Shortlisted: 10 Must-Try Beckenham Restaurants That Locals Love!

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Last updated on December 21, 2022 by Wandering our World

Situated just outside of London, Beckenham has that small English town vibe: quaint, quirky, and luckily for us, full to the brim with incredible restaurants!

Still, it can be quite daunting to know where the best place to eat is – but never fear!

Whether you’re here on a romantic trip, just passing through, or enjoying a quick getaway with friends, we’ve got you covered with our guide to the best Beckenham restaurants! 

Photo for illustrative purposes only: Unsplash+

The Ten Best Beckenham Restaurants: Exceptional Food & Service

1. The Pearl Beckenham 

If you’re looking for a great seafood restaurant in Beckenham, then The Pearl is the perfect one for you!

Offering a range of seafood dishes from mussels to lobster, as well as a choice of cocktails – we recommend the Strawberry Daquiri – The Pearl is a sleek and sophisticated restaurant. It’s a place where you dress to impress, and is perfect for date nights. Not to mention the beautiful rose wall that makes a fabulous background for pictures!

And whilst you’re there, why not get a taste of the rest of the UK by trying some oysters. The Jersey Rocks from Jersey are delicious, as are the Lindisfarne Rocks from all the way up in Northumberland.

Recommended: Nine Bars You Have To Visit In Beckenham

But if you’re not in the mood for fish, don’t worry! The Pearl also offers meat dishes, as well as a range of vegetarian dishes. Regardless of what you choose, expect your food to be as photogenic as the restaurant itself.

And with a lovely outside terrace – with retractable roof – you’ll even be able to enjoy those dishes al fresco if you wish.

The Pearl is open 4 p.m – 11 p.m Monday to Thursday, and 12 p.m – 11.pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Address: 2 Southend Road, Beckenham, BR3 1SD 

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Petrenkod

2. Agora 

For those who love Greek and Mediterranean food, we can’t recommend Agora enough. This stylish and elegantly decorated restaurant, whose name means ‘gathering place’, has some of the best Mediterranean dishes in town.

It’s a beautiful restaurant that boasts a wide ranging menu of seafood, meat and pasta with vegetarian options too. We recommend the classic Greek dish Klefiko of perfectly seasoned lamb on the bone – when you’ve had it once, you’ll be dying to go back and order it again!

And with the gorgeous Greek inspired decor and outside dining, we think Agora is the perfect setting for a romantic date night.

Yet despite that classy interior, fantastic service, good portion sizes, and some of the best cocktails in town, Agora remains a very reasonably priced restaurant and a visit here will by no means break the bank.

Agora also offers a Prosecco Brunch from Friday to Sunday, and a Sunday Lunch every week, so whatever it is that you’re in the mood for, Agora will have something for you! 

The restaurant is closed on Mondays, but open from 5 p.m until late Tuesday – Thursday, and 12 p.m until late on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

Address: 66 High Street, Beckenham, BR3 1ED

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/los_angela

3. Ardec 

Visiting new places is all about trying new foods, so why not visit Ardec, a Lebanese restaurant which may just have the best interior decor in town.

Set on two floors within what was formally a tailoring shop, Ardec has transformed into Beckenham’s favourite Lebanese restaurant whilst retaining the original name and gorgeous beautiful wood panelling. In fact they’ve made it their mission to preserve what was one of Beckenham’s oldest shops.

This cosy yet sleek restaurant has a wide range of Lebanese dishes to choose from, as well as an extensive bar list. For those partial to a cocktail (or two) we recommend the refreshing Passion Fruit Mojito. As well as a variety of spirits and beers to choose from, Ardec also has a choice of mocktails for those who don’t drink -the Bellini is our favourite! 

Ardec also has the option of a private dining experience, so why not take advantage of this as an option for an incredibly romantic meal? All details concerning this can be found on Ardec’s website. 

The restaurant is closed on Mondays but otherwise open every other day of the week from 11.30 a.m – 11 p.m. 

