Bambuni

Woah!
OK, so if you look a little place called Goose the Market in Indianapolis and orient yourself via my effusive review you will be able to raise your eyebrows especially high as I say:
«Bambuni in Nunhead is London’s version of Goose the Market.»
(slow inhale; slow exhale)
Phew, OK, yes, not QUITE — there is the matter of Goose’s world class in-​house meatmaking operations. But that aspect is really its own animal. Animal. Right. Beyond this though, similarities are striking: a plentifully-​stocked meat and cheese counter with carefully curated selections, coffee, wine, an abundance of craft beer bottles, ice cream, uncommon local/​artisan packaged goods, a cheery but cozy ambiance, etc.
One cool thing going on here is the bulk by-​weight sales: fill-​your-​own grains, nuts, olive oil, and even wine from the barrel (probably from a bag in a barrel, but like… if your disbelief cannot be suspended in the face of such coolness, c’mon. Bro. C’mon. Seriously.)
But really, what makes all the difference is the beer. Same price (DEFINITELY more off-​licence vs. pub bottles) to take away or drink in. And it’s a smörgåsbord of UK craft things like Thornbridge and Wild Beer Co., with some artfully chosen continental and US beers (Sierra Nevada Imperial Stout!). There is NO place I have been in in London that’s offered such an extensive non-​bar/​pub-​priced bottle selection.
So yeah. Bambuni is COOL. Way far from me, and I feel a tangible sense of separation. Sigh…

Finally, a decent place in Nunhead that you want to chill out and grab a coffee!
The community here has been crying out for such a place as Bambuni, we have 2 butchers, a fantastic bakery and a fishmongers that people come from far afield to shop at, but everyone has always just jumped back in their car and driven off… until now…(a Hollywood cliff hanger if ever I heard one)
Huey, the owner, has done a great job of completely overhauling a wreck of a place and transforming it into a lovely deli that offers charcuterie, an expanding range of cheeses (mainly British but I’ve recently noticed a few French ones sneaking in there), olive oils that you pour from a barrel into your own bottles and there is even a self-​serve section for organic and specialty flours. Oh, and how could I have forgotten about the wine barrels — grab an empty bottle and fill her up with what you need, bring it back when it’s empty and get the wine cheaper as you only pay for the actual bottle once — genius.
Grab yourself a coffee and a croissant (or pain au chocolat if you are that way inclined) and plop yourself down on the sparse seating available. Or just grab your coffee and wander round looking at the organic products, the high quality coffee that you can grind yourself, the specialty beers in the open fridges or just nibble on those fantastic bread and olive sticks that sit just to the right of the counter… love those things!
There is a little courtyard, and i mean little, but is really nicely decorated and is actually a cosier place to sit than it first may seem, slide a coffee sack cushion under your butt and slurp that Americano.
Only reason this hasn’t got 5 stars is because I would love to be able to come in here on a Saturday or Sunday morning and settle down to a full English or a plate of poached egg on toast. Please Huey, please, that’s what I crave, oh please…