Regularly named as the ‘sporting capital of the world’, London boasts 13 professional football teams, 22 football stadiums, as well as the UK’s biggest rugby stadium (Twickenham) and cricket ground (Lords). Wembley Stadium also hosts some of the world’s biggest fight nights. What we’re trying to say is that, if you’re looking to watch live sport in the capital, your needs are well and truly served.

Indeed, Londoners are well known for their immense passion for a whole host of sports. For the city’s residents, watching a game is not just a pastime — for many, it’s a lifestyle. And this lifestyle isn’t only housed in the city’s stadiums; you’ll also find passion spilling out onto the streets and into the pubs and bars of London.

Here, beers, banter and betting all rub shoulders, with friends made and rivalries cemented. When it’s good, there’s no better feeling in the world than watching sports in a London boozer.

If you’re keen to soak up this unique, one-of-a-kind atmosphere (responsibly, of course), then here’s where to do it; the best bars to watch sport in London.

The Dugout at Belushi’s, London Bridge

Ideal for private viewing with your mates and proper American bar food classics…

The continental-wide sports bar chain Belushi’s has six venues across London, all devoted to selling affordable beer and projecting sports onto its big screens. But it’s in their dedicated Dugout in London Bridge that the finest sports viewing experience can be found.

Here, you get your own private booth, complete with a TV showing the game. The best thing about this? You don’t have to spend the whole evening tediously trying to explain the rules to novices. The venue’s superb American comfort food makes for the perfect accompaniment to the action — think Philly cheesesteak subs, stacks of chicken wings in every flavour imaginable, loaded nachos, and proper juicy burgers that’ll soak up all that beer.

Alternatively, Belushi’s in Camden Town is another great venue for watching sports in London. Though perhaps more famous for its regular rotating roster of live music offering, the venue also has private booths and its boisterous, always buzzing ‘Cavern’ area, with a huge projector and the latest games broadcast pretty much every moment the doors are open and the pints being poured.

Website: belushis.com

Address: 161 Borough High St, London SE1 1HR

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The Lyric, Soho

Ideal for intimate sports viewing with craft beer and casual conversation…

The Lyric is a decently-sized, homely pub that offers a great atmosphere for watching sports. This proper old school Victorian boozer, complete with wood panelling, a crackling fireplace, and beautiful etched glass, brings that authentic pub charm that’s increasingly hard to find in central London. With a couple of well-positioned TV screens, this lovely little pub is a haven for fans who enjoy watching the games, but also don’t mind indulging in some private chit-chats during the breaks.

The menu’s got something for everyone too — all the proper pub classics like fish and chips sit alongside a flame-grilled kebab section and American favourites including BBQ baby back pork ribs, butter fried chicken, and Caesar salad. It’s this mix of traditional and modern that makes The Lyric work so well.

This is also a great place to meet on a first date for a quick drink before heading onto a restaurant reservation – especially if both of you are really into sports. And, of course, aside from a plethora of drinks offered, The Lyric offers some of the best craft beers you can try.

Website: lyricsoho.co.uk

Address: 37 Great Windmill Street, W1D 7LT

Read: The best restaurants in Soho

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Greenwood, Victoria

Ideal for serious sports fans who want multiple screens and sharing platters…

No matter which sport you’re into, Greenwood will most likely have you covered. With numerous screens spread across two stories of this amazing sports pub and kitchen — and with a dedicated timetable for various sports, games and matches, you’ll surely be able to find your crowd. And the best part is that if you happen to get peckish, you can try some of their finger-licking delicious meals, designed to be shared over sport.

When it comes to watching sports with friends, one thing’s for definite; wings are the thing to enjoy. As such, we particularly love Greenwood’s ‘Signature Meat Platter’ — house fried chicken, padron peppers, buffalo wings and burger pizza to share. The burger pizza is a proper mad creation featuring beef patty, house pickles, American cheese, bacon and burger sauce all on a pizza base. Oh, and if you’re watching the NFL Playoffs, you’ll definitely want to get your hands on this feast that’ll have your tastebuds screaming ‘touchdown’.

A word of warning; since Greenwood is such a popular destination for sports lovers, you will need to book a table ahead of time, or arrive early if you wish to snatch some of the best viewing spots.

Website: sportlondon.com

Address: 170 Victoria Street, Victoria, SW1E 5LB

Read: The best restaurants near London Victoria

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The Volley, Old Street

Ideal for watching women’s and men’s matches alongside craft beer and natural wines…

Now here’s a breath of fresh air. The Volley, which is walk-in only, has carved out a brilliant niche in Old Street by actually showing women’s football and England women’s rugby team matches alongside the usual men’s matches — no need to beg them to put on the Lionesses or Women’s Super League games.

This craft beer haven serves up natural wines and properly good brews that put your average sports bar to shame. The staff genuinely care about making everyone feel welcome, whether you’re there for England women’s rugby or the latest Premier League drama.

Best of all? You can watch top-quality women’s sport without having to ask them to change the channel first. In a city where most sports bars are dominated by blokes shouting at the telly, The Volley feels like a proper game-changer.

Website: thevolleylondon.com

Address: 211 Old St, London EC1V 9NR

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De Hems, Chinatown

Ideal for authentic ‘total football’ atmosphere…

De Hems is London’s only authentic Dutch pub, with a rich Dutch heritage to match. So, if you are looking for an authentic ‘total football’ experience and you don’t have the energy to head for Amsterdam and the iconic Johan Cruijff ArenA, then book a table here instead.

The craft beer selection here is properly impressive too, with a range that goes well beyond your typical pub offerings. Whether you’re after something hoppy, malty, or somewhere in between, De Hems has got you covered while you’re cheering on your team.

Aside from being able to experience all of this firsthand while watching your favourite sport and rooting your favourite team on, the atmosphere is genuinely authentic — you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a proper Dutch brown café right in the heart of London.

Website: dehemspub.co.uk

Address: 11 Macclesfield Street, W1D 5BW

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The Porterhouse, Covent Garden

Ideal for multi-level sports viewing with craft beer and no gimmicks…

If you’re looking for a sports bar in London that has screens all around you with a seemingly endless list of sports being shown, then the Porterhouse is the right place for you. Live music, craft beer (the Porterhouse Red is excellent), great food including capable Sunday Roasts, and even better people are just some of the things you can expect to find here.

This towering Irish pub sprawls across 12 levels — yes, you read that right — and shows everything from football and rugby to Wimbledon. With 18 screens around the venue, no one misses a second of the action. They show all major sporting events, from football to tennis, but they really like to think of themselves as a rugby pub — and clearly their customers do too! The Six Nations tournament always brings a big crowd, creating an atmosphere that’s absolutely electric.

