Really great tasting authentic tapas. The lady who I assume runs the place was lovely and couldn't have been more accommodating. Definitely recommend the scallops in saffron but everything we've tried has been really good.

Nik, 13 Aug 2011. http://maps.google.co.uk

I have been to this place many times over the years and have never been disappointed with the food. You must especially try the calamari. Always friendly and accommodating, I shall keep returning.

Davey P, 9 Aug 2011. http://maps.google.co.uk

Good food, well priced, lovely staff. The older lady, I assume the owner, was very helpful and made some good recommendations when we were unsure what to order.

Darren, 19 Feb 2011. http://maps.google.co.uk

Lovely staff, very friendly. Fast service, great range of tapas, all our dishes were excellent.

Richard Libscombe, 17 July 2011. Toptable.com

Great Tapas. Great atmosphere

Spent Friday night (July '11) at the Lounge in Balham. Really had a good night and were well looked after by the staff. We all shared a mixture of dishes but I loved the white bait and the calamari. I'd recommend to anyone who wants great spanish food and a relaxed friendly atmosphere.

Hidden gem in Balham that we have been going to for years. Food, drink and service are all excellent, with a varied menu offering all the tapas favourites. Good buzzy atmosphere. Suitable for mid week bite and for weekend dinners with friends.

Chris Edwards, 19 June 2011. Toptable.com

I'm in @theloungebalham having Tapas - 2nd time here & the best Tapas in miles @DhruvBaker1 @SteveGrovesChef you've got to try it

@Lexi_P, 5 Aug 2011. Twitter.com/theloungebalham

Words cannot describe how much I love @theloungebalham

@Helen_Henry, 23 July 2011.Twitter.com/theloungebalham

My favourite places to eat in Balham @theloungebalham @SamsBrasserie @Bertie_and_Boo

@sarahberman, 8 July 2011. Twitter.com/theloungebalham

@theloungebalham Thanks for a lovely evening last night! We really enjoyed ourselves and the food and service was gorgeous as per usual

@ellieperkin, 3 July 2011. Twitter.com/theloungebalham

@theloungebalham fabulous food and hospitality once again! This restaurant really is a #Balham gem! We love it!

@neighbourhoot, 24 June 2011.Twitter.com/theloungebalham

The Lounge is a delicious tapas bar that makes you feel like you're hanging out in Andalucia rather than South London! There's so much choice on the menu and it all sounds delicious. The servings are quite small, but that's good for tapas as it allows you to fit more variety in and what you do get is good quality, freshly made, authentic Spanish food. The service is good and they do a decent range of drinks to help the whole evening along. I was really very impressed and think this is probably the best tapas I''ve eaten in this country. Well worth checking out!

Delicious, fresh tapas made and served by the owners in a friendly neighbourhood restaurant. I have brought friends, family, colleagues and clients to The Lounge to rave reviews. It’s still my favourite venue for  a meal for two – outstanding.

Frank Dobson

I celebrated my 30th birthday at Lounge. They were able to accommodate my party of 40 by letting us have the whole top floor. I've been here before for parties and so had no hesitation booking it for my birthday as I knew how wonderful the service was. Philippe and Manuela, the lovely owners are so welcoming and hospitable. You can tell they genuinely enjoy what they do and they are very relaxed and friendly, while doing a great job of serving up delicious food for a large group very efficiently. They do set menus, so you can avoid the painful bill splitting at the end as well. Would definitely recommend. Great taste of Spain in Balham

Laura James

Found this place two weekends ago by mistake. Was looking for a quick bite after a few drinks. The decor is very simple, old wooden tables and chairs, but with a plasma screen?? The waitress and staff are all very friendly. The menu is divided into four different types of Tapas, meat, veggie, fish and Other. The wine list is very reasonable and the rioja by the glass is great. However the food is where it really scores. Great value for money and the food is delicious. If your looking for somewhere posh and fancy this is not the place, but if its good value for money, tasty food with a nice glass of wine for under £30 for two, this is the place.

Haggis

Well...I tried this place for myself. We had a fantastic evening. Very Spanish...Manuela the owner is the hostess with the mostess. You alomst want to order in Spanish this place is so authentic. The place is very popular so booking is necessary at the weekend. Then out comes the chef: Phillip, husband of Manuela who personally cooks all orders - this is fresh food, freshly cooked. If you want to have a fun evening entering into the spirit then I'd recomend the Lounge all the time.

John Walker

I thought that I'd discovered most of the local eateries in Balham, but noticed this one on the London Restaurant Review. It had some really great reviews, and deservedly so. Just the other side of the trainline, so slightly off the main high street, this is a real gem.

It seems as though it's owned a husband and wife - I imagine he must be in the kitchen? I did feel slightly sorry for the wife though as she was left to take the orders, serve the food and drinks for the whole restaurant (which was pretty full). OK, so we did have to wait quite a while for our food, and the service generally wasn't the speediest, but it didn't really seem to matter. The lady was lovely, and really apologetic (and slightly bemused by how busy the restaurant was). The atmosphere is great, maybe it was just the sunshine outside, but I did feel like I was in a little Spanish tapas bar.

The food. So I seem to be the person that always drastically over-orders whenever I go out for tapas (yet somehow the food always goes?!). My friend and I shared: patatas bravas (lovely spicy sauce), king prawns in garlic and chilli (delicious), calamari, chicken wings, and chorizo. The food was all good.

I will definitely be back, with my boyfriend in tow, as he never likes to miss out on finding a new venue...

Penny