Barnes, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

Hard to discover by accident: this “community-owned eating pub, lost deep in the backstreets of Barnes” – in the charming ‘Little Chelsea’ Victorian conservation area – has some of the “best pub food in the area” and “great wines for a pub”. There’s a cosy back yard for al fresco meals in the summer.

If you’re a fan of ’70s ‘Dad Rock’ then chances are your vinyl collection includes disks recorded at this legendary Barnes studios – nowadays converted into an indie cinema, restaurant and funky (for Barnes) members club. Foodwise, it’s a “useful” all-day operation, benefiting from its prime position on the main drag of Barnes, and a wide pavement terrace that catches the summer sun. Perhaps that makes it complacent: the brasserie fare is too often mightily ordinary.

“Love this new spot on the river off Barnes High Street” with riparian views from its upstairs dining room windows and “really good food”. It’s a passion project from local boy Joe Grossman, founder of Patty & Bun, that is “several cuts above regular pub standard” – “the waiting staff are friendly, and able to recognise exactly which glass of wine has been requested without having to point at the menu!”. On second thoughts, it “calls itself a pub, but is really a restaurant”.

“The back garden is gorgeous in the summer and very family friendly” at this “lovely local” on the outskirts of Barnes as you head into Sheen. Restaurant investor, Christian Arden relaunched it in 2021 during the tough Covid times and the place has never perhaps attracted as much PR as it deserves for its steaks (cooked over open fire in the garden BBQ), pizza and other fare; and his “fabulous team always really look after the locals”.