Address: 218 High Street, New Beckenham, Beckenham, BR3 1EN 

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/jchizhe

4. Rendez Vous Caffe 

Is there any better way to start your day than with breakfast at an independent cafe? Rendez Vous Caffe is a warm and welcoming cafe in central Beckenham offering everything that you may need with vegan, halal, and gluten free options available!

This cafe is one of the most popular breakfast spots in Beckenham so it’s well worth a visit. And with both indoors and outdoors seating, if you’re lucky enough to catch a rare bit of English sunshine why not enjoy your food outside? 

While we’re partial to the pancakes with a hot chocolate to accompany them, if that’s not your thing, you can never go wrong with a full English breakfast.

And if you’re looking for some lunch, Rendev Vous has you covered there as well. Indulge in a mouthwateringly delicious homemade burger or our personal favourite the Cajun Chicken Wrap served with a side of paprika fries. 

Whatever you’re in the mood for, whether that be breakfast, brunch, or just a quick cup of coffee to get you through the day, you’ll find exactly what you need at Rendez Vous! 

This dog friendly cafe has even been known to bring sausages for four-legged customers so they don’t have to miss out on the good food times either!

Easily one of the best restaurants in Beckenham for breakfast, Rendez Vous Cafe is open 6.30 a.m – 5 p.m every day of the week.

Address: 94 High Street, Beckenham, BR3 1ED 

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Taninwat Pichitnapakul

5. Tapeo Cafe and Tapas 

For a taste of Spain in Beckenham, visit Tapeo! This rustic restaurant in the center of Beckenham’s High Street offers a variety of tapas from seafood to meat, as well as vegetarian options.

Popular dishes include Patatas Bravas, Croquetas de Jarmon (our favourite) and Arroz Negro (squid ink risotto with allioli and chopped squid) for the seafood lovers amongst you! And if you find yourself being indecisive, don’t worry! Every day, Tapeo’s chefs put together a special menu to specifically showcase the fresh produce that is available locally and internationally. 

Before sitting down to eat, take a seat at Tapeo’s bar and indulge yourself in a glass of something from their drinks menu. Of course we recommend the Classic Sangria, a refreshing mixture of red wine, brandy, rum and lemonade. One sip of this and you’ll immediately be transported to Spain!

For the beer drinkers amongst you, why not try the Mahou Lager from Madrid or the Estrella Damm Lager from Barcelona.

Tapeo is open every day from 9.30am till 10.00 pm, so it’s the perfect place to share tapas with friends and unwind after a long day at work.

Address: 142 Beckenham High Street, Beckenhan, BR3 1EA

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/tbrainina

6. Hisar Meze Bar 

If you’re on the lookout for the best Turkish restaurant in Beckenham, Hisar Meze Bar is the place for you! This intimate restaurant offers a warm and cosy dining experience alongside a modern twist to Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine.

At Hisar, you can enjoy a wide range of dishes in big portion sizes, whether that be from their lunch or a la carte menu. We recommend the Karbuga, which is charcoal grilled lamb with an olive oil and mixed herb marinate. For those who don’t eat meat, Hisar also offers vegetarian dishes. Our favourite is of course the Falafel, a simple yet delicious dish! 

And for times when you’re not in the mood for a full meal, why not try a Meze platter? This is traditionally used as an appetiser in Turkey, but is no less tasty than a main course. And then why not wash it down with a refreshing Turkish beer like Efes? 

Hisar is open every day from 12.00 – 10.00 pm on Sunday to Thursday, and 12.00 – 11.00pm on Fridays and Saturdays. So pop down whenever you’re in the mood for the best Turkish food in town at one of the best restaurants in Beckenham! 

Address: 251 High Street, Beckenham, BR3 1BN

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Yulia Gusterina

7. Papilio 

If you’re looking for somewhere sleek yet casual, then Papilio is the place for you. It’s decor is both quirky and elegant and with their friendly and welcoming environment, this is the perfect restaurant for friends to enjoy a cocktail or catch up over a bottle of red. 

