Guidebook for London

Jonathan
Guidebook for London

Food Scene

We've loved going to Gazette for years. Their crêpes and oeuf en cocotte are fabulous for brunch. As are their madeleines with a cup of tea for an afternoon pick me up. And their main dishes such as streak tartare, seasonal game and bavette are fabulous.
14 locals recommend
Gazette Balham
Balham High Road
14 locals recommend
We've loved going to Gazette for years. Their crêpes and oeuf en cocotte are fabulous for brunch. As are their madeleines with a cup of tea for an afternoon pick me up. And their main dishes such as streak tartare, seasonal game and bavette are fabulous.
Probably the best café-cum-restaurant in South London. Big claim. But the queues don't lie. All their coffee is fab. And when it comes to food, their brown butter hollandaise is illicitly good. Try the Convict. And enjoy their magazines. Just get their early - or enjoy the queue.
70 locals recommend
Milk
20 Bedford Hill
70 locals recommend
Probably the best café-cum-restaurant in South London. Big claim. But the queues don't lie. All their coffee is fab. And when it comes to food, their brown butter hollandaise is illicitly good. Try the Convict. And enjoy their magazines. Just get their early - or enjoy the queue.
Great coffee. They do a mean flat white. And if you like your sandwiches made with proper bread, stuffed with cheese and grilled, then this place is for you.
38 locals recommend
Brickwood Coffee & Bread
11 Hildreth St
38 locals recommend
Great coffee. They do a mean flat white. And if you like your sandwiches made with proper bread, stuffed with cheese and grilled, then this place is for you.
This is our favourite neighbourhood restaurant, tucked away on the Abbeville Road. The menu is always interesting. The staff are always charming and friendly. And the wine is always a treat. Go with an appetite and make sure you order the cuttlefish stew if it is on the menu. And likewise any of their sharing dishes. We had a shoulder of lamb for 6 once which we've never forgotten. Also very good for brunch at the weekend.
13 locals recommend
May The Fifteenth
47 Abbeville Rd
13 locals recommend
This is our favourite neighbourhood restaurant, tucked away on the Abbeville Road. The menu is always interesting. The staff are always charming and friendly. And the wine is always a treat. Go with an appetite and make sure you order the cuttlefish stew if it is on the menu. And likewise any of their sharing dishes. We had a shoulder of lamb for 6 once which we've never forgotten. Also very good for brunch at the weekend.
Cracking pizza. You'll go a long long way to find a better pizza. Super thin sourdough crust. Handily positioned on the walk home from Balham station.
143 locals recommend
Franco Manca
21 Lordship Ln
143 locals recommend
Cracking pizza. You'll go a long long way to find a better pizza. Super thin sourdough crust. Handily positioned on the walk home from Balham station.
When we're lazy, this is where we go for a takeaway. Their chicken salad and brisket pho soup are both great when you are in the mood.
9 locals recommend
Pho Balham
67-69 Bedford Hill
9 locals recommend
When we're lazy, this is where we go for a takeaway. Their chicken salad and brisket pho soup are both great when you are in the mood.
If you are staying in Balham you have to go to Brixton Village Market. We love it and wish we could go more often. You will struggle to find a better vibe or better food anywhere else. Try Honest Burger, KaoSarn, Mama Lan and Agile Rabbit.
492 locals recommend
Brixton Village Market
Unit 74 Coldharbour Ln
492 locals recommend
If you are staying in Balham you have to go to Brixton Village Market. We love it and wish we could go more often. You will struggle to find a better vibe or better food anywhere else. Try Honest Burger, KaoSarn, Mama Lan and Agile Rabbit.
Cracking Italian restaurant near Tooting Bec station. Fantastic pastas and lovely service. We'd eat here every single night if we could.
Cassio Restaurant and Pizzeria
32 Tooting Bec Rd
Cracking Italian restaurant near Tooting Bec station. Fantastic pastas and lovely service. We'd eat here every single night if we could.
Our go to curry take away. If you order from Holy Cow make sure you have the Lamb Achari. It's amazing.
13 locals recommend
Holy Cow
2 F Dyne Rd
13 locals recommend
Our go to curry take away. If you order from Holy Cow make sure you have the Lamb Achari. It's amazing.
Like chicken? You'll love the Chicken Shop. From the guys behind Soho House. It's delicious. Stylish. And really not expensive.
6 locals recommend
Chicken Shop and Dirty Burger Balham
7A Chestnut Grove
6 locals recommend
Like chicken? You'll love the Chicken Shop. From the guys behind Soho House. It's delicious. Stylish. And really not expensive.
Michelin stars have rarely tasted so good. We've love each meal we've had here. It's an expensive treat, but it's worth it. A meal this good would cost an extra 50% if it was in central London. Just make sure you opt in for the cheese chariot at the end. It's to die for.
84 locals recommend
Chez Bruce
2 Bellevue Rd
84 locals recommend
Michelin stars have rarely tasted so good. We've love each meal we've had here. It's an expensive treat, but it's worth it. A meal this good would cost an extra 50% if it was in central London. Just make sure you opt in for the cheese chariot at the end. It's to die for.
Top class food. Really smart setting. Along with The Manor this is probably the best restaurant in Clapham.
98 locals recommend
Trinity
4 The Polygon
98 locals recommend
Top class food. Really smart setting. Along with The Manor this is probably the best restaurant in Clapham.
Super smart. Very inventive. Delicious. The Manor has really raised the bar. Can't wait to go back.