The live music adds another dimension entirely, with house bands playing rock and pop covers from the 60s through to the current day every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in their Basement Bar. Unlike some of the naff central London sports bars that force Carlsberg down your throat or charge silly entry fees, The Porterhouse keeps it real with proper atmosphere and no gimmicks.

Website: porterhouse.london

Address: 21-22 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7NA

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The Maple Leaf, Covent Garden

Ideal for Canadian sports fans and ice hockey enthusiasts…

A second entry from the same road? IDEAL, you’re truly spoiling us with this Canadian pub, the best this side of the Cape Spear. The Maple Leaf in Covent Garden is a sports bar which displays its heritage for everyone to see. From the flags waving outside the venue to the poutine served within, this pub is loudly and proudly Canadian.

In terms of sports, this means that the country’s beloved ice hockey is broadcast live with enthusiasm, but the pub still makes room for plenty of CFL (the Canadian Football League) and the NFL action, too. In fact, the latter is as well represented as the former at the Maple Leaf, with live games shown weekly. Time to get stuck in!

Website: greeneking-pubs.co.uk

Address: The Maple Leaf, 41 Maiden Ln, London WC2E 7LJ

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The Kings Sports Bar, Leicester Square

Ideal for 24/7 sports viewing and catching those early morning games…

Tucked away near Leicester Square inside The Empire Casino, The Kings Sports Bar is one of those rare 24/7 spots where you can catch everything from Premier League matches to random e-sports tournaments at 3am. Budweiser sponsors the place, so expect plenty of crisp lager alongside the action.

The beauty of The Kings is its sheer dedication to sport — if it’s happening somewhere in the world, they’re probably showing it. The American-style menu does the job nicely, and being smack in the middle of tourist central means it’s perfect when you need to convince non-football friends to join you for the big game.

Website: metropolitancasinos.com

Address: 5–6 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7NA

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Beechwood Sports Pub & Kitchen, Shoreditch

Ideal for City workers wanting quality food, craft beer and sports after trading…

Right in the heart of the financial district, Beechwood knows exactly what City workers want after a brutal day of trading — cold beer, hot food, and sport on big screens. This sleek venue pulls off the tricky balance between looking smart enough for the suited crowd whilst keeping that proper pub atmosphere alive.

The food goes beyond your usual pub grub with gourmet burgers and sharing plates that won’t break the bank. Their craft beer selection is particularly impressive, mixing London breweries with international favourites. Plus, being so close to all the major stations means you can actually make it here for those early kick-offs without faff.

Website: sportlondon.com

Address: 1A Principal Pl, Worship St, London EC2A 2FA

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Café Kick, Exmouth Market

Ideal for Continental football culture meets hipster vibes…

Football meets Continental class at this decidedly hip hangout. Draped in international football scarves and scattered with retro Formica tables, Café Kick brings a proper European café vibe to watching the beautiful game.

Here’s the mad thing — you can order a Sidecar cocktail during a Man United match and the barman won’t bat an eyelid. It’s probably the only sports bar in London where asking for a Pernod won’t get you laughed onto the street.  In proper continental spirit they also have draft beer (Mahou), served in the traditional Spanish glass of 350ml. When there’s no match on, test your skills on the foosball tables (and no, spinning is absolutely not allowed).

Website: cafekick.co.uk

Address: 43 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QL

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TOCA Social, The O2

Ideal for interactive football experiences and stag dos with a difference…

Right, this one’s a bit mad but brilliant — TOCA Social at The O2 isn’t your usual boozer. It’s the world’s first interactive football experience, which basically means you can watch the match then immediately go and boot some balls about yourself using fancy ball-tracking technology in private gaming booths.

Even if you think the interactive stuff sounds like a gimmick, they show all the major matches across the venue. The American-inspired menu is perfect for sharing (try the Lionel Mezzi cocktail — mezcal, yuzu, and lychee), and if you’re feeling flash, go for the massive Tocazade served in a rack of sports bottles.

Ideal for stag dos, work events, or just when you fancy combining watching football with actually playing it. Oh, and there’s a Willy Wonka-style dessert room for when the sugar cravings hit. Barmy? Yes. Fun? Absolutely.

Website: toca.social

Address: TOCA Social, The O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX

Read: Where to eat near Shoreditch High Street Station

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Bar Kick, Shoreditch

Ideal for Shoreditch sports viewing with multiple screens and foosball tables…

Spread across two floors in Shoreditch, this place has 12 4K screens that can show up to three matches at once — so no more arguments about which game to put on.

The menu hits all the right notes with proper burgers, chicken wings, and loaded fries that’ll soak up the beer nicely. Like its sister venue, there are foosball tables for when you need to work off your frustration at England’s penalty shoot-out performance. The crowd here knows their football and isn’t afraid to show it.

Website: urbanpubsandbars.com

Address: 127 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JE

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Long Arm Sports Pub & Brewery, Shoreditch

Ideal for the fresh beer straight from tank to glass (and sports of course)…

Here’s something you don’t see every day — Long Arm in the City brews all their beer on-site, meaning what you’re drinking has literally gone straight from the tank to your glass. No middleman, no transport, just the freshest pint in London.

The venue’s got two massive projectors and screens dotted about, showing everything from Premier League matches to F1 racing. The industrial setup means you’re basically drinking surrounded by the brewing kit, which is pretty cool if you’re into that sort of thing.

Their beer selection changes regularly as they experiment with new brews, and the elevated pub grub pairs nicely with whatever they’ve got on tap. It’s eco-friendly too, though let’s be honest, you’re probably here for the fresh beer and the football.

Website: longarmpub.co.uk

Address: 20-26 Worship St, London EC2A 2DX

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The Charlotte, Waterloo

Ideal for Victorian railway arch atmosphere with live music and DJ sets…

Set in a proper Victorian railway arch in Southwark, The Charlotte knows how to do sports viewing right. Run by the same team behind some cracking steak restaurants, expect seriously good wings, ribs, and burgers — the kind of food that’s made for sharing over a pint whilst watching the match.

There are screens absolutely everywhere, so you’ll get a decent view whether you’re downstairs in the main bar, upstairs with the pool tables, or outside on their massive terrace. The sound system properly pumps, and being just off London Bridge means it’s easy to get to.

Bonus points for the Thursday live music and weekend DJ sets — so if your team loses, at least you can drown your sorrows with some proper tunes.

Website: thecharlottese1.com

Address: 204 Union Street, London SE1 0LX

Read: The best restaurants near London Waterloo

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The Bottom Line

So there you have it — from traditional British boozers to mad interactive football experiences, Continental café vibes to freshly brewed pints, London’s got every type of sports bar you could want. Whether you’re in the City, Shoreditch, Covent Garden, or down at The O2, there’s always somewhere decent to catch the match.

