London Tooting Restaurant Guide

“Worth the rattling ride down on the Northern line!”, says a fan from E18 of this neighbourhood spot, “tucked away in the relatively unlikely environs of Tooting”. The “clever food” centres on brined half-chicken portions (with crispy battered cauliflower as the veggie alternative) plus a supporting cast of starters, small plates and puddings – results are “outstanding”.

“Delicious tapas” ensure a very loyal local crowd keeps returning to this lively little fixture near Tooting Broadway tube station – it’s “always loud and cheery. The food is mostly a hit and the occasional slight miss goes unnoticed in the good time had by all” – “I often take three generations there, and they all enjoy it”. Former food journalist Madeleine Lim linked up with local restaurateur Hikmat Antippa to launch it in 2015.

“Consistent and authentic Thai food” earns a shout-out for this low-key, family-run trio, in Brixton, Battersea and Tooting. Prices are reasonable and the ability to BYO in each location is a further boost to the value of a meal.

“Tucked away at one end of buzzy Tooting market”, this “small” outlet promises ‘A taste of the Basque Country’ and is the work of owner and artist Cristina Ruiz and chef Jorge López. “It makes a real effort with simple but competent cooking” and “the authentic recipes are served on small plates so you can sample a range of the full-flavoured dishes”.

“A wonderful new entrant to the Tooting scene” – this August 2023 debut is from a group with operations in Southall and Ilford. It occupies a big, sheenily designed unit: “cavernous, stylish, neo nightclub in feel with table and banquette seating”. “Afghan/Pakistani grills and curries are cooked in the glassed-off but visible kitchen”: “curries are authentically spicy and good across all proteins”. “It’s already packed with a vibrant crowd of young adults and families at all hours: especially after prayers on Friday”. “NB. it is a dry restaurant: not even BYO”.