Kingston Upon Thames Restaurant Guide

These “buzzing family-run Italians” in southwest London create “an exceptional atmosphere” for large parties of all ages – and “they won’t break the bank”. “Despite the celebratory brouhaha, they produce a very respectable menu of traditional dishes – fish stew, duck, pizza on demand” – “even the veggies are catered for”. “Expect noise and old people dancing.”

Out in the boonies of New Malden, first class ratings again – if on slightly limited feedback – for Arjun Singh Rawat and Rajeev Danga’s North Indian two-year-old.

An “incredible selection of fresh fish” from its in-house fishmonger, Jarvis, next door is the draw to this offshoot of a 20-year-old Borough Market stalwart. “Everything can be grilled for you to order” – and there are “very good specials”.

“The food is delicious” at chef-partner Deepinder Sondhi’s “superb, modern fusion-Indian”, which opened in 2008 on Kingston Hill. “Some say upstairs is better but I disagree – far better being near the bar for lush cocktails with Bollywood classics playing in the background”.

“One of the best of New Malden’s Koreans (and the only one we’ve found with charcoal grills)” – “the ambiance has its own pure charm, with smoke in the air from the table-BBQs and queues out the door on weekends”. “Service is a bit brusque and chaotic at times, but the flavours cannot be beaten!”

“When all you want is an old-school burger”, these US-based arrivals of recent years really “hit the spot” – you can “build your own”, with “tons of accessories”; plus “seriously addictive fries”, “thick milkshakes”, and “more soda flavours than is reasonable”. “The eat-in experience is as depressing as McDonald’s”, though, in fact perhaps more so – “some branches have a strangely gloomy ambience” – but fans feel that “if you don’t mind 1980s-rock, a trip can still be surprisingly fun”.