Wondering what to do in Brixton? Whether you’re a local Londoner or far from home – Brixton has a little slice of something for everyone. Here are the 12 best things to do in Brixton including cafe and restaurant recommendations!
Brixton is one of South London’s vibrant neighbourhoods in the Lambeth Borough. The neighbourhood has changed a lot over the last 20 years and continues to change as more people from central London move in.
Today it’s an artistic mix of African-Caribbean culture and modern trendy cafes. Brixton is incredibly lively with many amazing places to eat and great bars with late-night music. It’s also home to a radiant indoor market full of cuisines from around the world.
This multicultural neighbourhood is definitely worth checking out during a long stay in London, especially to taste some of the restaurants we’re going to recommend in this guide! Brixton is also the gateway to Brockwell Park where festivals happen throughout the summer.
We lived in South London for 1.5 years and have visited Brixton so many times – it’s actually our closest tube station! We pass through multiple times a month on our way into central London, so we’re excited to share the best things to do in Brixton with you!
The whole time we lived in South London, we’ve never seen Brixton quiet – there’s always something going on and it’s the beginning of the Victoria Line which creates a lot of hustle!
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How to get to Brixton, London?
Brixton is a breeze to get to due to the wonderful Victoria Line in London! It only takes 15 minutes on the tube to get from Oxford Circus to Brixton making it easy to add to your London itinerary or a great place to spend a Saturday.
- Closest Tube – Brixton Station (Zone 2) Victoria Line
- Multiple buses – If you live in South London, a bus is the best way to get to Brixton
- Close to – Clapham, Peckham, Streatham, Tooting, Camberwell and Camberwell
- Parking – Check out Parkopedia for the best places to Park in the area.
12 Best Things To Do in Brixton
Now we’ll show you what to do in Brixton from restaurants to markets and parks to explore. There’s many events that happen here all year round so whether you’re coming for a show or just want to check out the neighbourhood here are all the best places to visit in Brixton!
1. Visit Brixton Market
Brixton is one of the most culturally diverse places in London and with that comes a variety of shops, markets, restaurants and culture!
Brixton Market is the heart of Brixton with a huge influence from the African-Caribbean community. It’s located down Electric Avenue which is the first street market in the UK to be lit by electric lights.
Down the colourful street, you can find African-Caribbean clothes, independent grocery shops and local restaurants. This is one of the best places to find herbs and spices in Brixton and sometimes it smells amazing!
2. Shop at Brixton Village
Brixton Village is one of the best things to do in Brixton and is an indoor activity. It’s right next to Brixton Market but feels completely different with more cuisines and trendy shops.
There are a few modern cafes located inside the building and some of them are popular for brunch on the weekend. It’s easy to get lost down these beautiful arcades and you can find pottery, clothes, boutique shops and a variety of food.
There are still a lot of independent shops selling hard-to-find items around London such as Jamaican Hard Dough (Hardo) Bread!
The shopping arcade dates back to the 1960s and is evolving every year! It’s probably one of our favourite places to visit in Brixton!
3. Grab a drink at BLA_K COFFEE
Branching out from the centre of Brixton, if you follow Acre Lane, you’ll find many more delicious restaurants and bars. One of the best places to stop for a drink is Blank Coffee.
Not to be confused with the US chain Blank Street Coffee, Blank Coffee is an independent plant-based coffee shop serving incredible breakfasts, drinks and cakes from around 7:30 am-3 pm every day.
Whilst exploring Brixton, stop by to try a slice of Pumpkin & pecan bread or a tasty Swedish cinnamon bun. They also serve the best-looking pancakes and do takeaway drinks!
Find them on Instagram and via their website!
4. Check out Brockwell Park
Brockwell Park is a hidden gem in London, it’s located just south of Brixton and is the best place to chill after exploring Brixton Village and markets.
If you’re visiting during the summer you can enjoy Brockwell Lido – an outdoor swimming pool in Brixton (only a 20-minute walk away from Brixton Station!
The park itself is huge and quite hilly giving you lovely views of central London and an awesome spot to see fireworks during New Year’s! It’s also the location for a few summer festivals such as Wide Awake Festival In Brockwell Park – find out more here!
5. Shop at Herne Hill Market
Right at the base of Brockwell Park near the lido is the charming Herne Hill Market.
Herne Hill Market only opens on Sundays from 10 am-4 pm, so you may be in luck if you’re hunting for things to do in Brixton on a Sunday.
