Guidebook for Greater London
Food Scene
There are neither boundaries pushed nor diners left unsatisfied at Lamberts, an understated neighbourhood restaurant much loved by Balham locals. Ostentation gives way to the kind of greeting only found at Zone 3 cubby holes; at this particular nook, three courses from the restaurant’s changing “market menu” will demand but £20. It’s curious that the place has not been more widely celebrated, for the cooking is majestic: steak and ale pies bring to the table a collective sigh; hake fillets are paired perfectly with tomatoes and butter beans.
24 moradores locais recomendam
Lamberts Restaurant
2 Balham High RdThere are neither boundaries pushed nor diners left unsatisfied at Lamberts, an understated neighbourhood restaurant much loved by Balham locals. Ostentation gives way to the kind of greeting only found at Zone 3 cubby holes; at this particular nook, three courses from the restaurant’s changing “market menu” will demand but £20. It’s curious that the place has not been more widely celebrated, for the cooking is majestic: steak and ale pies bring to the table a collective sigh; hake fillets are paired perfectly with tomatoes and butter beans.
Balham’s best breakfast. Marvellously close to the train station, the coffee is exceptional, and so is the food. The “marcus breakfast” — while not cheap and a little curiously priced at £10.80 — is a solid bit of work. Soft bacon leads to crispy fat, sausages are plump, and the egg yolks are always the happier shade of yellow. Never mind the fact the beans are served in a pot. The star of the show is “bob’s your uncle”, a glorious combination of pork belly, fried egg, cucumber, spring onion, sriracha, and tomato relish, all bouncing around a pita bread.
13 moradores locais recomendam
Brother Marcus - Balham
9 Chestnut GroveBalham’s best breakfast. Marvellously close to the train station, the coffee is exceptional, and so is the food. The “marcus breakfast” — while not cheap and a little curiously priced at £10.80 — is a solid bit of work. Soft bacon leads to crispy fat, sausages are plump, and the egg yolks are always the happier shade of yellow. Never mind the fact the beans are served in a pot. The star of the show is “bob’s your uncle”, a glorious combination of pork belly, fried egg, cucumber, spring onion, sriracha, and tomato relish, all bouncing around a pita bread.
Thali and Pickles is a fun restaurant with an extensive menu that isn’t exhaustive. Lamb dhansak gives a rounded heat, unsurprising in its moderate succulence; the rice is fluffy, as are the naans; papadi chaat brings crunchy wheat and soft potato covered in sweetness, sourness, and cool yoghurt. Decent puri too — crispy, hollow balls which welcome chickpeas, tamarind water and coriander. Chicken tikka is excellent, and really everything is very fine: certainly worth a trip.
Thali & Pickles
5-6 Balham Station RdThali and Pickles is a fun restaurant with an extensive menu that isn’t exhaustive. Lamb dhansak gives a rounded heat, unsurprising in its moderate succulence; the rice is fluffy, as are the naans; papadi chaat brings crunchy wheat and soft potato covered in sweetness, sourness, and cool yoghurt. Decent puri too — crispy, hollow balls which welcome chickpeas, tamarind water and coriander. Chicken tikka is excellent, and really everything is very fine: certainly worth a trip.
Arlo’s is known for its atmosphere and inclusive pricing; it’s a huge hit with Balham locals and has absolutely nailed the concept of a family restaurant. On a big night, the place is buzzing, bavette steaks flying out of the kitchen. Order one to share (starting at £29 for two — a generous 500g — and running up to £110 for 2kg, which feeds a big family), and slap on a sauce for a quid. Choose from chimichurri, bearnaise, or peppercorn. And by no means miss the “trenchers” — seasoned sourdough chunks served under the steak and deployed as soft little bread vehicles with which to mop up juices.