48 locals recommend
Sorella
148 Clapham Manor St
48 locals recommend
Super smart. Very inventive. Delicious. The Manor has really raised the bar. Can't wait to go back.
Overlooking the common, The Dairy is pioneering a new way of dining in Clapham. Almost all the produce is local or grown on site. They've even got bee hives on the roof! Go there. Just go there.
88 locals recommend
The Dairy
15 The Pavement
88 locals recommend
Overlooking the common, The Dairy is pioneering a new way of dining in Clapham. Almost all the produce is local or grown on site. They've even got bee hives on the roof! Go there. Just go there.
Great bakery. Super coffee.
23 locals recommend
GAIL's Bakery Abbeville Road
71 Abbeville Rd
23 locals recommend
Great bakery. Super coffee.
Very stylish. From the guys behind Hawksmoor. Expect delicious steaks, great cocktails and something to suit whatever mood you are in.
33 locals recommend
Foxlow Balham
15-19 Bedford Hill
33 locals recommend
Very stylish. From the guys behind Hawksmoor. Expect delicious steaks, great cocktails and something to suit whatever mood you are in.
Exploring Tooting Market is always fun. Lots of great produce. And some great cafes and restaurants.
99 locals recommend
Tooting Market
21-23 Tooting High St
99 locals recommend
Exploring Tooting Market is always fun. Lots of great produce. And some great cafes and restaurants.
Amazing produce every Saturday from 9am-lunchtime. Don't miss out on the fabulous beef, super fresh fish, cheese and incredible vegetables. And it may say that it is on Chestnut Grove - but it isn't. Brilliantly it's on our road - Hydethorpe Road. So there is no excuse not to go. Unless you aren't around on Saturday.
Balham Farmers Market
Hydethorpe Road
Amazing produce every Saturday from 9am-lunchtime. Don't miss out on the fabulous beef, super fresh fish, cheese and incredible vegetables. And it may say that it is on Chestnut Grove - but it isn't. Brilliantly it's on our road - Hydethorpe Road. So there is no excuse not to go. Unless you aren't around on Saturday.
Perfect for brunch after you've had a bracing swim in Brockwell Lido. Or just as good, if you haven't bothered to go for a dip. It's also brilliant for dinner. A very unique and wonderful place.
108 locals recommend
The Lido Cafe
Dulwich Road
108 locals recommend
Perfect for brunch after you've had a bracing swim in Brockwell Lido. Or just as good, if you haven't bothered to go for a dip. It's also brilliant for dinner. A very unique and wonderful place.
Fab fish monger at Clapham South. The fish bar next door does great fish and chips.
13 locals recommend
Moxon's Fishmongers - East Dulwich
149 Lordship Ln
13 locals recommend
Fab fish monger at Clapham South. The fish bar next door does great fish and chips.
Excellent fish and chips. Posh. Tasty. Crispy. Fresh.
Kerbisher & Malt
50 Abbeville Rd
Excellent fish and chips. Posh. Tasty. Crispy. Fresh.
Best Thai food in the area. And it's bring your own. So take something decent along to do the food justice.
8 locals recommend
The Thai Grocer
361 Garratt Ln
8 locals recommend
Best Thai food in the area. And it's bring your own. So take something decent along to do the food justice.
Great curry. Don't be tempted to order everything like we normally do. Big portions. And all delicious. Lassis are good too. It's dry, so no booze.
21 locals recommend
Spice Village Events
121 Upper Tooting Road
21 locals recommend
Great curry. Don't be tempted to order everything like we normally do. Big portions. And all delicious. Lassis are good too. It's dry, so no booze.
A Tooting institution. Bright lights. Lively curry. And lots of fun.
27 locals recommend
Lahore Karahi
1 Tooting High St
27 locals recommend
A Tooting institution. Bright lights. Lively curry. And lots of fun.
Brilliant curry house tucked away down a back alley in Vauxhall. Perseverance pays off. It's bring your own. And almost everytime the bill per head comes mysteriously to a wonderful £15 a head. Definitely worth a trip.
42 locals recommend
Hot Stuff
19 Wilcox Rd
42 locals recommend
Brilliant curry house tucked away down a back alley in Vauxhall. Perseverance pays off. It's bring your own. And almost everytime the bill per head comes mysteriously to a wonderful £15 a head. Definitely worth a trip.
Smart seasonal British restaurant that flies the flag for proper food in Balham.
24 locals recommend
Lamberts Restaurant
2 Balham High Rd
24 locals recommend
Smart seasonal British restaurant that flies the flag for proper food in Balham.
Fun new coffee shop serving up top class coffee and stylish breakfasts.
13 locals recommend
Brother Marcus - Balham
9 Chestnut Grove
13 locals recommend
Fun new coffee shop serving up top class coffee and stylish breakfasts.
Steak! Steak! Steak! Good value. And getting good reviews.
11 locals recommend
Arlo's Balham
1 Ramsden Rd
11 locals recommend
Steak! Steak! Steak! Good value. And getting good reviews.
We've got a few friends who rarely leave Ciullo's. Everything you want from an Italian restaurant.
Ciullo's Restaurant Pizzeria
31 Balham High Road
We've got a few friends who rarely leave Ciullo's. Everything you want from an Italian restaurant.
The Brixton outpost of the Wahaca mini empire. Great when you want your fix of Mexican food.
18 locals recommend
Wahaca Brixton
20 Atlantic Rd
18 locals recommend
The Brixton outpost of the Wahaca mini empire. Great when you want your fix of Mexican food.
Great charcuterie. Fun vibe. I once had monks' beard tempura with anchovy butter which I will never forget.
41 locals recommend
Salon
18 Market Row
41 locals recommend
Great charcuterie. Fun vibe. I once had monks' beard tempura with anchovy butter which I will never forget.

