetable and fruit boxes which can be delivered to your home free of charge.
www.thecreakyshed.co.uk

Market Stall: The Real Baking Company Ltd
Greenwich Market, SE10
Using local and organic ingredients where possible, this is a sweet treats stall with a conscience. But taste isn’t sacrificed, and the stall is laden with a bounty of cupcakes, tray bakes and brownies. Finger-lickingly yummy!

Deli: L'Artisan
93 Trafalgar Road, SE10 9TS
Run by Joris Barbaray, who was born and raised in the Bergerac region of France, this place is small, with seating for just four people, but if you are lucky enough to be one of them you can expect a meal made with great quality simple ingredients.

Producer: Heaps Sausages
8 Nevada Street, SE10 9JL
Brainchild of master sausage-maker Martin Heap, who spent time travelling the world in search of the finest banger. All sausages - which include pork, prune and Cognac; Irish-style beef and Guinness; and North African lamb merguez - are made on site and can also be found at various delis and restaurants in Greenwich and further afield.
www.heapssausages.com

Café: Royal Teas
76 Royal Hill, SE10 8RT
Tasty vegetarian food including free range eggs, comforting homemade cakes like chocolate treacle cake, with bottomless cups of tea and coffee.
www.royalteascafe.co.uk

Retailer: Greenwich Picnic Co
Local ingredients, lovingly packed into posh, biodegradable picnic baskets. Even the plates are made from compostable palm leaves. Pick up from the Made in Greenwich gallery.
www.thegreenwichpicniccompany.co.uk

Producer and pub: Meantime, The Old Brewery
The Old Royal Naval College, SE10 9LW
A one-stop wonder: working microbrewery, restaurant and café. Outdoor seating in a walled garden, craft beers such as London Pale Ale brewed in London, good pub food and a family-friendly café with an extraordinary installation of bottles hanging from the ceiling. Tours of the brewery are available. Their pub The Greenwich Union, on Royal Hill is also worth checking out.
www.oldbrewerygreenwich.com

Community Project: Greenwich Cooperative Development Agency
53 Norman Road, SE10 9QF
Since 1982, GCDA has been doing great things for good food in Greenwich, all with a firm focus on sustainability. It provides business support to local social enterprises and champions local shops. It organises talks and training on food-growing, cookery and nutrition, and runs a catering company called Greenwich Kitchen. Its Greenwich Community Food Co-op continues to expand and now has more than 30 fruit and vegetable stalls and delivery points across the borough.
www.greenwich-cda.org.uk

Restaurant: 16 Seconds West
National Maritime Museum, SE10 9NF
With sustainable fish and English ingredients (including Chapel Down wines) on the menu, this brasserie’s credentials make it worth looking out for, and worth looking out from, with great views across Greenwich Park.
www.16secondswest.co.uk

Other articles from 'The Eel loves'

The Eel loves…outside the Olympic Park
With a fine batch of Olympic medals under the country’s belt, and the excitement of the Paralympics to come, it’s the perfect time to celebrate Team GB’s fantastic showing by taking a trip to some eating and drinking venues in the shadow of the Olympic Park that champion local, sustainable food.

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