The Farmers’ market sells everything from artisanal pastries to cheese and fresh organic vegetables. There are many cafes in the area and it’s a popular spot to start the weekend.
We came across an Ethiopian stall and a little booth from Arapina Bakery (based in Greenwich) selling delicious vegan items! Take a look at our 30+ Best Vegan Bakeries in London!
6. Check events at Pop Brixton
Back to the heart of Brixton, Pop Brixton is an area with multiple events going on. We’ve seen a big secondhand clothing sale, funky music and afternoon tea events. Check the website to see what’s coming next – POP Brixton Website!
They have some of the best late-night-themed events in Brixton and always have something new going on. Pop Brixton isn’t short of great food options either with Halo Burger, Kamome and L’Amuse Bouche – Creperie and Bubble Waffles to name a few!
7. Try Brixton cuisine
Speaking of food, Brixton is home to some of the best multi-cultural restaurants and it’s where you can find out what the Brixton, South London cuisine tastes like. You’ll come across a lot of African and Caribbean but some restaurants have added a twist!
En Root is the perfect example of this with an internationally influenced menu with dishes like Jerk Dosa (a fusion of Indian and Caribbean) – Find their website here, they have a restaurant inside the Ritzy cinema!
Another new restaurant blending cuisines together is Original Flava with their Carib-British Roasts every Sunday (a fusion of British and Caribbean food)! – Find their website here!
8. Take in the local street art
Did you know that Brixton is the birthplace of David Bowie? There’s a mural of the artist right in the heart of Brixton opposite the tube station near the Body Shop (location). His birthplace is 40 Stansfield Road, Brixton, although the house is just empty now and the musician only lived there for 6 years.
Alongside the David Bowie mural, Brixton is booming with street art and murals. Here are a few that you can when exploring what to do in Brixton.
- David Bowie mural – find the location here!
- Michael John mural – find the location here!
- Find street art along Atlantic Road
- Search for art on Stockwell Avenue
- Brixton Village is filled with interesting art designs
- There’s a lot of graffiti under the bridge of Brixton Station
One of the best things to do in Brixton is to simply just walk around taking in all of the culture and funky designs. This neighbourhood is constantly changing!
9. Visit Windrush Square
Windrush Square is the public plaza in Brixton! It holds a lot of history and great significance for the neighbourhood! The square and Tate Gardens are both used for local events and it’s right outside of the Ritzy Cinema.
Windrush was the name of the cruise ship that travelled from Jamaica to Tilbury in 1948 with almost 500 migrants. This is part of the reason why Brixton has a massive Caribbean influence as it become home to a lot of Jamaicans.
Visiting more of the UK? Here’s our travel guide to exploring Cambridge! We also recommend taking a trip to York and visiting Bristol. They’re day trips from London!
10. Chill at Brixton Brewery
Another one of the best things to do in Brixton is to visit the Brixton Brewery and grab a drink or take a tour. They also have a range of alcohol-free beers to enjoy. All beers are hand-crafted in small batches and it’s the best way to get a taste of Brixton!
The brewery runs tours every Saturday from 4 pm! Here’s the location and you can find more information on the Brixton Brewery Website.
11. Spot Brixton’s Windmill
A unique appearance in Brixton is the Brixton Windmill just south of the main centre. We checked out the windmill on a rainy day, but it really is quite impressive to find in the area. It’s been closed since 2020, but there’s a community centre and a park in the area that always seems lively with families.
Brixton Windmill also known as Ashby’s Mill has been around for more than 200 years (1816 to be exact)! The mill was once surrounded by cornfields that soon become houses which blocked a lot of the wind. It was no longer used and has been restored a few times in more recent years!
Festivals now take place in the area and it’s still lovely to look at the windmill sitting high up nestled between the houses of Brixton.
12. Watch a film at the Ritzy Cinema
From the latest movies to independent films, the Ritzy provides a variety of showings for the Brixton community! It’s right next to Windrush Square and can’t be missed on a trip to London!
The Ritzy Cinema is a part of the Picturehouse Group and is located in a 1911 restored cinema. You can often see messages on the front of the building wishing people happy birthday! It’s an iconic part of Brixton and tickets are around £15 each.
Check out the films the Ritzy are showing – here’s their website!
Other Things To Do in Brixton
Okay, there are more than 12 things to do in Brixton, so here are a few extras! There’s always new events going on in the vibrant neighbourhood and a new bar or restaurant to try!
- Stockwell Skate Park – a few minutes walk from Brixton Station!
