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Who doesn’t love hanging out in cool areas in London?
Not too long ago, I discovered Balham, located South of the River after Clapham Common, and I had the idea of sharing with you all the best restaurants in Balham, and near Balham Station.
There are indeed lots of cool places to eat in Balham, with Italian restaurants being prominent, and brunch spots the cool kids of the area.
If you’ve never been to Balham and it’s your first time, you’re going to love it.
The area is filled with cool independent shops and Victorian and Edwardian houses and since it’s located two steps away from the Thames river in South West London, it’s home to some crazy romantic restaurants to take your other half to dinner.
16 Best Restaurants in Balham London from Brunch to Dinner
We’re going to see today all the best restaurants in Balham, from the famous Pho to smaller, local restaurants near Balham Station like Megan’s on the Hill.
As I said above, there is a clear number of Italian restaurants in Balham; somehow, Italian coffee and cuisine have made it in mass in the South West London area.
I’ll share with you the likes of Bucci Balham, the famous cheap pizza restaurant Franco Manca, along with stunning Thai cuisine and more – let’s get going!
Best Restaurants in Balham: Balham Social
If you’re ever looking for Indian restaurants in Balham, I’ve got two words for you: Balham Social.
I think Indian food is one of my favorite types of cuisine, since most of the time, I follow a meatless lifestyle.
While I’m not vegan, I do love vegetables much more than meat (and I love finding delicious vegan cakes in London!), and if you’re like me, then one of the best places to eat in Balham for you is going to be Balham Social.
On the menu, are lots of vegetarian starters and mains, from vegetable samosa to paneer butter masala, and of course, classic chicken tikka, flavorful lamb chops, and other famous Butter Chicken made exquisitely by the Balham Social chefs.
The kitchen of the Balham restaurant is led by Head Chef Imran Mansuri, who sharpened his knives at some of the most famous halal Michelin star restaurants in London like Tamarind.
If you like Indian food but would still like to find some of the most creative, forward-thinking, and best restaurants in Balham, you’ve hit the jackpot with Balham Social.
And if you’re ever looking for places to eat a stunning weekend brunch in Balham, guess what? You’ve got it here too.
Read: The Best Breakfast in Notting Hill
Best Balham Restaurants: Firefly Bar & Thai Kitchen
If you’re looking for something that mixes laidback drinks and stunning Thai food, you need to pay a visit to Firefly Bar & Thai Kitchen.
This is one of the coolest restaurants in Balham because it has no intention to offer high-end food other than traditional and exquisite Thai dishes.
The menu is quite affordable too, with chicken satay, traditional Thai fish cakes, and other duck spring rolls priced around £6 each.
Slow-cooked curries with duck, lamb, and chicken are available alongside sharing platters that will ravish everyone at the party – no joke.
And since the kitchen is only closed on Mondays, you’ve got in Firefly Bar & Thai Kitchen one of the best restaurants in Balham to enjoy the weekend fully.
Classic and tasty, these are dishes you would usually only find in uppity, traditional Thai restaurants in London – but you’ve got it here, right in the heart of Balham High Road.
Read: The Best Brunch in King’s Cross
Best Restaurants in Balham: Megan’s on the Hill
Now if you’re looking for Balham restaurants that put the emphasis on the sacred meal that brunch represents in the UK, you’ve got Megan’s on the Hill.
Located on Bedford Hill, Megan’s on the Hill is probably one of the most colorful restaurants in Balham, with an interior that would make anyone want to come to visit again, and again, and again.
Megan’s on the Hill has a few locations around London and Greater London, including Wandsworth, Surbiton, Kingston, and Wimbledon.
Yet, it’s the restaurant in Balham that offers the nicest terrace – if you ever feel like having an outdoor brunch, you’re going to be served.
Whether you’re looking for a vegan restaurant in Balham or eat a bit of everything, Megan’s on the Hill has something for you: shakshouka scrambled eggs, fried calamari, scrambled tofu, vegan pancakes, grilled halloumi, deliciously fresh toasts… The list goes on.
