Gastro in Lambeth

Just heard this place will be closing down thankfully. Very unclean food not great.. Service slow... Think the staff are on drugs..really badly run establishment. Shame as it in a nice area. Hopefully new owner makes well with this old unique place!

Me encantaba, pero el sábado por la noche, mientras que el servicio amable, era muy lento sin atención al detalle. 'podría tengo la lista de vino/agua/mostaza? '3 veces antes de que lo conseguí, etc.

Fuimos allí para un bocadillo rápido. Las camareras eran absolutamente encantador y amable, incluso ofreciendo agua a mi perrito. Pedimos sandwiches de bacon y un capuchino y todo era fresco y sabroso. El lugar está limpio y el servicio es rápido. (Ya era hora de almuerzo)

Fuimos allí para el almuerzo porque recientemente buenas experiencias en el pasado, pero fue un poco extraño este tiempo. Preferimos "dentro", donde hay ambientes agradables en las habitaciones diferentes, pero nos mostraron una mesa justo al lado de la puerta. Quizás las otras áreas eran "cerrado", pero no entregó ninguna explicación.

Normalmente muy buena, especialmente para un almuerzo rápido pero hoy era pobre. Terrina de conejo fue principalmente de zanahoria en aspic y la salchicha de Toulouse (o el probado saturado en grasas era cocinado! ). Ambiente agradable y un personal amable, como siempre, así que esperamos no disuaría de volver.

Fuimos aquí esta noche con algunos de los familiares (dos adolescentes). Excelente y un ambiente relajado y muy cordial bienvenida. Buena comida bistro - honesto mejor empezar probablemente el ravioli y el foie gras, pero los platos principales fueron excelentes. Vieiras, pato confitado o cote de boeuf eran realmente genial. Los budines también bueno. Una excelente relación calidad-precio Chateau Neuf de Pape (igualmente en el momento en que el más caro Claret es una gran opción) era muy buena relación calidad-precio. Este es sencillamente un auténtico bistro, donde podrá relajarse y disfrutar de la buena comida y bebida en un ambiente muy agradable, con un personal encantador. Sencillo, sin pretensiones y sabroso - ¿qué más necesitas. Gracias Gastro!

Accueil chaleureux et très joli décor qui nous rappelle plein de jolis souvenirs. La carte nous met tout de suite l'eau à la bouche.. foie gras, aïoli, escargots, parmentier de canard, ravioles gratinées, fromages...tout y est pour passer une excellente soirée dans une ambiance chaleureuse. Je vous recommande vivement cet endroit !

He leído un montón de críticas negativas de Gastro y me parece extraño. . . . He estado 6 veces en ella sobre el año pasado y cada vez la comida y el servicio han sido muy buenos. El personal es eficiente y discreto, la comida es reconfortante y a un precio razonable, ravioles gratinado. . . Impresionante si estás en una fecha o con amigos, es un lugar bonito para desconectar o impresionar! ! ! Gracias se ver una gastronomía mucho más de usted. . . . .

Vinimos el último sábado por la mañana en el restaurante, había un montón de pueblos y el personal no es suficiente, pero el servicio siempre amable bienvenida y bueno.

Terrible service. The place is a mess. We had to ask the staff to clean the table. Afterwards they took the drink orders and a nice 15 mins later we got the two coffee and a tea without milk or sugar. when they served the breakfast unfortunately they forgot the side orders and when we pointed out the waiter said ahh yes we have run out of one item and the rest will come and he laughed. when we finished and asked for the bill few of the missing items like toast and jam arrived. we got the bill and everything been charged plus the service charge as well. of course we asked to take down those items and tge bill became ligther by £15. shocked and very disappointed.

Very disappointing. A Saturday morning breakfast to potentially a great start to the day. Dirty tables, only cleaned on request and left wet. Order taken only to find items were not available and they couldn't even have the decency to let us know. Coffee in tiny cups after being told it's a large latté. And then after complaining, they had the cheek to add a 20% service charge and billed us for items we didn't have. A truly disappointing start to the day. I know it's a busy place but these people have no idea what good customer service is. Left hungry and disappointed. Won't go again. Such a shame as this place gives independent restaurants a bad name.

Gastro is a lovely little spot in Clapham not only is the food lovely but the staff are very attentive and welcoming. I was very impressed by the charming young man who i believe was called Harry. He attended to all our needs and had an infectious smile. Keep up the good work. This place is great and very reasonable (I recommend the Mussels!) and see you soon.

The staff are very tentative and friendly. They make a great cafe latte to my specific requirements.

Having lived in the Clapham area for 28 years I regard Gastro as a local institution ... genuine / cosy / consistent high standards / welcoming / atmospheric / great value. I have been enjoying Gastro for over two decades and although I am loathe to see you all come and occupy space there it seems unfair not to sing it's praises. Enjoy

This is very much a French bistro. Had an excellent seafood soup. Even the baguette and butter is what you would expect from a decent French establishment. The interior is dark but very atmospheric. It has been going 20 years and you feel they have a very solid identity a sense what good cuisine is.

Whichever meal you decide to have here it should be good. It's always a little random, and this place has its quirks but that is half the fun for me. Mon-Fri lunch express menu option is superb value (check times on menu) - 2 courses £10 - So refreshing to see an original indy cafe/restaurant not demolished and turned into a chain where everything whatever city or country you may be in is the same!

I do not normally have the time to review the restaurants that we visit, but seeing the "staff are so rude" review at the top of the page when I went online to get the Gastro telephone number I felt that the lovely little French restaurant (opposite the Clapham Picturehouse cinema) was being badly treated. The staff are friendly and the food almost always very good. I like the atmosphere and the camaraderie amongst the staff.We have never had an unpleasant evening there and Saturday August 27 2016 was no exception. I do hope this helps to offset the "rude" review and that people will continue to enjoy a touch of France in Clapham.

