If you’re going to Clapham Common to soak up the rays this weekend, stop by one of these top restaurants within walking distance of it
1 The Breakfast Club
You might have guessed that The Breakfast Club was conceived by two children of the eighties. They first set up in Soho, filling the space with junk from their childhood bedrooms and serving not only breakfast, but lunch and dinner, all of which take a lead from American diner-style food. Soon the crowds flocked and the Breakfast Club spread north and east, and finally south to Battersea Rise. The café’s design takes inspiration from a 50’s kitchen and an 80’s launderette, with a secret door leading to the King of Ladies Man… Want to know what that is? Then you’ll just have to visit! There’s no reservations so be prepared to queue. 5-9 Battersea Rise, SW11 1HG, 020 7078 9630 thebreakfastclubcafes.com/locations/battersea-rise
2 Comensal
The latest addition to Abbeville Road’s restaurant empire, Comensal is a lively Mexican joint serving casual finger food like burritos and tacos, as well as dishes to linger over like ceviche and sea bass. There’s bar at the front that spills onto the street through open doors, when the sun’s out it’s full of groups sipping margaritas and other colourful cocktails. 32 Abbeville Road, London SW4 9NG, 020 8673 7272; comensal.co.uk
3 Sinabro
Sinabro is Battersea Rise’s newest restaurant. Set up by French chef Yoann Chevet and his wife Sujin, Sinabro means ‘to advance or progress’ in Korean, where Sujin is from. While Yoann’s background is French haute cuisine (formerly working at L’Atelier De Joël Robuchon, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught and Galvin at Windows), the duo has decided to break away from traditional French methods and describe their food as Bistronomique – a cross between Bistro and Gastronomique. You’ll find the likes of duck breast with carrot and blueberry, pork belly with curry coconut sauce and acasia ice cream on the menu. 28 Battersea Rise, SW11 1EE 020 3302 3120; sinabro.co.uk
4 The Dairy
The Dairy opened quietly in 2013 and since then has received rave reviews for its locally sourced, seasonal and relevant dishes. Its look gives off an effortlessly cool air, all rustic woods, neon signs and metro tiles, but the food is something more special. Chef Robin Gill has worked at Noma and Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and their influences are plain to see – from the rooftop urban garden where herbs and vegetables are grown, to their own beehives. A seriously good value seven-course tasting menu only costs £45, expect chicken oyster with crispy skin, wild mushrooms and English asparagus, and Galician octopus with tomatoes, fried bread and roof top herbs all served on heavy stoneware plates. 15 The Pavement, London SW4, 020-7622 4165; the-dairy.co.uk
5 The Rookery
The Rookery was one of the first restaurants to bring metro tiles to Clapham Common, instantly setting itself apart from the other watering holes and shisha pipe bars around it. Its pared back look takes its lead from Brooklyn, with industrial details and dimly lit rooms, while its menu is more patriotic, featuring ingredients that comes straight from the UK’s finest food producers; slow-cooked Hampshire pork, Cornish hake, Highland steak and Lleyn lamb. The wine list is good value and features crowd-pleasers from the old and new world. 69 Clapham Common South Side, London, SW4 9DA; 020 8673 916; therookeryclapham.co.uk
6 Entrée Restaurant and Bentley Bar
Advocated by locals and food critics alike, Entrée has everything a neighbourhood restaurant should have, cheery staff, great food, a cool setting and even an under-ground piano bar for late-night cocktails. Food is French-leaning modern-European, and like many of Clapham’s top restaurants, its menu is seasonal. Its success has earned two rosettes and a loyal following. The moody setting makes this more of an evening joint, so head there when the sun’s gone down. 2, Battersea Rise, SW11 1ED, 020 7223 5147; entreebattersea.co.uk
7 La Bonne Heure
La Bonne Heure looks like it has come straight off the streets of Paris and on to Abbeville Road, and that’s because it has. The family run restaurant was such a hit in Paris that it moved to London, and on a street full of restaurants, this one really stands out. Its small unassuming front opens into a long room of checked table cloths, carafes of wine, chalk-board specials and walls adorned with clocks. The atmosphere is relaxed and buzzy, while the food is authentic and lives up to the French’s reputation as gastronomes. You’ll find all the classics like steak tartare, duck confit and escargots. 31 Abbeville Road, Clapham, London, SW4 9LA;020 3417 305; labonneheure.co.uk
8 Abbeville Kitchen
This modern-European restaurant serves up great food with no fuss or frills. There’s tapas starters like olives, chorizo and jamon, while mains such as meatballs with soft polenta and parmesan, and crisp buttermilk quail with chicory, mustard and herbs will transport you instantly to a rustic village or seaside restaurant in the Mediterranean. In the same vein, there are also family-style sharing dishes, and if you’re parties of eight, have the feasting menu, which includes the 7hr Swaledale lamb shoulder with tabouleh and tzatziki. 47 Abbeville Road, London, SW4 9JX; 020 8772 1110; abbevillekitchen.com
9 Mien Tay
AA Gill’s high praise sits in pride of place on Mien Tay’s website, he describes the Vietnamese restaurant’s pho as ‘heaven’ and those in the know would agree. Mien Tay’s décor is nothing to write home about, typical of London’s Vietnamese restaurants it’s all bright lights and garish colours but don’t let that put you off, the food really is very good. And while it used to be BYOB, the new wine list is a welcome addition, chosen by Bibendum’s Willie Lebus it consists of 14 wines, sparkling wines and sherry from various artisanal estates picked to complement the dishes. 180 Lavender Hill, Battersea, SW11 5TQ 020 7350 0721; mientay.co.uk/battersea
10 Soif
The third out of four restaurants for the Terroirs group, Soif follows in its siblings footsteps championing natural wine and small independent producers and serving rustic French dishes that change with the season. The décor matches this style, knick knacks from French antique markets and a giant black board give it a cool Parisian bistro vibe, while at the back of the restaurant an open kitchen serves food that is big on flavour and small on fuss. Charcuterie plates, duck rillettes and lamb sweetbreads sit alongside the likes of pork belly with puy lentils and a fantastic selection of cheeses. 27 Battersea Rise, London SW11 1HG; 020 7223 1112; soif.co
11 Trinity
Trinity is head chef Adam Byatt’s third Clapham restaurant, he first set up shop there in 2001, and told us: “I was drawn to the area originally because I loved the butchers Moen and Sons, it really did convince me that my food would be wanted here. Now of course the restaurant and food scene in SW4 has grown to incredible heights. I’m very proud to have been cooking here for so long, the locals are incredibly loyal and supportive.” Trinity has won three rosettes and is often listed as one of Clapham’s best restaurants, locals go for special occasions and the ever-changing but always delicious menus. 4 The Polygon, Clapham, London SW4 0JG; 020 7622 1199; trinityrestaurant.co.uk
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