Cafes
If you’ve got the Overground to Forest Hill you may need to refuel before tackling the hill up to the Museum.
St David Coffee House is small but perfectly formed and even has some seats outside if the weather is nice.
Canvas and Cream is a treasure trove of bits and bobs and gorgeous things scattered throughout the café. The menu is extensive and excellent and they host regular events and exhibitions.
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The Teapot is a prime toastie café, in our opinion, while Aga’s Deli not only sells soup, toasties and coffee, you can also buy cheese to take away and enjoy at home.
BB & Friends Café is everything you could want from a caff, with big breakfasts sitting alongside poached eggs and avocado.
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Pubs
Post museum trip you may need to quench your thirst and there are plenty of pubs in Forest Hill to choose from.
An old post office turned into a pub, the Sylvan Post décor is inspired by its former life. It has a series of craft beers on tap and hosts a very good pub quiz – keep an eye out for Horniman staff competing.
A pubman’s pub, Bird in Hand is under relatively new ownership and is a boozer that feels in direct correspondence with it’s own past. The architecture is gorgeous and the staff are lovely.
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Shops
Obviously the number one shop in Forest Hill is the Horniman shop, but if you want to extend your shopping trip there are a few other great ones to hit up.
Better Things stocks curated objects from independent makers and creators. The shop stock rotates with different themed curations every 6-8 weeks. Perfect if you need a present for a pal.
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Wild Horses is jam packed full of vintage bits and bobs, and Alkemi is a great spot if you’re looking for some new homeware to spruce up your living space.
Forest Hill is also home to some truly excellent charity shops. The Sue Ryder is jam packed (and the window display is always a treat), whilst the Crisis is a little more curated. Second-hand is king!
The Pantry is a grocer that offers coffee, natural wines, sweet treats and all kinds of provisions. It also opens up as a cocktail and wine bar for the second half of the week and runs workshops and classes. Truly a multi-hyphenate.
The Archie Parker not only stocks preloved and vintage finds, it also has a resident husky residing on the roof, that is nothing short of a Forest Hill legend (don’t tell the Walrus).
Food
With a second venue in Crystal Palace, Tofu is a great East Asian canteen. It’s lo-fi, delicious and not too expensive.
Enjoy some very good sourdough pizza at Bona, which you can also get delivered to Bird in Hand up the road to soak up your beers.
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Matoom’s Thai Bistro serves up authentic Thai food, and can be ordered to takeaway too.
If you’re wanting to stock up for a meal at home you can’t go wrong with The Butchery for meat and deli bits, and Ancestral Wines for a bottle of something special.
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