And since the entire menu is freshly made on the day, you’ve got here one of the best restaurants in Balham for all-day dining and romantic dinner dates.
Read: The Best Gluten-Free Bakeries in London
Best Balham Restaurants: Gurkhas
For more fine dining restaurants in Balham, you’ve got something really different with Gurkhas, which focuses on Nepalese tradition.
If you’re looking to travel without leaving your seat, this is one of the restaurants near Balham Station that offers really traditional dishes from Nepal, of the kind you might have never even tried in your entire life.
From roasted meats to traditional dumplings and curries, I promise you won’t even know where to start at Gurkhas.
This is the perfect, fancy restaurant in Balham to bring your partner to if you’re looking to make the evening special and try something new.
And while the dishes are freshly made and will undoubtedly make you wish you had discovered Gurkhas earlier, the prices are still quite affordable for dishes of that quality.
Creamy, tangy, sour, and hot, the Balham restaurant is one of a kind, and you definitely can’t miss it if you’re feeling adventurous.
Read: The Best Cafes To Work in London
Best Restaurants in Balham: Bucci
Located on Balham High Road, Bucci is a family-run business that has been commanding Italian restaurants in Balham since the 80s.
And you can easily understand why Bucci is still one of the places to be seen in the South West London area, when you take your first bite into their exquisite pasta, seafood dishes, and other bruschette.
Bucci is one of the Italian restaurants to visit if you’re looking for utterly beautiful places to eat in Balham; you’ll find on the menu some of the most traditional Italian dishes.
I did write about the best Italian restaurants in London Bridge a while back, and I’m thinking to write a few guides to the best Italian restaurants in London by area – we’re starting with Balham with Bucci, this institution of Italian cuisine.
Margherita pizza, spaghetti, penne Bucci, and fried calamari are some of the bestselling dishes at Bucci.
Yet, if you’d like to eat some of the same dishes you’d eat in the best restaurants in Trastevere Rome, you might want to order the Saltimbocca alla Romana, a true classic.
Read: The Best Restaurants in Knightsbridge
Best Balham Restaurants: Ciullosteria
Ciullosteria is an especially incredible Italian restaurant in Balham, with a clearly stunning menu based on traditional Italian cuisines and fresh ingredients.
You’ll find on the Ciullosteria menu some of the cheapest pizza in London (£8 for a Margherita) along with countless pasta dishes and starters.
What makes the strength of Ciullosteria amongst all the best restaurants in Balham is the fact that it has known to keep tradition and fresh ingredients on the menu.
And that’s something you really cannot beat, especially if you’re acquainted with Italian cuisine – then, you know how crucial it is for Italians to make the best coffee, the best pasta, and the best pizza.
You’ve got a really honest menu at Ciullosteria.
Between the classic Melanzane alla Parmigiana, the pizza Nduja Calabrese, the Sauté di cozze e vongole (mussels and clams), and the Cannelloni all Ragu Amalfitano, you’re in for a real Italian treat.
Read: The Best Starbucks in London To Study
Best Restaurants in Balham: 1910
If you’re a Mexican food lover, you’re going to love 1910.
This small restaurant in Balham offers a warm interior, perfect to hang out with friends at the end of a work day, take your date out, or invite your sibling to a laidback evening.
On the menu, you’ll find really traditional Mexican dishes, from white fish tacos to burritos, quesadillas, and other Pico de Gallo.
1910 is probably one of the most fun places to eat in Balham, just because the menu is quite affordable for how full and satisfy you feel after dinner there.
The dishes, following Mexican tradition, are colorful and flavorful, and you’ve got in 1910 some of the most authentic Latin American food in London, right in the heart of Balham.
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Best Balham Restaurants: Tagine
I am no stranger to Moroccan restaurants; being half French and half Moroccan, I’ve spent my life eating tagine and couscous.
And while I used to resent it as I was a child, now that I live in London, I understand that there are not that many Moroccan restaurants in London that make the same kind of food that my mother and my grandmother used to make.