Just remember to book ahead for the big games, get there early if you want the best seats, and most importantly, soak up that atmosphere that only comes from watching sport with a room full of fellow fans in one of the world’s greatest sporting cities. Because let’s face it — there’s nothing quite like celebrating a last-minute winner with complete strangers who suddenly become your best mates.

Rumble, rattle, repeat. If you’ve ever found yourself gently lulled into a carriage-induced coma, only to be jolted awake by the dreaded announcement, ‘This is Morden,’ fear not. You haven’t reached the culinary equivalent of a dead end; rather, you’ve arrived at a station with a surprisingly awake and appetising food scene just waiting to be explored. So, wipe the sleep from your eyes, because Morden’s got so much more to offer than just a convenient spot for a nap before the return journey.

Once a quiet Surrey parish, Morden’s transformation began in earnest with the arrival of the Underground in 1926, catapulting it into the ‘Metroland’ suburban dream of South London. This historical shift from rural tranquillity to somewhere altogether more bustling laid the groundwork for the community it is today. 

This evolving landscape, where a stable local population meets renewed civic investment, creates a fertile ground for a restaurant scene that offers both quality and a sense of belonging. Forget the predictable chain eateries that often greet weary travellers at major transport hubs. We’ve ventured beyond the station concourse, past the usual suspects, to uncover the local spots that make Morden a dining destination in its own right. Here are the best restaurants in Morden.

Verona Italian Restaurant

Ideal for a generous Italian welcome that’ll whisk you off to Bel Paese…

For nearly a decade, Luigi and Wioletta have been running this little slice of Italy on London Road, and Christ, do they know what they’re doing. Step inside Verona and you might just convince yourself you’ve wandered into a backstreet trattoria somewhere in Veneto rather than a spot that’s a stone’s throw from Morden station.

The interior leans hard into traditional Italian charm — think rustic décor that actually feels authentic rather than naff, warm lighting, and that distinctive buzz of a place where locals genuinely gather. It’s the kind of restaurant that’s survived nearly a decade in suburbia not through gimmicks, but by consistently delivering the goods.

The Pizza Pavarotti, loaded with Parma ham, rocket, and shaved parmesan, hits all the right notes without being overly fussy. The Pollo Principessa arrives in portions that’ll have you questioning London’s usual stingy serving sizes. Yes, there’s cream in the carbonara, and sure, the amatriciana uses lardons not guanciale, but hey, it’s still a satisfying experience all round.

Service strikes that perfect balance between attentive and not annoyingly hovering, while prices remain refreshingly moderate (pizzas around the £12 mark, pastas around £14) for what you’re getting. 

Website: veronaitalian.co.uk

Address: 20 Morden Court Parade, London Road, Morden, SM4 5HJ

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Takahashi

Ideal for an omakase experience that manages to be inclusive…

Okay, for a genuinely stellar meal, you might have to venture just a little north of Morden and up towards South Wimbledon station. Here, tucked between a kebab shop and a car repair garage on Merton Road, Takahashi doesn’t exactly scream ‘destination dining.’ The unmarked exterior is your first clue that chef Nobuhisa ‘Taka’ Takahashi — a 14-year Nobu veteran — isn’t interested in Instagram theatrics. This 12-seat operation with his wife Yuko feels more like dining at an obsessively perfectionist friend’s house, if that friend happened to have connections to London’s best fish suppliers and some really bloody sharp knives.

The single £160 omakase menu might sound steep for SW19, but it’s relative pocket change compared to what you’d haemorrhage at comparable central London spots. For this, you get around 18 courses journeying from delicate otsumami starters to pristine nigiri, each glistening piece handed over like a precious gem. The sea bream tataki, swimming in citrus-spiked dressing so perfectly balanced you’ll want to lick the plate clean, sets the tone early. The mushroom ajillo takahashi-style — geometrically precise portobello segments crowned with green chili and truffle paste — will have you burning your tongue in impatience.

The nigiri procession is where Takahashi truly flexes. Four types of tuna, including buttery otoro that dissolves on contact. Hamachi with a whisper of heat. Scallop kissed with truffle. Here’s the twist: instead of the chef painting each piece with nikiri sauce, you’re handed a tiny brush and bowl to DIY it yourself. It’s either charming participation or clever labour-saving, but it adds playful elements to what can sometimes verge on the overly reverent and ritualistic.

The wagyu nigiri deserves special mention — this is Joshu Wagyu from Japan, arriving pre-seasoned to perfection. It’s the kind of bite that makes you understand why people write poetry about beef.

It should be mentioned that Andy Hayler found it “pleasant enough” but noted it would seem “quite ordinary” to anyone who’s eaten extensively in Japan. Fair point, but that’s like saying a Bentley is ordinary if you’re used to Bugattis. For those not jetting to Tokyo monthly, Takahashi offers something genuinely special in Zone 3.

There’s a sake pairing available, for £95. Do be aware that it needs to be arranged in advance. Prepare for a 50% deposit. The restaurant can’t handle allergies due to its tiny kitchen, and atmosphere is minimalist to the point of austere. Some find it stark; others appreciate how it keeps focus on the plate. Anyway, it’s significantly better than your local chain, more accessible than Michelin-starred showstoppers, and intimate enough to feel special.

Website: takahashi-restaurant.co.uk

Address: 228 Merton Road, London SW19 1EQ

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The Morden Brook

Ideal for when you need a pub roast without the Central London markup…

Sometimes you just want a pint, a roast, and Sky Sports. No shame in that game, and The Morden Brook delivers all three without pretension or wallet damage. This Greene King establishment knows its audience — families wanting a Sunday lunch that won’t lay waste to the bank balance, football fans seeking refuge, and locals who appreciate a dog-friendly boozer.

The menu is pub classics done capably enough: Hunter’s Chicken for £9.69 precisely, fish and chips for not much more, and their ‘legendary’ (their words, not ours) Sunday roast that comes with big, buxom Yorkshire puddings and gravy that doesn’t taste like it emerged from a packet. The ‘Two pub classics for £13.99’ deal running all day, every day is the kind of value that makes you question why you ever bothered with overpriced gastropubs.

Sure, it’s not going to revolutionise British dining, but that’s probably the point. The Morden Brook succeeds because it knows exactly what it is and you know exactly what you’re getting: a reliable local that delivers satisfying grub in generous portions. 

With Carlsberg at £3.99 (what?!) a pint and multiple screens for live sports, this is community pub-ing done properly.

