LDNReview
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Milk
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There are a couple of things to know about Milk. Firstly, there’s been a lot of hype around the walk-in only Balham cafe since it opened in 2012. Secondly, it is absolutely deserving of that hype. The inventive brunch dishes mean you’ll order more than you can eat, the coffee has the silk factor of Victoria’s Secret pyjamas, and the friendly service is something you don’t always expect from somewhere that’s regularly got queues down the street. Milk isn’t just one of the best cafes in Balham, it’s one of the best brunch spots in the whole city.
While there are plenty of outdoor benches that are a great choice on a summer's day, the British weather means the queue is usually for those sought-after indoor tables. It’s a small but inviting space with plenty of natural light. Servers zigzag between tables while you not-so-subtly eye up your neighbour’s halva-covered banana bread and make a mental note to order that later. The sharing tables are spacious enough that you’re not elbow to elbow with a complete stranger, but our favourite brunches here have been when we’ve managed to get one of the cosy three-person tables next to the floor-to-ceiling windows. The lively buzz isn’t exclusive to weekends—even at 3pm on a Tuesday the kitchen will be flinging out order after order.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Milk’s menu is filled with exciting, fomo-inducing brunch dishes. Order the famous fish sando? You’ll wonder if you should have gone for the fluffy buckwheat pancake special. Get the pancakes, and you’ll kick yourself for not getting the golden cornbread with nutzilla. You get the idea. The dishes are all consistently great, but unless you’re a local who has the luxury of popping in once a week, we’d come with a friend and steal a bite of their dish and order some poacher hash to share. Don’t worry about saving space for dessert, that’s what to-go bags were made for.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Young Betty
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Sweet Maria
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Poacher Hash Fireball
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Fish Sando
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch