As you may have noticed, Wimbledon is upon us. Will Andy Murray get angry with someone/everyone? Will Sue Barker sleep? Do English strawberries know what they’re in for? Most importantly, how are you going to make the most of it? We only know the answer to that last question, so read on for our guide to having a ball (if you think that’s bad, just you wait…), whether you have a ticket, need a big screen, or actually couldn’t care less.
In association with Champagne Lanson
Ballin’ ticket holders
If you have Wimbledon tickets – or can’t get in after queuing for five hours – here’s our pick of the best restaurants in Wimbledon and the surrounding area.
The White Onion (above), Wimbledon
Wimbledon Village’s The Lawn Bistro has just been replaced by this ace French and Mediterranean dining room, serving up artfully presented plates of tempura prawns with plaice or caramelised pork belly with smoked tomatoes, as well as great value wines.
Fox and Grapes, Wimbledon
Claude Bosi (the brains behind Mayfair’s Hibiscus) continues to oversee the menu at this high-flying gastropub, where the boozer basics haven’t been forgotten: real ales, barn-like acoustics, beer-battered haddock with triple-cooked chips and hefty roast dinners.
Crooked Billet, Wimbledon
This Young’s pub has had a makeover but still sports a deliberately dishevelled look, making for a relaxed spot in which to chew over the championships.
Enoteca Turi, Putney
Jump on the District Line to Putney for a smart, top-notch Italian meal courtesy of Giuseppe Turi, who has been cooking up tastes of regional Italy here for 25 years. It’s also a great place to take wine-lovers.
Chez Bruce, Wandsworth
Take a ten-minute cab ride to Bruce Pool’s ‘phenomenal’ Wandsworth restaurant (Southwest London public transport doesn’t do east-west lightly) and you won’t be disappointed. World-class cooking mixes classic French technique with a British/European sensibility: welcome to flavour country.
You shall go to the ball
So you don’t have a ticket – join the (not in the club) club. Never fear lawn lovers: read our insider’s guide to hospitality at Wimbledon 2015, which may just be your saving grace.
If travelling all the way to SW19 is just too far out of your ball-park, London is the land of the big screen – just pick one of these beauties…
Bluebird (above), Chelsea
Head to King’s Road for Bluebird’s large screen (and balls, by the looks of it) and newly refurbished terrace.
The Churchill Bar & Terrace (above), Marylebone
Pull up a chair on this covered Marylebone terrace alongside Winston (they have a bronze statue of Mr Churchill) and watch the big screen together. Lanson Wimbledon hampers are on offer too, with scones, finger sandwiches, strawberries and cream.
HIX, City
HIX City’s trump card is the terrace on Devonshire Square: the whole area is covered with a clear roof, meaning lots of light and not a chance of rain while you’re watching all the ball thwacking on the terrace TV.
Holborn Dining Room (above), Holborn
The Courtyard Terrace at the Rosewood London hotel will be transformed for the entirety of the tournament, with plenty of screens and (hopefully) sunshine.
Plateau (above), Canary Wharf
This Canada Place restaurant comes equipped with a Herbal Garden Terrace, meaning you can potter in the plants (and sip on some limited edition cocktails) as you watch Wimbledon on the screen here.
The Refinery (above), Southwark
Head to Southwark Street for Thameside tennis on the terrace: The Refinery has a hefty screen and a multitude of deckchairs to kick back in.
Rotunda, King’s Cross
A large screen on Lewis Cubitt Square will be showing all the action and there are 50 deck chairs; make sure you arrive early to secure a seat. There will, of course, be strawberries and cream, as well as ice cream and jugs of Pimms!
The Truscott Arms (above), Maida Vale
For the men’s final on 12 July, The Denbury Room will be decked out in AstroTurf and fitted with a cinema screen for the men’s final. Be sure to book ahead…
New balls, please…
Balls & Company (above), Soho
If tennis really isn’t your thing, then why not head to this Soho newcomer, due to open 1 July. It majors in meatballs, so basically Greek Street will be home to the newest balls in London this week – who needs Wimbledon?
For more of the best balls-related restaurants in London, click... ok no, we didn’t go that far. Here’s our list of all the latest new restaurants flinging open their doors to ravenous Londoners.
Lanson: The Perfect Serve
Lanson has been a key sponsor of Wimbledon for over 25 years and is The Official Champagne Supplier at The Championships. So, why not serve up some strawberries and cream and enjoy the tournament with a glass of the classic Champagne Lanson Black Label. This non-vintage brut offers a well-balanced and uplifting combination of power and elegance. Alternatively, try Champagne Lanson White Label, a blend created to enhance the aromas of Champagne, favouring Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
This article was published 29 July 2015