(20 Bellevue Road , Wandsworth Common in London, United Kingdom)

Dexter’s on the edge of Wandsworth Common is a magnet for Balham’s buggy brigade. And no wonder. Its... family-friendly credentials are second to none, with a dedicated kids menu featuring organic dishes, meal deals from £5.95, and a genuine tolerance of crayons, sticky fingers and prams. Come evening, the wood-beamed dining room becomes more grown up, and the atmosphere relaxes. The all-day menu ranges from a full English breakfast and pancakes, to big healthy salads (you choose the dressing), via American-style chargrilled meats, and Dexter’s famed 6oz burgers. Veggies can join in with a Puy lentil and vegetable burger. Did we warn you about the amazing ice-cream desserts? We have now. Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 12pm - 11pmSat: 10am - 11pmSun: 10am - 10:30pm TV chefs Ainsley Harriott and Keith Floyd have both been spotted here. [moreless]

(15-19 Bedford Hill, Balham in London, United Kingdom)

New kid on the Balham block, Harrison’s Brasserie & Bar comes from an excellent pedigree. Sister re...staurant to much-loved Sam’s Brasserie & Bar in Chiswick, this is local eats done right, from breakfast all the way through to late night bites. The swish dining room uses tasteful tones and woods to create relaxation at the ready, and a modern British menu samples the best of dear old Blighty. Favourites include the 12oz sirloin, hung for 35 days and from Chadwick’s Butchers, served with fries and Bearnaise sauce, as well as braised lamb shank ‘shepherd’s pie.’ Belly warming puds continue the hearty theme. If only your local was like this. Opening hours: Mon - Sat 9am - 3pm & 6:30pm - 10:30pmSun 9am - 4pm & 6:30pm - 10pm [moreless]

(59 Bedford Hill, Balham in London, United Kingdom)

A modern, glass-fronted Indian on the burgeoning strip between The Bedford pub and Balham High Road,... Indian Room has found itself something of a haven for couples. It must be the serene whiteness (table linen, walls) and candlelight. Then there’s the health-conscious cooking using as little as oil as possible. Well worth trying are the handful of dishes unique to this popular local restaurant, a wonderful apricot chicken Kashmir among them. Chicken madras, and a super-hot chicken vindaloo are consistently the most-ordered of the ‘All Time Favourites.’ Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 6pm - 11:30pmFri: 6pm - MidnightSat - Sun: 12pm - Midnight [moreless]

(1 Balham Station Road, Balham in London, United Kingdom)

If you have a penchant for prosecco and pasta, head to Raviolo in Balham. This simple-yet-chic pasta... bar is a hit with the locals, and the perfect place for an affordable and fun meal with friends. The experimental menu revolves around - you guessed it – ravioli, allowing you to mix and match up to 9 different types of fillings and sauces. Raviolo serves these homemade pillows of pasta stuffed with delicious things like scallops and prawns or pumpkin and amaretti, and you can choose from sauces such as sage-infused olive oil, saffron or four-cheese sauce with wild mushroom and breasola. If that’s not enough to send you into a carb-craving frenzy, we must also tell you about the sensational desserts - the passion fruit sorbet with sweet chilli jam is a favourite.Please note that this restaurant only accepts booking of 6 or more through toptable.co.uk. This restaurant only takes bookings of six people and above.Please note that for parties of 10 or above the venue will contact you to collect a £10.00 deposit per person . The deposit will be re funded on the night but will be charged if no show or cancellation within 24 hours Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11am - 4pm & 5:30pm - 11pmSun: 11am - 10pm Locals refer to Raviolo as the “Italian-influenced Wagamamas”. Watch out, Waga-fans. [moreless]

(90 Bedford Hill, Balham in London, United Kingdom)

Sadya is a relaxed neighbourhood Indian a little further up from the Bedford pub on Balham’s Bedford... Hill. South Indian would be more accurate, for the honest cuisine served here originates from Kerala, India’s southernmost state. Expect the unexpected. Cheemeen ulathiyathu gives you prawns as you’ve never seen them before. For an original curry, try kappa and meen house special. A favourite after a hard day in the paddy fields, it’s basically tapioca spiced with turmeric and green chillies served with spiced fresh water fish. Sadya means feast, specifically the long lunches traditionally enjoyed by whole families during the festive period in Kerala. With starters on average £4, and mains costing £7 at most, indulging is easily affordable. Opening hours: Mon 12pm - 3pm, Sun - Thurs 6pm - 11pm, Fri - Sat 6pm - 12am [moreless]