Metro Garden Restaurant and Bar

This place is an amazing oasis in clapham common’s otherwise crowded metropolis.
On a sunny day, there’s nowhere to be but this garden.
The staff could not be any more helpful or attentive.
5 stars

I think the Metro is one of Clapham’s little gems. It’s eclectic, friendly and seems to have a lot of repeat locals upon my observations. This was our second time here and the first was over a year ago. Why the wait to return, good question and one I can’t answer. The food was great and I happened to order the same main I did the first visit which I recalled after having the first bite. I’d say that’s great consistency when a dish like Pumpkin Ravioli rocks up a memory of the last time being over a year prior. The service is quite friendly, almost the kind where you can see them as drinking mates. We did experience 2 minor things that were a wee bit unfavourable. I booked last minute and used the reserve a table feature on my Unilocal app. Handy yes, and the way I prefer most of the time. When we arrived I explained our last minute reservation and was told by the bartender: ‘that was a mistake’ but a very kind and gregarious lady appeared from around the corner and took charge. She asked my name and immediately said ‘I have a table for you right here.’ Now that folks is how you commandeer a situation and avoid anything from becoming awkward. I appreciated the way she covered for her colleague’s response so 5 stars for this lady who also acted as our server too. Oh so the second thing, my partner’s wine glass had something crusty inside. The server took it back to the bar and then the bartender delivered our 2 wines. As we dined on some starters from the Specials menu (a yummy squid salad with spicy chilies and a grilled asparagus with poached egg) my partner’s red wine glass revealed yet another or perhaps same crusty inside. In all fairness maybe this was a coincidence so I’ll leave that alone.
I’ll certainly go back to Metro and experience more of their menu as well as raise a glass (umm clean one I hope) to cheers another good dining experience y’all.

Only popped in for drinks but a really good atmosphere and friendly service. Will definitely be going back for food at some point.

Very nice place, agree with previous reviewer that frontage does not do justice to the inside: a couple of unset plain clothed tables outside are not enticing, but once through the doors, very cosy, warm, friendly and welcoming. A bit like the tardis, it’s bigger than you think with an extension out the back, decorated with pretty lighting and dark contrasts. Service excellent, helpful and quick, especially if you’re off somewhere else and don’t want to hang around too long but want a pleasant time to start the evening off. Food excellent, good range of wines with beers as well for the gluggers like me. They have a wine club on Wednesdays, to get sozzled in the correct way. Excellent.

Metro is pretty good. The menu isn’t ground breaking, and sometimes a bit boring, but the service has always been fantastic. Last time I went there they had a roast chicken dish which was delicious. It’s a safe bet but they could change the menu a bit more and provide a bit more choice. I really like the outdoor eating space, and the environment is pretty romantic. If I could I would give it 3.5 stars.

i am SHOCKED that this place is only 3 stars. i had the best experience here last night.
first, i have never dined in a more beautiful garden setting. they have these big fluffy cushioned benches with all these pillows and it’s just so cute. definitely more on the romantic side but i would happily go here with girlfriends for a nice meal. i can’t wait to go for brunch!
second, the service was fantastic. the people must own the place or something because you could tell they actually cared about whether or not you were enjoying yourself and your meal.
third, the food! started with the scallops for me and the asparagus brioche for him and then the lamb and the seabass. i did not leave a single morsel of the seabass on my plate.
i absolutely can not wait to go back here and take friends. what a great spot i had no idea existed in the heart of clapham.

Decent menu (big ups for pork belly), cute patio seating in the back. That’s the only thing keeping this from a 2-​star review.
Everything else about this place though is thoroughly blasé. Meh. *Yawn*

Went here for dinner yesterday and was distinctly unimpressed. The garlic bread didn’t arrive until the mains were there, was cold and very thickly caked in parmesan. My tagliatelle was soggy and probably reheated in a microwave. The green beans were tough enough to exercise the jaws, impressive considering they were excessively boiled and the spinach was pathetically old and sad-​looking. Popeye would have preferred to eat his tobacco.
The place is smartly done, with vines growing around the roof over their garden but it manages to be much louder than you expect. While I’m whingeing, it would be nice if the staff even pretended to care about you. They say all the right things but their minds are clearly elsewhere. Overall, I don’t see any particular reason to go back

There is nothing spectacular or truly offensive about the food. It’s decent inexpensive grub that lack sophistication and in some cases taste. Several of the dishes we tried were quite bland. And although the goat’s cheese on my salad was good, the salad greens themselves looked a little sorry for themselves – I couldn’t quite tell if the greens were just old or if they had been soaking in salad dressing for a bit too long. But I guess you get what you pay for. I’m not sure I would really recommend a full dinner here. Drinks and some appetizers might do. I can however recommend the cheesy bread – it’s understated, fresh and really quite delicious.
What the food lacks, the atmosphere makes up for. Although rustic it is quite romantic. The glassed in terrace with climbing vines, mirrors and candle light transports you to a small village somewhere on the continent… especially on blazing hot days.

This place is best kept for treats and it suits them well. I’ve had a valentines day here, a celebratory end-​of-​exams champagne and a birthday. The food is, in my opinon, some of the best in the area and the ambience is perfect for a special occasion. It’s dimly lit, darkly decorated and the area out back is charmingly romantic. The menu changes regularly but I would always recommend a risotto. It’s not as cheap as its neighbours but worth the extra pounds for a special night. The area at the front is also good for a quiet drink, perhaps even a first date.

I love little Metro. It’s a smart, stylish bar come café, which is especially delightful in summer because of the conservatory/​garden area at the back. Opens relatively late for brunch, with full english and vegetarian breakfasts, eggs florentine, fresh juice etc.
Get a big tall jug of Pimms in the summer, with all the trimmings. Expect to pay Clapham prices, but it’s so lovely here it’s worth while. A great place to take a date too, because it’s different enough to leave a good impression.