Guidebook for Greater London
Food Scene
Described as The Dairy’s ‘naughty little brother’, Counter Culture is a playful snack bar next door. The idea is to use ingredients often ignored. Go in for a light bite; leave full of braised pig’s cheeks. Chefs are drawn to fermentation and pickling, using the likes of cobnuts and Tropea onions to elevate foods that might otherwise fall flat. Despite this experimentation, the proposition of casual eating isn’t sacrificed: wash down your BYOB wine — corkage is £10 — with BBQ chicken burgers.
9 personas locales recomiendan
Counter Culture
16 The PavementDescribed as The Dairy’s ‘naughty little brother’, Counter Culture is a playful snack bar next door. The idea is to use ingredients often ignored. Go in for a light bite; leave full of braised pig’s cheeks. Chefs are drawn to fermentation and pickling, using the likes of cobnuts and Tropea onions to elevate foods that might otherwise fall flat. Despite this experimentation, the proposition of casual eating isn’t sacrificed: wash down your BYOB wine — corkage is £10 — with BBQ chicken burgers.
Clapham’s newest restaurant of note is Minnow. It sums things up perfectly — an intimate, airy place full of butter and Instagram-perfect corners. The menu is affordable and pared-down, seemingly to focus on doing a few things skilfully. Starters are fashionably light, with salmon marinated in citrus and sea vegetables; cured duck breast; and squid with ginger and lime. Main courses, meanwhile, are suitably more robust — the clam and mussel chowder being a firm way to gain locals’ affections.
14 personas locales recomiendan
Minnow
21 The PavementClapham’s newest restaurant of note is Minnow. It sums things up perfectly — an intimate, airy place full of butter and Instagram-perfect corners. The menu is affordable and pared-down, seemingly to focus on doing a few things skilfully. Starters are fashionably light, with salmon marinated in citrus and sea vegetables; cured duck breast; and squid with ginger and lime. Main courses, meanwhile, are suitably more robust — the clam and mussel chowder being a firm way to gain locals’ affections.
Sorella is the latest venture of esteemed chef Robin Gill. It has replaced The Manor, a loved neighbourhood restaurant that found Clapham a tricky market. Sorella is a fresh take, with a fun new Italian leaning. The snacks illustrate Sorella’s wit and flavour: truffled arancini are easy and restorative, while turbot, potato and Amalfi lemon is fresh and enlivening; the antipasti includes great nibbles such as sourdough, best dipped in a glorious trio of Jersey milk ricotta, black olives, and Parmesan. Two secondi dishes provide an option for those less inclined to share plates: the cod, with squid ink and chard, is fine; the venison is best paired with the crispiest of crispy potatoes.
48 personas locales recomiendan
Sorella
148 Clapham Manor StSorella is the latest venture of esteemed chef Robin Gill. It has replaced The Manor, a loved neighbourhood restaurant that found Clapham a tricky market. Sorella is a fresh take, with a fun new Italian leaning. The snacks illustrate Sorella’s wit and flavour: truffled arancini are easy and restorative, while turbot, potato and Amalfi lemon is fresh and enlivening; the antipasti includes great nibbles such as sourdough, best dipped in a glorious trio of Jersey milk ricotta, black olives, and Parmesan. Two secondi dishes provide an option for those less inclined to share plates: the cod, with squid ink and chard, is fine; the venison is best paired with the crispiest of crispy potatoes.
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 personas locales recomiendan
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.
Mien Tay serves some of the best Vietnamese outside Vietnam. This is authentic home-style cooking. The pho is deep and fragrant — the kind of restorative, piquant broth nobody wishes to end. Spring and summer rolls are both delicate and beautifully fresh. Alongside stir fries, busy with flavours of lemongrass and ginger, try the more adventurous dishes on the menu, such as whole crispy sea bream, and punchy Mien Tay eel. Mien Tay is technically in Battersea... just.
77 personas locales recomiendan
Mien Tay
106-108 Kingsland RdMien Tay serves some of the best Vietnamese outside Vietnam. This is authentic home-style cooking. The pho is deep and fragrant — the kind of restorative, piquant broth nobody wishes to end. Spring and summer rolls are both delicate and beautifully fresh. Alongside stir fries, busy with flavours of lemongrass and ginger, try the more adventurous dishes on the menu, such as whole crispy sea bream, and punchy Mien Tay eel. Mien Tay is technically in Battersea... just.
Drinks & Nightlife
A former toilet turned wine bar, WC Wine & Charcuterie Bar is based underneath Clapham Common tube station and offers South Londoners an enticing menu of fine wines and delectable charcuterie. With 24 red and white wines behind the bar, alongside a few classic cocktails, the sharing platters and cheese boards produced by the kitchen are all you need after a long day at work.
62 personas locales recomiendan
WC Wine & Charcuterie
Clapham Common South SideA former toilet turned wine bar, WC Wine & Charcuterie Bar is based underneath Clapham Common tube station and offers South Londoners an enticing menu of fine wines and delectable charcuterie. With 24 red and white wines behind the bar, alongside a few classic cocktails, the sharing platters and cheese boards produced by the kitchen are all you need after a long day at work.
The Jam Tree is there for those lazy summer days where all you want to do is grab a quality drink and kick back in a beer garden. The venue boasts one of the best alfresco spaces in South London, and there's an extensive choice of chilled wines, beers and cocktails to enjoy while you're at it. Try their signature Jam Mojito or head over at the weekends when DJs get everybody moving and shaking.
26 personas locales recomiendan
The Jam Tree
13-19 Old TownThe Jam Tree is there for those lazy summer days where all you want to do is grab a quality drink and kick back in a beer garden. The venue boasts one of the best alfresco spaces in South London, and there's an extensive choice of chilled wines, beers and cocktails to enjoy while you're at it. Try their signature Jam Mojito or head over at the weekends when DJs get everybody moving and shaking.
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 personas locales recomiendan
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.
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 personas locales recomiendan
Tequila Mockingbird Clapham Junction
46 Battersea RisePutney 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.
A stylish bar with an extensive choice of cocktails and top DJs, SO-UK is where Clapham comes to throw some shapes. It's usually populated by a trendy South London crowd keen to let loose and party the night away. Looking to host a private party? Reserve an area for 12 people or more and pocket yourself a complimentary bottle of champers!
13 personas locales recomiendan
@ Bar
165 Clapham High StA stylish bar with an extensive choice of cocktails and top DJs, SO-UK is where Clapham comes to throw some shapes. It's usually populated by a trendy South London crowd keen to let loose and party the night away. Looking to host a private party? Reserve an area for 12 people or more and pocket yourself a complimentary bottle of champers!