Civil and Naval

Somehow, in just a small space Civil and Naval manages to embody all that is Lyttelton: it's cosy, achingly cool but equally approachable and gives you a burning desire to return as soon as you’ve left.

Tucked in on Lyttelton's London street, Civil and Naval is housed in a beautiful brick building which was historically home to DH Ludlow Civil & Naval tailors. The fit out is simple and elegant and the open plan design lends itself perfectly to beers on balmy nights or snuggling up by the fire – always raging on cooler days and always making the space extremely cosy – in the more chilly months.

Beneath the C&N imprinted leather menu cover you’ll discover a whole lot more reasons to fall in love with Civil and Naval. The team here know a thing or ten about good food, beer, wine and cocktails – or in Civil and Naval speak: grub, ale, plonk and hootch.

Offering a very well thought-out sharing menu dotted with memorable plates such as miso butter coated edamame beans, hand cut chips and bottomless aioli (genius) and delectable deep fried cauliflower with maple and chipotle, it’s well worth visiting this spot just for the food.

For those less keen on the sharing thing or more into the hoarding thing, there are larger options for grub like braised beef cheek, cauliflower cheese (!) and ginger beer battered fish with 'pickle pickle' and preserved lemon.

And on the ale, plonk and hootch front – it will come as no surprise that Civil and Naval has this nailed too, focusing on boutique and family owned producers and small scale international distillers.

The only downside to Civil and Naval is the persistent hankering you’ll have to keep going back the moment you have left. That, and the recurring dream you might have about that maple drenched fried cauliflower.