For those who don’t want to drink, why not try Papilio’s afternoon tea? Its menu is mouthwateringly delicious with oak smoked salmon sandwiches, warm scones and a range of teas to choose from. Our favourite is the Birchall Lemongrass and Ginger. The afternoon tea is available between 12-4 p.m and requires booking, which can be done through Papilio’s website. 

Other than that, Papilio serves modern British and European fare and is open until as late as midnight some weekend evenings. The food comes in hearty portion sizes, the service is excellent, the place buzzing and the vibe lively. All of which makes this place a fun spot to be, especially on a Friday and Saturday evening when the handcrafted cocktails are flowing!

As for what we recommend, the burgers are tasty and filling while the sea bass is popular for a reason. But in our opinion, anything off the grill is going to be good here.

Papilio’s is closed on Mondays but open from midday on all other days.

Address: 45 High Street, Beckenham, BR3 1AW

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Aiselin82

8. Pierluigi’s 

Pierluigi’s stands out as one of the best Italian restaurants in Beckenham, priding themselves on freshly prepared Italian cuisine and being specialists in wine – after all, what Italian meal is complete without a refreshing glass of vino to go with it?

This sleek restaurant also offers outdoor dining on their terrace so you can soak up the sun whilst enjoying a delicious meal (That is, of course, providing that the sun makes a rare appearance!).

As an authentic Italian restaurant, Pierluigi’s specialises in classic Italian cuisine including everyone’s food scene mainstays pasta and pizza!

Our favourite is the Spaghetti Carbonara, a staple of Italian cuisine and one that never disappoints, especially when washed down with a glass of Pinot Grigio! Pierluigi’s is also known locally for their lobster, which is well worth trying.

Pierlugui’s is open every day from midday-11pm, except Monday. Although they do open on bank holiday Mondays. 

Address: 86/90 High Street, Beckenham BR3 1ED 

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/VeselovaElena

9. Eatwell

For the healthy amongst us, Eatwell is the perfect restaurant for you! Eatwell prides itself on embracing plant based food and offers a wide range of vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options that are nutritionist approved.

It’s a charming little place, with a casual dining vibe making it the perfect place for friends to meet. They also sometimes hold fun events like karaoke evenings and themed music nights, so keep an eye out on their social media for upcoming events.

From the breakfast menu, we recommend the Acai Superfood Smoothie bowl, which is a delightful mix of blueberries, raspberries, acai, coconut milk, chia seeds and fruit. And from the lunch menu, popular picks include the Asian Stir Fry with broccoli, baby corn and mixed peppers with coconut rice. It is vegan, but there is the option to add chicken at a little extra cost! 

Eatwell is open from 8:30am every day (bar Sunday: 9am), and closes around 9pm-10pm.

Address: 183 Beckenham High Street, Beckenham BR3 1AH England

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Demidoffaleks

10. Chai Naasto

Chai Naasto is an incredible family owned Indian street food restaurant in Beckenham.

Started in 2016 by three brothers, Chai Naasto aims to share their grandmother’s food in Beckenham – and beyond! The restaurant’s colourful and quirky wood panelled decor is uniquely welcoming, no doubt thanks to the brother’s grandmother’s impact on the food. 

To best enjoy this street food with a seat, we recommend choosing a range of dishes to really sample all their tantalising and diverse flavours. Our favourites include the Chicken Wings, the Railway Chicken Curry – inspired by the food of the railway canteens in India – and the Samosa Chaat. 

Chai Naasto is open 5 p.m – 11 p.m Wednesday to Friday, and 12 p.m to 3 p.m on Saturday and Sunday before reopening again from 5 p.m – 10 p.m. 

Address: 2-4 Fairfield Road, Beckenham BR3 3LD

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/LunaMarina

The Best Restaurants In Beckenham: Our Final Thoughts

And there you have it – the ten best restaurants in Beckenham!

No matter what you’re in the mood for, Beckenham will have the perfect dish ready and waiting for you, so dig in and enjoy yourself! 

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  • Wandering our World

    Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.