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Ale & spice

4.3 (11)
£25 and under
Sri Lankan
104 Bedford Hill, London, SW12 9HR

About this restaurant

Despite the closure of the highly acclaimed Hop & Spice the entire kitchen team, having worked there for more than 6 years, were determined to continue making and serving the food you love. As a result, we took the bold step of opening our own restaurant: Ale & Spice. The Ale & Spice kitchen team have a wealth of experience and we are led by the passion and commitment of Head Chef Vignes (who has over 20 years experience) to create and serve only fine food. It is under his leadership that the kitchen team are delighted to bring you an expanded and innovative menu containing all of the best loved dishes you have come to expect. Our mission statement is quite simply to continue cooking innovative and delicious Sri Lankan dishes for you and all of our customers.

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    Sri Lankan
  • Hours of operation
    Monday - Sunday: 5:30pm - 10:30pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Mr. Vignes
  • Neighborhood
    Balham
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    A short walk from Balham underground and train station.
  • Additional
    Beer, Delivery, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 11 people are saying

Ale & spice reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

4.3
4.3 based on all time ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 3.6Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

11 Reviews
  1. CaCa

    London165 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on August 24, 2015

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    The service was a bit scatty, but oh the food! This place is fantastic. We ended up ordering more midway through the meal because it was all so excellent. And great value too. Will definitely be back

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  2. Mivana

    London32 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on August 14, 2015

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    My first visit to "Ale & Spice" and I was very warm,y welcomed. Both my friend and I enjoyed our meal and all the dishes were very tasty, though the fish dish we ordered was a "dry" dish, which we hadn't realised. We had opted for talis, so we're able to taste a good variety of the items on the menu. There is a wine and ale list, but it is also possible to BYOB, which we had done, as we were not aware there was a wine list . No corkage is charged for bringing your own drinks, which is admirable, so the overall costs are low and this was reflected in it being a rather busy evening in there, despite the rain. I would go back, as I would love to try some of the other items on offer.....

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  3. ap22 VIP

    London61 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on July 21, 2015

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Have been eating at Ale &Spice since they opened a few years back. Food is simple and tasty. Very good choice. Quality is great and staff very friendly. Very good value for money. Open to parties and very flexible. Def one of the little gems of Balham. Went back with my parents (used to Italian food) and they loved it as fresh and tasty.

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  4. Luncher

    London24 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on May 23, 2015

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Went here with some friends. It was very quiet at first. Good because we managed to get a table last minute! But it did mean the atmosphere wasn't quite as bustleing as you might want. The food was very yummy though. You can either by the beer served here or you can bring your own drink. A great bonus! Really nice for a mid week quietish meal to get stuck into.

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  5. JC1234

    London30 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on April 21, 2015

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    The food was average, not really as spicy as we would have expected.

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  6. Reepat86

    London4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 5, 2015

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 2
    It was bhw.. The Sunday... It was the evening and so quiet, only us in there, we had the buffet, totally worth the value and no pressure to leave, it's BYOB with no corkage which makes it even better, you could sit there all evening with good friends, drink and food. excellent ☺

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  7. Carl

    London3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 31, 2014

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    I've been here four or five times now, and the food is consistently some of the best in Balham. On top of that - it is outstanding value, and a BYOB! Service is great too. Highly recommend.

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  8. vman79

    London1 review

    4.0

    Dined on August 29, 2014

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Very tasty and affordable food. Great service and the BYOB option is an added bonus.

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  9. WhiteRabbit

    London91 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 26, 2014

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    A small but perfectly formed restaurant in Balham. I was unfamiliar with Sri Lankan dishes, but menu looked good. We ordered a selection of small 'thali' plates - great way to try different dishes, delicious. I'd definitely return.

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  10. Treat

    London1 review

    4.0

    Dined on March 23, 2014

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Lovely Sunday lunch! Food cooked to perfection and friendly service. We all chose different meals and they were freshly cooked. Subtle spices and every morsel eaten by each of us.

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FAQs

Ale & spice offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at 020 3092 1522.

Ale & spice is rated 4.3 stars by 11 OpenTable diners.

  1. Home
  2. United Kingdom
  3. London
  4. South West London
  5. Balham

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing
Google Map for Ale & spice

104 Bedford Hill, London, SW12 9HR

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Balham
  • Hours of operation
    Monday - Sunday: 5:30pm - 10:30pm
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    Sri Lankan
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    A short walk from Balham underground and train station.
  • Payment options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Mr. Vignes
  • Additional
    Beer, Delivery, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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