It all looks very different from its previous incarnation as a Nunhead boozer...
So what do we need to know about Kudu Grill?
This is one element of the burgeoning Kudu group in Peckham run by Amy Corbin and her husband Patrick Williams. It started with Kudu, then there was cocktail bar Smoky Kudu alongside events space Curious Kudu. Finally, last autumn came Kudu Grill, the group's South African-inspired braai restaurant.
Where is it?
You'll find it in Nunhead, about equidistant from Peckham Rye and Nunhead stations. It took over an old pub - the Edinburgh Castle. From the outside it still looks like an unreconstructed boozer (we walked past it before we'd realised) but inside, through the velvet curtains, you're welcomed into a dark and cosy space.
Where's good to meet friends for a drink first?
You're pretty well served here with options including nearby The Nun's Head pub along with El Vermut wine bar and The Beer Shop if craft beer is your thing.
And where should we sit?
There are a few seats up at the bar that give you a close view of the braai action. Otherwise, you'll find booth seating along the right-hand side along with a few larger tables that are great for groups (perfect for many of the restaurant's large sharing dishes).
What's on the menu?
Think seasonal British food given a South African twist, with plenty of smokey notes from the wood and charcoal grill. They've also just launched a Sunday roast, which was what we were down here to try.
Here's what we had to give you a flavour:
Maldon oysters with tomato dashi and wakame (£8 for two) - we've tried a lot of oyster dishes in London restaurants over the past few months, but this really stood out for inventiveness.
Grilled potato flatbread topped with lardo and wild garlic (£6.50) - we'd seen a lot of pics of this on Insta and this did not disappoint.
Burrata with grilled nectarine, elderflower and sesame (£13) - a standout burrata dish.
Grilled prawns and peri peri butter (£11.50) - an extremely good peri-peri sauce, well worth getting messy for.
Pork chop with monkey gland sauce (£20) - if you haven't come across this sauce before you may be glad to hear that it's actually a tangy condiment made from tomato sauce, chutney, Worcestershire sauce, garlic and onions.
And what's the Sunday roast option?
There's just one option - roast beef with all the trimmings - but it's a very good one.
Beef Rump Roast with sweetcorn bread,fingerling potatoes, grilled carrots, broccoli, fondant shallots and smoked thyme jus (£28) - beautifully cooked beef, as you'd expect, and that sweetcorn bread taking the place of the Yorkshire pudding was a very nice addition.
How about vegetarians?
There's plenty to enjoy from that potato flatbread to padron peppers with labneh and a main of aubergine cooked on the braai and served with atchar, peppadew creme and sunflower dukkah.
Room for dessert?
Most certainly. There are two options so it seemed only right to order them both.
MelkTert choux bun topped with candied kumquats and served with jasmine ice cream (£8.50) - the perfect sized dessert after such a big lunch.
Burnt cream ganache, malted ice cream, coffee (£8.50) - easily our favourite of the two, the textures in this dessert were fabulous.
What about drink?
We were here at lunch, so we thought it best to stick to wine, although the cocktails did sound very enticing. The wine list, as you might expect, focuses solely on South African wine. There's plenty available by the glass and carafe, with prices starting at £8.50 for a glass of Boekenhoutskloof 'The Wolftrap' White Blend 2020 and going up to £110 for a bottle of the same winery's 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon.
Overall thoughts:
We took two trains and a bus to get here from North London and can attest that it was 100% worth the trip. Impeccable service, a very clubby room and dishes that absolutely sing with flavour all make Kudu Grill a destination spot. On our visit on a Sunday lunchtime it was packed with three generation families, couples and groups of friends all enjoying the food and atmosphere. Very highly recommended.
More about Kudu Grill
Where is it? 57 Nunhead Ln, London SE15 3TR
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @kudugrill.
Hot Dinners dined as guests of Kudu Grill. Prices correct at time of publication.
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