The Candlemaker Battersea

This pub has recently acquired a new chef and was recommended to me as being a great place to eat. I was not disappointed. The atmosphere is really nice - I don't know what it's like in the evenings, as I was there for lunch, but the decor is pleasing, there's a good selection of areas to sit in, particularly as they have some nice outside covered area for smokers, and the staff are friendly and helpful. The menu is particularly eclectic, without the usual pub staples sourced from the freezer and cooked in the microwave. All the food served is fresh, and the meat all free-range, I believe. It was lovely to be able to choose between Iberian Stew, Cajun Chicken and Pulled Pork in a bun, with an interesting selection of starters and light lunches also. The triple-cooked chips were amazing - really crunchy with a choice of home-made dips. If I had a quibble, it was that the beer prices are steep - over £5 a pint. I stuck to lime soda, since it was midday, but was slightly disappointed that a drinks-only trip would be expensive. The food was also pricey, in comparison with Wetherspoons, but the whole point was that it was not normal pub food. I would put The Candlemakers into gastro pub territory, and therefore worth the roughly £10 per main course they were charging. All in all, a great eating experience, and I will definitely return.

This pub has recently acquired a new chef and was recommended to me as being a great place to eat. I was not disappointed. The atmosphere is really nice - I don't know what it's like in the evenings, as I was there for lunch, but the decor is pleasing, there's a good selection of areas to sit in, particularly as they have some nice outside covered area for smokers, and the staff are friendly and helpful. The menu is particularly eclectic, without the usual pub staples sourced from the freezer and cooked in the microwave. All the food served is fresh, and the meat all free-range, I believe. It was lovely to be able to choose between Iberian Stew, Cajun Chicken and Pulled Pork in a bun, with an interesting selection of starters and light lunches also. The triple-cooked chips were amazing - really crunchy with a choice of home-made dips. If I had a quibble, it was that the beer prices are steep - over £5 a pint. I stuck to lime soda, since it was midday, but was slightly disappointed that a drinks-only trip would be expensive. The food was also pricey, in comparison with Wetherspoons, but the whole point was that it was not normal pub food. I would put The Candlemakers into gastro pub territory, and therefore worth the roughly £10 per main course they were charging. All in all, a great eating experience, and I will definitely return.

The Candlemaker has a lot going for it 1) it's a 5 minute walk from my flat 2) the decor is really well done – I love the pictures and the 60's feel and the log burning fire 3) the bar staff are really friendly – less appealing is the food – the battered cod and chip was extremely greasy and gave me indigestion for what felt like a week and the clientele has fast become the posh, braying and Jack Wills wearing Northcote Road/Battersea Rise overspill, who have sought pastures new – but ignoring that, for a swift pint in nicely furnished pub it does the job. Just don't eat the fish.

The Candlemaker has quickly become my favourite pub in battersea since it opened last November! It's a great place to have a good time, especially the pub quiz on a Monday and DJs at the weekend which boasts a lively atmosphere, with the bar staff providing the fun element (they're not afraid of a shot or 2!). Equally if you want somewhere to chill on a Sunday with a delicious roast, log fire, ale and board game it's the perfect spot – this place is my top tip for this summer, I'll be sat in the outside garden soaking up the atmosphere!!