EATING OUT IN TOOTING
So cutting the long story short, me and my boyfriend met up for our first date in Tooting, and after 4 years here we are, still living in the same neighborhood where we met for the first time.
Tooting is a mix of different cultures, backgrounds and history but its exactly this that's makes the place so special. And also so interesting in a interior design point of view.
Starting from the Old Broadway Market that is now renovated and is the house for new pop up gourmet restaurants and vibrate bars, to a main high street with some amazing curry places, we are spoiled by choice.
So I decided to give you some tips about what to find and where to find it, based on what we love to do the most.
Going out on date nights to try new and different food places.
I promise I will keep the post updated if something interesting and new pop's up.
The Good Neighbours
This restaurant opened in the Tooting High Street this year replacing our favorite local restaurant TOTA. Following the success of the Good Neighbour restaurant, in Camberwell, Australian chef Paul Williamson and founder of Good Neighbour is keen to spread both his love of artisan wines and adventurous small plates just a little further southwest. The renovated space features both relaxed banquette seating and bi-folding windows in an optimistic nod to future summer dining on the patio. In charge of the kitchen is Spanish chef Josue Otero, and alongside superb coffee from other acclaimed Antipodeans, Caravan roastery, there’ll be sharing plates that span vegetarian/vegan, seafood and meat options. Here’s a sample of what’s on offer:
Harissa roast cauliflower, hummus, flaked almonds, date molasses
Gorgonzola walnut-filled gnocchi with wild mushrooms and brown butter sauce
Ox cheeks, smoked mash, crispy shallots, carrot chips, salsa verde
Lamb shoulder tournedos, dauphinoise potato, romesco, shallots, salsa verde
Miso cod and savoy cabbage ‘parcels’, sweetcorn, pickled fennel, lotus root
Crispy squid with wasabi salt and lime coriander mayonnaise
It’s not just about the food,the popular wine tastings program will also be a feature in Tooting. Sell-out events, they give punters the chance to meet wine buyers and winemakers for tutored tastings. In addition to beer and other cocktails, they’re also promising Tooting’s best Bloody Mary, so local brunching aficionados had better go see if they’ve found the perfect blend (brunch served every Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Saying this, the Good Neighbour will definitely be one of our top restaurants when we go out for food. Best For:
BOOZY-BRUNCH
HEALTHY-OPTIONS
INSTA-WORTHY
SPECIAL-OCCASIONS
MEETINGS
COCKTAILS
Find in: Tube: TOOTING BROADWAY STATION Address: 102 TOOTING HIGH STREET, TOOTING, LONDON, SW17 0RR Facebook: GOODNEIGHBOURLDN Instagram: @GOODNEIGHBOURLDN Website: HTTP://GOODNEIGHBOURTOOTING.COM/
The Little Taperia
It’s a lovely feeling when you look at a menu and want to order everything. It’s even lovelier when you notice the reasonable prices, and realise you could do exactly that without having to raise a mortgage first.
The menu’s the sort of thing you will find in Spain – if you’re lucky. Big prawns tasted as if they’d just been lifted out of the sea, then sautéed with chilli and garlic. Salt cod fritters arrived fresh from the fryer, perfectly seasoned and crisp with a fresh alioli. These are classic tapas, yet so often the simplest things are hardest to get right. A simple pan con tomate, sourdough bread rubbed with garlic and spread with crushed fresh tomatoes, relies on prime ingredients, and the version here matches anything we’ve eaten on the Iberian peninsula.
Little Tapería was lively and filled with a happy vibe when we went there. Despite not taking reservations, we didn't had to take too long for a table. This is a place to have a great time and relax with a nice glass of wine.
Best For:
BOOZY-NIGHTS
HEALTHY-OPTIONS
INSTA-WORTHY
SPECIAL-OCCASIONS
SPANISH DISHES
Find in:
Tube: TOOTING BROADWAY STATION
Address: 143 TOOTING HIGH STREET, TOOTING, LONDON, SW17 0RU
Website: HTTP://THELITTLETAPERIA.CO.UK/
The Joint
Going to the Market in Tooting is always a great experience, going for the first time to The Joint was a great discovery.
The first time we went there they just had a small corner, that they have now extended further down.
