Best restaurants in Balham

For years, maybe centuries even, Balham was always just regarded as that pass through spot somewhere or other between Clapham and Tooting bridging the green trinity that is Clapham, Wandsworth and Tooting Commons and suspended on the southern end of the Northern line. It was even harshly labelled once as “the ugliest and most abominable of London’s unpleasing suburbs,” by Swallows and Amazons author Arthur Ransome who stayed there briefly.

And yet slowly but surely Balham has become (dare we say it) actually quite a desirable area! Acquiring its own identity when surrounded by arguably the trendiest districts south of the Thames has been no easy feat, but with the allure of lower housing costs and council tax, a selection of good schools, excellent transport links and the sprouting of independent coffee shops, bars and restaurants along its buzzy high street, Balham has gained a reputation as a family-friendly spot with a welcoming community feel.

Granted, it’s a more mature crowd than Clapham with fewer opportunities for a wild night out – but with a cinema, annual comedy festival, and Tooting Bec Lido on its doorstop, it’s certainly not short of attractions. Its restaurants also have their own unique appeal and are in many ways Balham’s best kept secret. Generally speaking they’re low-key affairs, offering unpretentious but good quality food at affordable prices. The sort of places you walk in with low expectations and leave feeling smug because you’ve uncovered a hidden gem. But fear not, whilst the lips of Balham’s residents may remain tightly sealed, we are not afraid to shout about all the top foodie hotspots SW12 has to offer. So have a browse of our list of the best restaurants in Balham and get out and explore this upcoming area of south west London before everyone else does!