Wimbledon Common Restaurant Guide

“Standing out from the chain restaurants in the area, this vibrant Italian-inspired restaurant in the heart of Wimbledon Village” has a big fan club drawn from neighbouring postcodes. The more cautious view is that “it’s nothing spectacular but the food standard is reliable with some good mid-week deals”.

2021 Review: The “very pleasant surroundings” of an “excellent dining room overlooking Cannizaro Park” are let down by the consistently disappointing meals and “don’t care” attitude of staff at this Hotel du Vin outfit. “Someone rescue it – it’s a waste of a fantastic space”.

“You feel miles away from London” at this Georgian gastroboozer on the edge of Wimbledon Common, which provides “a great atmosphere in very cosy surroundings”. “There’s a more relaxed vibe than when it originally emerged from its old ‘boozer’ days. The staff are lovely, attentive, fun but not over the top, and the food is perfect”.

2022 Review: ‘A taste of rural France on the Fulham Road’ is the promise at this ‘gourmet traiteur’ in Chelsea: an early 2020 newcomer where dishes (to go or for delivery within 4 miles) are designed for reheating at home and prepared by Chris Hill, who most recently worked as a senior sous chef at The Ritz. It’s owned by Dimitri and Mira Plaquet, of a high-quality Belgian food group called La Villa Lorraine. They must be doing something right, as in mid 2021 they launched a second store in Wimbledon.

“Trading on a once-great name but disappointing in every category (except perhaps breakfasts)” – this brasserie brand themed around the Theatreland classic feels “very ‘chain restaurant’ now”. Some reporters do suggest their “comfort food staples” and “buzzy interiors” make them useful destinations, but too many suggest they are “haphazard” and “not a place to return to”.

“Fairy lights, greenery and charming decor create a warm and cosy atmosphere” at this still-expanding group, which is most popular as a “reliable and friendly brunch option”. Its Med-inspired tapas is typically rated somewhere between “tasty” and “nothing special” and scores overall are dragged well down by those experiencing “chaotic service” and “food that doesn’t live up to the pretty dining room”.

“Generous portions” of “reliably excellent Thai food” have kept the six London branches of Khun Patara Sila-On’s international group busy for more than 30 years. Although known for its value for money, there were one or two grumbles about “price increases” this year, but full agreement that you get “a consistently great bargain on their lunch deal”.

“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”.

2022 Review: “Good outdoor facilities” boost the appeal of this handsome period inn, near the edge of Wimbledon Village. Run by Youngs, the food receives the odd bum rep, but for the most part is recommended as being good for a pub.

“The cooking is interesting, vegetable heavy, but accessible to all”, say fans of the Gladwin family’s field-to-fork yearling (supplied by their Sussex farm), which has proved to be one of their more commented-on recent openings. But even those who feel it’s “a great addition to the dining choices in Wimbledon Village” say “the food is perhaps not always as good as they think it is (some portions are tiny)”. And it does also attract one or two really harsh critiques: “as a replacement for The White Onion (RIP) – an outstanding local – The Black Lamb is a disappointment and can be totally lacking in atmosphere”.

2023 Review: Formerly known as The Swan, this Wimbledon pub was extensively refurbed by the Metropolitan Pub Co, and reopened with a new name in March 2022. Too little feedback for a rating as yet, but one early-days visitor reported of “superior pub fare”.