WHILE Crap Towns Returns highlighted Croydon's near-250 fast food outlets, what it failed to pick up on was the vast range of top quality eateries in the borough.
Croydon residents are fortunate enough to have a mixture of world cuisine offerings, combined with credible fine dining options that make the borough's food scene one of the many jewels in its crown.
From traditional options such as the Michelin-starred Albert's Table in South Croydon, to the more unusual Trinidadian offerings from St George's Walk's Rotimaster - there is something available to appease every taste.
The rebranding of South End as Croydon's very own Restaurant Quarter has been hugely successful – topped in the past two years by the popular South End Food Festival.
Thomas Liu, owner of the Faith Wok traditional Chinese food stall on Surrey Street, believes Croydon has something different to offer compared with a lot of other London boroughs.
He said: "There's so many different things here. I've been here for a year; I think it's good, this is an old traditional market and it can still improve, but there's a lot of choice locally."
At the Cadillac Diner, in Wickham Road, Shirley, owner Mark Kilinc combines homemade ribs and burgers with a distinctive decor and a rock n roll soundtrack.
He said: "Croydon has a bit of everything. There's a lot of choice and Cadillac Diner adds to this.
"I've always loved the 40s and 50s era, it brings everyone together".
Ben Hurley, 34, from East Croydon, described the town's offering as "underrated".
He added: "People just assume that food around here is going to be a bog-standard affair, when in reality there's a lot of great restaurants hidden away, plus we've got the benefit of having a thriving market in Surrey Street.
"You don't get that in many places anymore. We're pretty lucky in Croydon, really."
