Upstairs in Lambeth

Friday 12th we went for the first time to upstairs, we came in and we’re welcomed with surprise (even though we had a reservation). Sat at a hightable facing the window, we asked for sparkling water but got still water. The waiters came to see us after 40MIN and many head turns on our part to take our order (food or drinks). We ordered all of our food and drinks in one go, our starters were actually delicious. This followed by a shared seabass. At that point my partner asked twice for a wine menu to have a glass of wine, nobody came to take our order. Our plates were not changed from the shared starters. We got a whole fish, no plate to put the bones. The server dropped fries when putting our fries on our table and said I’m sorry I’ll bring more. Ofcourse, they did not come back with new fries. Again the food was actually really good. Flakey fish lots of taste. At the end of our meal they did not even ask if we enjoyed our meal. I believe this is even standard practice at Nando’s, I assumed this would be the case at an affiliate Michelin restaurant. We had good food but it was ruined by the service. It was almost like the stuff intentionally ignored us.

Arrived at 1pm no attention for 40mins. Minestrone starter was good. Main, roast pork fine, extremely over salted crackling. Over cooked cabbage and large portion of solid dauphinoise potatoes. Cherry Clafoutis was heavy and stodgy, didn’t seem popular with other customers. Generally, disappointing. We’ve eaten here many times usually excellent. Not that busy. Chefs need to taste and not over salt. It seemed heavy handed. Sorry, we were underwhelmed

It seems a world apart from the slightly staid elegance of the restaurant downstairs. It’s a much more laid back space with long narrow sharing benches all but those directly facing a window with a view of the open plan kitchen to where specials announced upon a blackboard such as 600g portions of veal chop for sharing were being delivered. Apart from the cod in romesco sauce everything we chose was from the standard menu including as starters comte croquettes and pig’s head fritters, then creamy burrata on kale with crisp bread, cuttlefish stew with chickpeas and a side of beets. All thoroughly fresh and satisfying as well as being served by friendly and engaging staff.

Upstairs is such a little gem in Clapham. Its not fussy or pretentious but the food is delicious. The staff are friendly & attentive. I came with friends and enjoyed how it is sharing plates. Would also recommend coming on a date and sitting in the window seats. The comte croquettes were delicious!

I have eaten several times at Trinity. Always great food and service. Went today for Sunday lunch at Trinity Upstairs. Great expectations as mother restaurant Trinity has a well deserved one Michelin star. Set lunch menu with roasted chicken main and a celery fennel gratin. I bought an an expensive wine to accompany what I thought would be a great dish. Chicken was fine but what a poor excuse for a gratin. Fennel and celery in a water soup would be a better description. How could a high end restaurant serve such a poor dish? It ruined the entire experience and I barely managed to get an apology. Incredible indifference.

Upstairs at Trinity is exactly what it says on the tin. The same Michelin starred cuisine served in the plush ground floor restaurant but in a more relaxed tapas style format. Diners are advised to select one main for sharing and to complement that with what are deceived as nibbles and small dishes. We started with ham croquettes and duck rillettes piquant and crunchy crusted little morsels the croquettes costed with cheese shavings, the rillettes topped with aioli. Courgette fritters then a bagna caudal with broccoli spears and the occasional anchovy were enough to concert me into a vegetarian. A whole sea bass served with an indulgent pot of jersey potatoes in a hollandaise sauce. Entirely worth the minor inconvenience of sitting at bar stools so as to be able to enjoy such a glorious feast.

We love the food. BUT the seating is so uncomfortable. High stools st high Tables. The foot rests don't work. Whenever we come we then take around two years or so to forget just how uncomportable and come again. Would love it if they had ordinsry height tables and chair.

Helpful and friendly staff, buzzing atmosphere (slightly smoky, too, but hey ho) and carefully thought out, well presented, beautifully cooked and very tasty food. Highly recommended.

I've been 'Upstairs' at Trinity before and it was good but, not really ticking all the boxes for me (menu-wise). Last night it was different. The menu choices hit the spot - it was amazing food, wine, ambience and the waiter (on his first night there) was superb - attentive, efficient and a charming sense of humour. Highlights for us were the lamb and polenta chips, the duck liver parfait, the squid and, last but by no means least - one of the best desserts I have ever eaten in my life - salted caramel custard tart. We will be back soon.

As always, the team had a very innovative selection of food choices on the menu - it was hard to choose! The service was super friendly and efficient.

I visited Upstairs with my partner and some friends for dinner on a Friday night and was wowed by the food! We eat out a lot including Michelin Starred establishments but this is one of the best meals I've had in a long time. The menu was interesting and had many good choices including daily specials. The stand out dish was the Dexter beef which was incredibly soft and juicy accompanied by a creamy sauce. The pork neck with chickpeas was also great as was the squid with panzanella. Desert and wine was lovely too (great bottle of Nero D'Avola) and for 4 people it came to £40 per head which isn't bad at all. Friendly staff, great vibe and amazing food. I fully reccomend trying it out!