I go here all the time for drinks with friends. Fantastic wine menu and really lovely atmosphere. A favourite place of mine. I haven't sampled the food yet but it always looks and smells amazing! The staff here are lovely too.

The staff here are rude beyond belief. We walked in past 3 empty tables at the front and the waitress led us through to the back part of the restaurant which was dark and dingey. We asked to sit at the front and she just said no, they were all reserved (the place was empty). I said we preferred the front section and she shrugged! So we sat at the back, the service was slow with a side order of rude French truculence. The staff act as though they are doing you a favour by allowing you to be there. The food was ok but this was not a pleasant experience. Won't be returning.

Amazing food, one of the best steaks I ever had! Desserts are mind blowing as well. Friendly and smiley staff ! Coming back again

Visited Gastro with a friend as I pass it almost every week and it always seems to be full. We enjoyed a delightful meat board and excellent wine for lunch and the service was very attentive. I'm thrilled I live in the area. I can't wait to return!

Clapham has always had a split personality - upper middle classes having to rub shoulders with real people - but the result is an eclectic accumulation of eateries which cater for most tastes and budgets. The influx of new money in the form of the last 15 -20 years of additional gentrification has caused a steady improvement in the range and quality of restaurants. The Gastro is a real find. Despite the absence of a local French community, this restaurant has the idiosyncrasies of a small-town establishment in France. It lacks the Gauloise fug, but the ambiance is intriguing, with the occasional, soft conversations in the background amongst the seemingly naturally French-speaking service staff. The variety of dishes on the menu feels good quality provincial rather than haute cuisine, and anything can be chosen as a sampler of what a good French cook can do with typical French ingredients.On our first visit I opted for their take on an 'all day breakfast', but it had, for example, Toulouse sausage instead of a British Banger. Everything nicely cooked, tasting really fresh. Delightful.Second visit we had more time and indulged in wholly French dishes. Portions looked slightly small but were well presented and were actually perfectly satisfying. The wine list was an education in terms of the variety that a wine list CAN offer if some thought is put into it's creation. The educated palate would find balanced companions to the chosen dishes, whilst beginners could have a great time trying a bottle or two for the first time.Beers not really figuring in the list but two artisan 'cidres' were a great find.I guess that clientele with a smattering of French would have an even more authentic experience chatting to the staff.Will definitely go back.

So here's the thing... I cannot get enough of this place. I first ate here at the tender age of 16 with an old school friend and they serve what are, in my humble opinion, the best mussels this side of the channel.That’s a bold statement but if you read some of my other reviews you’ll see that I consider myself well placed to make it!What I love about this place is exactly the reasons so many people dislike it. I love that it is slightly shabby-chic (but heck that’s fashionable these days), I love that some of the waiters are a little impatient. It all adds up to what I think is a really authentic French experience on our doorstep. The first time I came here it reminded me of a Parisian side-street bistro from the stools to the glasses! Brilliant! Who cares about plates for bread?! It’s really not important. What is important is good wholesome food that fills you up and makes you happy. And that dear reader is where for me this establishment wins every. Single. Time! I have never had a bad evening in here. The closest it has come was disappointment. That though was only because, having gone on and on and on to my mother (another mussel addict) about how good it was, we booked for a birthday meal and there were no mussels, nothing else! We still stayed and had a wonderful meal (Duck… mmmmm!!). And as for the service… ok I described it as impatient above but frankly that is doing them a disservice because I have never really experienced that when it gets down to the table by table service. They are always good humoured and happy to ensure all diners are catered for properly (which with a dairy allergic partner is no mean feat with French cuisine!!).So here I am having been here with my girlfriend and three friends for the umpteenth time and once again we enjoyed very laugh, every morsel, every sip. An exceedingly generous and flavoursome cold meat starter, perfect blue bavette steak (recommended by our waiter) which melted in the mouth (with crispy salty frites), excellent mussels as always, and washed down with a cracking red. I even found room for a dessert for the first time (mmmmm chocolate!).So there you go. I’ve been eating here for over 16 years and it remains one of my favourite go to restaurants for a terrific night out whether it be family, friends, or a romantic evening… go here! Vous allez l'adorer!

We popped over after the cinema to have a drink in the sun. When the waiter came over I asked what dry rose ...he near enough threw the menu on the table abd said "its all on there" when he came over I asked for a bottle and pointed to one the menu and asked if we could have that one and if it was dry?..he walked back i into he muttered yes ..for the 3rd time...we all looked at each other in disbelief then promptly left....have wanted to try tjis restaurant for ages....well I won't be going back!

This French-style restaurant is excellent. French not only in the style of food but in the type of décor inside and we thought it was super.We chose from the main menu, although they do a lunchtime special menu as well, and there was plenty of choice. We both had a dish with a French name that was basically steak and chips with a salad and optional sauce. Each of us had very tasty meals and the sauces were not drowning the steaks but were served in small ramekin dishes. Starters were also smashing and the wine list was very acceptable.The restaurant has tables outside and it was fairly busy. We were inside and there was a good atmosphere especially when those sat outside had to come in out of the heavy rain.Very enjoyable.

Gastro is not a good reflection of Clapham. Service has always been slow but until now never rude! Sitting outside at a table by the wall a member of staff moved my table and hand gestured for me to move my chair to be directly behind it, even though I wasn't obstructing walkways or other customers and no one was sitting around me. I shuffled my chair twice and he continued to hand gesture. No please, thankyou or explanations. I got a bit embarrassed after the 3rd shuffle and don't have a lot of mobility at the moment so I asked if he was serious and he folded his arms and said 'Yes ' waiting for me to move again. Strangely he is the manager and speaks perfect English. Morning coffee after dropping kids at school or before work is no longer an option for me luckily there's plenty of other polite local independents to choose from in Clapham.