We were really impressed since day one with the quality of the food and the prices on this place.
The portions area a really good size, and in the menu there are included meat dishes were everything sounds amazing.
Wait until you try their 16 hours pulled pork burger or their dip fried mac and cheese, and yes it is so good as it sounds.
Definitely a place that wort checking out if you are around Tooting and if you are a meat lover.
Best For:
BOOZY-NIGHTS
MEAT LOVERS
INSTA-WORTHY
CASUAL DINNING
GOOD PRICES
Find in:
Tube: TOOTING BROADWAY STATION
Address: TOOTING MARKET, TOOTING HIGH STREET, LONDON, UK
Website: HTTP://THEJOINTLDN.COM/
Apollo BananaLeaf
So if you went to Tooting for a dinner night out you might be looking for a more exotic restaurant, as this area is known for the huge amount of Indian restaurants.
The most hidden secret of South West is probably this place.
Don't be fooled by the decoration and look of this place, that lets be honest and from a interior designer point of view, it is just terrible (note: first time we were in front of the door to go there I thought more then one time, nahh not going in there), but trust me it wort the experience, go in and enjoy their amazing Sri Lankan and South Indian food because you will not regret.
Their atmosphere is always bubbling, as due to the low prices you always have big groups having dinner parties.
About the food as they mention in their website "You are about to taste a vast selection of authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, the way it’s meant to be cooked with a variety of herbs and spices unique to Sri Lanka.", this is the best description.
Get ready for a feast of different flavors and spices, if you love a spice curry this is the place.
Give them a ring and book your table.
Best For:
BRING YOUR OWN ALCOHOL
CURRY LOVERS
LARGE GROUPS
CASUAL DINNING
GOOD PRICES
Find in:
Tube: TOOTING BROADWAY STATION
Address: 190 TOOTING HIGH STREET, TOOTING, LONDON SW17 0SF
Website: HTTP://APOLLOBANANALEAF.COM/
Brickwood
Brickwood Coffee & Bread is an Aussie inspired neighbourhood cafe with full table service and a breakfast menu.
This local, approachable breakfast spot in Tooting Market welcomes its guests with a mouth-watering display of pastries and toasties.
On their menu, you’ll find a range of toasties and classic breakfast dishes such as ‘The Butcher’ (Brickwood’s take on a full English, with 48-hour fermented organic sourdough).
Or if you prefer something sweeter, try the toasted brioche with caramelised banana, strawberry and berry compote or maple bacon (or both!).
Have your meal with one of their coffees made with Caravan’s bespoke blend, or a cold pressed juice.
True to its name, the seating area in Tooting Market sees a brick wall and wood paneling on the floor and bar, as well as wooden furniture.
The industrial look is finished with steel sheets which fit in with the vibe of the market. Brickwood’s signature ceiling is made of coffee sack that can be found across all their locations.
The plus you can buy their sourdough bread, or if you are lucky like us order their breakfast and receive it at home, on those hard to get out of bed weekends.
Best For:
BAKED-GOODS
HEALTHY-OPTIONS
SPECIALITY-COFFEE
TODAYS-OFFICE
Find in:
Tube: TOOTING BROADWAY STATION
Adress: TOOTING MARKET, TOOTING HIGH STREET, LONDON, UK
Website: HTTP://BRICKWOODLONDON.COM
Mud
This is my breakfast place to go, I like their food so much that I could easily live in their kitchen.
Healthy, tasty and colorful menu in a laid-back and easy going environment.
If you are a coffee lover try their freshly roasted by Ozone coffee and their antipodean-style menu that changes seasonally.
Colorful breakfast and brunch dishes are made up of quality, seasonal ingredients. Browse the mouth-watering selection of decadent menu items.
The plus for someone that likes to see their food being prepared, they have a open floor kitchen, so you can keep an eye on your food and who knows, maybe try your luck the next time you want a home made breakfast and try to copy them.
Best For:
HANGOVER-INDULGENCE
HEALTHY-OPTIONS
INSTA-WORTHY
SPECIALITY-COFFEE
VEGANS
Find in:
Tube: TOOTING BROADWAY STATION
Address: 141 MITCHAM ROAD, LONDON SW17 9PE, UNITED KINGDOM
