Caminata

Victoria ( 30s, Female, United Kingdom )

My favourite local in Balham. Within weeks of moving into the area we knew all the staff – I've even left my house keys there for friends to collect with the gorgeous owner Ellie – a fabulous host, and it's the reason I often end up overdrawn every month.

It's open everyday (except Mondays) and we've gone in there on hungover Sundays for a lovely fry up, with amazing coffee and all the newspapers, cheeky cocktails after work on a Thursday and dined in there regularly. Part of the main attraction is you can just grab a table for beers and not dine and you still get the same great service and attention (although we often end up ordering at least a sharing a huge pizza sized brushcetta with parma ham)!

Lovely simple pastas and pizzas at very good prices along with other classic Italian mains, I love watching Nadko spin pizza dough in the main bar where they have their wood fire pizza kitchen (he was trained in Lake Garda). They have a small decking area which is perfect for people watching.

It has become nigh on impossible to pass Caminata with a friend or housemate without somebody raising their eyebrows… ‘Beer’? ‘Quick bite’? ‘Fancy Dinner’? ‘2 cocktails I promise’… They also do a selection of their great pizzas and pastas to takeaway for £6.

I've also seen private parties booking the whole venue and as an independent they can be totally flexible.

The constantly changing contemporary artwork on the walls lifts the decor, the loos are great and the staff are always pleased to see you. It's the first place I've truly felt like a local from Cheers. Love it.