The Victory takes over from longstanding East Dulwich restaurant Franklin's

29/4/26 – Updated with full details about the opening

When one door closes, another opens, and that’s very much the case with the closure of an East Dulwich institution, Franklin’s. After 26 years in business, owner Rod Franklin decided that he was ready to retire. In a eulogy for the restaurant, critic Jay Rayner dubbed it “a marvellous place, the model of what you want a local place to be”.

But before SE22 locals get all in a tizzy about losing their happy place, the good news is that plans are already afoot for what’s going to replace it. As Rod explained in a post on Instagram, “a small group of long-time customers have some together with the owner of The Begging Bowl (Jamie Younger) to take on the space and relaunch it as The Victory, the name of the original pub”.

Joining Jamie in his endeavour is his wife Rema Waterhouse, who will be looking after front of house. Looking after the menu will be Executive Chef Seán Breen (most recently at Noble Rot) and he’ll be focusing on “British ingredient-led cooking with a modern French bistro influence.” That menu is going to include starters like salsify fritters with aged Comté and truffle and steak Tartare with dripping toast. On the larger side, you’ll find dishes like poached sea trout with trout roe and dill beurre blanc or sautéed veal sweetbreads Grenobloise. They’ll also have roast poulet jaune to share between two (with the sides of that dish changing through the seasons) and big sharing Galloway beef steaks.

Desserts also sound very promising, and they include a fig leaf custard with gariguettes, black pepper and Beaujolais, and a rum baba to share.

As for drinks, they’ll be joining the martini trend with a special martini menu and they’ll have a wine list that focuses on French regional classics. As for the look of the place, upstairs will be the main pub (where you will be able to eat too), while they’ll have a 70-seater dining room downstairs.

It’s a nice closing of the circle for Jamie and Rema in particular, who used to run The Palmerston on the same road before they were forced out nearly seven years ago.