Chez Bruce

"When you think of a perfect date night restaurant, do you think of white tablecloths? Are there impeccably suited staff? Does a plate with ‘Happy Anniversary’ in chocolate calligraphy feature? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then Chez Bruce is the haute French restaurant of your dreams. The Balham institution is a go-to for so many. Look past the generous lobster raviolo, beyond the glistening chateaubriand, and you’ll see a low-lit dining room full of intense eye contact and gleaming rocks on fingers." - jake missing, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna, heidi lauth beasley

"Chez Bruce is one of the great restaurants located in South London, a place Michel Roux is fond of." - The MICHELIN Guide UK Editorial Team

"This old-school French classic in Balham is the type of place you might go to for a fidgety third date before finding yourself back there on your 50th anniversary. Chez Bruce is a certified mainstay, all white tablecloths and servers you want to adopt, plus the bread on arrival is some of the best you’ll find in London. If you’re able to keep your eyes off each other, the food—comforting and rich hare cavatelli, or a breathalyser-adverse rum baba—is reliably delicious, too." - rianne shlebak, jake missing, sinead cranna

"Going to Chez Bruce is a little like going back in time via Balham. There are twinkly, suited staff who serve you warm bread. There are couples holding hands across the crisp white tablecloths. There are baked alaskas served all over the humming dining room. You get the feeling that everyone could be discussing what to make of that hot young thing Julia Roberts, and that’s part of Chez Bruce’s great comfort. The menu is based on the foundation of classic French technique—there’s a lobster raviolo the size of a tennis ball on the menu. But also has some sometimes good, sometimes odd alternative flourishes: miso glaze, caponata, and the like. " - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, daisy meager, sinead cranna

"Restaurants offering a standard of cooking this high for over 20 years are few and far between, and the numerous regulars of this smart, friendly neighbourhood spot are a testament to its perennial popularity. The reasonably priced menu features traditional, carefully prepared dishes that showcase quality seasonal produce. The wine list is skilfully chosen and features some well-priced rare wines, with an interesting selection by the glass, while a corkage option allows guests to bring a bottle from their own cellar." - Michelin Inspector