Chef Nikita Pathakji is the winner of Great British Menu 2026 and MasterChef: The Professionals 2022, where she became the first female champion in a decade. She opened her debut restaurant, MAAI by Nikita, in Clapham this summer. It’s a family-led project, named after her mother who contributed to the design and featuring a drinks programmel led by Nikita’s sister, Isha. She’s lived in Clapham for the past decade, making her wholly qualified to share the best places for food and drink in the area.
M. Moen & Sons Butchers
24 The Pavement, London SW4 0JA
We've been loyal customers for more than 10 years, long before we opened our restaurant, and now they supply us too, which feels really special. The quality of the meat is exceptional and the team are so knowledgeable, and it's also beautiful in there. I love coming into the shop, having a natter with Gary or Matt, and picking out whatever looks the most beautiful that day. Usually I'm going for Iberico pork pluma or maybe a nice bavette!
Common Espresso Bar
10 Clapham Park Rd, London SW4 7BB
This is hands down my favourite coffee spot in Clapham. It's an independent café with such a warm, welcoming atmosphere, and Keisy and Helena always make everyone feel at home. The coffee is always amazing, and in a neighbourhood where we have had a few larger coffee chains popping up recently, I don't know why anyone would choose those compared to the warmth and community you feel at Common. It's truly a business worth celebrating, and honestly my favourite flat white in London.
Trinity
4 The Polygon, London SW4 0JG
You can't talk about Clapham without mentioning Trinity. It's a huge Clapham local institution and somewhere I always recommend for a special occasion, or Trinity Upstairs for something a bit more chill but still with amazing food. We are neighbours to their other site, Bistro Union, which has also been a family favourite for years.
The Pig's Head
87 Rectory Grove, London SW4 0DR
I love a good pub and this is my favourite one in Clapham - I just think the food is the best, it's farm-to-fork, great British produce, and really well executed - can't go wrong! I particularly love the tartare and the beef dripping chicken salt chips...and the Pedro Ximenez affogato! They had a lobster special on recently that looked amazing too, time for me to book a table!
Nardulli's gelateria
29 The Pavement, London SW4 0JE
World class Gelato here in Clapham, it's almost impossible for me to stop by Moen's without also grabbing an ice cream cone from Nardulli's on the way home! Love the lemon sorbet (made with a bit of milk like all the best lemon sorbets) and the amarena cherry!
And newly opened...
Rind Wine and Cheese Bar
27 Abbeville Rd, London SW4 9LA
I'm so excited that Rind has opened on Abbeville Road. We've loved visiting their Battersea site for great wines and brilliant cheese boards, so having one on our doorstep is fantastic. I think it's going to be such a fun addition to the neighbourhood, I'm looking forward to a post-shift drink there soon!
See also
For more of these local area guides, visit the My Manor page.
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