Well, obviously, and geographically. But also when it comes to the diner experience in my view. More relaxed but still very professional, less expensive but still very high quality ingredients, perfect preparations, interesting combinations. Yesterday's daily special was BBQ'd Turbot head, served with amazing triple cooked chips and home-made tartare sauce. Downstairs probably serving the trimmed filets of the noble fish, keeping the less instagram-friendly but definitely more delicious "leftovers" to those who are able to tuck in. For 12 £ it is certainly the best fish and chips in London. Other dishes are more "normal", all were good to excellent. Wines are expensive but the cheaper offerings are well chosen. Overall an excellent choice if you are a bit of a foodie.

So very good that we have had our Christmas lunch/celebration here for three years in a row. Attentive service, excellent choice of wine. We had a problem during lunch that they quickly rectified and made up for. Christmas goose and trimmings are simply the best Christmas lunch you can have..

My friend managed to book a table as soon as the Sunday lunch menu was sent out to the distribution list on the second Sunday in December. The Sunday lunch is a fixed menu of starter, main and dessert with bread and crisps for the table when initially seated. It’s served tapas style between your group and there was more than enough food for 3 ladies with heathy appetites! The layout of the restaurant is different to downstairs having being set up with high tables and stools like a canteen but this only adds to the atmosphere in my opinion. The two restaurants are tied together by the artwork which is very clever and works well. The staff were friendly and attentive throughout our visit and were on hand to take additional drinks orders as needed. Overall a fantastic experience at an extremely reasonable price for the quality of food. I’m now on the mailing list myself and hoping to return for the Sunday lunch in the new year!

After hearing that the food in Trinity was great but being unable to get a table went decided to try out Upstairs and am glad we did. All of the dishes we tried (at least half the menu) we seriously good. In particular the lamb and the beef pot pie were really tasty. There’s lots of places to eat in Clapham but this should be at the top of your list.

Quite a different menu to the restaurant downstairs which is superb. The upstairs has a sort of Tapas, sharing dishes which are very good. The atmosphere is for a much younger set

Staff were super friendly and we had an amazing time celebrating our special day. Our friends had an exceptional day and for that we thank you the team. The food was really good. However I am not giving full bubbles for the following reasons: Vegetarian...

I visited Upstairs with my extended family for my birthday. We loved the more informal setting compared to downstairs, and the food was delicious and inventive. Great service and great atmosphere. My parents (in their 70s) would have quite liked the music to be a...

A truly exciting venue where chefs show the food they want to cook. It's an open kitchen with about 30 covers on high stools and narrow tables. Dishes are small and to share. We chose 10 yet the meal was no more expensive than a...

What a treat and a hidden gem. The food was delicious - not so little sharing plates! The staff could not have been friendlier and the atmosphere was wonderfully relaxed. I ate far too much - we ordered all of the main courses on the...

Having eaten a couple of times at The Polygon and heard about "Upstairs" we booked and arrived to a warm welcome. Tables are high and you sit on high backed stools which is not for everyone but they were very comfortable. Parties of 2 might...

Located right in the centre of Clapham Common. This restaurant has a serious menu on the ground floor and a tapas/ sharing less formal menu upstairs

I've eaten at Trinity downstairs and upstairs, and although the food is amazing downstairs I prefer the atmosphere and sharing food upstairs. It feels much more like eating with the chefs. Cocktails are great although they focus on the classics. Sharing works well and they'll...

This is the ultimate in casual fine dining with Michelin star quality sharing food. You eat what you want at your pace and with great friendly staff to look after you, you will not be disappointed. The dishes are adventurous and deliciously prepared with an...

After something a little bit different in Clapham then Trinity Upstairs is well worth the punt. Menu is always changing and dining is casual unlike downstairs. Dishes are fresh, presentable and not trying to be too fancy. Great wines and even had something off tap....

Very good idea to start with: you can share 7-9 or more dishes, tapas style.It creates a good , friendly atmosphere from the start. Dishes themselves are very varied with the use of quite a few different ingredients , sometimes strange combinations ,when one reads...

We hadn't been for quite a while so a little nervous to see if it was as good as before. I think it just gets better if that's possible. Great atmosphere and good service. Food exceptional: Carta di Musica with smoked aubergine (unusual delicate delicious...

We enjoyed a delicious meal at Upstairs on a hot summer evening. The atmosphere was great and really relaxed with friendly and efficient staff. We shared a range of plates which were all amazing. I thoroughly recommend this place!

Great neighbourhood find. Didn't realise the downstairs restaurant got its Michelin Star just months ago. Upstairs has definitely the better vibe and more relaxing with high tables, a more private feel and better value too. We had a great seat by the window. Service was...

We've long been stalwarts of the wonderful Trinity, but this is a real addition to Adam Byatt's fantastic armoury and is a really nice fit between the increasing fine dining Trinity and the more casual Bistro Union over in Abbeville Village. Having dined at all...