The Best Cafes in Balham, Greater London, United Kingdom (2025)

Every time I go into Parish Café is a lovely experience. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it a great spot to unwind from the busy outside world. The staff are friendly and attentive, and the food is fresh and tasty. There's a good variety on the menu for small place, whether you're looking for a meal or just a quick snack. It's a nice place to relax and somewhere that keeps on pulling you back!

It's a wonderful place to get some weekly revision done, with a warm and positive atmosphere. The food and drinks here are very satisfactory and I enjoy the hot chocolates very much. They are a very compassionate group of people who are very welcoming.

Every single time I come here, I am greeted with a warm smile and happy greeting. Not to mention the food and snacks are delicious and the facilities plus environment are clean and jovial. I love sitting down here to revise, drink hot chocolate and eat cake.

Wonderful place to go out on a cold or rainy day with your children. There is a play corner for them. You can really enjoy a drink by just keeping an eye on your busy playing children. Great place to catch up with other mums/ nannies during the opening hours. Very airy and bright café inside the church.

An interesting variety of beverages and cakes. Not tried the savoury offerings yet. Nicely decorated, friendly service. Spent a couple of pleasant hours here this afternoon and will be back when next in the area.

Very cute/cosy atmosphere. The sushi/bao/hotpot/EVERYTHING WAS STUNNING. Best sushi I've had in London, great value, brilliant service. The waitress also has a beautiful singing voice. Will be making this a regular spot, thanks guys!

Incredible café, best one in Balham by far. No waiting for a table, not expensive, best acia in London, authentic breakfast baos, amazingly friendly staff + speedy service

I love a bit a soft serve and theirs was velvety and carried a delicious flavour. The cone was also nice and robust.

Great delcious little on-the-go coffee spot! And they do soft serves🍦

Lovely coffee and always friendly service!

An offshoot of the Apple Blue from across the road, opened where 5000 Cars used to be. Great coffee and pastries but closes at 1:30pm because if lack od customers. Despite the sign still saying 5000 Cars, the Cafe is indeed called 175. But the green 5000 Cars sign does give it a retro feel and I hope they keep it that way.

Friendly staff and really good quality food. Generous portions and great coffee

I am very scared of traditional cafes as they always serve cheap ingredient greasy food. But this one hit the spot - thick bacon, good portions and fresh from the griddle. We were allowed to bring our dog inside too! Definitely recommend :)

Portions were really generous, and the food was cooked really well. Nice and simple menu, plenty of options, everything you want from you local cafe. They had a high chair for our little one and the staff are really friendly. Would definitely recommend, and we will be back soon. We had the sunrise breakfast and the cod and chips for brunch.

Very nice food, I would highly recommend this Cafe. The portion size was probably the best I've had not just in London but the South East. If your after a proper full English this is the spot. Thanks Legend

The owner was very welcoming, prices were reasonable and very tasty food !! Alternative milks are also available for coffees .

I can’t recommend Loulou Cafe enough! This charming coffee shop is a true hidden gem, perfectly blending a warm atmosphere with delightful offerings. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by a cozy vibe that makes you feel right at home. The decor is inviting, creating a wonderful space to relax and unwind. Let’s talk about the pastries—absolutely delicious! Each one is freshly made and bursting with flavour. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savoury, there’s something for everyone. They truly elevate the coffee shop experience, and I often find myself wanting to try everything on the menu. And speaking of coffee, the large lattes here are nothing short of amazing! Not only are they generously sized, but they’re also crafted to perfection. Each sip is a delightful combination of rich, smooth flavours that really hit the spot. It's the perfect accompaniment to those scrumptious pastries! The shop also features a lovely downstairs section, which adds to the overall charm. It’s a cozy nook where you can escape the hustle and bustle above, making it an ideal spot for catching up with friends or enjoying a quiet moment alone. What really sets Loulou Cafe apart is the outstanding customer service. The owner is incredibly friendly and welcoming, always ready to share a smile and a chat. Their passion for creating a great experience is evident, and it truly enhances the whole vibe of the place. You can tell that they genuinely care about their customers and take pride in their offerings. If you're looking for a cozy spot to enjoy quality coffee and pastries, Loulou Cafe is an absolute must-visit. I can’t wait to go back and try more from their fantastic menu! Highly recommend for anyone in search of a lovely coffee shop experience!

Lovely cafe with fresh pastries and the best coffee!! they have so much on the menu and the staff are lovely, the interior is also very clean and aesthetic.

