Agree about Volker and Quinn- worth popping in even to sample some of the try out food!

Great new food shop on Hildreth Street, Balham, opened last week.
Volker & Quinn, with a tag line, thoughtful food.
Really well chosen stock, with many products sourced from local south London artisans including bread from Brixton & Streatham, local Streatham chutneys, London Honey too.
By far the best bit is the fish counter. Amazing to have fish back in Balham. Volker is a chef and as well as choosing the fish from Billingsgate at silly o'clock for our benefit, he makes a selection of fresh salads every day. Great accompaniments to the fish. Dinner sorted!
I have only been once so far but everything was delicious. Super happy to have this addition to Balham.

Pancakes in Bellevue Road, just in front of Olivier's Longue.
Come and try.☺

Talking about local shops, Tom Rooth is painting The Northcote Mural above Bellevue Cleaners. Be in the mural! £12 per adult, £10 per child and £8 per dog. All proceed go direct to MacMillan Cancer Support. It's great idea for fantastic cause. For more information visit www.tomrooth.com.

Deli boutique on St John Hill: family french owned bakery/coffee shop/restaurant

Urban Gourmet St John Hill: fab coffee shop and deli with inspirations from Italy and South America

Pietra Mare tiles on Wandsworth Bridge Rd / ask for Mathew

The Pizzeria on the corner of Spencer rd and St John Hill / the family behind it are sooo nice and child friendly

The sewing shop on Balham High Rd close to tooting bec / so many nice people that really knows their stuff

Fun learning northcote rd / you can have a go at the game before buying it / it appeals cery much for the child inside me

Hennessy; the one and only for me

Hamish: same as Hennessy

Fish stall: good fish and friendly

The lady at Petit Bateau because she is just v lovely

Capsticks : everyone. So nice

Pintus: love thrm!

marmalade cat! http://www.marmalade250.com

love the retro/vintage gifts

Siena Fashions in Bellevue Road http://www.sienafashions.com/

Olivier's Lounge (shoes) in Bellevue Road http://www.olivierslounge.co.uk/

James Nicholas cookshop in Balham High Road http://www.james-nicholas.com/

Robbie's Photographics in Ritherdon Road http://www.robbiesphotographics.com/

Chalk in Southfields - good for small gifts and children's stuff, always friendly staff

Salt and Pepper cafe in Southfields - they do some great art workshops too

Olive Garden in Southfields - great pizzas and friendly staff

Franco Manga - looks good but haven't eaten there yet, has been recommended by friends

Decorative Living, Southfields - if you like vintage and shabby chic, not the cheapest but she has a great eye, bought a lovely mirror and sideboard there many years ago and they are still going strong!

All the below have fantatstic owners and products:

Tierra Verde - Spanish on Webbs Rd

For Cyclists - agree London Cycle Workshop on St Johns Hill is our go-to for repairs but the new Everyone Bikes on Northcote Road is great too. Great selection of kit and do servicing.

Honey Pot

Dandelion - health and food shop

Oddono's ice cream - multiple locations but family owned

We also love Palmers! Really lovely people ! The people at Hennesy are also really friendly and I always go at the weekend. And a vote for the honey shop. I would be so sad to see it go that I am going to go and buy lots of honey this morning!

Maybe we should have a "do all your weekly shop locally" day!

Northcote Road Fish 'n' Chips. Just reopened after refit and looks great. Same great people and not eye watering prices. Best value meal on the street.

Palmer's. Very friendly staff. Good quality and not outrageous prices for men of a certain age i.e. over 35yrs

Soif. Great.

London Cycle Workshop. St. John's Hill - Great service, good value, honest opinion.

Spar(!). Always had what I needed, when I wanted it. Which is why it's called a convenience store.

The Wine Tasting Shop on Hildreth st is fab

The shoe shop has a really good selection - especially sandals

Lavish Habit does fabulous coffee

Whippet does really original, quirky gifts and cards

Agree about Postmark

http://www.ciullosteria.com/ Ciullo's Italian

Pizzeria on the Green

They are small chains but Bertie & Boo, Tartine & Gazette all worth a mention

Chris Tucker @PetalsofBalham Flower Stall at Balham Market

Off the top of my head:

The veg stall in Balham is great, too

Honest Italian pizza is brilliant and the guys who run it are great with kids

QT Toys

Postmark cards

Following on from the thread about La Cuisiniere etc, I would love to hear your favourite local gems and try them out! We can moan all we like about shops closing but it would be great to celebrate what we have and I have got some great tips off this site before..... To start, here are my favourites:

- veg stall at the weekends - Bunny who runs it is a gem, always a kind word for us and a great variety of veg and some fruit, please support her!
- Dove the butcher - yes Bob can be grumpy but it is a great shop with great meat and eggs and they really are very helpful in there.
- QT Toys - I have children, nuff said.
- recently discovered the fishmongers in the van on shelgate is actually cheaper than ocado
- Hamish Johnson cheese - amazing
- pasta stall on balham market (don't know its name, but YUM)