The Camberwell Arms is the neighbourhood's standout place to eat, a corner pub on Camberwell Church Street that has built a strong reputation for ambitious, seasonal British cooking served in a relaxed, busy dining room. The menu changes daily around whatever is good — wood-grilled meat and fish, vegetable dishes given real attention, and big sharing plates at the weekend — and the kitchen has the pedigree of London's better gastropubs.
It remains a proper pub too, with a bar for a drink and a convivial, unstuffy atmosphere. Prices are fair for the quality, and it gets full, so book for dinner and the famous long weekend lunches. The obvious choice for a meal before or after the South London Gallery.