Lovely staff. I’ve tried the coffee and sandwiches so far - both have been delicious.

The best coffee in Tooting and Balham by far. All made from a little coffee truck with the friendliest owner / barista. We've also started to buy the coffee beans from here as they're great. Would recommend the cinnamon buns too!

Really nice guy and good coffee ☕

I’ve drunk a lot of coffee in London and I would say this is definitely one of the top 5! The coffee was perfect temperature, excellent taste and the man who owns the place was so friendly and kind. Would 100% recommend.

One of the best tasting coffees I’ve had in a while!

Genuinely one of the best served coffee shops in the area, no miserable teenager who looks like they want you to die when you order a drink. The gent who served me offered to hold off making my friends drink as she had not yet arrived, made it promptly upon her arrival - sounds simple but small gestures like this is what good hospitality is all about. Wonderful coffee and atmosphere to boot, will return

BEST coffee in Balham (by far). Lovely little window that’s convenient to grab and go if you’re in a hurry to the train! PLUS: free ham for the doggos 🐶

The lovely man who has served me just now and the last time I came here needs a pay rise. I’ve never wanted to go back to a coffee shop more just for the service … he complimented every single person in the line in front of me with specific details and everyone left with a smile. The coffee is great too but I definitely came back just for the service .. what a guy! Long-ish hair, beard and thick beautiful brows! You got it sir 🙏🏼🙏🏼

BEST coffee in Balham & very best almond croissant I’ve had in London - and I’m an obsessive! Hopper add an almond moose to it which is absolutely mouthwatering, especially when they are lightly heated. Heaven. The staff & Antonio in particular were absolutely charming & there is a little window which they also serve through if you’re in a rush. Super convenient, friendly & delicious. A local gem.

Apple Blue is a firm favourite for brunch in Balham. The food is always delicious with lots of flavours and the portion sizes are decent. They serve great coffee and sweet treats too. You might have to queue to get a table but it’s worth it.

I have loved going here over the years. One of the best cafes in Balham. Great for meeting clients for a coffee as it's right next to the station and the food is SO GOOD. Whether you just want a tasty baked treat or a proper sit down meal, you won't be disappointed. And the staff are always so lovely - one time I spilled my drink everywhere right after I got it and they very kindly were so nice about it and got me a new one right away. The apple crumble french toast is INCREDIBLE. 10/10 local gem!

The Apple Blue in Balham is truly a gem! The service was incredibly helpful, and our order was taken swiftly. The food was absolutely delicious, making it the best place for brunch in Balham. We tried the shakshuka, which had a unique and delightful twist, and the Turkish eggs, which were perfectly prepared and bursting with flavor. Every bite was a treat, and the atmosphere added to the overall charm of the place. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a memorable brunch spot!

Great local brunch spot absolutely love the espresso eggs benny and pancakes. Staff are friendly and the service is great. It's definitely worth a visit if you are in the vicinity.

We been here for over 4 years, Service was ok, but it will be great if the staff welcome with a smile, food always amazing with the good quality of ingredients, coffee good as always, trendy decor, would like to recommend owner ventilation need work, after leaving you will smell of the food on your cloth.

Really special brunch spot! Went for a birthday brunch and the food and service delivered on making it a memorable occasion. The staff were attentive, service a good speed for how full it was and we didn’t wait too long for a table. The food was tasty, the espresso hollandaise took some getting used to, but definitely was something different. Pancake was amazing!

Really nice coffee - much better than Joe in the Juice, but lots of space to work and open late. The staff here were also really lovely and friendly. They then offered me free pastries at the end of the shift, but as I'm Coeliac and said I couldn't eat it, they went and found a gluten free flapjack anyway as they felt bad. Will definitely come back.

Consistency is the key here. The best chain coffee shop in London, by far. This one is like all the others. Good well trained baristas and nice evenly roasted coffee. Cappuccino is decent, certainly better than Starbucks etc., and the espresso is more or less a 9/10. Service always excellent. WiFi is free and a decent speed. Power points aplenty and comfortable interior so perfect for a bit of work. Highly recommended. @

I came here for the first time today and was very impressed, it has a very good and busy atmosphere (whilst still feeling relaxed), the coffee was great and a good selection of pastries. The staff are very nice and friendly too. I would definitely recommend!

The staff are amazing, always friendly. They remember your order before you get to desk to pay. The atmosphere is so cosy, a great place to study, meet friends and relax. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👍🏾👍🏾