- Brixton nightlife – Check out Brixton Jamm or Electric Brixton
- Hope and Anchor Pub – Brixton’s best beer garden!
Note – The O2 Academy in Brixton has been closed since December 2022 after a tragedy happened due to poor organising. It’s said to be permanently closed but may open in the future.
Best Restaurants in Brixton
Wondering what to do in Brixton? The answer is to eat! Brixton is FULL of amazing restaurants from the Caribbean to Indian and trendy Western food to Ethiopian. We love it all and you’ll mostly find us finding the places with vegan options!
Here’s a few restaurants and cafes we recommend in Brixton London!
- En Root £-££ – Indian, Caribbean and African fusion! (location 1, location 2 & website)
- Original Flava ££ – fresh Caribbean food with Sunday Roasts! (location & website)
- Eat of Eden £-££ – healthy plant-based Caribbean style food (location & website)
- Light of Africa £-££ – delicious Ethiopian food in Brixton Village (location)
- Posh Tatoes ££ – British filled-potatoes! (location & website)
- Oowee Vegan £-££ – vegan junk food in Brixton Village (location & website)
Best Cafes in Brixton
- Blank Coffee £-££ – an independent vegan coffee shop (location, Instagram & website)
- Balance £-££ – longest-established coffee shops in the area (location & Instagram)
- Pipoca Vegan £-££ – rustic cafe serving vegan crepes more! (location & website)
- Cafe Van Gogh £-££ – non-profit cafe serving hearty vegan food(location & website)
Check out our 30+ Best Vegan Bakeries in London & how to find vegan food at Borough Market!
Where to stay in Brixton
There are many places to stay in Brixton and as it’s only a 15-minute tube ride to Oxford Circus, it’s a good base for a few days. Make sure to look at reviews before booking to feel as safe as possible. Here’s a few we can recommend:
Hootananny Hostel £ – stay in a lively hostel in Brixton with large rooms dating back to the 1850s! It can get quite loud here, but it’s perfect for a budget traveller in Brixton London – Book here on Hostelworld!
The Crown & Greyhound by Innkeeper’s Collection ££ – Not quite in Brixton, but this is a lovely location above a British pub – Find on Booking.com here!
There are also a few main hotels in Brixton if you’re interested in a quick night stay!
Best Time to Visit Brixton, London
Brixton is an all-year-round destination as it’s a neighbourhood of London. It’s busy every day and there’s festivals on and off throughout the year.
If we had to choose the best time to visit Brixton, it would be between May and September and you can relax in Brockwell Park, eat your food on the patio of restaurants and even take a dip at the local lido.
If you’re visiting London, check for bank holiday weekends – find out when they are here!
What to pack for a trip to Brixton London
As Brixton is in London, you’ll just need to pack anything you usually take to a big city with you! We visit Brixton for a couple of hours at a time, so we usually don’t have anything special with us other than a bag, water bottle and an umbrella!
- Wireless earbuds – the best for journeys on the tube!
- Comfortable day backpack – this one has so many compartments for organising!
- A reusable water bottle – a must when travelling anywhere!
- A compact umbrella – this is always in my bag whenever I’m outside in London.
- Packing cubes – if you’re staying more than one day in London, these are so helpful.
- Portable power bank – charge your phone on the go!
- A padlock – for any lockers!
Is Brixton worth visiting?
Brixton is worth visiting if you’re looking for alternative or unique things to do in London. If it’s your first time in London on a short trip, there’s so many things to see in central that you might not make it to Brixton.
We love this funky neighbourhood and as we’ve mentioned, Brixton Station is our local tube! It’s the perfect place to explore on a Sunday afternoon and we’ll never run out of places to eat!
It’s definitely worth visiting if you live in London or want to see the interesting neighbourhoods of the city!
More guides in the United Kingdom:
- 4 Day London Itinerary & London Travel Tips
- Best Vegan Bakeries in London & Vegan food at Borough Market
- 1 Day York Itinerary: Things To Do & 1 Day Cambridge itinerary
- 1 Day Bristol Itinerary
- 8 Great Things to do in Brighton
- 3 Day Edinburgh Itinerary
Don’t forget about Travel Insurance! – SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
SafetyWing is a flexible monthly-rolling travel insurance to help you stay safe on your trip anywhere in the world – Find out more here!
That’s the end of our 12 Best Things To Do in Brixton, London (2025)! Enjoy your time in Brixton, London and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!
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