Best restaurants in Wimbledon

Located on the edge of Wimbledon Common, this classy gastropub dates back to 1787. The crowd-pleasing menu mixes British pub classics such as burgers and beer-battered fish & chips with more ambitious dishes and some international flavours: Thai crab cakes, perhaps, or a juicy pork ribeye steak served with braised cabbage and a piquant cider and mustard sauce. Behind the bar, expect a choice of craft beers and real ales, alongside a dependable wine list.

This old-school Italian restaurant knows exactly what's what when it comes to classic dishes. Think crispy fried whitebait to start, with perfectly cooked pizzas and tomato-rich lobster spaghetti for mains, plus gelato for dessert. Service is unhurried and attentive, with staff welcoming you warmly. During the two weeks of Wimbledon itself this is the place to be, with an outdoor garden to soak up the sun from and plenty of fellow tennis-fans milling around. If you do plan to visit during the tournament then booking is advised well in advance, it gets pretty busy!

This new neighbourhood Italian occupies the former Cau site in Wimbledon Village and has undergone a complete transformation from steakhouse to sleek and contemporary dining room. The menu kicks off with starters such as calamari fritti with wasabi mayonnaise. To follow, there’s a small selection of pizzas, pasta made fresh in-house (beetroot ravioli with burnt butter and crispy sage, say) and classic mains along the lines of steak, lamb cutlets and panko-crusted calf's liver.

You’ll find this très jolie neighbourhood joint among the boutiques of Wimbledon Village. The good looks don’t stop with the varied artworks on the wall, as the beautifully presented plates showcase a similarly assured touch. Punchy roast Périgord goat’s cheese wrapped in thin slivers of ventrêche bacon, with sweet figs to balance the saltiness and a delicate lavender foam, is typical of the kitchen’s intelligent outlook. La Fromagerie cheese and decadent desserts give plenty of reasons to linger.

This appealing all-day café/restaurant fits the Wimbledon Village niche market perfectly. The functional white decor is nothing to write home about, but it serves as a comfortable backdrop for some rather ambitious and suitably fashionable food. Start with smoked rare tuna, shaved fennel, orange and rocket, ahead of a top-notch burger, coq au vin or a clever salad combo. The dining room broadens its appeal in the afternoon by morphing into a teashop with an array of homemade cakes.

This first London outpost of the upmarket bistro-style Thai chain repeats the recipe for success that has seen its spread its tentacles across southern England. The namesake signature dish comprises steamed baby squid stuffed with minced chicken, squid, basil and chilli, but there’s plenty more to enjoy. Work your way through pork dumplings, hot-and-sour salads, curries, stir-fries and noodles, plus seafood fished from British waters. Well-chosen wines, too.

With one of our coveted silver awards, Light House has all the clout of a top London restaurant. When dining here you'll be rewarded with a buzzy atmosphere, attentive staff and a strong modern, European menu. A salt duck hash was satisfyingly savoury and served with a perfectly poached egg while pancetta wrapped hake had been given a Spanish twist thanks to an accompaniment of pea paella. Booking is advised, and a must during the Wimbledon fortnight. If venturing out for something to eat in the middle of the day there is also a well-priced lunch menu. 

With the strapline, 'dine like an Argentinian' it's safe to say you can expect piles of prime steak at this London mini-chain. To start there are homemade empanadas as well as a few good vegetarian options, for mains there are a host of steak choices (both in cut and cooking, plus sides and sauces) and for sweets we loved the Dulce de Leche digestif, a great way to help your protein-packed dinner go down. If visiting during Wimbledon we recommend booking, as it can get busy. 

One of the few decent places to eat near Wimbledon tube rather than up the hill in the Village, this branch of the cool Copenhagen-based Japanese chain is completely approachable, if not entirely authentic. Arty minimalist interiors (design-lead dangling lights, plus plenty of bare brickwork) combine with a sophisticated version of communal eating that promotes sushi for those who don’t specifically like raw fish. The results look good on the plate, flavours are fresh and it’s inexpensive, too.

This high-end hotel group has a special-occasion feel without any pomp: polished wood and inviting lighting create a warm, clubby feel in the bistros, while perfectly-turned out, professional staff deliver plates of French-leaning comfort food to punters who prefer the classic three courses to modern fads for queues, sharing and obscure ingredients. As befits the name, the wine list delivers on all counts, while steaks are the kitchen’s signature.

Gently spiced Hakka cuisine (Chinese food as eaten in India) is the stock-in-trade of this bright, spick and span little restaurant opposite Wimbledon Park tube. Salt and pepper squid has a little spice added, while Manchurian chicken curry is flavoured with soy. Those looking for a truly authentic spice kick might be a touch disappointed but ask for the temperature to be raised a little and the kitchen will fire on all cylinders, while there’s no faulting the value for money.

The full menu of modern brasserie classics is offered at this Wimbledon Village café, which with its art deco-style interiors and seductive lighting is basically a full-blown restaurant. Highlights include wonderfully fresh and tangy prawn cocktail with creamy avocado, cheesy truffle arancini and a succulent, egg-topped chicken Milanese that fills the plate. Prices are reasonable, service is impeccable – and you get the chance to act like you’re hiding from the paps.