As such, one of the best restaurants in Balham in my opinion is Tagine Balham, which offers some of the most traditional Moroccan food.
On the menu, you’ll find plenty of tagines, from fish to lamb, chicken, and beef. But that’s not all.
The Moroccan flavors of Tagine Balham are diffused until the slow-cooked meats, grilled or roasted, the chicken pastilla, and the overly sweet, proper Moroccan desserts.
If you’re looking for the very best restaurants in Balham, you really, really cannot miss out on the Tagine Balham menu.
Read: The Best Coffee Scented Candles
Best Restaurants in Balham: The Cyclist
Located on Balham High Road, The Cyclist is probably one of the most famous restaurants in Balham, with good reason.
In this premium version of a gastronomic pub, you’ll find a fresh and delicate menu that mixes British and Modern European cuisines.
It’s safe to say that The Cyclist offers some of the tastiest food in South West London, and between a double smash burger, grilled halloumi wraps and shakshuka baked eggs, you’ve got all you need to fill up that belly nicely during the week.
The Cyclist is open every day of the week, and sources every ingredient from the finest London suppliers – making it one of the best restaurants in Balham from the get-go.
During the week, you’ll be refreshed with exquisite, simple, and creative British dishes.
At weekends, if you’re looking for the best places to have brunch in Balham, or are feeling like a decadent Sunday Roast, The Cyclist should also be on your go-to list.
Read: The Best Halal Restaurants in Canary Wharf
Best Balham Restaurants: Pho Balham
If you’ve been here before, you know I’m always looking for the best pho in London.
This Vietnamese national dish is indeed one of my favorite comfort foods, and if you’re like me, one of the places to eat in Balham for you is going to be Pho Balham, located on Bedford Hill.
I’d always recommend getting the Pho Tai, which is made with rare beef which slowly cooks in a flavorful broth, making the meat tender and gently spiced.
There are not many Vietnamese restaurants in Balham, and Pho Balham will be your answer to every pho craving.
If you don’t eat beef – or meat, Pho Balham offers a wide range of meats and seafood, from chicken breast to prawns, in addition to lots of other dishes on the menu.
One of the best restaurants in Balham if you’re looking to travel without leaving the table.
Read: The Best Halal Chinese Restaurants in London
Best Restaurants in Balham: The Apple Blue
I’ve talked about Apple Blue Patisserie in Balham quite a bit on The Working Line.
Since the restaurant offers a completely halal Full English breakfast, it is the destination for Muslim patrons to get a proper breakfast come weekends. But that’s not it – really not.
If you’re looking for brunch places to eat in Balham, the Apple Blue Patisserie offers everything from freshly made cakes, pastries, and Turkish eggs, as well as one of their bestselling dishes, the Baby Dutch.
If you’re looking for stunning desserts in London, the Balham restaurant makes for a high-end spot to bring your other half for a morning weekend date.
The Apple Blue Patisserie might be a little bit on the pricier side when it comes to finding halal brunch spots in London, but it is worth every single penny.
Read: The Best Brunch in London Bridge
Best Balham Restaurants: Haché
Haché Balham is one of the best places to eat in Balham if you’re feeling like having some fancy, utterly crazy good burgers.
Whether you’re vegan or not, you will find something to your liking at Haché Balham, which offers a wide array of fresh burgers daily.
The only trouble you’ll have at Haché Balham will be choosing your burger.
Between buttermilk fried chicken burgers, panko-crusted portobello mushroom, and Canadian steak, there are so many burgers to choose from that Haché Balham commands a second visit – and probably a third as soon as you’re feeling like eating burgers.
In addition to the burgers, the highlight of Haché Balham, one shouldn’t forget that what also makes it one of the best restaurants in Balham is the large selection of starters.
From Croque-Monsieur arancini to toasted za’atar flatbread, along with the mouthwatering dishes they serve for brunch to the cool Balham crowd, you’ve got a winner all around.
