10 Putney Restaurants You Need to Visit

From top brunch spots to hearty Sunday roasts, Angela Zaher has the lowdown on the best restaurants in Putney

Pictured top: Chook Chook

1 

Artisans Of Sardinia

Artisans Of Sardinia was Highly Commended in the Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year category of the T&L Food and Culture Awards 2023. This small restaurant has a cosy and intimate feel and it’s the warm welcome of the owner Massimo and his team which sets it apart. The traditional Sardinian restaurant is great for a treat night out.

2 

The Telegraph

You don’t have to travel far in this busy metropolis to find a country pub. The Telegraph, on the edge of Putney Heath, is the perfect escape. Set in beautiful surroundings and serving pub classics plus some more exotic dishes like Sicilian fish stew, the menu is uploaded daily on to its website before midday to reflect the seasonality of the dishes.

3 

Chook Chook

If the enthusiasm of local residents is anything to go by, Chook Chook is Putney’s favourite Indian. As popular with takeaways and deliveries as eating in, the menu is made up of tried and tested favourites. An easy, casual choice.

4 

Yum Sa

Sociable Thai dining at its finest, Yum Sa is a haven from the hustle and bustle of Putney High Street with its prime location opposite East Putney Tube Station. All the classics feature on the menu, alongside sharing options and deals on wings and beer on selected days – best enjoyed sheltered from the elements on their small terrace. A hidden gem among Putney restaurants.

5 

Home SW15

Home SW15 is a local friendly bistro serving all the brunch and lunch crowd pleasers such as eggs benedict, steak sandwich and caesar salads but with a more ambitious dinner menu featuring the likes of tuna tataki, venison carpaccio, mussels and churros with chocolate dipping sauce. One of its trademark dishes is the Sunday beef wellington (pictured below), which you have to pre-order. The restaurant prides itself on caring about what it does and looking after the customer, and it shows.

6 

The Dynamo

A cycling cafe and restaurant, The Dynamo is always busy and has something for everyone, catering equally well for families with small children as a group of cyclists looking for a pitstop and some cycle repair. From breakfasts to brunch to pizzas, it’s all your standard stuff but done well.

Your guide to outside drinking and dining in south west London

7 

Blades

Blades has been Putney’s local Italian restaurant since 1977 so its longevity speaks for itself. All the usual antipasti and pasta dishes are there plus mains such as calves liver, grilled lamb chops, steaks, sea bass, scallops and prawns. Rustic decor on the interior and a few outside tables for summer evenings make this a reliable neighbourhood destination for a casual dinner with friendly service. 

8 

Thai Square

The panoramic view of the river is what sets Thai Square apart; a great place to catch some of the action on the Oxford/Cambridge Boat Race day – it even has a boat race set menu then. The building has won architectural awards based on its design – the exterior looks like a ship with metal beams and tall windows with its prow looking onto the bridge. The staff, dressed in traditional Thai costumes, are attentive and polite. The stand out dish is the whole steamed sea bass with ginger. There are good value lunch and early bird offers available. 

9 

Julia Domna Deli & Cafe

The bill at a Lebanese restaurant can easily add up as even a table of 2 might order the equivalent of several starters and possibly 1 or 2 mains, all to share. At Julia Domna Deli & Cafe, a small, family-run place which does catering as well, the food is honestly made and honestly priced.  As a result, local residents rave about this place and all customers tend to become repeat customers.

10 

Preto

If you are a fan of unlimited grilled meat, Preto Restaurant is the place for you. This is a casual churrascaria which attracts customers for its reasonable pricing, especially when using the extensive offers such as 2 for 1 Rodizio on Wednesdays. There is a buffet for sides with some Brazilian hallmarks like feijoada (black bean and pork stew). The meat (beef, chicken, pork) comes to your table regularly to be carved by roving waiters who are friendly and generous.