Latest visit to Gastro was as enjoyable as all the ones before. Convivial, friendly staff, excellent cote de boeuf and reasonable prices. Will undoubtedly be going back, again.

This restaurant was recommended by the owner of the B&B we stayed at. It is a neighborhood restaurant and we immediately liked it the ambiance. We had shrimp appetizer, onion soup and goat cheese salad. Everything was delicious. For the main course, I had the whole seabass while my spouse had pork. Both we good. They were out of my first choice of duck that day. The wine came highly recommended by the waitress but it was just okay to us. Overall, we had a nice meal and it was reasonable priced. Wish we had a French restaurant like this in our town.

As a French person living in london it is always hard to find a French restaurant that captures the beautiful and simple French food, the old atmosphere of a bistro without being £20 the meal. This restaurant has it all; it might become our favourite place in london.

Have been a few times now and love the staff, really like the French feel of the place and it's great value. Really good bistro food. Recommend.

Right opposite Clapham Picturehouse we discovered this excellent restaurant offering 2 courses for £9.95 from 12 to 6. We had mullet and duck then chose Selection of 3 desserts and coffee. With a beer and service included £20 each for 3 excellent courses. We will go again. It's a bit shabby but don't let that put you off!

We went for a Saturday brunch and the gastro special and omelette were delicious! Great atmosphere and value for money brunch! Will be back!

My partner and I and his nieces ate here on a Sunday evening. The food was wonderful, in fact I could exist on the Butternut Soup! Absolutely delicious. The staff were attentive but never intrusive, and very helpful when it came to making our choices. The menu and wine list were varied and very reasonably priced.The restaurant has a very cosy feel and I loved the fact that we could chat without intrusive music. Very happy to recommend.

Quaint quiet gastro restaurant off the main road opposite a cinema which serves good honest hearty food and really great wines served by nice friendly staff.When we were there, their were even famous actors in who had been in ' The Wolf of Wall Street '.It's nice to find a place where you can actually have a meal and hear what everyone is saying

On a damp and dark Thursday in January, we dropped into Gastro. It wasn't that busy, but it had a good vibe to it. That was probably due to the fact that there was a French couple to both sides of our table. A good sign. Indeed, listening to the fluid French and their regular trips outside to smoke, it felt like we were in a bistro in the heart of Paris. So, what about the food. Not an extensive menu but exceedingly French and all the better for that. Rillettes to start with, and we asked for, and got, extra gherkins ( you always need more gherkins!). Wonderful prawns in garlic, with a side of comforting Dauphinoise potatoes followed, well, it is winter, time to fuel-up ( well, thats my excuse and I am sticking to it!) It feels French, without overdoing it and on a cold dark Thursday, it was a ray of light! Tres bon.

We were able to get a table on a Saturday night. The only beer that the restaurant had left was Kronenbourg (2.90 for a 275ml bottle...). £19 got me a perfectly serviceable, but entirely bland sirloin steak. Other than chips, no accompaniments barring a few leaves and a tiny portion of pepper sauce. Service was poor, nobody checked how our food was, we struggled to get hold of the bill, and to add insult to injury, the restaurant doesn't take American Express. This doesn't bother me when I'm in a KFC or Subway, but when you're in a restaurant charging premium prices, you should be able to pay with the major credit and debit card of your choice (as the vast majority of restaurants do in this day and age). The 'justification' for this policy was the fee Amxeerican Express charges, which anybody who has actually checked will know is in line with Visa and Mastercard, and simply portrayed differently!

The atmosphere is small, intimate, and quaint. The food is standard French fare and done well.So if you are not looking for anything fancy or complicated, this is a place that won't disappoint.They serve oysters from France. The typical ones like fine de claire, marenne, and belon. Can't comment on the taste as I didn't try. But for sure next time.

6 of us went for dinner. Out of all the meals only the escargort entrée was any good. All the main meals were average. The sauce au poire for the steaks was a poor effort for a sauce. French it certainly was not ! Its ok for an average experience.

Tables were very small and basic. Seats uncomfortable. We were squashed and we were not fat or tall. Snails had more butter than seasoning. Steak was raw despite ordering medium. Had to send back. Duck was great. Salad awful. Lettuce only with tomato and onion. No dressing. Tomato not fresh and cut hours before and kept in the fridge. Orderred desserts. After 10 minutes a waiter said that they don't have it. Coffee was too strong and milk did not remind milk. Service very slow. Never again.

Like being in a Paris back street. Shabby in a nice way and welcoming environment. Simple menu delivers. I recommend the black pudding starter and the roasted monkfish main. House red is fine so no need to go elsewhere. Service is sharp and polite and the chef is certainly up to the job. Great for lunch or dinner and there is a massive table for group meals.

I really like Gastro. I like that the waiters and waitresses are all French, that you'll wait forever to get your coffee and you'll complain about it and the breakfast is good. Some people hate Gastro because they find the service bad, but I just think it's truly authentic. I used to come here all the time for breakfast on a Sunday morning.

Eaten here a few times. Not as good as once was. I enjoy the general atmosphere. The service is slightly below average.In terms of food I only order the croque madam which is good (I never try anything new lol). I would say it's maybe worth a try but I understand that it wouldn't be to everyone's liking.

went with friends for a meal before a movie. We only intended to have a quick main and a bottle of wine before the movie. Noting that I have been to this restaurant several times and it was fine - usually good value for money. This time must have been one of the worst experiences possible. From struggling to get a table (even though we'd booked) to having 2 of the 4 mains having cold mash potato as their sides. One main (pictured was pork fillet, 3 stingy pieces that were overcooked atop a pile of cold mash. my friend had the sea bass with a side of fennel mash, that was also cold. the two that had steak were bearable. Notably there were no chicken at all on the menu, quite bizarre. I re-iterate, this never used to be the case with this restaurant, but we shan't be going back with that level of food.

Great eggs benedict and good house wine. Service up to par. Nice atmosphere and cosy venue. Worth it for a quick breakfast or lunch.

Great Croque Madame and good coffee. I generally have a waiter I can speak French with but not always. I love to come here for breakfast (when I can get a table, especially outdoors on the gorgeous Venn Street) but dinner time the menu had a lot of stuff missing, including some of the seasonal specials which they had not ordered in in time. Good wine but less than superb food, which is a shame because I love the decor and the lovely staff : )

We had a nice meal but the foos was just a little average. The staff were really nice and the place itself has not changed for years (I would hate to see it in daylight with the lights on) but the food was just not well presented.We had four starters and three were OK and the onion soup was not good. The mains I had fish and it was just a well good fish when asked if there was anything with it we were told no, which was fine and then something turned up a little later as a surprise.I will give it another chance but the food will have to be better for another time after that. I just like the atmosphere of the place.

Had I been in France paying €10-20 for a 3 course meal with wine for lunch it would've been good. But a £70 bill for 2 way below average course is way too much. All the food was cold (on cold plates) and service was poor. I would recommend avoiding.

Terrible service - slow and inefficient. And be careful with the bill - they are slow and forget to bring food but it is still on the bill when you tell them not to bother as you have waited long enough. There are plenty of other places in the area so give this a miss.

It seems that folk are enjoying their evening meals at this restaurant, we went for breakfast, service was slow, quality poor. The shabby chic French decor seemed more like scruffy and dirty on this occasion. Disappointing.

I visited here a couple of weeks ago with a friend and could not have been more pleasantly surprised. The wine was superb. .the waiter so charmingly French..the food was exquisite! We had the cod and fresh vegetables. .swimming in butter. Just could NOT have been any better. Eating at the little table on the sidewalk was so romantic. Will definitely return as well as recommend to friends OR strangers! !Teresa WindmillerGrove City, Ohio

My wife and I really enjoy the location and setup of this French Bistro and have visited a few times. Last night we both had the duck special as the fish dishes were almost all sold out. The duck did not come with the advertises salad and tomato base sauce but rather came a bit greasy with loads of dry roast potatoes. Beans arrived 15 minutes after food. Such a shame as could be a real nice gem.

I have enjoyed several meals here. They have a lovely cheese and wine menu.Great service here, very friendly and accomodating. I love the atmosphere of the restaraunt. This is one of my favourites.

I have been to Gastro a few times and have always been impressed with the delicious food and great atmosphere. The staff are friendly and welcoming and their are good choices for vegetarians.

Sitting outside on a sunny evening, you really do feel as though you're in Paris rather than London. Order yourself a bottle of wine and indulge in some classic French cooking whilst watching the world go by on Venn Street. Perfect for a lazy summer eve.

My record label & I moved to Clapham last October and discovered the hidden gem that is Gastro. It feels like a slice of France, decedent gorgeousness! The owners are so charismatic and fun, the management and staff are incredibly friendly and charming. If you want a sterile chain restaurant like everything else in Clapham then don't go to Gastro! Gastro is for those who love food and coffee and breakfasts and wine and something of the Amelie transported to London. The meats and fish are fresh and brought in by the butcher past my table most mornings. The pastries and coffee is where my team and I have "Revolution meetings" most days, in fact throughout the day me and my office will pop into gastro for brunch or lunch or supper and it is not unusual for us to have all three seated inside the decadent romance of the little Parisian tables and chairs, or outside on trendy little Venn street. I have literally no complaints and maybe a tiny love affair with the beautiful buzzy atmosphere. If you want a burger joint you will find them everywhere in Clapham common, but if you want a spot for a love affair or a cool meeting place or to start writing the beginning to your book while you eat sumptuous food then i recommend you go to Gastro...the quirkiest coolest restaurant and cafe I've ever been to in the London! In fact right now I'm in the south of France and missing Gastro and all its personality! Can't recommend this little gem enough! Enjoy x

Never have I ever found a lovelier french restaurant. Everything is perfect. The atmosphere is old style Paris, but with much better service, and the restaurant is beautiful.Oh and the food is divine, and served till late. I'd recommend for dates, coffee, breakfast, wine-lovers, those wishing to save on a Eurostar fee! gros bisous!

Gastro is a great little bistro. The food is typically french and not bad value for money...especially the wine, which offers a good selection. The main dining area is nice, but walk past the empty and slight stagnant looking lobster tank and the back room needs a coat of paint and a general touch-up. Shame because the back (actually it is a side room) is a great place for a quiet, dare at say romantic eating experience. I like Gastro, I will go back to Gastro but the management need to inject a little va va voom ....the staff are great but there is something lacking that you cannot put your finger on...try it and see...

Just came back to Gastro after 7 years working aboard. what happen to that fantastic place!!?? where you would always wanted if not craving to come back.Beurkk..Really poor food and no more atmosphere, you use to be greated by the boss i remember and is was just fun all the way to the bill..$$But I just heard from a friend that THE nice and funny boss move away and sold the place to who knowns?? I don't, but please sir wake up!! The place need to be booming again. It's a cry for help..We use to love Gastro...No more!!

