Every city has that one late-night spot you find yourself returning to again and again. For me, Katie’s Kitchen Peckham is that place.
Katie’s Kitchen Peckham is tiny. There are two tables inside and three foldable tables with chairs outside. The atmosphere is friendly and casual, so you don’t need to dress up. The only minor downside is that it can feel a bit cramped when many people are waiting for food, but once you take that first bite of crispy fried chicken, none of that matters.
I first discovered it on a random Friday night. My close flatmate and I had a drink at a bar near our accommodation. By midnight, hunger kicked in, and I wondered — where could we find hot food now? She introduced me to Katie’s, a fast food restaurant open until 1:30 am on Fridays! We sat at an outdoor table, sharing hot wings and chips as the aroma of fried chicken filled the night air. That moment marked the beginning of my Katie’s tradition — every friend who visits me gets introduced to this place.
I’ve brought multiple friends here. A friend visiting from Bristol was looking for something delicious yet affordable, and Katie’s did not disappoint. She was so excited that the next evening she even suggested we go back — for 10 hot wings this time. Another friend visited me later, and I took her here too. It’s practically my welcome meal for friends.
My go-to order is a trilogy: 1. Six hot wings — crispy outside, juicy and tender inside. 2. Cheese chips — rich but not overwhelming. 3. Lotus biscuit milkshake — the best remedy when things get too spicy. One icy sip can reset your taste buds and keep you coming back for more. All of this for £13. The menu also features the intriguing chicken and waffles, a classic American combination that I haven’t tried yet, but definitely will.
Katie’s Kitchen Peckham tastes better than most fast food chains in my opinion, yet the prices are almost the same. Most importantly, it’s only a 2-minute walk from UAL accommodation, Archwood House, making it my ultimate convenient, late-night guilty pleasure.
If you’re hungry late at night, go to SE15 5JZ.
Anfan Ji
Address: 165 Peckham Hill St, London SE15 5JZ