Ganapati

"An excellent paratha is something we’d go out of our way for. And Ganapati, a cosy South Indian restaurant on Holly Grove, has exactly that. There’s a menu of exciting things like savoury lentil doughnuts soaked in yoghurt, poppadoms with spicy garlic pickles, and our favourite thing here: the thali. Come on a weekday afternoon for one of the most filling, delicious lunches around for under £15. Our favourite place to sit is the greenhouse-like area that feels like it’s outside while being totally covered. When it’s raining, there are few things more therapeutic than tucking into their meaty chembra lamb curry while hearing the rain hit the glass roof. " - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna, daisy meager, riaz phillips

"Ganapati is a snug neighbourhood restaurant with a menu of traditional dishes done extremely well, like thaire vadai, a savoury lentil doughnut soaked in yoghurt, poppadoms with spicy garlic pickles, and rich mattanchery chicken curry. Our favourite place to sit is the greenhouse-like area that feels like it’s outside while being totally covered. When it’s raining outside, there are few things more therapeutic than tucking into their meaty chembra lamb curry while hearing the rain hit the glass roof. Or come on a weekday afternoon for the thali and you’ll get one of the most filling, delicious lunches in Peckham for under £15. " - jake missing, rianne shlebak, heidi lauth beasley, daisy meager, sinead cranna

"The kerala paratha at this South Indian spot in Peckham has the healing powers of an Adam Sandler romcom. And the conservatory makes Ganapati a place where you’ll happily spend a whole afternoon. Located on a quiet street corner, this excellent restaurant serves delicious thali weekday lunches with enough food to keep you satisfied for at least six hours. We’re talking creamy chicken curry, rice, poppadoms, a refreshing raita, and a mung bean salad. If GLP certificates were a thing, this spot would have one." - heidi lauth beasley, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna

"A good paratha is something we’d walk 20 minutes for. An excellent paratha, like the one at this South Indian restaurant, is something we’d cross the city for—especially after a break-up, even in the rain. Ganapati is a cosy restaurant in Peckham that’s perfect for embracing your feelings. Take a seat in the glass conservatory, hear the rain patter down on the roof, and point at the thaire vadai—a savoury lentil doughnut—on the menu if you’re avoiding human interaction. And because we are strong believers that bread is the secret to happiness, make sure you try one of their flaky Kerala parathas as well." - rianne shlebak, sinead cranna, heidi lauth beasley

"An excellent paratha, like the one at this South Indian restaurant in Peckham, is something we’d go out of our way for. Ganapati is a snug neighbourhood restaurant with a menu of traditional dishes done extremely well, like thaire vadai, a savoury lentil doughnut soaked in yoghurt, poppadoms with spicy garlic pickles, and rich mattanchery chicken curry. Our favourite place to sit is the greenhouse-like area that feels like it’s outside while being totally covered. When it’s raining outside, there are few things more therapeutic than tucking into their meaty chembra lamb curry while hearing the rain hit the glass roof. Sharing benches and cosy corners mean that even if you don’t get a seat there (you usually have to book ahead for dinner), you’ll have a comfortable meal whether you’re in a big group or solo. Dinners are lovely here, but come on a weekday afternoon for the thali and you’ll get one of the most filling, delicious lunches around for under £15. And whatever you do, make sure to order the flaky, doughy Kerala paratha. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Food Rundown photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Chicken Thali Meal This lunchtime-only tray is the ultimate steal. You get a decent portion of comforting chicken curry, rice, crispy poppadoms, an excellent raita, and a mung bean salad. It’s the main reason why we’ll always choose lunch over dinner here. photo credit: Rianne Shlebak Chembra Lamb Curry As soft as butter, the lamb pieces in this thick, brown curry don’t require a lot of chewing. We’re very into this meat curry. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Kerala Paratha Finally, a paratha that’s big enough to last more than three bites. It's flaky, it's salty, it's layered. If you don’t get at least one per person, you will regret it." - Rianne Shlebak