As the world’s greatest tennis players take to the grass at the Wimbledon championships, the eyes of the sporting universe are hawk-eyed onto SW19.
The big hitters may be largely slurping their energy gels and chomping on bananas, but we can confirm that Wimbledon is home to some considerably more enticing forms of nourishments for its visiting spectators.
From elegant sushi spots to newer seasonal British openings and from perfectly pleasant pubs to buzzy cocktail bars, these are the ace places to eat and drink near the All England Lawn Tennis Club.
You versus hunger? We've got this game, set and match.
Restaurants
Cent Anni
Italian food remains both absurdly good and absurdly popular in London and the local Italian run neighbourhood restaurants help to solidify this sterling reputation. Simplicity is the byword for many such restaurants and Cent Anni is no exception. Addictive vitello tonnato, sharing antipasti di mare and excellent beetroot carpaccio mark a starter menu coming in at under £13 a plate, whilst calves liver served with pancetta and self-described ‘seriously creamy mash’ delivers a superstar main course at a very reasonable £20. Buon appetito.
33 High St, SW19 5BY, centanni.co.uk
Takahashi
Wimbledon probably wouldn’t immediately spring to mind when considering one of London’s best Japanese restaurants, but that’s what Takahashi is. Nobuhisa and Yuko Takahashi have managed to fly under the radar, oft dubbed that over-used title ‘hidden gem’ yet, its discretion is its virtue. The omakase-only menu was introduced in 2022 to raise the consistent quality – and no doubt entice a Michelin inspector or two – but expect uramaki, hosomaki and exquisite nigiri, including lesser-known pieces like the delicately fatty tuna chutoro and jalapeno infused tuna zukepeno. Omakase prices yes, but worth every penny.
228 Merton Rd, SW19 1EQ, takahashi-restaurant.co.uk
Sticks'n'Sushi
This Copenhagen-hailing series of upmarket restaurants specialises in serving Japanese-style yakitori skewers of meat and fish (the sticks), as well as – you guessed it – sushi. Pick individual pieces of sticks and sushi for light bites, or go all out with a sharing platter for a proper refuelling.
58 Wimbledon Hill Road, SW19 7PA, sticksnsushi.co.uk
The Black Lamb
The Gladwin brothers opened the Black Lamb in 2022 in the former White Onion site on the high street, bringing their ingredient focussed farm-to-table mentality with them. The success of the other restaurants – The Shed, Rabbit, Fat Badger and Sussex – tell the story of this successful family-owned business doing things well. The roasts are particularly pleasing, as is their family-owned Nutbourne English fizz.
67 High St, SW19 5EE, theblacklamb-restaurant.com
The Ivy Cafe Wimbledon
An offshoot from The Ivy’s ever-spreading vines has bloomed in Wimbledon, serving up some of the restaurant’s classic fare in stylish settings. There’s a special menu on during the tournament, featuring cocktails such as the lemon deuce drizzle 75 (Sipsmith lemon drizzle gin, vanilla syrup and lemon juice, topped up with Champagne) and a staple of Ivy’s social feed, the centre court melting bombe: a white chocolate shell with warm strawberry sauce, fresh strawberries and shortbread.
75 High Street, SW19 5EQ, theivycafewimbledon.com
The Giggling Squid
Having built its brand of Thai tapas dining across the south of England over the last five years or so, The Giggling Squid made its first London home in Wimbledon. For those who like to try a little bit of everything without breaking the bank, pick from their astonishingly reasonable tapas sets for one, consisting of a Thai curry, two snacks and jasmine rice.
26 High Street, SW19 5BY, gigglingsquid.com
Maison St Cassien
What’s been the secret behind Andy Murray’s Wimbledon success over the years? If you ask the good people down at this independent cafe and restaurant, it’s their Lebanese chicken. Murray has been known to regularly head down to get his fix during the tournament, sometimes even getting it delivered on match days — and if it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for us. Match-winning chicken aside, this place has been serving up Mediterranean and Lebanese food since 1998, and is an ever reliable choice from breakfast through to dinner.
71 High Street, SW19 5EE, maisonstcassien.co.uk
Orangery at Cannizaro House
Cannizaro House, a plush hotel set within a grand 19th century building, welcomes both guests and non-guests to its Orangery restaurant. With serene views looking out over the gardens, the focus here is on classic Italian food — short pizza and pasta menus are accompanied by the likes of risotto nero, Sicilian roast chicken, and aubergine and halloumi parmigiana bake. Early start? You can head there for breakfast too.
West Side Common, SW19 4UE, hotelduvin.com
Bars, Cafés and Pubs
601 Queens Road
Coffee is essential pre-tennis sustenance. Perhaps best reserved for a post-train ride from town to SW19, and conveniently located next to Wimbledon station, 601 Queens Road serves the best coffee in the immediate vicinity. The otherwise reliable brunchy menu is full of avocado and egg-based goodness, but it’s the quality of the Caravan coffee which keeps us coming back cup after cup.
Centre court shopping centre, 4 Queens Road, SW19 8YE, 601queensrd.co.uk
Hand in Hand
An ageing yet wholesome pub perched gently next to a south west London green or common is one of those stirring British sights, like the Red Arrows or the Clifton suspension bridge, it rouses our sense of tradition. The Hand in Hand is these days a Young’s, but don’t be put off, the charming pub dining room and beer garden are all present and correct, and with pies a staple of the menu, this 1835 boozer is the place to revel in ye olde British-ness.
6 Crooked Billet, Wimbledon Common, SW19 4RQ, thehandinhandwimbledon.co.uk
Dog & Fox
A pub that has stood in Wimbledon for decades, the Dog and Fox has recently come out the other side of a rather snazzy makeover. The Young's pub and hotel now boasts a glitzy sheen to its drinking quarters, with dining available, and a popular beer garden for basking in the British summertime.
24 High Street, SW19 5EA, dogandfoxwimbledon.co.uk
The Rose and Crown
Just a 10 minute walk from the courts, The Rose and Crown is not only a convenient post-match pitstop, but a pretty good one too. For this year’s championships, the venue will be serving Sipmsith gin from its marquee, pouring Pimm’s and pints, dishing up grub from Burger Shack and keeping the party going with live music across the two weeks of the tournament.
55 High Street, SW19 5BA, roseandcrownwimbledon.co.uk
The Crooked Billet
If you’ve been inspired to get to grips with the grass but don’t feel quite like expending grand slam-level energy, then a recline on Wimbledon Common should do the trick. You’ll find the Crooked Billet on the corner of the green spot, and with the tennis on the TV, it’s the perfect spot for checking the scores over a Pimm’s or one of the exclusive Sipsmith cocktails being mixed up behind the bar to celebrate the championships.
14–15 Crooked Billet, SW19 4RQ, thecrookedbilletwimbledon.com
Hemingways
If you’re more into Pornstar Martinis than pints, head to Hemingways, an independent cocktail bar in Wimbledon ready and waiting for your post-match revelries. Cocktails are the order of the day here, with signature offerings including a summer fruit negroni and a Hemingway’s 75 ( that’s gin, lemon and champagne).