Website: greeneking.co.uk

Address: Lower Morden Lane, Morden, SM4 4SS

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Lahori Mahal

Ideal for Pakistani food that doesn’t hold back on the heat…

If you’ve woken up craving confident spicing and a judicious hand with the chilli, Lahori Mahal is calling your name. This no-nonsense Pakistani restaurant on London Road serves up Lahori cuisine with the kind of bold flavours that’ll remind you why Pakistani food is having something of a moment.

The Afghani charsi lamb karahi is the standout — a rich, deeply spiced stew that’s as addictive as it sounds. Their biryanis are generously portioned and aromatic, while the lamb seekh kabab, dinky though it is, at under £2.50 each represents some of the best value meat in South London. The “must try mix grill” promoted on their TikTok isn’t just social media hype — it’s genuinely excellent.

The atmosphere might be more functional than fancy, but who cares when the food hits this hard? This is the kind of robust cooking that reflects Morden’s increasingly diverse food landscape, and we’re here for every minute of it.

Instagram: @lahorimahalrestaurant

Address: 117 London Road, Morden, SM4 5HP

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Superfish

Ideal for fish and chips that’s not changed since 1971…

Some things don’t need fixing, and Superfish is proof. This Morden institution has been serving gold-standard fish and chips for over 50 years, and they’ve stuck to what works: quality fish, decent batter, and hearty portions served with a smile.

The setting blends “American Family Diner and French Bistro” vibes (their words, not ours), but the real charm lies in those little touches — like the complimentary prawns for dine-in customers and unlimited French bread and butter. It’s these gestures that have endeared them to locals for decades.

Prime fillet of cod comes in three sizes (small £10.50, large £12.50, extra-large £15.00), while options like huss, whole tail scampi and the restaurant’s ‘superbites’ (essentially fritto misto, and the best thing on the menu, too) provide alternatives for the non-cod crowd. 

This isn’t about reinventing the wheel; it’s about executing a British classic with care and consistency. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

Website: superfishuk.co.uk

Address: 20 London Road, Morden, SM4 5BQ

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Miga Korean Fusion

Ideal for Korean soul food that won’t break the bank…

Miga brings a taste of Seoul’s convenience culture to Aberconway Road, focusing on the kind of Korean comfort food that’s perfect for a quick, flavourful fix. While their Hackney sibling might be earning Michelin recognition, the Morden branch (run by the matriarch of the family) keeps things accessible with gimbap, cupbap, and other Korean favourites. The yakisoba (stir-fried noodles) selection is particularly enjoyable, the barbecue pork number our usual order, usually preceded by a round of takoyaki, those gorgeously tacky octopus dumplings which never fail to hit the spot.

The kimchi is homemade, the flavours fresh and invigorating, and the portions heaving. This is Korean food designed for busy lives rather than food critics, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that approach.

Instagram: @miga.morden

Address: 42 Aberconway Road, Morden, SM4 5LF

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Bella Donna

Ideal for Italian comfort food with minimal fuss and frippery…

Since 1999, Bella Donna has delivered exactly what its name promises: beautiful, traditional Italian cooking that doesn’t try to be anything other than satisfying neighbourhood food. 

The breadth of the menu suggests a restaurant equipped for proper sit-down dining rather than just takeaway convenience. It’s the kind of local Italian that every area needs — reliable, welcoming, and committed to doing familiar dishes well rather than chasing culinary trends.

Become a regular, and you’ll be greeted with real warmth when you walk in. Scrap that, you will be even if this is your first time. If you fall in the latter camp, do order the parmigiana melanzane – a cute little puck of layered aubergine, mozzarella and tomato sauce that is thoroughly comforting. Taking that theme and running with it, we’re big fans of the fegato, too; grilled calf’s liver with bacon and onions. It’s wonderful. 

End with a pitch perfect torta della nonna and the inevitable glass of limoncello, and totter off back to the tube hoping you’ll fall asleep on the Northern Line again next week, if only for the excuse to visit Bella Donna again.

Website: belladonna.one

Address: 87 London Road, Morden, SM4 5HP

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Ganley’s Irish Bar

Ideal for great Guinness and a Sunday carvery that’ll sort you right out…

Since 2003, Ganley’s has been bringing a slice of Ireland to London Road, complete with county shields on the ceiling and the kind of atmosphere where “banter flows as freely as the Guinness.” It’s unapologetically Irish in the best possible way — warm, welcoming, and never taking itself too seriously.

The Sunday carvery is the main event here, with massive portions clocking in at £18.95 for a plate featuring all available meats plus vegetables. Yes, it’s a touch heavy-handed, but it does the job. Beyond Sundays, their traditional Irish breakfast comes with black and white pudding, while dishes like Irish stew keep things pleasingly hearty and on brand.

Multiple screens show everything from Premier League to GAA, karaoke and quiz nights provide midweek entertainment, and the Guinness is on point. What’s not to love?

Website: ganleys.co.uk

Address: 43-47 London Road, Morden, SM4 5HP

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Blue Junction (At The Crown)

Ideal for Indian grill dishes in a buzzing sports bar atmosphere…

Operating from The Crown since 2015, Blue Junction brings together the best of Indian bar and grill cooking with the social atmosphere of a proper boozer. It’s a combination that works predictably well, especially when you’re craving tandoor-grilled meats with your football.

The menu focuses on grilled specialities and curry house classics: chicken tikka masala, Delhi butter chicken, and various biryanis that include a standout Hyderabadi gosht lamb, but the majority of punters are here for the buffet menu, and all-in, all-you-can-eat extravaganza for just £24.95 that features that headlining tikka masala as well as a whole host of other goodies (the lollipop chicken is particularly good). 

Chuck in another £3 and you’ve got yourself bottomless soft drinks. Hey, it’s not going to win any stars anytime soon, but Blue Junction is an eminently satisfying place to eat. 

Website: bluejunction.co.uk

Address: 1 Crown Lane, Morden, SM4 5DA

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Ting ‘n’ Ting

Ideal for Caribbean flavours in the unique setting of Merton Abbey Mills…

We’ve saved arguably the best ‘till last here. Technically just outside Morden, but close enough to count, Ting ‘n’ Ting brings soulful Caribbean cooking to the historic Merton Abbey Mills complex. The setting alone — a former textile works turned artisan market — makes it worth the short journey.

Their award-winning mutton curry lives up to the hype, while jerk chicken cooked on a proper charcoal barbecue drum delivers that essential smokiness.  It’s a generous (and generously spiced) affair with whole meal deals like jerk pork or chicken curry (both £11.50) coming with rice and peas, Caribbean slaw, and fried plantain — basically everything you need for a Caribbean feast.

