2210 by Natty Can Cook

Tucked just off Norwood Road, 2210 by Natty Can Cook is fast becoming one of the most talked-about Caribbean restaurants in Herne Hill—and after a Friday night visit, it’s easy to see why. The room was full, the atmosphere lively but relaxed, and there was a steady hum of people clearly enjoying themselves. For a restaurant that’s only been open since late 2025, it already feels like a firm fixture on the South London food scene. Long may that continue.

We booked after spotting chef Nathaniel Mortley—better known as Natty Can Cook—on a Saturday cooking programme, and it felt like exactly the sort of place worth building a birthday dinner around. From the moment we arrived, the welcome was warm, genuine and completely unforced. The kind of service that feels instinctive rather than scripted. A birthday card sat quietly on the table, and within moments a rum punch appeared, unprompted. No fuss, just a thoughtful gesture that perfectly set the tone for the evening.

We kept things sociable and shared two starters between four: soft shell crab and a roti with Scotch bonnet butter. The roti deserves special mention—it was, without exaggeration, the best we’ve ever had. Perfectly flaky, rich without being heavy, and paired with a glossy, spicy butter that delivered just the right amount of heat. It’s the sort of dish you keep going back to, even when you tell yourself you’re saving room for mains. Sorry, no photos, it was devoured before I could get the camera out!

And mains were worth saving space for. I ordered the chicken supreme jerk chicken, which was beautifully moist with a well-judged level of spice—warming rather than overwhelming, and full of depth. All the mains came with either Rice and Peas or Jellof Rice.

One of us opted for the traditional oxtail, which was meltingly tender and deeply comforting, the kind of dish that feels slow-cooked with care.

This had just the right amount of crackling to meat. Our friend ate this very quickly!

The lamb rump rounded things out nicely, offering something a little different while still delivering on flavour and balance.

There’s a real confidence to the cooking here. 2210 by Natty Can Cook showcases Caribbean food in a way that feels both rooted in tradition and thoughtfully elevated, without ever losing its warmth or generosity. It’s food that’s full of flavour but also full of intention.

The space itself is unfussy but inviting, and on a busy Friday night it struck that perfect balance between lively and comfortable. You get the sense this is only the beginning, and that its reputation will continue to grow well beyond Herne Hill.

If there’s one small suggestion, it would be clearer signage and a menu displayed outside—easy improvements that would help more people discover it, as it would be all too easy to walk past.

For now, though, it’s very much a place in the know—and absolutely worth seeking out.

📍 2210 by Natty Can Cook, Herne Hill, London

🌐 https://2210bynattycancook.com