I have lived in Clapham for two decades, the first of which I thought Gastro was an expensive fish restaurant. Then, one day ten years ago I walked past and a well-dressed lady was sitting in the window with her small dog eating a pain-au-chocolat! I grabbed my partner and dog and walked into my nirvana. It's shabby-chic, French-rustique, and definitely mayonnaise with "NO-KETCHUP" being the only rule as chalked up on the board! I love this place - at least once a week, every week, and often two or three times a week for the last ten years we have headed here to see Clapham locals and newcomers sample everything from the herb-y French Gastro breakfast menu (BLT baguette is my favourite), to the best fish soup, charcuterie boards or simple steak & frites. There is a daily fixe prix menu with two courses for £9.95 and is good but simplicity is the buzzword at Gastro and sitting in the sun on the Venn Street terraces or tucked into a wooden booth surrounded by authentic antique French signs and posters are equally delightful and my faithful friend Rico always lays at my feet happy to be in the familiar place where he is welcome with a bowl of water, a smile from familiar staff and a strip of bacon from my BLT! There are too many places that don't get it 'right' and I don't know what Gastro do that makes it so 'right' - it may not be everyone's cup of coffee as it's the polar opposite of nearby Starbucks - but it has taken me ten years to get round to writing a review for the favourite place I visit so often. Put that down to it being an integral part of my weekend routine!

Not many places, it doubles in the summer with a terrace. In the lovely Venn Street, the owners are French and the food is uncomplicated French bistro food, tasty and pleasing, just like the wines. Almost no choice for veg.

Awesome food and wine. Great service. The interior is amazing with a wooden based decour that gives a nice intimacy touch.

Popped in here for dinner on a Saturday night-original French atmosphere-polite service and good food and wine-the crab was delicious and very fresh-will return

I came here for a Sunday breakfast with a friend. The location is great and as it was a sunny day, they're outdoor seating made it very appealing. Whilst the food was average, I cannot begin to describe how disappointing the service was. It took ages to have somebody take our order, our food arrived before our coffees, we then had to ask three times for our drinks. We had to go in to the restaurant to get our cutlery. When it came to paying the bill, we reluctantly paid the service charge. When the manager did not return the change, we asked for it and he said he assumed it was a further tip. When I mentioned about the slow service, I was met with a rude response about some new staff and that was the reason. Whilst the menu is good, and the location on Venn street is great- the poor service overshadowed this and I certainly would never return.

French-style Sunday lunch: a whole poussin with vegetables and a great red wine jus and coffee for £11.95. Really tasty, excellent value though I would have preferred more veg. There was a huge amount of meat. We asked for more gravy twice: they brought it very fast.Had caesar salad to start with: fairly big, but I think that they should have used Parmesan cheese, not grated cheddar.

Popped in for a late mid-week dinner, uncertain that we'd be seated so close to closing. But the waiting staff seemed ok with it and we were found a cozy table. We all had mussels which were very good and had a lovely sauce. Then had steak and steak tartare. Both were really tasty although the tartare didn't come with an egg which my companion was disappointed by. The service was quite brusque but otherwise ok. The wine was overpriced in my opinion especially when a glass = the old fashioned 125ml glass. The decor was probably once shabby chic. Now the ratio is definitely in favour of shabby. But it was clean and comfortable.Worth a look if you're in the area but I wouldn't travel out of my way.

Kind of typical restaurant-for-tourists you can find in Paris : French decoration to make the tourists feel like a Parisian but overpriced and terrible food. Will never go back again !

Super repas dans ce restaurant typique francais. J'y suis aller 2 fois durant les fêtes de Noel lors de mon voyages d'une semaine a londres.On m'avait conseillé ce restaurant, j'y suis aller et je n'est pas été déçu. Une bavette et une sauce a l'échalotte ou au poivre de grande qualité, un large choix et la présentation des plats au top! Le service au top, polie, souriant et amusant... une bonne ambiance pour manger. Le patron en personne n'hésite pas à venir vous souhaitez le bon appétit et toujours un Bonjour/Aurevoir .Je recommande a tout le monde d'y aller, vous ne serez pas déçu!!!

Gastro has traded on French authenticity, and successfully so, for some time. We have enjoyed its informal, bistro style and menu on many occasions. Even it's unmistakably French refusal to make any culinary concession to the diner (NO ketchup, no changes to any dish) has been part of the theatre and enjoyment.However, on Saturday the terrible service and lacklustre food ensured that we will not be visiting again. I won't list all the elements that made the service so woefully inadequate (order taken incorrectly, side dishes being brought when we had finished eating our mains - this was a table for two - the bill being incorrect and then left sat on the table for so long we had to go to the bar to pay... where we were ignored) but it was enough for us to remove the service charge from the bill, something I've never done, and to prompt this post.I loved the authentic experience Gastro offered, even with the slightly aloof approach to service that made it feel so French. However, Gastro is now just an overpriced, shabby alternative to Cafe Rouge with a staff that clearly would rather be doing anything other than providing even adequate service.Ask me to recommend a French restaurant in Clapham? The answer would be typically French... 'Bof' and a shrug of the shoulders. There isn't one any more.

Passed by Gastro many times in Venn St, and decided to give it a go after the movies one cold January night, fed up with turkey, and fancied some good French food to get over Xmas. Upon entering a very nice french ambience, and warm welcome in French, menu looked appealing and cannot resist Moules Marinere when on a french menu, however when they arrived the mussels were tiny and tasted bland, with an insiped watery stock, with no flavour whatsoever, very dissapointing for a French restaurant. I hoped things would improve with the flllet steak with peppercorn sauce, which it did BUT what on earth were the French Fries, they looked and tasted like soggy oily drooping strips of potatoe, I was so looking forward to crisp golden FRENCH fries, the ones served up were awful and spoilt the nice steak. Very let down with the food, but on a whole the service, selection of wines and atmospere was very nice, would I go back, well NO, the Gazette in Balham is far better and serves up proper French Fries.

