Guidebook for Greater London
Food Scene
The Rookery has a New York feel to it — its spiral staircase, glass front and general urban chic recall Brooklyn. The menu, however, is totally London, a blend of European styles and British produce. Look out for barbecued sardines, cured sea trout with horseradish and samphire, and if there’s risotto on the menu, make room. The pasta at The Rookery is also a joy, perhaps speckled with cheese, nuts, truffle or lashings of butter. And as autumn sets in, look out for slightly haphazard, bold and brilliant game pies. Suet pastry abound.
47 Einheimische empfehlen
Das Rookery
Streatham Common SouthThe Rookery has a New York feel to it — its spiral staircase, glass front and general urban chic recall Brooklyn. The menu, however, is totally London, a blend of European styles and British produce. Look out for barbecued sardines, cured sea trout with horseradish and samphire, and if there’s risotto on the menu, make room. The pasta at The Rookery is also a joy, perhaps speckled with cheese, nuts, truffle or lashings of butter. And as autumn sets in, look out for slightly haphazard, bold and brilliant game pies. Suet pastry abound.
La Bonne Heure is a bistro more likely to be discovered, with joy, on a second night away for a cousin’s wedding in Middle England than it is a London restaurant. Food is traditional and heartening. Salmon tartare and a fatty, nutty terrine should precede meat blanketed in an indulgent sauce that recalls the old days; next to it, get two portions of pommes frites and piles of thin green beans. It’s a place to consider the house wines. Also, La Bonne Heure offers cafe gourmand — coffee and sweets — sorrowfully rare in London in 2017.
11 Einheimische empfehlen
La Bonne Heure
31 Abbeville RdLa Bonne Heure is a bistro more likely to be discovered, with joy, on a second night away for a cousin’s wedding in Middle England than it is a London restaurant. Food is traditional and heartening. Salmon tartare and a fatty, nutty terrine should precede meat blanketed in an indulgent sauce that recalls the old days; next to it, get two portions of pommes frites and piles of thin green beans. It’s a place to consider the house wines. Also, La Bonne Heure offers cafe gourmand — coffee and sweets — sorrowfully rare in London in 2017.
Of course, Clapham hasn’t escaped the small plates revolution. Soif does them well. Think cured sea trout with creme fraiche, horseradish and dill or spiky fried artichokes mellowed by aioli, and fresh and bouncy Devon crab doughnuts. Soif is a wine bar before it’s a restaurant, however, and it’s the tasting nights which make the place most endearing — and impressive. The evenings drift from the Jura region to the Languedoc; whistlestop tours paired with some of those memorable, seasonal and inventive small plates.
30 Einheimische empfehlen
Soif
27 Battersea RiseOf course, Clapham hasn’t escaped the small plates revolution. Soif does them well. Think cured sea trout with creme fraiche, horseradish and dill or spiky fried artichokes mellowed by aioli, and fresh and bouncy Devon crab doughnuts. Soif is a wine bar before it’s a restaurant, however, and it’s the tasting nights which make the place most endearing — and impressive. The evenings drift from the Jura region to the Languedoc; whistlestop tours paired with some of those memorable, seasonal and inventive small plates.
Not far from Clapham Junction, KaoSarn is a classic Thai BYOB, and the supermarket across the road makes things easy for the disorganised. The deep-fried soft shell crab is everything one wants to accompany a Chang beer: salty and crisp, batter so light it barely hides the seaside tenderness within. Noodles are mountainous and usually loaded with garlic, the Moo Ping (pork skewers), fragrant and sweet with palm sugar. Satay sauce will be everywhere — and there’ll be a need for a second pot.
54 Einheimische empfehlen
Kaosarn
110 St John's HillNot far from Clapham Junction, KaoSarn is a classic Thai BYOB, and the supermarket across the road makes things easy for the disorganised. The deep-fried soft shell crab is everything one wants to accompany a Chang beer: salty and crisp, batter so light it barely hides the seaside tenderness within. Noodles are mountainous and usually loaded with garlic, the Moo Ping (pork skewers), fragrant and sweet with palm sugar. Satay sauce will be everywhere — and there’ll be a need for a second pot.
Drinks & Nightlife
This Clapham joint champions one quirky cool atmosphere of workshop wonders from it's scientific formula scribbled walls, to its eccentric colours and the 50s style diner area where Americana fusion foods are dished out. Adventure Bar is a playground of kooky artwork, delicious cocktails and a fun party vibe that boats some raucous revellers come the weekend.
29 Einheimische empfehlen
Adventure Bar | Clapham Junction
This Clapham joint champions one quirky cool atmosphere of workshop wonders from it's scientific formula scribbled walls, to its eccentric colours and the 50s style diner area where Americana fusion foods are dished out. Adventure Bar is a playground of kooky artwork, delicious cocktails and a fun party vibe that boats some raucous revellers come the weekend.
Lost & Co is a fun bar and restaurant based on Battersea Park Road in South London. Priding itself as something of a jack-of-all-trades, the venue serves Australian coffee in the morning, before kicking things up a notch with its cocktails, craft beers and comfort food treats. Expect to find a menu of cheese-heavy pizzas and all the usual brunch suspects.
22 Einheimische empfehlen
Lost & Found Bar
10 Bedford HillLost & Co is a fun bar and restaurant based on Battersea Park Road in South London. Priding itself as something of a jack-of-all-trades, the venue serves Australian coffee in the morning, before kicking things up a notch with its cocktails, craft beers and comfort food treats. Expect to find a menu of cheese-heavy pizzas and all the usual brunch suspects.
Putney cocktail hotspot Tequila Mockingbird has opened its second venture. This lovely little bar in Clapham is great whether you're grabbing a couple of Happy Hour cocktails or going all in at one of their weekend dance parties.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Tequila Mockingbird Clapham Junction
46 Battersea Rise
Putney cocktail hotspot Tequila Mockingbird has opened its second venture. This lovely little bar in Clapham is great whether you're grabbing a couple of Happy Hour cocktails or going all in at one of their weekend dance parties.
With top-notch cocktails and a really personal atmosphere to match, the Southsider Cocktail Club is another of Clapham's big-hitters. Climb into one of their comfy booths, familiarise yourself with the NYC-inspired decor and get to work on sampling some delicious cocktails. Can't decide what to have? No worries, just have a word with the bartender and they'll conjure up something special just for you.
11 Einheimische empfehlen
The Southsider Cocktail Club
56 Battersea RiseWith top-notch cocktails and a really personal atmosphere to match, the Southsider Cocktail Club is another of Clapham's big-hitters. Climb into one of their comfy booths, familiarise yourself with the NYC-inspired decor and get to work on sampling some delicious cocktails. Can't decide what to have? No worries, just have a word with the bartender and they'll conjure up something special just for you.
Emanating an unmistakably cool New York City vibe, 64th & Social is a party bar to be reckoned with. Drop in between 6-9pm to take advantage of their generous happy hour deals - think towering cocktails for £5 - or come at the weekend and see the DJs make the place their own with toe-tapping tunes. We haven't even mentioned their famed Steak Club yet either.
16 Einheimische empfehlen
64th & Social
64 Clapham High StEmanating an unmistakably cool New York City vibe, 64th & Social is a party bar to be reckoned with. Drop in between 6-9pm to take advantage of their generous happy hour deals - think towering cocktails for £5 - or come at the weekend and see the DJs make the place their own with toe-tapping tunes. We haven't even mentioned their famed Steak Club yet either.