We’re starting things off with an elegant, modern spot in Clapham. Crispin at Studio Voltaire has super-minimalist interiors and a bright, open feel. We loved that—it’s too often the case in London that you’re practically sitting on top of the next table, overhearing conversations you really wish you didn’t have to.

The menu changes often and isn’t pages long, which makes it a dream for the indecisive bunch. We kicked things off with the cheddar croquette served with a pickled walnut ketchup. The sweetness of that sauce matched perfectly with the sharp cheddar—way too addictive. Good thing we’d also ordered the stracciatella with fermented chilli, or we might have been tempted to get another plate (or two) of those croquettes.

Fully cheesed out, we went for some freshness next: the whole lemon sole with seaweed beurre blanc and grilled lemon. The buttery sauce was wonderfully rich, and the lemon balanced it all beautifully. To finish, the brown-butter cake stole the show. Served with poached apricot and crème fraîche, it was the perfect end to a perfect night.

Have to try: Montgomery cheddar croquettes
Perfect for: Date night
Approx price for 2: £90–£110 with drinks

Trinity in Clapham is loved by all—and for good reason. It has that refined white-tablecloth vibe but still feels wonderfully casual, which we loved. We didn’t expect that from a Michelin-starred spot (they can lean a bit pretentious), but here the atmosphere is buzzy and chatty, and the staff are genuinely friendly and attentive.

The menu leans fancy British-French, so maybe not one for kids or a big family meal. But for a work lunch or a catch-up with friends who have a more refined palate, it’s perfect. Picky eaters might struggle, and you’ll soon see why.

We started with the beef tartare, a house specialty. Tasty for sure, but the mains were the real stars. We went for the pan-roasted guinea hen with artichoke, hazelnut, and a truffle jus gras. We’ll be honest—we weren’t exactly sure what guinea hen was, but think of it as a richer, heartier chicken. Cooked to perfection, with that truffle jus eliminating any chance of dryness.

To finish, the salted caramel custard tart sealed the deal. Simple, classic, and impossible to fault—even for the picky ones.

Have to try: Salted caramel custard tart
Perfect for: Work lunches
Approx price for 2: £140–£160 with drinks

Sorella is an intimate, low-key spot serving homely, authentic Italian food. We immediately kicked things off with a bottle of Merlot—because honestly, at an Italian restaurant in winter, what else? A glass of red (or three) is the quickest way to warm up and pairs perfectly with everything here.

We began with the house-made ricotta topped with figs, honey, and pumpkin seeds. Flavour- and texture-wise, this was everything. The figs and honey gave the creamy ricotta the perfect sweet balance. Our only gripe? We were wishing for some bread to scoop it all up—maybe that’s just us, but it was begging for a carb.

Next came the mushroom tagliatelle in a sage sauce. Sounds simple, we know, especially with meatier options on the menu, but sometimes the simplest dish really hits hardest. The pasta was beautifully soft, and the flavours sang.

And of course, no Italian meal is complete without tiramisu to finish. Classic, creamy, and the perfect finale.

Have to try: Tagliatelle, girolle mushrooms, sage
Perfect for: Family meal out
Approx price for 2: £90–£110 with wine

Minnow is every bit as cute and wholesome as the name suggests. It has fairy lights, floral décor, and an easygoing vibe that makes it the perfect lunch catch-up spot with the girls. Or guys, no discrimination here.

We went for their lunch deal, which is a steal: a sandwich plus a generous portion of thick-cut chips for £11. And no, this isn’t some sad Tesco meal-deal sandwich—otherwise that price would be outrageous. These are decadent creations on fresh sourdough. We chose the chicken Caesar salad sandwich, stacked with bacon, croutons, parmesan, and plenty of creamy Caesar dressing. Naturally, we added chips inside the sandwich—because are we even British if we don’t? For £11, it kept us happily full all afternoon.

After all that savoury, dessert was non-negotiable (not that we ever need an excuse). The dark-chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream was rich, decadent, and the perfect sweet finish. A nap was definitely on the cards after this one.

Have to try: Toasted sandwich and chips lunch deal
Perfect for: Catch up with friends
Approx price for 2: £30–£40

Joe Public on Clapham Common is all about fuss-free, casual bites with friends. The outdoor seating makes it perfect for a pint and a slice on those rare sunny days.

Don’t let the laid-back vibe fool you—the pizzas are top tier. Think California-style sourdough: light, crisp, none of that jaw-aching chew. They arrive piping hot and just melted in our mouth. And because we can never say no to garlic bread, we kicked things off with the spicy veggie version. Absolute insanity—garlic sauce on the base, loaded with cheese, sriracha, and jalapeños. We burned our mouths with every bite but couldn’t stop.

For mains, we stuck with the classic pepperoni. They’ve got plenty of wilder, meatier combos and even a build-your-own option, but after that decadent garlic bread we wanted to keep it simple. Naturally, we ordered an unhealthy number of garlic-and-herb dips. Pizza just isn’t pizza without them.

