Elliot’s has been holding it down on the edge of Borough Market since 2011, courtesy of Aussie chef Brett Redman. And let’s be real—planting yourself next to one of London’s busiest food hubs is a power move. The footfall is constant, the crowd is hungry, and Elliot’s delivers. We’re those people, drawn in by the promise of damn good produce and a menu that champions small-time growers, whole-animal cooking, and the lesser-loved cuts that deserve their moment.
The blackboard menu changes daily, a proper love letter to whatever’s freshest. The airy space – bathed in light from its massive glass-paneled roof, keeps things casual but buzzing. If there’s fish on the board, you know it’s been hauled straight from the shore, and if distressed brick walls are your thing, Elliot’s probably set the trend in Borough. Look around—exposed brick, floor-to-ceiling glass, and the lively hum of market-goers soaking it all in. It’s the kind of place where you instantly feel in the know.
Step inside, and the energy shifts to a warm, effortless kind of cool. The staff? Chipper, switched on, and ready to guide you through a well-curated drinks list at the L-shaped bar. We rolled in just before The Whisky Show 2017, knowing we needed to set a solid foundation before the night got dangerously liquid.
Their all about natural wine here, but we opt for the bunny hop ale £5.
What you looking at?
The bread, an assortment of sour dough £2 is decent.
First came the irony bounce of chicken hearts £7 wrapped in salty lardo, they tasted of coal induced caramelisation and yakitori as they get good drenching in sticky-sweet teriyaki sauce. We found ourselves fingering and swirling the last piece of offal in for a final coat before inhaling. Or maybe that was just me. Don’t judge as you’ll do the same.
Oysters £3.50 were grilled just enough so that they stiffen and take on a different texture to the slippery raw versions. They get a dollop of rust coloured Nduja XO, a genius umami on umami condiment that should be on all seafood.
Elliot’s cheeseburger £15 was a medium cooked 50 day aged beef patty with compte cheese and a slathering caramelised onion. The bun itself I found a bit parched, perhaps the misjudged dough was over worked slightly and it spent too much time the oven. The major silver lining was that everything else was on point.
It also came with rustically cut crispy maris pipers, slices of dill pickles, a dollop of house made ketchup and aioli.
Verdict
When did I go? September 2017
The damage: Expect to pay £30/35 per head with beer
The good: There’s lots of appealing things to eat here in a bustling part of town they call Borough Market, take those chicken hearts for example, I also think it’s a solid choice to the sometimes hit-and-miss options in the market. The burger itself has its own personality even if better can be had elsewhere. In restaurant terms too, they’re probably adequately defined as geriatric considering how long they’ve been here, so they must be doing something right!
The bad: In an area dripping with choice, it’s easy to overlook Elliots. And if I was in a whinging mood, I’d say the potatoes were a bit tepid.
Rating: 3/5
Would I go again? When the craving comes
Address: 12 Stoney Street, Borough Market, London, SE1 9AD
Web: https://elliotscafe.com
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