A Foodie’s Guide To Clapham
By Ellie Smith
9 months ago
The best of the south west
Clapham is known for its nightlife-focused high street – but there’s much more to the neighbourhood than Infernos. From Michelin-starred institutions in the Old Town to common-side bistros, this pocket of south London is home to a whole host of great food spots. Read on for the best restaurants in Clapham.
Best Restaurants in Clapham
Minnow
It’s easy to be lured into Minnow by its eye-catching exterior: a green façade is adorned in flowers, while Parisian-style al fresco tables perch on the fringes of Clapham Common. Inside is equally pretty – but Minnow isn’t all style over substance. Owner Chris Frichot grew up at the Michelin-starred Knockinaam Lodge Hotel in Scotland – which his parents owned – so hospitality is in his blood. He opened Minnow alongside wife Saba Tsegaye, the name reflecting their aim to be a ‘small, but fiercely independent fish in a big pond’. Open all day from breakfast through to dinner, the eatery serves up modern European dishes with a focus on fish: think sea bream ceviche, cod with cauliflower velouté and pan-fried squid. The Sunday roasts are also a highlight, with current offerings including roast beef or chicken with all the trimmings, or a vegetarian option of chargrilled hispi cabbage.
Address: 21 The Pavement, London SW4 0HY
BOOK: minnowclapham.co.uk
Berberè Pizzeria
Joining neighbourhood cinema Clapham Picturehouse and cosy tapas bar Barsito on Clapham’s Venn Street is the latest outpost of Berberè Pizzeria, the Italian pizza spot from brothers Matteo and Salvatore Aloe. The pair travelled all over Italy in search of the best products, learning the ins and outs of the alchemy of fermentation – and their hard work has certainly paid off. Their sourdough creations are true pizza perfection: fresh, simple yet delicious, and perfectly light with a crispy texture. The menu features a mixture of classic favourites and specially created Berberè creations, both red and white. Highlights include the ‘Spicy Diavola’, one for the meat-eaters with spicy salami and ‘Nduja, as well as the white ‘Gorgonzola’, topped with a generous lashing of gorgonzola alongside speck, radicchio, mozzarella and honey. But the standout dish here has to be the ‘Aubergine’, which comes topped with baked aubergine, basil and walnut pesto and smoked ricotta: heaven on a plate.
Address: 67 Venn St, London SW4 0BD
BOOK: berberepizza.it
Trinity
Holding the award for Clapham’s only Michelin star is Trinity in the Old Town, headed up by Adam Byatt. When the restaurant opened back in 2006, the mission was to serve great food that was ‘seasonal, inspirational and, above all delicious’ – and that hasn’t changed, despite its ever-growing acclaim. At its core, Trinity is a neighbourhood restaurant; clearly high-end, but never stuffy or pretentious. Set menus are the name of the game, with dishes changing seasonally – though the Classics menu is a six-course extravaganza of some of their signatures, such as crispy pigs trotters, shellfish ravioli and turbot cooked on the bone. Upstairs you’ll find a more casual dining room (aptly called Upstairs) which is well-suited to private dinners or events, offering sharing-style plates like bouillabaisse with rouille, devilled Mylor prawns and roasted cauliflower with date ketchup. Wherever you’re sitting, excellent food is a given.
Address: 4 The Polygon, London SW4 0JG
BOOK: trinityrestaurant.co.uk
Tsunami
Tsunami is tucked away on a side street in Clapham. On a Saturday night, you’d be well within your right to doubt that you’d find near-perfect, melt-in-your-mouth fish after passing a strip of boisterous nightclubs with lines down the block. Within your right, but completely wrong. Tsunami is all class. Simple, clean lines and dim lights make the relatively small interior with tables and booths feel open and cavernous. As the name suggests, the menu is a bit of an exciting rush. Take your time as you pick on some spicy edamame beans. You’ll be grateful that the restaurant isn’t too buttoned up when you sneakily lick some chilli salt from your fingers. Once you get down to business, your first and foremost priority should be the white tuna, nigiri or sashimi. The soft shell crab roll, lobster maki, and dragon roll are also slam dunks. The snow crab shumai is light and fluffy while the spicy tuna roll is perfectly balanced, too.
Address: 5-7 Voltaire Rd, London SW4 6DQ
BOOK: tsunamiclapham.co.uk
WC Wine & Charcuterie
Candles, wine, cosy booths – Clapham’s WC Wine & Charcuterie was built for dates. Don’t be put off by the fact that it used to be a public toilet: WC is far from a novelty bar, and its history only adds to its quirky charm. Wine is really good and fairly priced, and you can enjoy it alongside sharing boards of baked camembert, sourdough bread, dips, meats and cheeses. Ideal if the idea of a sit-down meal is too intense, but you still want some tasty treats to fuel your rendez-vous.
Address: Clapham Common South Side, London SW4 7AA
BOOK: wcclapham.co.uk
