It’s not far from places I know well, like Brixton and Dulwich, but for some reason it’s always slipped under my radar.
Last weekend, though, I finally ended up there – and while the trip revolved around trying Archie’s new Weekend Asado, what stuck with me most was discovering a part of London I’d never given much thought to before.
Park views and music blur the line between café and street life (Image: Holly Brencher) Walking into the area, I was immediately struck by how lively it felt.
The stretch outside Archie’s is pedestrianised, which gives it a relaxed, almost continental feel, especially with Brockwell Park just across the road.
People were spilling out of cafés and bars, kids were running about, and there was a sense of community that I hadn’t expected.
It made me wonder why I’d never bothered to come here before.
Cocktails take centre stage as Herne Hill becomes the true discovery (Image: Holly Brencher) Archie’s itself looks the part: bright murals on the walls, a retractable shopfront that opens the place up, and music that drifts onto the street.
It has an easy, buzzy atmosphere that made me want to sit back with a drink rather than rush straight into eating.
The Weekend Asado – their Latin American twist on a Sunday roast – sounded exciting on paper: boards for sharing, piled with flame-cooked meats, sides and salsas.
In practice, though, it didn’t quite live up to the promise.
Slow service, average food—yet Archie’s atmosphere still wins hearts (Image: Holly Brencher) The steak and chicken were fine, but nothing I’d go out of my way for again, and the sides felt a bit underwhelming.
The food wasn’t bad, just fairly average considering the build-up and the £48 price tag.
Service, too, was patchy – friendly enough, but slow and slightly distracted, which left things feeling less polished than the lively setting suggested.
What did stand out, though, were the cocktails.
Drinks outshine dishes as Herne Hill’s relaxed energy takes center stage (Image: Holly Brencher) Fresh, inventive and actually worth the trip, they felt far more thought-through than the food.
Sitting in the sunshine with a drink in hand while music played and the street bustled around me ended up being the best part of the visit.
I found myself enjoying the pace of the afternoon in spite of the food, simply because the setting and drinks carried the experience.
Bright walls and breezy vibes give Archie’s a laid-back allure (Image: Holly Brencher) The real surprise of the day wasn’t Archie’s itself, though – it was Herne Hill.
I’d arrived expecting little more than a quick lunch and left feeling like I’d stumbled across a neighbourhood with a personality all its own.
There’s something about the mix of park views, pedestrian-friendly streets and a scattering of interesting independent spots that makes it feel worth returning to.
So while I wouldn’t rush back for the Asado, I would happily head to Archie’s again for cocktails with friends, especially if it meant another lazy afternoon soaking up Herne Hill’s atmosphere.
Sometimes the real joy of eating out isn’t the food on the table, but the places it takes you – and in that sense, this trip felt like a discovery.