LDNGuide
The 10 Best Restaurants In & Around Wimbledon
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
For an area famous for a sport that requires being on your feet, there are plenty of great restaurants that make us want nothing more than to park ourselves for hours. Whether you’re after a coffee and some eggs, or a suntrap terrace where you can eat a Thai green curry, Wimbledon has it all. These are 10 of the best restaurants in and around SW19.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
This mini-chain has spots across London and calls itself a blend between “a Japanese traditionalist and a Danish anarchist”. What does that mean? It means that at Sticks'n'Sushi you can get some pretty solid maki topped with things like tuna and barbecue sauce, crispy kataifi, and trout roe. While it may not be traditional Japanese sushi, you should know that the rolls are consistently excellent. The Wimbledon location’s sleek interior is perfect for a romantic date night or a long-awaited catch-up when you’re planning on settling in for a couple of hours.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
A bright and fun spot in Wimbledon Village, Patara Thai is a go-to for a casual first date or when you need somewhere that’ll keep your whole family happy. But one of the main reasons we like it is the outdoor terrace. It’s a hidden garden where you can enjoy a top-tier Thai green curry that’ll have you dousing your tongue with water before going in for another bite. The casual indoor space is nice to sit in too if the weather’s being British, especially if you’ve got a bowl of hearty lamb massaman in front of you. The Thai menu spans noodles and satay too—and they’re all pretty good.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
We feel like we’re in a beach club in Dubai anytime we have an eggs benedict in this airy cafe in Wimbledon Village. The aesthetically pleasing setup looks like it belongs on Molly Mae’s neutral-heavy mood board but Demitasse is more than just looks. It’s a firm favourite when it comes to brunch in Wimbledon because of the rich tomato baked eggs and the spiced banana french toast that we’d rather not share. This walk-in spot can get busy during the weekends but it’s absolutely worth a 20-minute wait.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
At Takahashi, an intimate, 12-seater restaurant in south Wimbledon, a meal feels very much like a private dinner. Even though the prices are not, the experience is a little more casual than some other omakase spots in the city. Everyone is seated on separate tables rather than watching a chef prepare Spanish toro and French caviar at counter seating. Although it’s not the best sushi in London, it’s a very decent choice if you’re looking for a low-key omakase experience in the area. Be warned, you have to book well in advance and pay half the price as a deposit so don’t expect to rock up on the day and get a table.
photo credit: Koray Firat
With its black rattan chairs and suntrap terrace, this Mediterranean cafe brings chic, picture-perfect Parisian energy to Wimbledon Village. When the weather’s nice, Maison St. Cassien’s limited outdoor tables fill up faster than you can say “one chicken shawarma please” and provide the perfect setting for a long, lazy afternoon. Inside doesn’t have quite the same charm, with basic tables and mismatched mirrors covering the walls, but the refreshing fattoush salad and tangy spinach-filled pastries, as well as Lebanese falafel wraps that you can take on the go, make it a top lunch option in the area.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
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Don’t judge Carmona Steak & Tapas by its appearance. The small spot isn’t going to win any interior design awards, but will get the job done when you need somewhere suitable for mates and dates. Sweetcorn and provolone cheese empanadas, brochetas de pollo (chimichurri chicken skewers), and steak won’t blow you away but hit the spot when you need a no-nonsense group meal in the area. Inside the Argentinian steakhouse in Wimbledon Village, groups catch up over tapas while sipping malbec; couples pop in when they’re feeling particularly carnivorous; and friends split a parrillada platter—the best way to go when you’re indecisive or want to try a bit of everything.
photo credit: Koray Firat
A charming spot off Wimbledon Broadway, Al Forno is an Italian restaurant with a comforting Anglo twist. The buzzy neighborhood favourite is rustic and comfortable, with pots and pans hanging from the ceiling and a roaring brick oven. Waiters sprint across the restaurant carrying the hefty-looking pizzas while diners watch on, waiting their turn. The pastas are consistent and satisfying, but the move is to get a large pizza and refuse to share it with anyone. The British influences come through when you move on to dessert. The banoffee is a slice of excellent biscuity craftsmanship, and warm custard is a necessity with the apple pie.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
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The ethereal glow around Grilandia could either be coming from the hanging lights or our faces after digging into the excellent mezze platter at the Lebanese spot. It’s bang in the middle of Wimbledon Broadway, and you’ll know you’re at the right place when you see foliage spilling out the front door and people with forkfuls of batata harra, their eyes scanning the table for the next thing they’re going to eat. The food is truly memorable—things like a classic shish taouk go from predictable to exciting with the addition of a citrussy, spicy seasoning. Hummus is silky smooth with enough tartness from the tahini to keep you going back for more, and the mixed mezze is always a good idea.
photo credit: Koray Firat
The ultimate all-rounder, Babylon is an all-day cafe and restaurant in Raynes Park that’s worth spending a morning, afternoon, or casual evening in. It’s a 15-minute bus ride away from Wimbledon’s centre, and there’ll often be suburban mums catching up over oat milk lattes and a slice of carrot cake, and locals popping in for a speedy chickpea salad lunch on their way home from the post office. Our favourite place to sit is on one of the tables by the window for maximum people-watching. The menu has a little bit of everything and surprisingly, things like a full English breakfast are just as good as the seared scallops. It’s a popular place so on weekends you’ll want to book ahead.
photo credit: Koray Firat
The tinted windows and lack of natural light make Yori's black dining room a little on the S.A.D. side during the day, but it gives off a cool, sleek energy around dinnertime. This Korean spot on Wimbledon Broadway is a one-stop shop for solid versions of crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside pajeon, and spicy ramyun that you’ll want to keep eating long after you’re full. Groups take turns cooking wagyu and squid on the grill, solo diners chew on slightly sweet, doughy tteokbokki while scrolling through Twitter, and everyone leaves satisfied.
