Nola

Birthed from lockdown loneliness, Nola is actually the lovechild of audio joy inducing pop duo Oh Wonder (great music for the experience of many feels). Like a harbour in the most arduous of storms, Nola’s calm and sunlit space is designed to feel like the safest of spaces and it’s no(h) wonder that it’s become a fast neighbourhood favourite. Making every effort to work with ethically sound and organically sourced partners, their coffee and breakfast offerings are an all round delight.

Well & Fed

Both a coffee spot and deli, Well & Fed is an ethically driven space which focuses on conscious living. This means local produce, reduced plastic usage and operating with a zero waste mindset. Think lots of wraps, colourful salads, and milk alternatives for your coffee.

Mr Bao

We’ve all heard of Bao, but head further southeast and you’ll find Mr Bao, a family-run local eatery which specialises in the delicious Taiwanese steamed pockets and smacked cucumbers. Wallet friendly and super flavoursome, it’s great for a quick eat in-between meetings.

Taco Queen

If you’re a fan of neon menus and colourful bowls filled with tortilla chips (for the guac which you’re bound to order), then Taco Queen is right up your alley. Tacos, nachos and ice cream sandwiches are the name of the game, with plenty on offer for gluten-free and the gluten-friendly alike.

Kartuli

With a menu filled with dishes for the whole team (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and meaty), Kartuli is a great place to enjoy a sociable Friday meal. Expect to find Georgian specialties which you’ve never heard of - and be sure to save room for dessert as their honey cake is sublime.

Oddono's

With the motto ‘Life’s too short to eat bad ice cream’, Oddono's knows quality ice cream. Their various flavours have won multiple awards - to date, they’ve created over 130 of them. Our personal fave? Too hard to choose! But if you’ve been looking for the best pistachio ice cream around, then their Pistachio di Bronte is certainly a must-try.

Persepolis

Your one stop shop for all things Persian, Persepolis is a hub for books, cookware, ingredients and gifts. If you want a taste of what they have to offer then you can also sample their goods at Snackistan, their cafe, for charming middle eastern flavours at a steal.

Peckham Levels

Yes, of course one cannot head to Peckham without checking out the ex multi-storey car park turned community events space. Creative services, artists, yoga, pop up comedy and performance arts - and of course plenty of food and drink - there’s always something worth investigating.

Horniman Museum and Gardens

This beautiful 1800s house is a cultural wonderland, known for its aquarium, seasonal butterfly gardens and constantly shifting natural history and anthropology collections. Gifted to the public in 1901 in the hope of sharing his discoveries, Frederick Horniman’s vision was simply to encourage the curious minds of others in learning about the world and what it has to offer.

Designed and built by John Sloane, the Dulwich Picture Gallery was designed explicitly for public enjoyment and holds an impressive collection of Baroque works alongside rotating exhibitions across the genres. Come for the architecture, stay for the culture (and gift shop).

Fancy a day in Dulwich or Peckham? With Desana you have access to Hatcham House and Oru Space - as well as hundreds of other spaces across London.

*Cover photo via TimeOut London.