London Tooting Restaurant Guide

“Yummy” food from a short but “ever-changing menu” at this two-year-old pioneer has helped put Tooting Market on the foodie map. The focus is on British small plates, and it’s seasonal in more ways than one, so “you’ll need to wear warm clothes” in winter because “it’s under cover but still outside...”.

“Delicious beef patties served with a bowl of proper gravy to dip them in – perfect!” say aficionados of this unusual twist on the burger bar, with outlets in Battersea, Brixton, Tooting and Wimbledon. “The gravy thing feels so wrong but so right at the same time – sweet potato fries on the side partially assuage that guilt.” No booking, but “they’ll text you when your table is ready so you can have a drink in a local bar while you wait”.

These “cheap ’n’ cheerful” family-run outfits in Brixton, Battersea and now Tooting serve “really tasty Thai food”, although “they seem to want you in and out very quickly!” “Love that you can BYO”.

“Amazing flavours at amazing prices” means it’s always packed at this Pakistani canteen in Tooting – “now apparently gaining fame as Sadiq Khan’s favourite restaurant”. “It wins hands-down on value for money, especially with the BYO policy”. Order the “wonderful slow-cooked meat specials or excellent veggie options”.

This “no-nonsense”, “authentic, family-run caff” in Tooting split opinion this year. Most reporters still approve its “wide variety of unusual Sri Lankan specialities and incredibly good value thali selection” all at “cheap prices” in “a rather 1980s time-warp dining room”. Others though are more cautious: “tipped as one of the better south Indians in Tooting but very cramped and nothing out-of-the-ordinary in my experience”.

This hip small chain has established a solid following with its “fun” grill shacks serving “quality” burgers and “generous desserts”. “Always good for families, with something for everyone”, including “excellent chicken and sides”.