The Tooting restaurant and bar scene consisted of rows of wonderful Indian restaurants intermingled with old-fashioned boozers. It’s a different tale now. Soho House made its mark on the South West London region, and where it went, a slew of great London restaurateurs followed. Have you been searching for a new neighborhood restaurant or takeout to dining on weekends? We’ve got you covered with this list of Tooting’s greatest independent eateries. It wasn’t easy to limit it to just ten, but here are our picks for the top 10 Tooting Restaurants in London.
Tooting Restaurants – Top 10 in London
1. Apollo Banana Leaf
If the question is presented, go for the hot option at this reasonably priced Sri Lankan institution. Begin with the Traditional Sri Lankan and Apollo Banana Leaf Special meals.
And skip the rice in favor of a string hopper fry (fried chopped noodles) or other (fried chopped paratha). However, look into the alternatives for hidden treasures like chicken or prawn 65, devilled mutton, and mutton fry. The aubergine curry is delicious, as are most of their vegetable dishes. Evening reservations must make in advance, and guests must bring their beer or wine. PS: There is no shame in requesting a doggy bag.
2. Bordelaise
Bordelaise is a quaint tiny Parisian-style café nestled into a nook of Tooting’s famous Broadway Market, with a menu of rustic French small meals and the occasional journey to foreign regions.
Order one of the chargrilled rare-breed steaks with Bordelaise sauce, crispy shallots, and beef-dripping potatoes if you’re feeling peckish. Try to get one of the charming sheltered ‘outside’ tables (i.e. under the market cover). Only cash is accepted.
3. The Antelope
A wholesome, handsome boozer with an awesome vibe, owing to a mixed clientele of old-school locals, hipsters, and families and a diverse selection of cask and keg beers.
Drink a pint and share a few small dishes (scallops and black pudding, duck liver parfait on sourdough toast), or settle down for contemporary pub classics like sea bream with crushed potatoes or Hereford steak with hand-cut fries. The taxidermy-filled interior provides lots of space for large gatherings, parties, and London-themed activities like banjo lessons and burlesque life sketching.
4. Brickwood Tooting
Brickwood, an Aussie-style café mini-chain with a Tooting location, has good space inside SW17’s quirky covered market. Brunch (served till 3 p.m.) is the big event, with highlights.
Including The Butcher (an inventive spin on the full English) and a menu of delicious sourdough toasties (the creamy, tangy four-cheese version is a must). If all official picnic tables are occupied, you may always try one of the surrounding public picnic tables.
5. The Selkirk SW17
This wonderfully restored Victorian tavern, which caters to a little older, ex-Clapham audience, serves excellent Sunday lunches.
Entire roast chicken, slow-roast belly hog or lamb shoulder for three, four, or more people. The wine tasting is quite good, and the courtyard area is a plus in the summer. A reservation is required for a weekend sit-down.
6. Daddy Bao
This fashionable Asian hangout, a spinoff from Peckham’s famed Mr Bao, is a dark, buzzy, atmospheric establishment devoted to fluffy Taiwanese buns.
Daddy Bao is also cheap, fun, family-friendly, and tasty. If you don’t believe us, try the lovely, melting beef-brisket bao with wasabi slaw or one of the small plates (sesame-slathered aubergine with spring onions and pomegranate seeds, perhaps). We also like Daddy’s delicious drinks and endless brunch.
7. Meza
This modest, bustling Lebanese, a sister to the original Meza in Tooting Bec, is efficient and welcoming. Request tabbouleh, moutabal, ful medames, falafel (very nice), kibbeh (ditto), fantastic spatchcocked grilled entire baby chicken, and don’t overlook the reasonably priced Musar Jeune on the wine list.
8. Dosa n Chutney
With bright lights, furniture like Sunny Delight, and movies on the flat-screen TV, this simple Sri Lankan and South Indian cafeteria look like a Tamil truck stop.
It’s known for its low prices and tasty dosas. The Mysore masala dosa served with spicy onion, potatoes, and handmade chutneys is a favorite, as are the onion uthappam and veg biryani.
9. Plot
One of the more ambitious newcomers to Broadway Market, with a super-short menu of ostensibly seasonal delicacies like rare-breed lamb rump with courgette and basil purée and roast garlic yogurt or a pastry of porcini mushrooms with Spenwood cheese.
Small, with just 15 seats, but more modern than most, with shining tiles and counter seating. They remind out that walnuts are candied with Wandsworth honey, but if you can’t praise your neighborhood nectar-gatherers, you’re a cruel bastard. These nutty bites arrive first in a fantastic procession of dishes (with waxy goat’s cheese and sweet, earthy bits of roasted beetroot, in case you’re wondering).
10. Graveney & Meadow
G&M, a social center in Tooting, struts its stuff as a multifunctional bar, brasserie, bakery, and grill, with a vast beer garden providing the background for summer barbecues. During the day, it’s all about brunch, and in the evening.
It’s all about a fashionable menu of snacks and small dishes like pulled pig and kimchi toasties or scallops with broad bean risotto. Friday and Saturday evenings feature DJs, while Sunday afternoons feature live jazz.
Conclusion
In Tooting’s mid-gentrification environment, there are a lot of positive aspects to be found. There are old-fashioned curry houses, neighborhood pubs competing to serve the best Sunday lunch, ambitious newcomers doing their seasonal/locale thing, and even a small independent cafe, which is a good thing. Tooting is a hidden gem in South London with some of the most dynamic cultures in the city. It’s a terrific spot to go for cocktail clubs and supper. While mostly comprised of outstanding gastro pubs, look for the perfect nooks and crannies for restaurants and bars that offer everything from cocktails to a simple Sunday roast. It has some of the greatest South Asian eateries in the city and some of the most exciting nightlife on this side of Soho. Please look at our guide on the top 10 Tooting Restaurants in London.