Read: The Best Cat Cafes in London
Best Restaurants in Balham: The Honest Italian
The Honest Italian is probably one of the best Italian restaurants in Balham if you’re looking for fresh ingredients and flavorful pizza.
I wrote about the best spots for cheap pizza in London a while back, and it’s true I could have included The Honest Italian’s awesome Margherita in the list.
With a price set under £9 for a generous pizza topped with creamy mozzarella and stunning tomato sauce, you’ve got here some of the best pizza in Balham – and probably the whole of London.
It is one of the Balham restaurants where you’ll find the pizza is cooked using a wood oven, a traditional way to make pizza that you don’t often find in London; it’s mostly something you’d find in Italy, if you’re looking for street food in Rome, for instance.
The menu of the restaurant close to Balham Station is precise and short and includes fresh salads, lasagna, delicious pizza, along with traditional Italian starters of the likes of bruschetta, chargrilled aubergines, and other bread and olives.
One of the best Italian restaurants in Balham, which just focuses on serving delicious fresh food and does it to perfection.
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Best Balham Restaurants: Milk
Some time ago, I told you about the best cafes in Brixton, and I feel like Milk Balham is one of the coffee shops that remind me most of that vibe you can feel in the South London area.
Located on Bedford Hill, Milk is the perfect coffee shop slash restaurant in Balham to have a quick breakfast or a lengthy brunch.
The menu is especially interesting; beyond simple cakes and banana bread, Milk Balham bakes up their signature buckwheat pancakes all week long, along with poached sweetcorn, French toast, and their homemade soft serve.
If you’re still hesitating, it’s because you haven’t seen the large terrace Milk boasts in the heart of the South West London area; it makes for one of the best restaurants in Balham to dine outdoors when the sun is shining.
Read: The Most Instagrammable Cafes in London
Best Restaurants in Balham: Taro
Taro is a fast-growing chain of Japanese restaurants in London that offers very affordable specialties that will keep you asking more.
Whether you’re looking for affordable ramen or sushi in London, this is one of the restaurants in Balham you’re going to need to visit.
We’re talking about high-end Japanese cuisine at mouthwatering prices given the quality, with an exceptional focus given to the seasoning and provenance of the ingredients used in the katsu curry, sashimi, and other bento boxes.
Bright and airy, Taro offers surroundings of brick and wood, giving it that extra little touch if you’re looking for the best Balham restaurants to bring your other half on a date.
Astonishing dishes and exceptional decor explain why Taro is such a hip spot among all the places to eat in Balham.
Read: The Best Cafes To Study in Soho
Best Balham Restaurants: Franco Manca
There’s really no introducing Franco Manca to the London crowd; this is the restaurant in Balham where you’ll find the cheapest pizza.
I have been a regular at Franco Manca for years, and almost always order the Margherita, which in my opinion shows what a true Italian restaurant is made of.
If you’re looking for cheap Italian restaurants in Balham, I don’t think you can do better than Franco Manca.
There are a few branches all around London, including my favorite one on Bermondsey Street near London Bridge, and the fresh sourdough pizza is exquisitely crafted.
Plus, the vibe at Franco Manca Balham is quite similar to the rest of London; dimly lit, with a rustic Italian atmosphere and a fun, precise menu that will make you thank yourself for booking.
One of the best places to eat in Balham whether you’re with family, friends, or your partner.
Read: The Cutest Pink Cafes in London
16 Best Restaurants in Balham London from Brunch to Dinner
There you have them, all the best restaurants in Balham from Italian places to modern brunch spots – I’ve tried to include a bit of everything so you’re sure to visit only the best restaurants near Balham Station!
Of course, there’s much more to do in Balham than visiting places to eat, but it’s a great start to have delicious food served at your table, and will help you relish the rest of the day in South West London!
Until next time!
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The Working Line
Sam is a certified fashion makeup artist, a freelance writer, a blogger and a digital nomad. Since 2019, she roams around the world, from London to Rome and shares her knowledge about makeup, scented candles, travel, blogging and the digital nomad lifestyle.