Franklin’s - East Dulwich, London

Restaurants

1 Aug

Our Rating: ★★★ | ££££ - A cosy local spot for seasonal British food (How we rate restaurants)

We’ve walked past Franklin’s more times than we can count, often popping in for a cocktail at the bar, catching glimpses of plates being whisked away that always looked… tempting. So when we finally sat down for dinner, it felt long overdue.

Franklin’s is right down the road from us on Lordship Lane (East Dulwich), and while it’s been a local staple for years, it still feels like one of those under-the-radar spots you almost don’t want to shout about. The setting is charming with warm lighting and character.

The main dining room upstairs is lovely (there was a private event when we went, so we were tucked away downstairs), but the real appeal here is the food.

The menu, created by head chef Ralf Wittig, changes daily and highlights the best of British seasonal produce, much of it from local suppliers. It's unpretentious, thoughtful food that doesn’t try too hard – just done properly.

What We Ate

Here’s what we had for our meal:

Welsh rarebit – A simple but tasty start. No bells and whistles, just good cheese on good toast. And sometimes that’s exactly what you want.
Guinea fowl – The standout of the night. Crispy, flavourful skin and beautifully cooked meat. One of those dishes you’d come back for.
Salt beef with lentils – The beef was fine, but we weren’t quite sold on the lentils, which felt a bit too watery for our taste. Maybe that’s how it’s meant to be, but it wasn’t a hit for us.
Chocolate brownie – This caused some division at the table. I liked it – rich, fudgy, well balanced – but Alice, who takes dessert very seriously, wasn’t convinced by the brownie itself.

The verdict

For a neighbourhood restaurant, Franklin’s does the job beautifully. It’s good value, has a relaxed vibe, and there’s clearly care going into what’s coming out of the kitchen.

Review