The Good Food Awards aim to celebrate and acknowledge “culinary excellence” across the UK.
The awards began in 2002, and the organisation has worked to “promote and bolster local, independent businesses that create delectable food”.
So, these are the four south London restaurants and cafés that have won the awards this year:
Colombo Kitchen
Colombo Kitchen in Worcester Park has also won a Gold Seal in the Good Food Awards 2025/26.
This Sri Lankan restaurant in Worcester Park first opened in 2019, and has two branches, one in Worcester Park and one in Putney which opened last year.
Colombo Kitchen has already won several awards, including the Best Sri Lankan Dining Experience Award, National Chef of the Year 2024, and Surrey Chef of the Year 2024 in the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards.
The menu has been created by Head Chef Sylvia Perera, and it contains recipes which have been passed down the generations of her family.
A statement on their website says: Each dish is skilfully prepared using local, traditional techniques along with exotic, aromatic ingredients from Sri Lanka, all presented with a modern touch.
“These dishes are complemented by our signature cocktails, allowing you to savour the vibrant tastes of Sri Lanka.”
Colombo Kitchen is open from 5pm to 11pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and 12pm to 11pm on weekends.
The Ludoquist, Croydon
The Ludoquist on Croydon High Street has received the prestigious Gold Seal, an award given to venues that have won a Good Food Award three years in a row or more.
The Ludoquist, a board game café in Croydon, gives visitors the chance to enjoy food and drinks while choosing from a library of more than 1,000 games.
The café caters to all ages, with options ranging from children’s games such as Hungry Hippos to complex strategy titles for seasoned players.
Staff are on hand to offer recommendations, and the games are arranged by difficulty for easy browsing.
Customers are greeted on arrival and guided through the venue’s layout, including its games library and retail section.
The café now operates a table service system, where diners can use a buzzer to call staff to their table.
Food and drink options include pizzas, paninis, cocktails, milkshakes and craft beers.
External food and drink are not permitted, except for pre-arranged birthday cakes.
Games sessions last for three hours during the day and are unlimited for bookings starting after 6pm, running until closing time.
LA Café
LA Café has once again been recognised among the best in the UK after the Good Food Award for the fourth time.
LA Café, opposite Sutton station, has received the Gold Seal at the 2025/26 Good Food Awards, making its fourth consecutive win and second time earning the top honour.
Owner and chef Ankur Baria, who opened the café in 2021, said he was “deeply honoured” by the latest recognition.
He said: “For some, this may sound monotonous and very familiar news.
“Yet to achieve this recognition year after year, with consistency, humility, and devotion to our craft, is something that still fills me with immense pride and gratitude.”
Known for its creative menu and restaurant-style dishes, LA Café has become a local favourite, boasting nearly 1,600 five-star Google reviews.
Ankur credited his “incredible team” and loyal customers, adding that their support “inspires us to keep pushing boundaries, to evolve, and to create experiences that delight and comfort in equal measure”.
LA Café is open from 7am to 4pm on weekdays and 8am to 4pm on Saturdays.
Cricket Lounge
The Cricket Lounge in North Cheam has been honoured with the Blue Ribbon at the 2025/26 Good Food Awards.
Opened by owner and chef Rohit Kalia in 2021, the restaurant has quickly become one of Sutton’s most popular Indian dining spots, blending Kalia’s twin passions for cricket and cuisine.
Decorated with cricket bats, balls, and memorabilia, the venue offers a fine-dining twist on North Indian dishes, all freshly prepared in-house by Kalia and Head Chef Asrar.
Known for its signature black lentils slow-cooked overnight in a tandoor, handmade samosas, and freshly made cocktails, the restaurant has maintained a 4.9 Google rating with over 1,000 reviews.
The Cricket Lounge is open from 5pm to 10pm on Mondays to Thursdays, 12pm to 3pm and then 5pm to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12pm to 9pm on Sunday.
The Good Food Awards website says: “Every great meal begins with a story – and our story began with a simple mission: to shine a spotlight on the unsung culinary heroes of the United Kingdom.
“We believe local, independent food businesses are the soul of our communities.
“They’re the places you return to, the ones that remember your order, and the ones that turn a bite to eat into a lasting memory.
“Our awards honour these establishments – not through sponsorships or pay-to-play schemes, but with recognition based on what matters most: customer opinion.
“Every Good Food Award is free to enter and built on real customer experiences.
“There are no pricey dinner galas, no acceptance fees, and no paywalls hiding the results.
“Just honest recognition, freely given.
“When our winners take the spotlight, they shine together – no ads, no distractions, just well-earned applause.”
