Basil & Grape Croydon

Let’s face it. Croydon doesn’t exactly have a reputation as a culinary hub. Yes, there are signs on South End which read ‘restaurant quarter’ but I’m yet to see michelin hand out any stars in the area. Everyone who lives here nearly died when Boxpark opened and then nearly died again when 5 Guys opened because we are starved of quality options in this neck of the woods. A pleasing new addition to the area Basil & Grape – an Italian wine and antipasto bar is also worth nearly dying over, marking perhaps a beginning of a sea change for the area or a trip to the hospital because you nearly died.

Basil & Grape is, as their name would suggest, focussed on wine. It’s cosy and friendly and much more accommodating of children than it may appear from the outside which is why they invited me down to test drive their restaurant. Worth noting that there are a few stairs that you have to carry a buggy up to get inside. They do gargantuan platters of antipasto and chichetti and it is all top notch. Max stuck with bread and tiramisu on this occasion but next time I’m going to try and sneak in an olive.

What’s good? The meat, the cheese, the wine. Duh.

Kid friendly? Absolutely, these guys are smart, they know Croydon is full of families and the parents in those families really need a glass of wine.

✓baby change facilities

✓highchairs available

✓cool with breastfeeding

✓loads of other parents

✓space for buggies

✗children’s menu

✗toys/play area

Rating ????

 

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