Canova Hall (Bar)

Top 10 things to know about Canova Hall: 

1) Food envy is an extremely serious medical condition that is often underestimated by the Great British public. The only cure? Head to a highly Instagrammable restaurant like Canova Hall. Let other people suffer instead of yourself.

2) Instagram Stories at the ready because Canova Hall is situated in an Art Deco, former department store building in Brixton; every tile and lampshade oozes unassuming charm. Look out for the centrepiece bar taking pride of place with a giant, retro-looking clock.

3) You might want to indulge in an aperitif, to steady the nerves, and their gin selection is just the tonic you need for a great night out. They create their own in-house gin as well as supporting plenty of local brands like Jensen's Old Tom gin and Bermondsey tonic water.

4) If you want the perfect photo to make your social media friends jealous, head straight to their traditional wood-fired oven that has been imported from Modena. Wait for the chef to bring out a piping hot pizza and snap away to your heart's content.

5) Feel like a superstar with their rock star margherita pizza; it’s size could feed a whole band. With melting Stracciatella, mozzarella and inviting salsa verde, this pizza was invented to cause jealousy.

6) Their pasta section is not to be outdone and could make enemies of best friends. They carefully slow cook beef ragu, which simmers for 12 hours. This, on top of al dente rigatoni, parmesan and flat leaf parsley, is what often causes Instagram to go into meltdown. #foodporn

7) Portions are substantial, hence there's barely an empty seat in the house. Fried aubergine with a generous dollop of Stracciatella - which is meant to be a sharing side - felt more like a main course.

8) The new word to charm your friends is bomboloni, which is the Italian version of doughnuts. They are made fresh in-house here and served in a cute Canova Hall labelled bag with a selection of local jam or Nutella.

9) At this point, it would be best to revisit their bar menu and sample the extensive selection of absinthe. Show your friends on social media how much of a great time you’re having at Canova Hall.

10) To cure your food envy illness, I would strongly recommend repeat visits to Brixton so that you can try/share/post all their dishes....read more