Roti wraps (around £9.80) provide a lighter, more portable option, while vegetarian dishes like sweet potato curry ensure everyone’s catered for. 

Website: tingnting.com

Address: Unit 2, The Pavilion, 2 Watermill Wy, London SW19 2RD

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The Bottom Line

Next time the Northern Line deposits you at its supposed terminus, don’t just dream of distant food capitals. Morden’s quietly assembled a food scene that punches above its weight. Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you’re forced to wake up at the end of the line.

Just a few stops south of Central London on the Victoria line, Stockwell might not have the buzz of its bustling neighbour Brixton, nor the gauche swagger of nearby Clapham, but what it lacks in hype it more than makes up for in substance. This patch of South London, known to locals as Little Portugal, boasts one of the capital’s most thriving Portuguese communities alongside a clutch of brilliant gastropubs and some seriously underrated international gems.

The area’s demographic diversity shapes its dining scene in ways that feel organic rather than laboured. Where else in London can you find a Portuguese bakery turning out 20,000 pastéis de nata daily, an award-winning gastropub with absolutely no affectation, and an Ethiopian restaurant open until late, all within walking distance of each other? 

We’ve eaten our way through the lot to bring you the best places to eat in Stockwell. Here’s where to dine in SW9.

O Cantinho de Portugal

Ideal for discovering the heart of ‘Little Portugal’…

If you want to understand why Stockwell earned the nickname Little Portugal, start here. O Cantinho has been feeding the local Portuguese community (the largest outside of the motherland) since the early 2000s, and walking through the door feels like stepping into a family-run tasca in Lisbon rather than a restaurant on the Stockwell Road.

The menu spans Portugal’s regional cooking, laid out like a culinary map of the country with dishes organised by region, from the frango à guia (Algarvian-style chicken) that arrives still sizzling from the grill to the porco à alentejana, a hearty marriage of pork and clams that is pure salty, fatty alchemy (the pickles tie it all together). The bacalhau com natas is excellent too, layers of salted cod and cream that’ll have you questioning why you ever bothered with that ready meal fish pie from Saino’s when this isn’t much more demanding on the wallet.

And stone me, is that Boris Johnson in the photo below?

Nah surely not. On with the show, then…

Open from 9am till midnight daily, this is very much a neighbourhood spot where conversations flow in Portuguese and the football’s always on (2016’s Euros win was a fucking blast). Portions are generous enough to feed a small village, and with most mains hovering around £14-20, it’s some of the best value cooking in South London. Don’t leave without trying the pastéis de nata, which are made fresh throughout the day and disappear almost as quickly as they land on the counter.

The wine list sticks firmly to Portuguese producers, with a house red that’s dangerously drinkable at £4 a glass. Service can be leisurely when they’re busy, but that’s all part of the charm. This isn’t fast food; it’s genuine Portuguese hospitality.

Website: cantinhodp.com

Address: 137 Stockwell Rd, London SW9 9TN

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The Canton Arms

Ideal for when you want gastropub excellence without the pretensions of the modern London, erm, gastropub… 

Winner of Hardens’ Best London Pub 2021 (among many other awards, quite frankly) and a regular in the Top 50 Gastropub Awards, the Canton Arms has been quietly getting on with the business of serving brilliant food since long before ‘gastropubs’ became a maligned term. 

It’s from the same stable as the much-lauded Anchor & Hope, and with prices that remain as refreshingly reasonable. The menu changes daily, but expect the kind of robust, seasonal cooking that makes other gastropubs look like they’re trying too hard. There’s a decidedly Mediterranean bent to the dishes, which is a welcome change from another fancified burger, strangely proportioned pie and a sticky toffee pudding that, admittedly, slaps.

The seven-hour salt marsh lamb shoulder is the stuff of local legend, so tender it comes apart with a gentle nudge and, alongside its potato and olive oil gratin and seasonal green, comfortably feeding five hungry souls for £145. You do the math.

If you don’t have that many friends, there are a series of excellent fish dishes usually on, not battered and with chips (no shade to the national dish, of course), but in more breezy preparations, like a pleasing chunk of hake fillet with asparagus and morels, or a curl grilled octopus tentacle with nothing more fussy than a dollop of pea puree. Come the right time of year, the Guinness and haggis toastie was wildly good a couple of years back. God this is satisfying stuff.

The wine list leans heavily on natural and biodynamic producers from across Europe. Glasses start at around £6, with plenty available by the carafe if you’re settling in for the evening. And you should settle in – the lighting gets dimmer, the conversations get louder, and before you know it, you’re begging for a lock-in and a tour of the kitchen. 

All of this comes in at around £50-60 a head with drinks, which for this level of cooking is nothing short of miraculous. Just don’t rock up on a Friday night expecting to walk straight to a table – being the only nationally-acclaimed gastropub in Stockwell, the Canton Arms is packed out from the first drop of thirsty Thursday all the way until the Sunday scaries truly kick in.

Read: 11 of the best gastropubs in London

Website: cantonarms.com

Address: 177 South Lambeth Rd, London SW8 1XP

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Lucy 1st Ethiopian Restaurant & Bar

Ideal for late-night Ethiopian feasting and an introduction to one of the world’s great cuisines…

Named after the 3.2-million-year-old Ethiopian skeleton Lucy, this two-floor restaurant right by Stockwell tube has been flying the flag for Ethiopian cuisine since 2010. Open until midnight at weekends, it’s the kind of place where you can stumble out of the tube after a night out and find yourself embarking on an entirely different kind of adventure.

Ethiopian food is all about sharing, and Lucy 1st does it right. Order a few dishes to share and they’ll arrive on a giant platter lined with injera, the spongy sourdough flatbread that serves as both plate and cutlery. The awaze tibs – strips of marinated lamb cooked with hot pepper – pack serious heat but are spiced with pleasing complexity, too, while the kitfo is essentially Ethiopian steak tartare, served raw or lightly cooked with spiced butter.

Vegetarians are brilliantly catered for with dishes like miser (spiced red lentils) and gomen (collard greens with garlic), all deeply flavoured with berbere spice mix. The portions are enormous and prices hover around £10-15 per person, marking Lucy out as a place of generous value, as much as nuanced seasoning.

Open from midday, every day, the traditional coffee ceremony is worth experiencing if you’ve got time – they roast the beans at your table and the aroma alone is worth the price of admission. Or, if you’re drinking, wash it all down with a bottle of Hakim, the Ethiopian beer that’s the perfect foil to all that heady dry spice.

The service is warm and patient with newcomers to the cuisine. Just remember to eat with your hands – that’s how it’s supposed to be done.

