Duchy Arms

Kennington's Hidden Gem: Friendly, Flavorful Fare

Nestled snugly between the towering urban ambitions of Vauxhall and the quaint streets of Lambeth, The Duchy shines brightly as a pub that deftly melds quintessential French bursts with stoic English roots. On entering, I was greeted by an atmosphere richly punctuated with laughter and warmth—hallmarks of what a local "gem" should be. The overarching narrative here is simplicity done sublimely. While some patrons reminisced about their past favorite management team, Abel and his vibrant brigade made certain our current-day experience was rife with thoughtful humor and genuine hospitality. For every complaint about the occasional misstep—like the rather ambitious wine markup—there seemed to be three notes singing praises of great service or a dose of English freshened up with Gallic flair.

Cuisine-wise, The Duchy triumphantly elevates the humble Sunday roast to an enchanting rebirth while playing whimsically with other classics such as duck confit and beetroot risotto. Each plate arrives both invitingly familiar and refreshingly innovative—an intoxicating blend of hearth and haute. One can't help but admire how unflinching courtesies align warmly with efficient service; they inevitably win hearts along with taste buds. It appears, in this hidden stretch of Kennington, joy recruits followers who see beyond minor stumbles to stand in anticipation of culinary delight. There is much love retained, devoured, and promised—even more so for diners willing to embrace The Duchy’s delightful collision of worlds right under their noses. — Nigel Gourmet