With temperatures soaring across London, Sylva in Deptford is one of the city’s best warm-weather spots; a produce-led neighbourhood restaurant café tucked beside the greenery of Folkestone Gardens.
SYLVA – Deptford, South East London
@sylvaldn | https://www.sylvalondon.com

Just minutes from Deptford station, the park-side restaurant café from former River Café chef Shuli Wimer and leading produce supplier Smith & Brock offers exactly what Londoners are craving right now: excellent seasonal food, homemade ice cream, outdoor seating, air conditioning and a genuinely relaxed atmosphere away from the crowds. You can settle in for lunch beneath the trees, stop by for coffee and buns after a walk through the park, or make a full day of it by hopping on the train to nearby Greenwich and Maze Hill either side of a visit.

Adding to the summer appeal is Sylva’s rotating homemade small-batch ice cream and sorbet menu, with three changing flavours available each week alongside classic vanilla. Recent flavours have included:
Dulce de Leche
Roasted Almond
Pink Lemonade Sorbet
Cookie Dough
Caramlised Pecan
Pistachio
Dark Chocolate
Cantaloupe Melon Sorbet
Strawberry & Lemon
White Peach Sorbet

Inside, the space stays cool thanks to air conditioning, while outside tables spill into the greenery of the park, making it an ideal spot for families, dog owners, remote workers and anyone looking to escape central London during the heatwave. The food menu changes regularly according to what’s best from trusted growers and producers, with Sylva becoming known for its beautiful seasonal cooking, warm hospitality and quietly brilliant setting within Folkestone Gardens.

Perfect for: Summer lunches, ice cream stops in the sun, park walks with dogs or children, work-from-café afternoons and escaping overheated central London.