Website: lucy1stethiopianrestaurant.co.uk

Address: 211 Clapham Rd, London SW9 0QH

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Booma

Ideal for modern Indian small plates with a creative edge…

Booma’s approach to Indian cuisine leans more ‘Dishoom’ than your Prince-hued, Kingfisher-soaked high-street curry house, but the food here certainly doesn’t lose sight of tradition. The small plates ‘concept’ works brilliantly here, letting you graze your way through a menu that spans regional Indian cooking with a few creative flourishes thrown in for good measure.

The blackened lamb chops arrive charred and smoky, the meat pulling away from the bone with minimal effort but with a requisite chew that actually makes them taste of something. The dal makhani is rich enough to qualify as a main course on its own, while the duck kathi roll brings Bengali street food to South London with considerable confidence. We’re wild for the spiced goat burgers – essentially a really pastoral keema made into a slider rather than served alongside a buttered pav. It works, it really does.

The colour-coded system that pairs each dish with a specific craft beer is a lovely, novel touch, though you’re under no obligation to follow their suggestions. The beer list itself is tight but carefully considered, with options that can handle the heat levels on display here. We’re big fans of the sour cherry Boon Kriek, a Belgian number that’s more delicate than it sounds.

Small plates range from £7.50 to £15, and are designed for sharing, which keeps costs down if you’re dining in a group. The space itself is pretty compact, all copper tabletops and exposed brick, creating an intimate vibe that’s smart enough for a date (if you don’t mind your sweet nothings being overhead by a neighbouring table) but relaxed enough for a casual dinner with mates. Cheers to that!

Website: booma-brixton.co.uk

Address: 244 Brixton Rd, London SW9 6AH

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Madeira Patisserie

Ideal for arguably the best pastéis de nata outside of Lisbon…

Technically a bakery rather than a restaurant, but Madeira Patisserie produces around 20,000 pastéis de nata daily, and that kind of output demands respect. These aren’t your average custard tarts – the pastry is laminated in the necessary, always pleasing spiral formation and shatters at first bite, giving way to creamy, cinnamon-spiced custard that’s been caramelised enthusiastically across its surface. Passion fruit, blueberry and vegan versions keep things interesting, but the classic style can’t be beat, in our humble opinion.

They also do a roaring trade in other Portuguese pastries and cakes, all on display behind a glass cabinet, plus a decent, milky Portuguese coffee. It’s largely takeaway, but there are a few tables and stools if you want to eat in and watch the bakers work their magic. Hey, there’s even a fruit machine in here, if you want to try your luck. You could also try your luck with the infamous Franchescina sandwich, which is served here and has a fearsome reputation for taking down even those with usually massive appetites. 

We’ll stick to the tarts. At £1.50 each, the pastéis de nata is a steal. Buy a box to take home, but eat at least one while it’s still warm from the oven – this is where the magic happens.

Oh, and maybe box of the bolas de berlim, another of our favourite Portuguese treats, while you’re at it. It’s a doughnut filled with sweet and creamy egg-based custard, fluffy on the exterior and thick and creamy on the inside; the perfect combination, basically.

Website: madeiralondon.co.uk

Address: 130 Stockwell Rd, London SW9 9HR

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A Toca Restaurant

Ideal for Portuguese cooking with a side of community spirit…

A Toca has been serving Stockwell’s Portuguese residents since the 1980s, and walking through the door feels like being welcomed into someone’s extended family. The grilled bass is exceptional, arriving simply prepared but full of flavour, while the prego sandwich features a slab of nicely gnarly beef that its bread bed can barely contain.

Portuguese football dominates the big screens at weekends, and conversations flow between tables in ways that suggest most of the clientele have known each other for years. It’s this community spirit that makes A Toca special – you’re not just eating dinner, you’re experiencing a slice of Portuguese culture in South London.

Prices are incredibly reasonable, with most mains under £20, and the wine list sticks to Portuguese producers who know what they’re doing. Don’t expect fancy presentation or Instagram-baiting plates – this is honest cooking that prioritises flavour over aesthetics.

Website: atoca-restaurant.co.uk

Address: 343 Wandsworth Rd, London SW8 2JH

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Adulis

Ideal for Eritrean cuisine in one of London’s most established East African restaurants…

Since 1996, Adulis has been doing its thing from an unassuming spot on Brixton Road with clarity and consistency. Named after an ancient Red Sea trading port, this family-run restaurant operates as something of a cultural embassy, complete with traditional coffee ceremonies and communal dining rituals.

The experience centres around injera, the sourdough pancake that serves as both plate and cutlery, topped with various tsebhi (stews). The kirchat platter for two provides an excellent introduction – a mixed selection of meat and vegetable stews that lets you sample the kitchen’s range. The kitfo is exceptional, with finely chopped beef mixed with clarified butter, herbs and paprika.

Service comes with a side of education, with staff happy to explain the food and dining customs. You’ll eat with your hands, tearing off pieces of injera to scoop up the intensely spiced stews. The honey wine (tej) is worth trying – sweet, potent, and unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere in London.

The interior keeps things simple with traditional basketwork tables and East African artwork, letting the food take centre stage. Most mains sit around £15, generous portions that easily stretch to sharing. The vegetarian selection is particularly strong, reflecting Eritrean Orthodox fasting traditions.

It’s the kind of place that rewards curiosity, with flavours that’ll recalibrate your spice tolerance and leave you planning a return visit.

Website: adulis.co.uk

Address: 44-46 Brixton Rd, London SW9 6BT

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The Bottom Line

We could go on – Stockwell’s dining scene runs deeper than many give it credit for. From the traditional Portuguese cafés that serve as unofficial community centres to a new wave of independents bringing fresh ideas to the area, this is a neighbourhood where food culture feels natural, generous and inclusive.

The best part? Prices remain refreshingly reasonable across the board. Whether you’re after a quick pastéis de nata and coffee or a decent dinner out, Stockwell delivers without requiring you to take out a second mortgage. In an increasingly expensive city, that alone makes it worth the trip south of the river.

Known affectionately for decades as London’s curry corridor, in the past few years Tooting has evolved into one of the capital’s most exciting food destinations, all while keeping its South Asian culinary heritage firmly at its heart. 

This South London neighbourhood – famously crowned one of the world’s coolest by Lonely Planet – now draws food pilgrims from across the capital with its intoxicating mix of 30-year-old Pakistani institutions, Aussie brunches and cutting-edge Filipino BBQ joints.

The transformation hasn’t erased Tooting’s culinary soul just yet. While gentrification threatens to push property prices further skyward, the area’s significant South Asian population ensures incredible curries remain the beating heart of this evolving food scene. From £20 Sri Lankan feasts to award-winning tasting menus, these are the essential dining experiences that make Tooting unmissable. Here are the best restaurants in Tooting.

