EAT YOUR WAY AROUND THE MEDITERRANEAN BASIN AT THESE TOP LOCAL SOUTH WEST LONDON AND SURREY DINING SPOTS.

Top image: Lobster Thermidor, Gazette Trinity

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Tap into some holiday vibes with a culinary road trip around these fantastic local restaurants, serving flavours of the Mediterranean basin from Southern Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa.

SOUTHERN EUROPE

1

THE LITTLE TAPERIA

Tooting

This green fronted gem round the corner from Tooting Broadway station brings an innovative take on Iberian tapas to the local area. Inside is a cosy, rustic interior, where you can eat either perched by the marble counter for a mid-week catch up over small plates and a glass of rioja, or at tables for more relaxed dining. Six dishes are recommended to share between two which gives you plenty of opportunity to try the delicious array of tapas on offer. The quails’ egg Morcilla scotch egg with piquillo pepper chutney offers a new take on tapas dishes, whilst the whole shell king prawns in garlic rival those fresh from the Mediterranean Sea in Barcelona or Valencia.

2

GAZETTE TRINITY

Wandsworth Common

Take a walk on the adventurous side at this authentic French Brasserie overlooking Wandsworth Common. The airy garden Brasserie set back from the main road has all the quaint organic charm of a Renoir luncheon painting. Set in a greenhouse with wood panelled walls, green and white interiors, each plate is a splash of colour with garden flowers garnishing French delicacies such as snails, beef tartare and frogs’ legs alongside Mediterranean style dishes including goat’s cheese crottin and Lobster, which is served every Thursday as part of their lobster club. When visiting, make sure to try their house rosé, Côtes de Provence made exclusively for the restaurant using Grenache Noir & Syrah grapes by a prize-winning Vineyard in Provence.

3

Al Forno

Kingston

Al Forno is a lively and vibrant restaurant with a distinctly family-friendly vibe. The interiors are cosy and welcoming, with little nooks that transport you to the feeling of being in a little restaurant tucked in the historic side streets of Italy. They have an extensive menu ranging from starters of meatballs and burrata, to mains of freshly made pasta and deliciously succulent fish.

4

ZIA LUCIA

Wandsworth (and Balham)

Nestled on the pedestrianised Old York Road, find Zia Lucia, a neighbourhood pizzeria chain, reinventing pizza from the base upwards. For a fun take on a well-known classic try their statement charcoal base or exciting toppings, including creamy orbs of burrata and truffle oil. The Italian founders Gianluca and Claudio are passionate about bringing the inclusivity of Italian hospitality to the local area. This is perfect for those looking for the feel-good easy flavours of an Italian family holiday, with green outdoor seating for sunny evenings.

5

THE FRENCH TABLE

Surbiton

Sarah and Eric Guignard are the minds behind this wonderful contemporary French restaurant that has been around over 20 years. Located in leafy Surbiton, The French Table works with seasonal ingredients from top independent suppliers, sourcing the finest from meat, fish and vegetables and developing dishes from these. Choose from their wonderful lunch and dinner menus or partake in a 5-course tasting menu with a flight of wines to pair. If you want total immersion in French dining, The French Table also offer breakfast on the first Saturday of each month, so you can eat every meal continental style.

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

6

Géa Chelsea

Chelsea

This restaurant offers up a sleek and modern ambiance – definitely one to visit if you’re looking for something a little more elegant and refined. The interiors are made up of Walnut wood, sandy beige hues and wavy walls, conjuring the ambiance of the Greek and Mediterranean coast with an elevated and airy twist. The cuisine is a similar mixture of Greek and Mediterranean, with highlights of the menu including starters of Saganaki pastry and tuna tataki, as well as mains of Greek-style chicken platters with crispy potatoes and fresh garden salad.

7

GALU MEDITERRANEAN BAR & GRILL

Banstead

Instead of championing one cuisine, Galu Mediterranean Bar & Grill offers token dishes from multiple countries. The grill is undoubtedly at the heart of the restaurant, and you can spectate the sights and sounds of your food being prepared from the open view kitchen, or perch at the bar sharing Greek snacks over a drink or two. If it pleases, you can dance between two countries with offerings of Italian pasta and risotto, Greek mezze sharing platters and Cypriot Souvlaki to enjoy, either in their stone interior or from the al fresco seating area overlooking The Nork.

8

MEZZET

East Molesley

Near to the royal quarters of Henry VIII this Lebanese restaurant offers all the delicious flavours of Eastern Mediterranean dining in a fine setting. The large windows at the front allow light to pour into the front, creating light and space for wining and dining. Makes sure to try their delicious offerings of Lebanese wines, or visit their sister restaurant down the road, Mezzet Dar, for lighter bites in the form of Lebanese-Spanish fusion tapas dishes.

NORTH AFRICA

9

KHAMSA

Brixton

Step into Khamsa for a taste of Algeria. Specialising in tagines seasoned with North African spices such as harissa, paprika and ras el hanout alongside homemade hand rolled couscous. The interiors are ornate and low lit with colourful pillows, lanterns, and rugs, creating cosy corners to enjoy the tastes and atmosphere of the restaurant. For those who fancy a tipple Khamsa is also BYO so you can bring along a bottle of Syrah which pairs well with North African cuisine.

10

TAGINE

Balham

Enter Morocco, where the flavours of the Mediterranean meet the Sahara, at Tagine in Balham. Enjoy the restaurant’s namesake dish from traditional Moroccan clay pots, and take in the eye-catching interiors as you sit beneath colourful hanging lights. Further than tagines, there are a wide variety of Moroccan dishes on offer, with plenty of selection for vegetarians and a delightful dessert menu. Share a pot of Moroccan mint tea or enjoy flavoursome fruit cocktails, with tastes of mango, kiwi and ginger.

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