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.
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Gazette Balham
Balham High RoadWe'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.
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Milk
20 Bedford HillProbably 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.
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Brickwood Coffee & Bread
11 Hildreth StGreat 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.
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May The Fifteenth
47 Abbeville RdThis 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.
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Franco Manca
21 Lordship LnCracking 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.
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Pho Balham
67-69 Bedford HillWhen 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.
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Isakhiwo sase-Brixton Village
Unit 74 Coldharbour LnIf 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 RdCracking 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.
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Holy Cow
2 F Dyne RdOur 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.
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Chicken Shop and Dirty Burger Balham
7A Chestnut GroveLike 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.
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Chez Bruce
2 Bellevue RdMichelin 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.
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Trinity
4 The PolygonTop 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.
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Sorella
148 Clapham Manor StSuper 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.
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The Dairy
15 The PavementOverlooking 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.
GAIL's Bakery Abbeville Road
71 Abbeville RdGreat bakery. Super coffee.
Very stylish. From the guys behind Hawksmoor. Expect delicious steaks, great cocktails and something to suit whatever mood you are in.
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Foxlow Balham
15-19 Bedford HillVery 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.
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Imakethe ye-Tooting
21-23 Tooting High StExploring 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 RoadAmazing 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.
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The Lido Cafe
Dulwich RoadPerfect 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.
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Moxon's Fishmongers - East Dulwich
149 Lordship LnFab fish monger at Clapham South. The fish bar next door does great fish and chips.
Kerbisher & Malt
50 Abbeville RdExcellent 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.
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The Thai Grocer
361 Garratt LnBest 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.
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Spice Village Events
121 Upper Tooting RoadGreat 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.
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Lahore Karahi
1 Tooting High StA 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.
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Hot Stuff
19 Wilcox RdBrilliant 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.
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Lamberts Restaurant
2 Balham High RdSmart seasonal British restaurant that flies the flag for proper food in Balham.
Fun new coffee shop serving up top class coffee and stylish breakfasts.
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Brother Marcus - Balham
9 Chestnut GroveFun new coffee shop serving up top class coffee and stylish breakfasts.
Arlo's Balham
1 Ramsden RdSteak! 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 RoadWe'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.
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Wahaca Brixton
20 Atlantic RdThe 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.
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Salon
18 Market RowGreat charcuterie. Fun vibe. I once had monks' beard tempura with anchovy butter which I will never forget.
Drinks & Nightlife
Hagen & Hyde
157 Balham High RdGreat fun. Cocktails are always spot on.
Balham Bowls Club
7-9 Ramsden RdConverted bowls club. Really fun pub.
Cinema, bar, restaurant. Even the view across Sainbury's car park somehow works!
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The Exhibit Bar & Restaurant
12 Balham Station RdCinema, 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.
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The Abbeville
67-69 Abbeville RdThis 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.
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The Wine Parlour
1 Vining StIntimate modern wine bar in Brixton. Ideal for a date. Or so I'm told.
The Shrub and Shutter
336 Coldharbour LnCocktails galore. And great charcuterie too.
Parks & Nature
Great for jogging, picnicking, sunbathing, pottering, dog walking and just relaxing.
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Clapham Common
Windmill DriveGreat for jogging, picnicking, sunbathing, pottering, dog walking and just relaxing.
Great for jogging, picnicking, sunbathing, pottering, dog walking and just relaxing.
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Wandsworth Common
Trinity RoadGreat 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.
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Tooting Bec Common Cafe
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.
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Pop Brixton
49 Brixton Station RdCommunity led pop up full of cool restaurants, shops and fun stuff.