Apollo Banana Leaf

Ideal for Sri Lankan feasting on a budget…

This Sri Lankan institution occupies what can only be described as a community centre crossed with a particularly exuberant wedding reception. And how damn good does that sound? Technicolour mountain murals compete with disco lights for your attention, while the BYOB policy (no corkage) keeps the atmosphere properly convivial and costs wonderfully minimal.

The food here is serious business, despite the party-ready surroundings. Their mutton kothu roti – that glorious mess of chopped flatbread stir-fried with spiced lamb – arrives as a steaming heap of carby, meaty joy that’ll have you questioning why you ever bothered spending twenty notes on that pappardelle and ragu ten minutes up the road. The crab masala comes in a heady sauce thrumming with brown crab meat, the white meat still in the claws and requiring both commitment and plenty of napkins, while those crispy mutton rolls at £1.50 each make perfect sense as a starter, a side, or honestly, a snack for the journey home. Or, you know, all three…

Don’t stop there. The £9.50 king prawn curry delivers maximum flavour for minimal outlay, though be warned: when they mark something with a single chilli icon, they mean it’s hot. This is heat that builds and builds, the kind that has you reaching for another Kingfisher while swearing you’ll order mild next time. You won’t.

And in a final commitment to obscene value – in this city, in this economy – there’s a set lunch from Fridays to Sundays, and a set dinner Sunday to Thursday for just £8.99 and £9.99 respectively. Getting change for a tenner, that includes four huge dishes, including dosa and biryani. These guys want to feed you, and there’s no point trying to resist it.

Website: apollobananaleaf.com

Address: 190 Tooting High Street, SW17 0SF

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Lahore Karahi

Ideal for legendary Pakistani curries in a no-nonsense setting…

This family-run corner restaurant has been part of Tooting’s fabric since John Major was Prime Minister, and they’ve spent those decades perfecting their craft. Forget what you might have read elsewhere – the real draw here is the nihari. This overnight-cooked beef stew arrives rich and deeply spiced, the meat almost disappearing into the sauce, it’s broken down so thoroughly. It’s the sort of dish that was traditionally eaten by Mughal nobility after morning prayers, now democratised for South London at £13.95.

The dining room is simple but attractive – think bright strip lighting and tightly packed tables in clean lines. Downstairs, it’s a canteen-like and upstairs it looks a bit like a Premier Inn on steroids. But this is a restaurant, not a showroom, and when your mixed grill delivers meat that’s been charred, burnished and rendered gnarly by the tandoor, aesthetics become irrelevant. 

Their beef chapli kebabs are another must order on a menu full of them – these Pashtun-style patties come studded with coriander seeds and crushed chillies, the kind of thing that’s hard to find done properly outside Pakistan or Afghanistan. At Lahore Karahi, it’s just a queue to get at them, rather than a flight.

The fact they’re open from 10am for traditional Pakistani breakfast (halva, chana and puri) shows they’re serious about feeding the community, not chasing trends. BYOB keeps things affordable at £2 per person corkage, though don’t plan on lingering over your bottle – tables turn fast here, with a queue often forming by 7pm on weekends. That’s all part of the Lahore Karahi experience.

Website: lahorekarahi.co.uk

Address: 1 Tooting High Street, SW17 0SN

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Turo Turo

Ideal for modern Filipino cooking that respects its roots

After years of successful pop-ups, former Gordon Ramsay chef Rex De Guzman finally opened this permanent Filipino spot in November 2024, and Tooting’s dining scene is all the better for it. The pork sisig has become their calling card – it arrives on a cast iron plate hot enough to continue cooking at the table, creating the kind of theatre that would have everyone in the room looking over enviously, had they not already ordered it, too. It’s a riot of crispy pork, onions and chillies that gets even more appealing as it sizzles away in front of you.

The name means ‘point point’ in Tagalog, referring to how Filipinos traditionally order from street stalls by pointing at what they want. But while the name nods to street food culture, the execution here aims to show off De Guzman’s fine dining background. The chicken inasal – marinated for 24 hours before hitting the grill – is a gorgeous mix of blistered surface and brined tenderness within – its vinegar-based sawsawan sauce provides the perfect acidic counterpoint to cut through the richness. Both these hero dishes clock in at £12, which is pretty wild for the quality, quite frankly. 

Ginger and bagoong (Filipino shrimp paste) marinated chicken wings are absurdly satisfying, only needing a cheek of lime to see them on their way, whilst their soy and garlic glazed charred aubergine has become something of a signature, the aubergine fudgy and giving, the glaze packing plenty of umami punch.

The rum-heavy cocktails feel appropriately tropical without descending into tiki bar cliché. All in all, Turo Turo has fast become one of Tooting’s best places to eat, and we can’t wait to go back and get across the grilled skewers in more depth and detail.

Website: turoturo.co.uk

Address: 102 Tooting High Street, SW17 0RR

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Daddy Bao

Ideal for Taiwanese soul food with a side of family history…

Frank Yeung named this place for his father, and that family connection runs through everything from the recipes to the service at Daddy Bao. The shiitake mushroom baos have become a thing of local legend among London’s vegetarians – salty-sweet and pleasingly bouncy. They arrive in an intimate space decorated with dark wood, red lanterns and jade accents that creates the right mood for date night without trying too hard.

The slow-braised pork belly bao remains the bestseller for good reason. The meat comes lacquered in a hoisin-style glaze. It’s then topped with crushed peanuts and fresh herbs that add texture and brightness to each bite. But it’s worth venturing beyond the baos – the three cups chicken showcases the Taiwanese talent for balance, aromatic with Thai basil and hitting that sweet-savoury-boozy sweet spot that defines the dish when done with precision.

The weekend bottomless brunch is big news in Tooting, though the small size means booking ahead is essential unless you fancy joining a queue that snakes all the way into Balham. August 2024 saw them expand downstairs with Good Measure, an underground cocktail bar open Thursday through Saturday that serves Taiwanese-inspired drinks. The ambition shows they’re not content to rest on their bao laurels – this is a restaurant that keeps pushing.

Website: daddybao.co.uk 

Address: 113 Mitcham Road, SW17 9PE

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Smoke & Salt

Ideal for discovering what happens when fine dining meets market dining…

You’ll find Smoke & Salt on a residential drag of Tooting High Street, where a string of restaurants, barbers, cafes and grocers begins to thin out, and terraced housing takes their place. The location might seem unlikely for a restaurant that’s got recognition from both the Good Food Guide and Michelin Guide, but chef Aaron Webster makes it work. 

