Warlingham, International Restaurant Guide

“A jeweled oasis” in the southeastern London ’burbs – this “exceptional venue continues to maintain the highest standards of hospitality” in an area a short drive from Bromley where there’s “not much competition”. Chef/Patron Andy McLeish trained under Nico Ladenis and has been at the stoves here since 2000 (with head chef Dean Ferguson joining shortly thereafter). “Reliably high-quality food” is provided in a “well-appointed” setting. Top Menu Tip – “jugged hare was a particular treat, not often seen on menus nowadays!”

This “lovely food-led pub” – a carefully modernised beauty from 1854 on Crystal Palace’s thriving ‘Triangle’ – showcases chef David Yorkiston’s “really great cooking – way, way above typical gastroboozer fare”. “Controversially, it has banned kids under 10” but not everyone objects (“we think the atmosphere is all the better for it, even if it means we can’t go there as often as we’d like)”.

“Always busy local favourite” facing onto Wandsworth Common. It serves “competent modern British food” but what particularly helps keep its regulars coming back is a “keenly priced wine list” from owner John Brinkley, who has a string of wine-focused venues in southwest London.

“Almost part of Wimbledon’s heritage nowadays!”: after a quarter of a century’s service, this local indie is a local contemporary classic, known for its “very good” Mediterranean-style food and “personable staff”. Fans say it’s “upped its game over the last year” too, although it “can struggle to cope when crowded”.

“Vegan food that’s as good as can be” – from a selection of broadly Asian choices – inspires devotees of this ‘vegan soul food’ venture in Earlsfield (now with a spin-off in Honor Oak Park) from school friends Arvin Suntaramoorphy and Shyam Kotecha. “Being able to ask for additional dishes until satisfied means you never leave disappointed”. Guests are invited to BYO without charge, and to reduce the bill if they believe it is too high – while the truly hard-up can eat for free in return for a couple of hours’ work.

2021 Review: “Tasty street-food vendors, a good pint and a great atmosphere” (plus, for families, “plenty of space for kids to scoot around”) win a thumbs-up for this vibey project, converted from seven levels of an underutilised multi-storey car park. Levels five and six are the heart of the action foodwise: residents include Nandine (offshoot of a Kurdish café in Camberwell), Other Side Fried (chicken burgers) and Hao Hao chi (handmade regional Chinese street food).

2022 Review: One of the few early 2021 newcomers (at which time it was delivery only) – this ‘soul food fusion’ newcomer operates out of the Peckham Levels. The aim? – ‘a bold and culturally relevant brand to disrupt the traditionally Euro-centric and often whitewashed London food scene’. This translates into hearty spicy scoff – Trinidadian Bara Tacos (fried bread with a chickpea filling), Philly Banh Mi Cheesesteaks… deep-fried Oreos.

2021 Review: “Bright and airy”, traditional-ish gastroboozer (plus garden), off Clapham High Street, “reliably serving good food” (if not of a particularly ‘gourmet’ variety).

If you find yourself near Brookmill Park, between Deptford and Lewisham, this “lovely and friendly” corner pub (with garden) is worth knowing about for its “reliable” standard of cooking.

“On the river, next to the Royal Naval College buildings in the heart of Greenwich”, this massive old tavern opened in the year of Queen Victoria’s coronation, and its “period design, position and aspect give it a unique selling point”. Perhaps because it doesn’t have to try too hard, its culinary offering has fluctuated in quality over the years, but the view that “it’s a mechanism to fleece tourists” took more of a back seat this year, with most reports being of “pub staples and British classics” that are “full of flavour”.

This wood-panelled French brasserie with an “excellent fixed-price menu” of Gallic classics is particularly “useful in the location” – close to the Imperial War Museum in Kennington – and provides its own entertainment in the form of its upstairs jazz club.

“Thank the stars they survived the pandemic!” – nearby residents cherish this “wonderful local” near Surrey Quays station. “Effectively, it has three menus – modern European, grill and pizza ’n’ pasta – all are top-notch!”

Little has changed at this “unstuffy” Pimlico bistro since it opened 60 years ago (except that, back then, a couple could eat here for under £3!). The original wooden panelling and furniture are still in place, the fish pie is still topped with piped potato, and pricing is still “cheap ’n’ cheerful”. It also does a “great Sunday lunch for the kids”.

2022 Review: The World’s End – a huge Grade II listed late-Victorian gin palace that’s long been a landmark of the more distant stretches of Chelsea’s King’s Road – offers an ‘immersive’ experience nowadays, comprising basement ‘Bletchley’ Bar (1940s vibe), top-floor Chelsea Black Martini bar and a ground-floor restaurant. Initially branding as ‘Journey’ was replaced with ‘Jolie’ mid-lockdowns in autumn 2020 – a ‘salon’ serving French-inspired sharing plates and with bottomless brunch a big feature.

2022 Review: “Excellent value, especially set meals” (at what feels like 1980s prices) mean this age old Italian greasy spoon in Chelsea has a wider constituency than you might imagine.

2021 Review: A big outside terrace is a key feature of Charles Saatchi’s attractive gallery café, which overlooks the green next to Duke of York’s Square on the King’s Road. Foodwise, it is most recommended for its afternoon tea possibilities, but it’s tolerably rated for a light bite at other times too.

“If you like street food and quick relaxed eating”, seek out this three-year-old covered street-food area adjoining the famous market that’s winning a consistent thumbs up; you can choose from about 15 different stands and there’s a fair amount of communal seating. It used to be a car park!