Fetcham Restaurant Guide

“A clear cut above your standard Curry House (without attempting anything Michelin-chasing)” – this first UK outpost of a family-owned Indian group occupies the simple Putney premises that were, for years, Ma Goa (RIP). It aims for a “delicious, healthy take on Indian cuisine”. Everyone agrees the food is yummy. But while some reports say “their claims to be ‘healthy’ appear to play out with lovely dishes lacking an oily, ghee-laden feel to them”; others “totally don’t understand its billing – it all tasted good-to-very good, but was not remotely advisable for my waistline or blood pressure!”

“Just a fantastic highlight for South London” – for the 19th year running, Bruce Poole & Nigel Platts-Martin’s “outstanding neighbourhood restaurant” (in “a lovely location by Wandsworth Common”) is voted London’s No. 1 favourite destination in our annual diners’ poll, drawing adulation from across the capital as well as adoration from the immediately adjacent postcodes. It’s “a high-class restaurant but an unfussy one”: chef Matt Christmas’s modern British cooking is “imaginative” – “with lovely touches throughout” – but “not with silly complications”; and there’s “no tasting menu or small plates, thank goodness!”. When it comes to wine, “they really know what they are doing” and offer “one of the most varied and high-quality wine lists around, with lots of classics, and plenty of new options to try”. “The regular presence of Bruce himself (more common since lockdown) is welcome” and it’s a “very slick operation”: “friendly, not too pretentious” and “seemingly effortlessly convivial”. The room itself is slightly “cramped” to some tastes, but is buoyed along by the “seductive buzz of contented diners”. “It’s still the one to beat – the standards never drop… if anything, it gets better!”

Park Tavern is an independent gastropub located in the heart of Southfields, in South West London.All the dining areas and the beautiful back beer garden have been recently refurbished offering a sense of convivial atmosphere to its diners. The interior blen...

Tapas Inspired by Spain and Lebanon What does Dar mean? It’s Lebanese for “lounge” and Spanish for the verb “to give”. And that’s a perfect combination with Spanish and Lebanese-inspired tapas as well as fine wines in a relaxed and convivial ambience. This new restaurant is un...

“The culinary jewel in Chiswick’s crown” – this cousin to Chez Bruce “located in a side street off Chiswick High Road” is many diners’ idea of the “perfect neighbourhood restaurant”. Having “survived the enlarging of the space” and a “change of staff a couple of years ago, things have now completely settled in as has chef Greg Wellman”; and its performance this year in our annual diners’ poll was incredibly consistent. The modern French cuisine “is a bit cheffier and more refined than before”, with “lots of interesting Asian/Japanese touches”: “interesting, but not too cutting edge” and “most importantly full of flavour”. There’s also a “fascinating” wine list to match (“the commitment to wine, as opposed to just seeing it as a profit centre, is noteworthy” with “an outstanding sommelier who will suggest perfect accompaniment for the dishes but also provide answers to far-fetched requests!”). “It’s all combined with seamlessly efficient service… not as easy to do as they make it look, I suspect!”. “Sit outside on a warm day”. Top Menu Tips – “excellent pasta/ravioli plates add to excellent versions of more classic dishes, and a recent rabbit terrine was world class”.

“Terrific food in a nice old pub” sums up the straightforward winning formula of this highly popular venture from chefs Mike Wall-Palmer and Dave Adams, who worked together at top chef Steve Drake’s former restaurant in the village. Their cooking is “totally reliable and reasonably priced”, with the set lunch in particular offering “exceptional value”.

“Focusing on the food alone, this is right up there with the best” agree fans of chef-patronne Shilpa Dandekar’s low-key Indian seven-year-old – on the trafficky segment of Fulham High Street leading up to Putney Bridge. It’s “really worth a visit” to sample her “unusual but delicious” cooking. Shilpa’s training combined Indian and European culinary traditions (Taj Group and Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons). Her husband and co-founder, Faheem Vanoo, runs the front of house.

“A high-quality find on a suburban parade!” – a “comfortable and highly competent neighbourhood gem” that’s 10 minutes walk from Surbiton station; and which has long been a “mainstay” of sophistication for many local residents. “Eric Guignard in the kitchen provides excellent cuisine and first-class service is overseen by Sarah, his wife”. Other key features are a “very good wine list with a wide selection of reasonably priced as well as special bottles” and “a set lunch that’s outstanding value for food of this quality”. (“I‘ve been coming here for 20+ years and TFT is consistently brilliant with Eric and Sarah remaining at the very top of their game and continuing to develop the great food and wine they offer”).

“By far my favourite in South West London and beyond!” – Robert & Pat Barnett’s “very buzzy” pan-Asian in Parsons Green took over where its former incarnation Mao Tai left off as a place for a big night out for Fulhamites not wishing to schlep into the West End. “The food is always super-fresh; there’s a diverse wine list and the cocktails are as good as you’ll get anywhere… it’s always my eating place of choice even if it can be a bit heavy on the wallet…”

“Next level!” – high-profile Aussie ex-Nobu head chef Scott Hallsworth now has two Freak Scenes: one in Parsons Green (with hot pots, buns, sashimi, grills…) and a newer one near his home in Balham (more focused on sushi, plus robata dishes). Both show his trademark culinary style of “fun, elevated izakaya food” – “exciting menus with bold flavours and combinations” – all served in a “buzzy and friendly” environment.

This “long-time favourite gastropub near Richmond Park” in East Sheen has been owned by TV chef Paul Merrett for more than 15 years, and serves “great food and wine”, including in the spacious rear conservatory and garden. “Never had a bad meal here”, agree regulars – many of whom meet up in the bar for a “pre-Twickenham lunch”.

At Spice Village, we claim that every meal has a story. Interestingly, Spice Village itself has a fascinating story.The story of Spice Village is a story of taste, passion, and excellence exhibited by Nasir & Suleman, two immigrant brothers who journeyed to Lo...