Guidebook for Greater London
Food Scene
Arlo’s is a neighbourhood restaurant that’s simple in its approach but serious about its steak. The focus is on less celebrated cuts like bavette, hanger and deckle and they only use high-welfare British beef, so the meat is top quality. It’s all paired with simple sides like hand-cut chips, mac & cheese, zingy salads and a short but decent wine and cocktail list. Arlo’s whip up thick milkshakes that you can booze up, should you fancy it with a kick.
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Arlo's Balham
1 Ramsden RdArlo’s is a neighbourhood restaurant that’s simple in its approach but serious about its steak. The focus is on less celebrated cuts like bavette, hanger and deckle and they only use high-welfare British beef, so the meat is top quality. It’s all paired with simple sides like hand-cut chips, mac & cheese, zingy salads and a short but decent wine and cocktail list. Arlo’s whip up thick milkshakes that you can booze up, should you fancy it with a kick.
Local and seasonal British ingredients are at the heart of Lamberts, right down to the drinks list, which features local beers and English sparkling wines. The food menu changes regularly to ensure produce is served seasonally; but could feature anything from griddles sardines with tomato and lovage, to whole roast Norfolk quail with squash and mustard chutney. Vegetables are also treated with the same care and respect here and are turned into interesting dishes in their own right.
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Lamberts Restaurant
2 Balham High RdLocal and seasonal British ingredients are at the heart of Lamberts, right down to the drinks list, which features local beers and English sparkling wines. The food menu changes regularly to ensure produce is served seasonally; but could feature anything from griddles sardines with tomato and lovage, to whole roast Norfolk quail with squash and mustard chutney. Vegetables are also treated with the same care and respect here and are turned into interesting dishes in their own right.
Foxlow, Hawksmoor’s take on a neighbourhood restaurant, has blossomed into a mini-chain of its own including a branch in Balham. Quality British meat and seafood is of the utmost importance here but across a much broader menu than you’d find at Hawksmoor – although they still serve a mean steak. That means you can choose from chicken in various forms and seasonal plates like plaice with samphire, lemon and fennel or spice-roasted cauliflower with chickpeas and curried aubergine sauce. They even have a small speakeasy-style bar called The Owl underneath the restaurant – ideal to continue your evening after the plates have been cleared away.
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Foxlow Balham
15-19 Bedford HillFoxlow, Hawksmoor’s take on a neighbourhood restaurant, has blossomed into a mini-chain of its own including a branch in Balham. Quality British meat and seafood is of the utmost importance here but across a much broader menu than you’d find at Hawksmoor – although they still serve a mean steak. That means you can choose from chicken in various forms and seasonal plates like plaice with samphire, lemon and fennel or spice-roasted cauliflower with chickpeas and curried aubergine sauce. They even have a small speakeasy-style bar called The Owl underneath the restaurant – ideal to continue your evening after the plates have been cleared away.
Cuillo’s is a simple, trattoria-style restaurant that serves up Italian classics from meat and fish dishes to pastas and risottos. The pizza offering is particularly good though with regional varieties like Calabrese, Fiorentina, Torino, Genovese and Napoletana. Plus they all go very well with one of their artisan Italian beers. Food like this, in addition to friendly service, generous portions and all-round enjoyable atmosphere make this a real local favourite.
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Ciullosteria
31 Balham High RdCuillo’s is a simple, trattoria-style restaurant that serves up Italian classics from meat and fish dishes to pastas and risottos. The pizza offering is particularly good though with regional varieties like Calabrese, Fiorentina, Torino, Genovese and Napoletana. Plus they all go very well with one of their artisan Italian beers. Food like this, in addition to friendly service, generous portions and all-round enjoyable atmosphere make this a real local favourite.
Like the one in Battersea, the Balham outpost of Gazette is a French bistro that offers a mix of traditional French dishes and seasonal plates; from cassoulet with confit duck, Toulouse sausage, and pork belly, to sea bream with ratatouille. Their selection of pastries, eggs, crêpes and croque monsieurs also make it a good brunch spot.
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Gazette Balham
Balham High RoadLike the one in Battersea, the Balham outpost of Gazette is a French bistro that offers a mix of traditional French dishes and seasonal plates; from cassoulet with confit duck, Toulouse sausage, and pork belly, to sea bream with ratatouille. Their selection of pastries, eggs, crêpes and croque monsieurs also make it a good brunch spot.
Milk
20 Bedford HillBest brunch!
Brickwood Coffee & Bread
11 Hildreth StAmazing cakes.
Drinks & Nightlife
For a sociable night out in Balham, head to Hagen and Hyde. With quizzes each Monday, Motown and soul DJs on a Friday, and an eclectic mix of live music every Saturday and second Sunday of the month, the pub is Balham’s entertainment hub.
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Hagen & Hyde
157 Balham High RdFor a sociable night out in Balham, head to Hagen and Hyde. With quizzes each Monday, Motown and soul DJs on a Friday, and an eclectic mix of live music every Saturday and second Sunday of the month, the pub is Balham’s entertainment hub.
Just a stone’s throw from the station, Firefly is one of Balham’s best kept secrets. Loved just as much for its Thai kitchen and screening of live sports as it is its cocktails, this is a neighbourhood bar with big character.
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Firefly Bar & Thai Kitchen
Balham High RoadJust a stone’s throw from the station, Firefly is one of Balham’s best kept secrets. Loved just as much for its Thai kitchen and screening of live sports as it is its cocktails, this is a neighbourhood bar with big character.
Just like your typical Londoner, Lost & Found embodies the varying moods and cosmopolitan vibes of the capital city. With a chilled atmosphere during the week, this bar has quickly become the post-work venue of choice for young professionals living in the sought after SW postcode.
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Lost & Found Bar
10 Bedford HillJust like your typical Londoner, Lost & Found embodies the varying moods and cosmopolitan vibes of the capital city. With a chilled atmosphere during the week, this bar has quickly become the post-work venue of choice for young professionals living in the sought after SW postcode.
Boasting a boutique cinema, numerous events spaces and a huge garden, The Exhibit is much more than a cocktail bar.
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The Exhibit Bar & Restaurant
12 Balham Station RdBoasting a boutique cinema, numerous events spaces and a huge garden, The Exhibit is much more than a cocktail bar.
Shopping
Hildreth Street Market is a small yet steady staple in Balham. Thanks to the varying stalls on different days, people are always drawn here whether it’s rain, hail, or shine, looking for the new variety of foods to taste and buy.
Hildreth Street Market (Stop D)
Hildreth Street Market is a small yet steady staple in Balham. Thanks to the varying stalls on different days, people are always drawn here whether it’s rain, hail, or shine, looking for the new variety of foods to taste and buy.
A decent variety of produce is offered, and the atmosphere is friendly and local – as can be expected from the rest of the town! One of the stalls here specialises on bread alone, from classical loaves to baguettes, focaccia and more. Other stalls specialise in anything from fish, fresh vegetables, cakes and pastries, hand-made juice, free-range hamburgers and ricotta pies.
Balham Farmers Market
Hydethorpe RoadA decent variety of produce is offered, and the atmosphere is friendly and local – as can be expected from the rest of the town! One of the stalls here specialises on bread alone, from classical loaves to baguettes, focaccia and more. Other stalls specialise in anything from fish, fresh vegetables, cakes and pastries, hand-made juice, free-range hamburgers and ricotta pies.