11 moradores locais recomendam
Arlo's Balham
1 Ramsden RdArlo’s is known for its atmosphere and inclusive pricing; it’s a huge hit with Balham locals and has absolutely nailed the concept of a family restaurant. On a big night, the place is buzzing, bavette steaks flying out of the kitchen. Order one to share (starting at £29 for two — a generous 500g — and running up to £110 for 2kg, which feeds a big family), and slap on a sauce for a quid. Choose from chimichurri, bearnaise, or peppercorn. And by no means miss the “trenchers” — seasoned sourdough chunks served under the steak and deployed as soft little bread vehicles with which to mop up juices.
Firefly doesn’t stick with the Thai food (sadly) familiar to London suburbs. Alongside the great-with-beer satay chicken, tempura prawns, spring rolls and dumplings are the likes of gaeng ped: duck with aubergine and pineapple; and neau makham: a sour beef dish with spring onions, garlic, and tamarind juice. It is genuinely busy almost every day, which is rare for a regular old haunt in the suburbs. The service is always amicable and the beer is varied and excellent. Firefly shows sport and gets lively on the weekends.
15 moradores locais recomendam
Firefly Bar & Thai Kitchen
Balham High RoadFirefly doesn’t stick with the Thai food (sadly) familiar to London suburbs. Alongside the great-with-beer satay chicken, tempura prawns, spring rolls and dumplings are the likes of gaeng ped: duck with aubergine and pineapple; and neau makham: a sour beef dish with spring onions, garlic, and tamarind juice. It is genuinely busy almost every day, which is rare for a regular old haunt in the suburbs. The service is always amicable and the beer is varied and excellent. Firefly shows sport and gets lively on the weekends.
Drinks & Nightlife
With delicious cocktails and fantastic Cajun food, this bar near Balham is one of the best in the area. A stone's throw from Wandsworth Common, it's a perfect spot for an after work drink, but also makes for a cool London date night location.
Stillwater
206 Trinity RdWith delicious cocktails and fantastic Cajun food, this bar near Balham is one of the best in the area. A stone's throw from Wandsworth Common, it's a perfect spot for an after work drink, but also makes for a cool London date night location.
A right gem of a cocktail bar is waiting to be unearthed on Bedford Hill. Lost & Found is a friendly, funky bar rife with live music, fun-time vibes and cocktails that'll knock your socks off. Stop by sometime soon for a minty fresh Red Haired Mojito, a sweet and velvety Candy Bar or bring your mates and share an Alice in Wonderland a blend laced with Stolichanaya Vodka served in a top hat!
22 moradores locais recomendam
Lost & Found Bar
10 Bedford HillA right gem of a cocktail bar is waiting to be unearthed on Bedford Hill. Lost & Found is a friendly, funky bar rife with live music, fun-time vibes and cocktails that'll knock your socks off. Stop by sometime soon for a minty fresh Red Haired Mojito, a sweet and velvety Candy Bar or bring your mates and share an Alice in Wonderland a blend laced with Stolichanaya Vodka served in a top hat!
Keeping to the retro outfit of your local village hall, Balham Bowls Club feels like it's played host to more than a few town forays, as well as propping up the punters. Coming with bags of charm, this Bar in Balham is a haven for lounging with its living room vibes as well as hearty pub grub.
53 moradores locais recomendam
Balham Bowls Club
7-9 Ramsden RdKeeping to the retro outfit of your local village hall, Balham Bowls Club feels like it's played host to more than a few town forays, as well as propping up the punters. Coming with bags of charm, this Bar in Balham is a haven for lounging with its living room vibes as well as hearty pub grub.
This gorgeous Balham pub is the perfect spot for an after work drink in London. With comfy seats, great drink selections and a lively atmosphere it's a great haunt for you and your mates. And if hefty portions of slow-roasted meats are more your thing, it also happens to serve one of the best Sunday lunches in London.
19 moradores locais recomendam
The Devonshire
39 Balham High RdThis gorgeous Balham pub is the perfect spot for an after work drink in London. With comfy seats, great drink selections and a lively atmosphere it's a great haunt for you and your mates. And if hefty portions of slow-roasted meats are more your thing, it also happens to serve one of the best Sunday lunches in London.