Brixton Village Dim Sum, Yum!

Over the last few months, Brixton Village has come up in conversation on several occasions as a place we had to visit. So we decided that this weekend, on a rainy and cold Saturday lunchtime we would go along and suss it out for ourselves. 

A 4 minute walk from the tube station, the village itself, once a rundown arcade, is now home to restaurants, cafes, butchers, green grocers, vintage shops and other interesting and quirky shops; now renowned as Brixton's culinary and cultural hub. 

Dried fish in one of the Village shops, not the most desirable looking cuisine!

There's so much to see in the Village, it is quirky, colourful and cosmopolitan with a concoction of smells; from the fish monger pong to the desirable delights coming from the vast range of restaurants/ cafes and bakeries, your taste buds are sure to be tantalised. I think my photos will speak for themselves! 

Queues outside Mama Lan

Having walked circuits around the whole Village, in and out of the quirky shops and stopping for some delicious mango and honey cake tasters, hungry and ready for lunch we decided to join the masses and queue for Mama Lan.  Luckily for us, we timed it well and only had to queue for about 5 minutes, getting a table just outside the restaurant. A back to basics dining experience, cash only and no reservations, you sit on tables in very close proximity to other diners and on the main walkway; a buzzy experience. It was quite cold sitting outside but the kind waitress pointed me in the direction of a basket full of fleece rugs to wrap around yourself. Such a lovely touch that took away the shivery edge! 

Off the menu we ordered a selection of dumplings and spring rolls and to drink, chrysanthemum flowers, goji berry and rock sugar tea. Unfortunately for me the tea tasted delicious but was a little too sweet, I think I would rather have had it without the rock sugar! But my boyfriend gulped it down, and my mug too! 

The dumplings were delicious, handmade, succulent and oozing with aromatic tastiness. My favourite were the king prawn and Chinese water chestnut dumplings, dipped in thick soy sauce..... mouth watering - delicious! The spring rolls were also scrumptious, crispy parcels of goodness encasing a plethora of Chinese vegetables, dipped in a home made chili sauce. 

Our bill came to just over £20 which was perfectly justifiable as we left will full tummies, chatting away positive dining experience and how we want to learn how to make dumplings for home! On our way out of the village we stopped at Sponge and Cream (very naughty of us, but incredibly yummy cake shop!) to pick up a red velvet cupcake each to take home for late afternoon tea, a film and Tilly cuddles.

A little battered from the journey home, but still looking irresistible we indulged in our cupcake! Now, as you know I am a huge lover of Lola's cupcakes, however, I have to say that Sponge and Cream's cupcake gave them a big run for their money, maybe even tipping the scale as better! Thick butter cream icing and a soft, chocolaty sponge which left us both wishing we'd bought the rest of their selection!

Even Tilly was mesmerised by the cupcake! 

All in all, a brilliant afternoon out, despite the weather! We're definitely going to go back soon to try out the other cuisine's they have on offer! 

Emi x