Thanks to everyone who tweeted, emailed to tell us which places you love the most within Streatham. Having recently moved our Snoochie Boochie HQ to the area we immediately fell in love with its diversity, beautiful Victorian houses and exciting future with the re-generation. So in the first installment of our Spotlight on Streatham features we’re going to look at three key places which serve amazing food and bring a really friendly and relaxed vibe to the area.

SERENDIPITY

@serendipitySW16

https://www.facebook.com/www.serendipity.co.uk

Need a bit of old school glamour? Well opposite Streatham station is a little wonder of a tea room, cosy and elegantly decorated, Serendipity is run by the wonderful Jackqueline MacDonald who brings in home made cakes (including a lemon drizzle to die for!) and serves high quality tea and coffee. With room to sit outside on girly shabby chic metal chairs and tables, you can sip your tea from one of the many vintage style cups and saucers and take away one of the beautifully crafted gifts on sale on the back shelf. This really is boutique at its finest. Serendipity is an oddity within the hustle and bustle of Streatham High Road as it manages to pull in some sleek sophistication and sense of calm as the cars go whizzing by. If you also venture downstairs in this mini labyrinth, you’ll find an amazing cove of wonders. This little cubby hole houses hen parties and craft nights for those wanting to make anything from fascinators to burlesque nipple tassels! If you’re taking a stroll along the high street this place is the perfect stop off point for reflection on the beautiful weather… and perhaps the start of a new investment of quirky cafes and shops in the area.

THE HIDEAWAY

@hideaway_cafe

http://www.hideawaylive.co.uk

Voted venue of the year in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, The Hideaway has two sides to it. The first is the London jazz club that features a selection of Jazz, Funk, Swing and Soul, showcasing new talent, established artists and star performers. With a cosy purpose built staged venue at the back, its an elegant place to sit and be transported to a world of jazz music new and old. The second side is the fantastic bar and restaurant. Giving an indoor/outdoor café feature, you can sit on wooden benches inside and be surrounded by various vintage items for sale from the neighbouring Xanadu vintage shop a few doors down, or by the more modern black and white images of Jazz artists singing and playing a variety of instruments canvased across the walls. The menu is limited in a good way. The choice is something you would expect to see down the road from Ronnie Scotts in Soho and definitely brings an upmarket feel to the place. On a Saturday morning you can enjoy varying price ranges when it comes to breakfast, from a simple tea and toast to a more extravagant eggs benedict which will tug on your purse strings just that little bit more. Judging by the high volume of clientele on a breakfast run reading the papers on the roadside and enjoying the busy atmosphere that reflects some of the Jazz tunes playing inside this is one of the perfect places to start your weekend.

THE RAILWAY 

@therailwaySW16

http://www.therailwaysw16.co.uk

Now we have covered this wonderful pub before, but due to high demand (quite rightly) it deserves a second mention. You cant miss The Railway as you leave Streatham Common station, its directly in eye site with its baby blue colouring, vintage style lettering and welcoming wooden benches outside. Step inside and you will see Jenga, Guess Who and a whole host of board games which for us always spells out a good pub outing (particularly during the week!). The food is hearty and there are some great deals such as Fish and Chip Fridays where you can get two fish and chips for £20. The Railway’s burgers are also divine and served in a great gastro way with chunky chips, alioli all on a big wooden board. On a Tuesday night which is quiz night, the backroom fills to the rafters with eager quizzers scrambling to get a table for their team. Out the back is a beautiful space full of greenery, the odd quirky mirror and a great atmosphere. Finally every other Saturday, The Railway plays host to a small yet very refined Farmers Market, with fresh meat, baked goods and fruit and veg, this in itself is starting to turn the small parade of shops into a mini Primrose Hill and we love it!

So there you go, this is just a tiny selection of all the fantastic elements that Streatham has to offer, its no wonder that the overspill from Clapham and Balham is falling straight into the laps of Streatham, with houses being snapped up, the regeneration taking place and small upmarket businesses setting up shop in key areas, its no wonder Streatham is one to watch.

Have a great weekend!!