The five or seven-course menu (£59 or £70) changes with the seasons but consistently delivers dishes that wouldn’t look out of place in restaurants charging twice the price. Flavours combinations are bold and surprising, whether that’s in the rhubarb kosho that brings vigour to a neat little slab of chalk stream trout, or the smoked mussel chimichurri and fennel caesar salad that bless a seemingly humble poached chicken with a suave, punchy richness.

This is cooking that takes calculated risks without forgetting the basic rule of restaurants: make it taste good. The wine list follows suit, leaning into natural wines and less obvious choices – think Austrian orange wine, chilled South African pinotage, or organic Spanish xarel-lo rather than the usual suspects. With glasses starting at £7, you can afford to be adventurous.

Website: smokeandsalt.com

Address: 115 Tooting High St, London SW17 0SY

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Vijaya Krishna

Ideal for Keralan spicing that hits the spot…

Three decades in the same spot might make some restaurants complacent, but this Keralan specialist recently emerged from a refurbishment looking fresh while keeping the cooking that made its reputation consistent. The new look features cream walls, soft lighting and classical Indo-European portraits of Indian musicians – a contemporary setting that matches the sophistication of what has always come out of the kitchen.

The masala dosas here are genuinely comedic in scale, arriving like giant golden scrolls that could double as sleeping bags, stuffed with perfectly spiced potato filling. But size isn’t everything – it’s the execution that counts. The dosa itself shatters at first bite before giving way to a slight sour chew, and the sambar and chutneys provide the traditional accompaniments done right. 

The kitchen’s real skill shows in dishes like the lamb madras, which has a heat that builds gradually, undulates further, all while maintaining complex spicing that reveals itself as the chilli heat subsides. 

That said, as a Keralan restaurant, their specialities really shine in dishes like the fish molee or Kerala parotta. Their vegetable avial might sound humble on paper – mixed vegetables with coconut and curry leaves – but it achieves a satisfying kind of harmony. Just when you think you’ve had too much sweetness, aromatic notes roll into town. Once it’s all starting to feel a bit too heady, spice and sweetness takes over once again. It’s incredibly skilful seasoning. 

Unlike many Tooting spots, they’re fully licensed, with a wine list that sensibly focuses on bottles with enough structure to stand up to the spicing. There are beers too, of course.

Website: vijayakrishna.co.uk

Address: 114 Mitcham Road, SW17 9NG

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Bordelaise

Ideal for pretending you’re in a Bordeaux backstreet bistro…

From the team behind another popular Tooting spot, Little Taperia, comes this French bistro that’s cherished for one dish in particular: the £18.95 flat iron steak with bordelaise sauce, beef-dripping chips and crispy shallots. It sounds simple because it is simple – but that’s exactly why it’s so hard to get right. They nail it every time. The steak arrives perfectly rested, the sauce tastes like actual wine reduction rather than something from a packet, and those beef-dripping chips have the ideal ratio of crispy outside to fluffy inside. And, it’s less than twenty quid! There’s something of a recurring theme going on here: you can eat very well in Tooting without going broke.

The space hits all the bistro notes you’d expect – exposed brick, intimate lighting, closely packed tables that would have you accidentally joining your neighbour’s conversation if everyone wasn’t so focused on their food. The sheltered outdoor seating becomes hot property the moment the sun shows its face, filled with people who’ve learned that booking ahead beats hovering hopefully with a glass of wine. 

The wine list leans French, obviously, with some genuine bargains if you know what to look for, though the house red does the job when you’re really here for the beef. This is straightforward, satisfying French cooking that remembers the point is to feed people well, without fuss or frippery.

Website: bordelaise.co.uk

Address: Market, Unit 9-11, Broadway, Tooting High St, London SW17 0RJ

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Juliet’s Quality Foods

Ideal for Australian-style brunch that earns its queues…

From the team behind Balham’s absurdly popular Milk, Juliet’s has achieved the kind of devoted following that has weekend warriors setting alarms to beat the queues. The pistachio slice with yuzu icing has many adoring fans but it’s not the only highlight from a menu where every dish reads like someone’s hungover fever dream of breakfast excess but somehow works brilliantly.

The menu goes big on brunch creativity – think fermented chilli butter çilbir, shrimp patty buns, and that famous espresso hollandaise on their ‘Young Betty’ variations, which are essentially delicious creative bits over sourdough toast. Sure, every plate looks ready for its Instagram close-up, but more importantly, the food tastes as good as it looks.

The fit-out screams Melbourne-meets-South London: exposed brick, retro 70s bubble lettering, and a sun-trap garden that becomes a small war zone for tables come Saturday morning. The weekend queues snake down Mitcham Road like they’re giving away free houses, but people wait because they know it’s worth losing half a morning for.

Prices reflect the ambition – expect to pay £15-20 for most mains – but in a world of soggy full Englishes and sad smashed avocado, Juliet’s is proof that brunch can be worth getting excited about. Just don’t expect to walk straight in at 11am on a Saturday.

Website: juliets.cafe

Address: 110 Mitcham Road, SW17 9NG

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Dub Pan

Ideal for faithful yard cooking with a sound system soundtrack…

This husband-and-wife operation in Tooting’s Broadway Market brings yard shop vibes to SW17, complete with steel drums out front where jerk chicken meets its smoky destiny. The interior goes all-in on the Caribbean theme – reggae posters, bright colours, sound system on point – but this isn’t some sanitised chain version of island culture. This is the real deal, run by people who know the difference between authentic jerk seasoning and the stuff that comes in a bottle from Saino’s.

The jerk chicken justifies the hype, arriving properly charred after its 24-hour marinade bath. This is jerk with the requisite layers – sweet from the scotch bonnets, aromatic from the allspice, with heat that builds slowly then stays with you. The curry goat is equally accomplished, the meat tender enough to fall off the bone but still having a pleasing structural integrity, swimming in a sauce that suggests someone’s grandmother is in the kitchen passing down secrets. Even the shrimp rundown – prawns cooked in coconut milk until they’re sweet and tender – shows what happens when simple dishes get proper respect.

Weekend bottomless brunches have become the stuff of Tooting legend, largely thanks to their ‘Iron Strong’ rum punch that lives up to its name. At £12.50 a full ‘box meal’ of jerk chicken, gravy, a side and sauce, this is remarkably good value. Just don’t wear white – between the jerk sauce and the curry, this is food that demands full commitment. And maybe a few extra napkins!

Website: dubpan.com

Address: 29 Tooting High Street, Broadway Market, SW17 0RJ

So close we’re not actually sure where the border changes the name, we’re checking out the best restaurants in Balham next. Care to join us?