Friendly service but the quality of the cooking is not good. We ordered, among other things, modules marinere (watery flavourless stock), seafood stew (same problem, thin watery sauce with a tepid flavour of tinned tomato) and rubbery French fries with the steak. On plus side, artichoke salad was very fresh. Don't know if it was the normal chefs night off(!) but for £42 pounds a head, we honestly expected more of our two course meal. There is a lot of competition for custom in Clapham, and better French restaurants in Battersea and Balham at similar price points. Would take a lit for us to come back again.

Like stepping across the Channel. Lovely atmosphere - understated, comfortable, relaxed. Not crowded but not empty. Very good dishes of the day and house wine. I'm told it is packed evenings and weekends, and that you can spend a small fortune if you want. But for £40 for two on a cold winter Thursday lunchtime, I was well pleased.

It's my staple! I venture here most days for my quick fix cafe au lait. I Love the atmosphere, so unpretentious and down to earth. It's a warm welcoming place that does the best Charcuterie platter and chips! and very reasonable. Clapham just wouldn't be Clapham with Gastro!

I recently visited London and a friend recommended Gastro knowing my love for the french cuisine. I must say I was pleasantly surprised..Friendly staff, all french which adds to the charm, decor which has not changed since they originally opened giving an old worldly parisean feel..The menu offers a great selection of typical country style dishes ..We were blessed to have nice weather so spent a few evenings frequenting this establishment and eating outside on the terrace..Well worth a visit if you would like to experience a little taste of Paris..

Arrived on a Friday evening with a party of 5. The table we were given was not large enough so we spent a lot of the time trying to get everything on and around the table. Is it French? I would not have known. However, the food was good but value for money - not really. A special and memorable experience - not really. A pleasant workforce - not really. Will I rush to return - not really.

A Very very average French restaurant in Clapham. Not value for money.Managed to lose our order. Quite difficult to do as we are one of two small parties in the place.Plenty of other options to try in the future. I'll be giving this a wide berth and would not recommend it anybody.

Came here on a Friday night longing for some steak and this place came up with the goods. We were warmly welcomed with a "bon soir!" and were seated straightaway. Ordered the sirloin steak and it was delicious! Had the spinach as a side and it was soft and rich. The waitress was attentive and the ambience was lovely, just what you wanted for a relaxing Friday night.

This small, authentic French brasserie, retains all of the charm, nostalgia and atmosphere that is normally reserved for the continent. The staff all French are polite, helpful and blend into the faded French decor with great pieces of art on the wall. The bar dominates one half of the restaurant, with fresh oysers always ready for the concerning customer.The food is classic brasserie, Confit du Canard, moules, soup de poisson a fantastic Cote de Boufe. Triple cooked chips are a must. The service is excellent and all the dishes are served with simplicty but yet delicious.The wine list covers most of the best regions of France and will compliment the food fantastically. If it is an authentic French evening that you are after Gastro certainly delivers. A real gem hidden in Venn Sreet, Clapham.

Great little place near Clapham Common, French staff and wonderfully authentic food. The soupe de Poisson was delicious GBP 8 with a good sized bowl. The moules were big and tasty GBP 14.40. Fantastic oysters a dozen for GBP 20 - big and juicy. Very casual with outdoor tables. Much more friendly service that you would get in Paris.

We'd been once before to Gastro, during the summer, after a morning trip to the cinema, and had the most blissful lunch (complete with 5 children of all ages!) in the sunshine. It felt like we were in France! We decided to try it again, this time on a grown up date. It's easy to travel to, for us a quick BR journey and a 5 min walk from Clapham High Street. It's the perfect location for the Picturehouse Cinema. We popped in for an aperitif, and it's such a great atmosphere when sitting at the bar with everything buzzing around you. We went back for supper after the film - it was still buzzing, we had fantastic wine and the Goats cheese salad is still the best around. Part of its essential charm is the lively atmosphere, especially on the huge communal table at the back - which HAS to be one of the best places in London to have a dinner party... I'll be coming back to arrange birthday celebrations next year. REB, Nunhead.

This fabulous French restaurant has all the charm of an old French brasserie and is quite an institution in Clapham, so I am told. The decor is an eclectic mix of restaurant paraphernalia from a bygone age. The menu is rustic and includes favorites such as moules frites, escargots, cote de boeuf, and confit de canard. There is a great selection of french cheese and wines to compliment. The food is delicious and I will definitely go back with friends and family to work my way through the rest of the menu. Thank you Gastro for such a memorable evening.

Pitched at those locals who have the money but know no better when trying to find good French cuisine in London. On our last visit, when complaining about a very bad (very expensive) steak, we were met with rudeness and then downright aggression. We shall not return and neither will any of our friends.

Against: poor new management, not well rounded waiters, increase careless in dishes presentation, poorer customer service, loosing character. I didn't been served the regular French baguette with butter, offered to all other customers surrounding me; but, I'd been charged the service (12.5%) as everyone.Good things: still having a good taste, food still very good.

We have dined here a number of times when visiting our daughter in London. Once you enter the restaurant you think you are in France. Not the best decor, but the food certainly makes up for it.Staff all seemed pleasant and the food was delicious, what more can you ask for.

Bad service and mediocre food just like in Paris! We went there for brunch today, the staff were stand offish and spoke to us quite bluntly, not a warm and inviting start. We ordered 2 coffees, I asked for the Gastro special and my friend the brioche and jam. It took a while before anyone came out, the first thing they brought to us was the Gastro special, which wasn't anything special at all, some undercooked eggs, 2 types of sausages (menu said talouse) and some questionable bacon. When I asked the waitress why some of the bacon was brown and some red, she shrugged and said she didn't know. A good 5 minutes later my friend's brioche came, then followed by our coffees.The only reason I've even given the review 2 stars is for the location, its lovely to sit outside.

