Sharkbait & Swim

Unforgettable Flavours in Every Bite

Tucked beneath the rumbling railway arches, this intimate culinary hideaway in Deptford strikes an enchanting balance between casual charm and outstanding quality often reserved for far more pretentious establishments. On a recent visit, I experienced firsthand what seems to spark diners' affection for this spot—a front-row seat to the culinary theater with an open kitchen that fills the space with the soothing aromas of fish and seafood prepared with delightful creativity. The restaurant’s offerings better than lived up to the superlatives scattered across feedback boards: the joy unfolded in dishes like the tom yum candied sea bass—a concoction so ambrosial, it transformed diners into enthusiastic fans with just a single bite.

Though compact, the restaurant never feels cramped; instead, its coziness adds to the dining experience, promoting a convivial atmosphere perfectly complemented by cheerful, attentive service. It would have been remiss not to mention the proud mackerel skewers, which come charred smokily enough to be beguiling in their simplicity, or the tactfully seasoned ceviche, which welcomes you with lively tangs and tantalizing textures that keep your palate guessing. The lack of dessert here seems almost deliberate, a pleasurably unsentimental nod to their commitment to the theater of seafood. This is not the lacquered silver-flecked cuisine of city center gastronomy; it's grounded, natural, genuine—a restaurant where diners are regarded as warmly as entrées themselves. It's food that makes itself known through deeply ingrained flavors; every meal a memory, demanding nostalgic revisits simply because a new scene needs to be shared afresh. — Nigel Gourmet