Drinks & Nightlife

Great fun. Cocktails are always spot on.
25 locals recommend
Hagen & Hyde
157 Balham High Rd
25 locals recommend
Great fun. Cocktails are always spot on.
Converted bowls club. Really fun pub.
53 locals recommend
Balham Bowls Club
7-9 Ramsden Rd
53 locals recommend
Converted bowls club. Really fun pub.
Cinema, bar, restaurant. Even the view across Sainbury's car park somehow works!
37 locals recommend
The Exhibit Bar & Restaurant
12 Balham Station Rd
37 locals recommend
Cinema, bar, restaurant. Even the view across Sainbury's car park somehow works!
This is our favourite pub. The beer is excellent. As is the wine and food. Great place for a friendly night.
32 locals recommend
The Abbeville
67-69 Abbeville Rd
32 locals recommend
This is our favourite pub. The beer is excellent. As is the wine and food. Great place for a friendly night.
Intimate modern wine bar in Brixton. Ideal for a date. Or so I'm told.
21 locals recommend
The Wine Parlour
1 Vining St
21 locals recommend
Intimate modern wine bar in Brixton. Ideal for a date. Or so I'm told.
Cocktails galore. And great charcuterie too.
55 locals recommend
The Shrub and Shutter
336 Coldharbour Ln
55 locals recommend
Cocktails galore. And great charcuterie too.

Parks & Nature

Great for jogging, picnicking, sunbathing, pottering, dog walking and just relaxing.
254 locals recommend
Clapham Common
Windmill Drive
254 locals recommend
Great for jogging, picnicking, sunbathing, pottering, dog walking and just relaxing.
Great for jogging, picnicking, sunbathing, pottering, dog walking and just relaxing.
150 locals recommend
Wandsworth Common
Trinity Road
150 locals recommend
Great for jogging, picnicking, sunbathing, pottering, dog walking and just relaxing.
Great for jogging, picnicking, sunbathing, pottering, dog walking and just relaxing. Lots of nice cafes and ponds.
104 locals recommend
Tooting Bec Common Cafe
104 locals recommend
Great for jogging, picnicking, sunbathing, pottering, dog walking and just relaxing. Lots of nice cafes and ponds.

Everything Else

Community led pop up full of cool restaurants, shops and fun stuff.
245 locals recommend
Pop Brixton
49 Brixton Station Rd
245 locals recommend
Community led pop up full of cool restaurants, shops and fun stuff.