Eaten here before (its got a lovely terrace outside to sit on sunny days) and it was usually quite bad but its one of the very few places to eat outside near clapham highstreet, a bit far from the noise of the main road.Went again this week and though service is still pretty much non existent (we arrived at 1pm and there was no waiter to speak to, just a chef in the bar who couldnt tell my friend if there was any lunch deals) once we sat down and ordered the lunch deal i was very pleased with the food.Prawn gratin, delicious, tasty, and big prawns, much better than expected.Main course, duck breast with sweet potato dices, delicious.And just for 10 pounds. Had the cheeseboard as well, they serve it without bread which is maybe the french way and to be honest its better than with bread which leaves you too full after a whole meal.Will prob go back ( as long as i can sit outside, not a fan of the interior design)

Just not worth speaking about this place dark dirty miserable staff food 4 /10 not welcoming at all bad bad bad bad bad Bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad Bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad

The trouble with Cla'hm is venues with atmosphere. If you want chicken or a kebab, you're spoiled for choice. However, trying to jam continental sophistication into a place that was designed to be a working class residential area, with a common positively bursting with semi naked MPs, was always going to be an issue. People either lived here and didn't have much requirement for haute cuisine (or would go elsewhere to get it), or they came here for other reasons. Now, however, flats cost millions and it's had an overnight Hyde and Jekyll transformation that made it a place unto itself. The smart money is therefore striving for a bit of culture and a bit of civilised dining...and by god does this place know it. This little street (Venn St, incidentally) is a sort of oasis in the chaos of the high street. There is no fried chicken here. There are no passing cars...just rather expensive bikes chained to bollards. There is the cutesy poo picture house over the road, there are tapas bars, one can have wine, there are potted plants...you know the drill. As a result the demand for tables is considerable. And if a clientele is ever ready, why bother to exert yourself? My lovely companion (henceforth MLC) and I met for brunch here on Sunday. It was a beautiful day and the place was heaving with people in expensive sunglasses wrestling with copies of the observer and the times ("you can get them free from waitrose if you spend a lot, you know!") and knocking back lattes. We ordered a croque monsieur and a omelette aux fines herbes, bacon on the side, two orange juices and two teas. Then we sat back and waited. And waited. And waited and waited and waited. Oh dear lord. I know that Mediterranean clocks beat at a slower rhythm than those of Northern Europe, and its very lovely to sit outside on a sunny Sunday, but this was spectacular by any standards. About half an hour later the tea arrived, and then, after we had drunk it, the food made its appearance. The bacon appeared in a miniature dog dish with chipped enamel (I am sure it was meant to be chic but...no) and it was stone cold to boot. MLC was happy with her croque monsieur although miffed that ketchup and other sauces weren't available. My omelette was remarkably average and bland. It also wasn't particularly warm, fluffy or well filled. The orange juice was okay although MLC was more sniffy: "watered" she said, firmly. The tea wasn't made - it arrived as a glass of hottish water and a tea bag in a envelope, and a small jug of hot milk (yep - hot milk). We unwisely ordered a second tea and an expresso and it took almost 20 minutes to arrive. Astonishing. I have rarely seen less efficient waiting staff - they were bustling about endlessly but all around me there were unserved people and uncleared tables...I just don't know what they were doing. If you speak French you'll enjoy it as they chatter to each other endlessly. Probably about the suckers who will put up with just about anything for a breakfast in the sun. This all sounds very cruel, so I should focus on some positives. The cost of the meal was really rather reasonable. The inside was nice enough, and looked very attractive with the sunlight streaming in through the windows. The plants outside were lovely and healthy, and the place is lucky in its position...and this is, I fear, the problem. It's the position that made me score this as a *** restaurant when my gastronomic soul tells me it's really deserving of **. I don't know when the restaurant was founded, but the phone number starts 0171 so it's between 1990 and 2000. In those days I suspect the demographics were more Clapham than Cla'hm and they probably can't believe their luck as the demand from new settlers has gone up and up and up. I suspect that the shabby chic look is partly just shabby. I also suspect that the plants and tables are more recent innovations to catch the nouveau Cla'hmites. So I suppose it's really up to one's own level of cynicism that makes you choose between these two statements: 1) they are an old school restaurant dealing with a more fussy clientele and not coming up to scratch, or 2) they are totally coasting on their position and congratulating themselves that they don't have to do anything much and yet have a virtually full restaurant much of the time. Make of it what you will, but I must say that this could be a really really good place if they changed things just enough to bring it up to speed yet not so much that they change the best thing about it: the look.

It's been some years since I've eaten at Gastro, and now I remember why. The service is poor, the decor is grimy and hasn't changed in a couple of decades, and neither has the food - simply appalling produce and not a place I think I'll ever eat in again (unless I forget how bad it is, like this time!)

Table for 4 on a warm Saturday night was great fun throughout.....smiling service, excellent food warm and well prepared. Good bottle of champagne, then into action. The escargots were good, mussels excellent. My beef tartare was fine and both the veal and the chicken good with a cracking bottle of red and then into the puds,....creme brûlée for most plus an excellent cafe gastronomique for me. £165 plus service...not bad. Why not 5stars? Toilets not brilliant and a mix up between Baillies Cream requested and a bowl of cream being actually served...the staff are all French and our attempts at courteous school French was appreciated, just be sure to be clear what it is you want. A small Baillies on the house redeemed smiles all round. Well done Gastro, a fine night out....just get those men's loos repaired and clean.

We causally went for lunch, order 2 salads: just disgusting!!!My dog, we were outside, wouldn't even eat the ham??Don't go, c'est degueulasse.

