Keeping it local

My favourite local coffee shop is on 5th Avenue - that's Brixton Market, not New York. But the hot drinks at Federation Coffee are just as good as anything you'd buy in Manhattan. Over the last year or so, Brixton Market has, er, gone upmarket. In fact, what used to be called Granville Arcade is now known as Brixton Village. You know things are happening when a shabby inner city arcade becomes a hamlet.




So now there are loads of fantastic places to eat like Kaosan Thai - which Observer food writer Jay Rayner recommends. Franco Manca serves the best sourdough pizzas, there's another fine Italian called Casa Sibilla and last year I even bought Christmas gifts from ultra-local restaurant/deli Brixton Cornercopia. Don't you think it's about time Visit London started paying me to promote this city?



Rosie's is one of my favourite places. Though technically it's in Market Row not Brixton Village, definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. The café/deli has been there for a couple of years - I'd like to think that Rosie was at the forefront of the Coldharbour Lane Culinary Revolution. She has her own cookbook and blog and serves good wholesome food.




The Village also has an excellent selection of vintage shops, like Leftovers (unit 71) and Circus (opposite Federation Coffee). Plus a dwindling number of more traditional, junk-filled-second-hand stores, where you can uncover fabulous bargains like The Bear. My 1950s fake fur coat.







Let me know if you're gonna rock down to 5th Avenue. I might even buy the coffee.