Have to try: Spicy, cheesy garlic bread
Perfect for: Pizza and a pint
Approx price for 2: £25–£35

Ploussard is another spot for the more refined tastes, serving modern French cuisine of the highest quality in a setting that feels elegant and classy. Exactly what one would hope for from a French brasserie.

The drink of choice that night was white wine, so ordering the house bread-and-butter basket felt necessary. Did we pay five whole British pounds for bread? Yes. Any regrets? Absolutely not. There’s nothing like good wine with fresh bread, and we counted it as a starter since we didn’t leave a single crumb. Honestly, none of the listed starters were calling our name compared to that warm, buttery perfection.

For mains, we went with the trout, bathed in a coco bean and brown shrimp butter. Without the sauce it would have been good—but that decadent, indulgent butter took it to another planet.

To finish, we went for the chocolate and black barley ice cream. It hit the sweet spot while staying light enough that we didn’t feel sluggish afterward.

Have to try: Trout in coco bean and brown shrimp butter
Perfect for: Date night
Approx price for 2: £90–£110

We’d seen Tamila all over our socials, so of course we had to give it a try. Proud to be sheep on this one—it’s firmly become a go-to ever since. The interiors are an innovative change from the typical Indian restaurant, giving more of an elevated British-pub feel. Once we saw the menu and caught the vibe, it all made sense.

Yes, there are the classic curries, but the real excitement is in the long list of starters and small plates—total refined gastropub energy. We kicked things off with the fried baby sweetcorn, paired with the most addictive sweet-chilli sauce. Their onion bhajis are rightly famous, and these easily beat any we’ve tried before.

Feeling adventurous, we split the chilli cheese dosa. Technically a main, but perfect for sharing and we were in the mood to experiment. Think thin, savoury crepe with a variety of chutneys—absolutely delectable.

And of course, we couldn’t leave without a proper curry. We went for the Chettinad lamb, rich and spiced just right. We scooped up every drop with fluffy garlic-and-coriander naan. 

Have to try: Onion bhajis with mint chutney
Perfect for: Family meal out
Approx price for 2: £50–£70

Tsunami is seriously a stunner—phones at the ready. Lantern-style lighting, patterned wallpaper, and floral touches give the whole place a dreamy Japanese-garden vibe.

We kicked things off with the salt and pepper chilli squid, an absolute classic. It can so easily be dry, but here it’s coated in a tangy green-chilli sauce that keeps it juicy and flavourful. Next up was the spicy chicken katsu bao bun—a rare menu find we couldn’t pass up. The fluffy bun is stuffed with kimchi coleslaw, pickles, spicy mayo, and that perfectly crispy chicken. Basically a fried-chicken burger, but with next-level flavours and textures.

For mains we went with the sashimi platter—the best way to sample everything. For just under £30, we got two pieces each of salmon, sea bass, tuna, and yellowtail. They even offer inventive twists like sashimi tacos, so it’s a fantastic spot for something more exciting than the regular sushi run. 

Have to try: Spicy chicken katsu bao bun
Perfect for: Dinner with friends
Approx price for 2: £70–£90

Lina Stores is a loved spot, perfect for the Italian lovers out there. Lina offers a lively, friendly atmosphere with a range of items guaranteed to satisfy every craving. 

The open kitchen at Lina Stores isn’t just for show, it’s a sensory feast! We were deliciously distracted by the aromas of garlic and fresh herbs, making the wait for that perfectly fresh pasta almost unbearable (in the best way, of course!). 

Fair warning: once it lands on your table, conversation might just halt. 

Have to try: Casarecce alla Calabrese
Perfect for: Catch-up with friends, family, dating
Approx price for 2: £60-£90

Willows is honestly one of the most creative brunch spots we’ve ever tried. The whole concept is something we never knew we needed from a restaurant—now we can’t imagine brunch without it.

It’s basically a build-your-own board situation. They do dinner, sure, but brunch is what they’re famous for. It runs until 4 p.m., so it’s even perfect for a late lunch vibe. We arrived around noon, which felt like the perfect excuse to kick things off with a breakfast cocktail. The Tropical Sailor—spiced rum, mango, coconut, and vanilla—was basically a boozy smoothie, so obviously acceptable.

For food, we got to choose three, four, or five items to build our board. We went with four—ideal for feeling happily full but not sluggish. We went for the sourdough with marmite butter and the scrambled eggs (think creamy, cheesy, paprika-spiced, not the sad watery scramble). The toast also paired perfectly with the tomato with labneh and ancho-chilli oil. And for “breakfast dessert,” the banana bread—a must. It comes topped with lemon-whipped ricotta, blueberry compote, and white-chocolate crumble. Unreal.

Have to try: Banana bread with lemon ricotta, blueberry compote, and white chocolate crumble
Perfect for: Brunch with friends
Approx price for 2: £35–£45, depending on how many board items and cocktails