We went to Gastro in late 2013 and had a good experience with great service and lovely food. We decided to go again for a birthday lunch and were bitterly disappointed. When we arrived there was very little attention paid to us and we had to ask for water and menus. For a restaurant that isn't cheap at all you would expect a bit more than simple warm tap water served in a bottle (especially on a hot summer day) - most respectable restaurants will serve some chilled water in a pitcher probably with some lemon inside although for us just cold would have been preferable. The few outdoor tables were taken and we stayed indoors close to the entrance. The restaurant was boiling and there was no air flowing through at all. Also it does look like they haven't made any improvements or cleaned inside for a while... Leaving the warm water aside, we eventually placed our order and we had 3 steaks, scallops, some polenta chicken and veal. The food was less than mediocre. The frites maison which before were to die for were this time served next and under the steak and were not hot anymore (and a bit soggy). The steak was stringy and really poor quality for a £20 steak! The scallops, more than half were uncooked and the mash that came with them was cold so not very nice to eat. The chicken and veal were ok but again for the price paid it was really poor. It took a while for the server to take the plates away... taking into account there were only three tables inside with customers. Overall the experience was disappointing considering the prices we paid for our food... it seems they have lost interest in their customers, good service or good food and it's fair to say they lost 6 customers.

Gastro is one of those restaurants that because of their great location in the heart of young professional Clapham doesn't have to try too hard. Opposite Clapham Picture House in the pedestrianised Venn street, with tables outside in summer it is difficult to resist. The menue is over ambitious and never changing , no plat de jour or specialite maison, which makes one wonder whether items are pre prepared. A recent visit produced a tired entrecôte with the texture of recycled cardboard with bearnaise sauce with a skin on top indicated it had been left out in the kitchen waiting to be used. On previous visits The escargot are minuscule as are the moules , along with oysters are always on the menue. No indication of seasonal variations.On the up side it is possible to get a pichot of wine ratherthan face the bottle or glass question and house wine is very acceptable .Service is fine although it may be necessary to flag down a waiter/waitress if something is needed.This is a restaurant of opportunity not destination .

We live in SUrrey but have friends in Wandsworth so occasionally head to Clapham for dinner. We had been to the amazing rapscallion back in November and should have gone back there. Came here for brunch on a Sunday and had a very disappointing time. I am 5 months pregnant and very sensitive to smells and I think this restaurant smells (to me it reminsd me of mice)! the staff are ok but difficult to get their attention and service definitely doesn't come with a smile. Request for decaf coffee seemed to puzzle the waiter so went for tea to be on the safe side. Food so so but didn't all come at the same time - half of us had finished before the other half's arrived. Won't be going back

So I'm going to France with a friend later this year. I suggested a meal at Gastro as a sort of warm up, which I'm glad I did and I'm also glad that I didn't read the other reviews on here before going. As it was an extremely warm evening, we were sat outside. The location on Venn Street in Clapham is nice, and one of the benefits of sitting outside is you get to see exterior of Gastro which is perhaps one of its best features. The food was great, with some of the best prawns I have had in a long time. The wine was good though perhaps slightly pricey for a neighbourhood bistro. My friends steak tartar was amongst the tastiest I have ever tried. On the night the service was friendly and unhurried. Though extremely French we didn't experience any of the Gallic disinterest that some of the other reviewers have mentioned. For me it was an extremely pleasant experience, one I'd be happy to repeat. One word of caution though when I did step inside the restaurant the heat was pretty much unbearable. If you come in summer and it's not raining, sit outside.

We turned up without a reservation on a hot July evening, and we were very pleasantly surprised. The waiter/waitresses who served us were efficient, friendly and quick. A good range of aperitifs to tempt us with, and a well balanced wine list. We ordered the gastronomy plate, which had a lovely range of ham. smoked salmon, olives and plenty of fresh bread.The mains were cooked superbly, and the side salad and vegetables were plentiful. The decor is quirky, and all the staff are french, as were a number of diners on the evening we went.My husband ordered the tarte tatin, and a nice touch, they bought two spoons. We found it hard to reconcile the experience we had, compared to some of the negative reviews. So hope that our experience can be repeated soon!

Strongly advise against coming here. We dined here on a Sunday evening and the service was abysmal. The staff are typical of a French restaurant and very shrug shoulderish when they don’t like a request you make, they seem more interested in socialising with each other than focussing on the customers. I have also since heard rumours that there are mice there which is really quite shocking but would not surprise me given their blasé attitude.

went to Gastro the first time ever yesterday and i must say for the prices i expected a little bit more..the witness didn't understand what war were ordering first of all..the food was just about ok but when we were paying we've asked the service charge to be removed as we wanted to give it to the waitress in cash but the manager came out and started shouting at us in front of everyone that if we don't want to give money to her staff never to come back again…!!!!tried to explain why we doing this as we were all working in customer service but she wouldn't listen..the waiter ended up apologising for her and we've left with very very disappointed!!Definitely not recommend the place to anyone unless u want to be shouted at..!!especially not paying for that again!!shame on her!!!

Just came here to have an early morning tea and was intending to get a breakfast here....been told fantastic place...was almost empty was on a Saturday....waited for more then 10mins (bearing in mind empty)...the only reason why I then got served was because I had to for someone to serve me. A miserable/moody waiter came to serve me...I asked for tea and was about to order a breakfast and as I was talking rudely just walked off as if in a rush for something...(still empty at this point)!! Shame as put me off buying breakfast here. Can't imagine the service gets any better esp when busy!!...disappointed is an understatement! ;(

Just popped into Gastro for a quick breakfast. Great coffee, excellent croissant - everything you'd expect from a French bistro breakfast. Suitably charming!

The Gastro is the local French restaurant I go to when my French friends and I miss home. The food is good and homely, brasserie-style, the menu is updated every so often, and the atmosphere is not pretentious, which is something of a rarity in London when you want decent French food. The staff always looks like they're having fun, and are rather friendly. I particularly recommend the bavette - frites and the cote de boeuf. We have tried most dishes and none of them disappointed. Good and reasonably priced wines too. A safe and solid choice.