Wimbledon Common Restaurant Guide

This “good-quality local Thai favourite” is “no more expensive than an average takeaway” and fans claim “you won’t find better quality for the money anywhere in Wimbledon”. “Staff, predominantly family, are amazing and welcoming, with time for everyone”; and “during the tennis, this place comes alive with fans, players, pundits, coaches… all packed in”. (A sister restaurant in Soho inspires no feedback).

This “good, reliable Italian local” in Wimbledon Village majors in home-made pasta and thin-crust pizza, while “other items like calves’ liver are lovely”. “The midweek offers are not as good as they used to be”, however, while “the menu rarely changes”.

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”.

“A favourite in the Wimbledon Village/Common area!” – this Georgian pub is co-owned by TV chef Paul Merrett and his Jolly Pubs group (which includes the Victoria in East Sheen). Aside from the odd nod to cheaper pub-grub dishes, most of the menu is somewhat more ambitious bistro-style fare.

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.

“The dangers of overextending the brand are writ large at these places” – the sub-sub-brand derivatives from the Theatreland classic, which haven’t taken off like the slightly posher ‘Ivy Brasserie’ spin-offs (perhaps because “they do this better at Côte”). They are not without supporters, who say they have fab locations and “look great” (SW19 is particularly “delightful”); or that although “supper is terribly disappointing, for breakfast they are an absolute joy enhanced by the refined surroundings”. Too often, though, they are dismissed as a “so-so brasserie chain that’s only really aiming for gullible out-of-towners” nowadays.

A “buzzy” atmosphere and “welcoming service” are the strong suits of this “expanding group”, with 16 branches in London and another handful nearby. While nobody disputes that they’re “lovely to sit in” and offer “value for money”, the “Middle-Eastern-inspired cooking” divides opinion, with some reporters “pleasantly surprised by the tasty food” and others bemoaning “underwhelming” dishes that “sound better than they taste”.

For “a more upmarket Thai experience”, head to the branches of Khun Patara Sila-On’s “very pleasant” group (which is over 30 years old, with branches from Asia to Europe). “Well-presented flavoursome dishes” from “good-quality ingredients” are provided by staff who “always seem happy to see you”.

This “great local restaurant” has notched up 25 years in Wimbledon Village, and “turns out far better food than you might expect from a local spot”. An “interesting menu” of Mediterranean-influenced dishes means it is frequently packed.

“After extensive renovations, it’s finally reopened… it was worth the wait!” – this “great local” in Wimbledon (inevitably not quite on the Common – a sibling to the Light House) has “reopened after a makeover” complete with an attractive, light-filled rear conservatory. The “delicious” modern cooking is “simple and fresh” – “it’s perfect for a night out with friends or family”.

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.

“It’s good to have an independent option in Wimbledon village” and for the most part, this two year-old venture from the Gladwin family – their fifth shabby-chic London venue – is welcomed as “a decent venue in the culinary wasteland of the area”; and it espouses their ‘Wild & Local’ ethos, with “locally sourced and seasonally driven food”. Notwithstanding the odd unfavourable comparison with its predecessor The White Onion (RIP), its scores are reasonable across the board.

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”.