Basil & Grape Restaurant in Croydon

Reviews

1. JayG ★★★☆☆

   I visited Basil and Grape recently for a meal and drinks with work colleagues. While the restaurant has a nice atmosphere and the staff were polite, I found the overall experience lacked value for money. The Experience: * Service & Pricing: It felt a bit like a "money grab" at times. When we asked for a wine recommendation, the staff suggested a bottle that was £15 more expensive than anything else on the menu. * Hidden Costs: Be aware that there is a 12.5% "discretionary" service charge added to the bill. This is only mentioned in the very last sentence of the menu, so you end up leaving a tip regardless of whether you felt the experience warranted it. * Location vs. Price: The prices are quite steep—more in line with Central London than what you'd expect for Croydon. The Food: * Bolognese: Personally, this wasn't my favorite. The bolognese was extremely herby, which made it quite difficult to finish. Italian food is subjective, but for my taste, the seasoning was just too much. Verdict: A stylish venue for a drink, but between the pushy wine suggestions, the hidden service charge, and the hit-or-miss food, I probably won't be rushing back.

   almost 8 months ago
2. Julie Smith ★★★★★

   Our favourite local Italian. Such good food and attentive service. We had a delicious bottle of Chianti last time we visited and this beautiful charcuterie board. They really took care of us and we’ll be back!

   almost 10 months ago
3. Federica ★★★★★

   Ambience & Atmosphere The décor strikes a lovely balance between chic and cozy. It’s Italian in spirit but it doesn’t try too hard; there’s an elegance here without pretension. Whether you’re at one of the more central tables or tucked away in the back, it feels private and comfortable. The lighting is just soft enough to feel relaxed but bright enough to appreciate the food. Background music complements rather than competes. All this makes Basil & Grape perfect for date nights, dinners with friends, or even just a relaxing evening out. ⸻ Service One of the highlights for me—because it can really make or break a meal. The staff are consistently attentive, friendly, and genuinely seem to care. They’re not rushing you, they’re checking in at just the right moments, offering suggestions without overwhelming, and they clearly know their menu well. Every recommendation felt thoughtful. Little touches—refilling water without being asked, checking if something is to your liking, offering wine pairings—showed a professionalism and warmth that made us feel well looked after the whole night. ⸻ Food & Drinks This is where Basil & Grape absolutely shines. • Pizzas / Pinsa & Main Dishes: The pizzas—or more specifically, their Roman-style pinsas—are exceptional. The crust has that lovely contrast: crisp where it should be, light and airy elsewhere, and with toppings that taste fresh and vibrant. There are creative combinations that delight, but also more classic ones done to perfection. Every bite felt balanced, with good respect for ingredients. • Sharing Boards & Starters: We tried the Massima platter (meats, cheeses, etc.) and a few bruschettas. These were delightful. Generous portions, great variety, and everything fresh. The nuts, the cured meats, the cheeses—all well chosen. A simple thing like the garlic bread or salad also impressed; often, those are afterthoughts, but here, every dish is crafted with care. • Desserts: We ended with tiramisu and a berry tart served with vanilla ice-cream. Both were excellent. The tiramisu was creamy and well balanced—not overly sweet, with a good kick of coffee and just the right texture. The berry tart was fresh and light, perfect to close the meal without overwhelming. • Wine & Cocktails: The wine list is a serious plus. They’ve got a thoughtful selection of Italian wines, and a few international ones too, all of which pair nicely with what’s on the menu. There was also a wine tasting evening that was just brilliant: six wines (three whites, three reds), paired with a generous sharing board, and led by staff who knew what they were talking about. (No snobbishness, just passion.) The cocktails are also a joy—classic ones well done, some inventive ones to try, and good value, especially during happy hour or the 2-for-1 offers. ⸻ Value for Money While it isn’t dirt cheap, in my opinion you get what you pay for. For the quality of food, the thought put into every dish, the ambiance, service, and drink choices, the pricing feels fair. If I had to pick a criticism, perhaps some items are a bit higher than you might expect for Croydon—but honestly, those are more “notes” rather than drawbacks. On balance, the experience justifies the spend. ⸻ Final Thoughts Basil & Grape is one of those places you keep returning to—not because there’s just one great dish, but because the whole package is reliably excellent. It’s not just food, it’s a mood: warm, intimate, vibrant, well-crafted. Whether you want to relax with a glass of wine, enjoy a proper Italian meal, try something a bit special with friends, or have a romantic evening, this place delivers. I left feeling more than satisfied—looked after, inspired, with a smile and already planning when I’ll go back. If you want a restaurant that makes you pause and appreciate the little things (fresh basil, good bread, that first sip of wine, the laugher at your table), Basil & Grape is definitely worth seeking out. Five stars from me, without hesitation.

   almost 11 months ago

1. Dani K ★★★★★

   Highly recommend the wine tasting! Really lovely welcome from everyone, food was amazing. Really lovely authentic Italian. Can't wait to return.

   1 year ago
2. K Mistry ★☆☆☆☆

   We visited this place based on recommendations, but unfortunately, our experience was very disappointing. From the moment we arrived, there was a noticeable lack of customer welcome. We waited around 30 minutes just to place our food and drink order. The restaurant appeared to be severely understaffed, with only three people managing all roles — cooking, cleaning, waiting, and bar service. At no point were we asked about any allergies, which was concerning. While the food tasted good, we couldn’t help but question its freshness. The restaurant lacked proper cooking facilities (except from a small gas cooker and oven similar to have we have at home), which raised doubts about how the food was prepared. The portion sizes were also quite small considering the high prices. The cocktails were a letdown - they tasted watered down, lacked any real flavour, and the presentation was poor. To make matters worse, there was a “testing area” right behind our table. A table in that area had a large stainless steel pot half-filled with red sauce and meatballs, which remained uncovered for over three hours. Nobody made any effort to cover it during our entire visit — something clearly visible in the photos I took. It was unsettling and unhygienic. Overall, it was a disappointing experience - especially for the amount of money we spent. Sadly, we don’t see ourselves returning to this place. EDIT: In response to the business’s response of 20/05/2025 Thank you for your response. I just wanted to clarify that some of the points you mentioned about our experience aren’t accurate. I’ve attached seven photos with timestamps that show key moments including our arrival time, as well as when the drinks, starters, and mains were served. - We arrived at 1845 and ordered food and drinks not too long after - Our drinks did not arrive until 1935 with starters at this point - It took 40 minutes for mains to arrive, with us waiting a good deal - The pot with the tomato sauce was spotted near the start and was still left on the table, uncovered by the time we had left. - We did not receive a complimentary dessert. - We had lost faith in the preparation standards and service by the end of the meal so accepted the weak cocktails for what they were Overall, I maintain the experience was poor - with all my reviews, I give a fair and thoughtful account, and on this occasion, the quality and hygiene didn’t meet the expected standards.

   1 year ago
3. Jane H ★★★★☆

   Came here to celebrate a birthday with family, staff were very attentive, antipasti platter was delicious and the Italian sausage & mushroom pizza was tasty and so was the drinks. We were told pasta dishes will soon be introduced to the menu, I'd come back again!

   almost 3 years ago

1. Travelling Doc ★★★★☆

   Located a short walk away from east Croydon train station. Friendly welcome. Interior in the darker side with nice lighting and some reminiscent of Valentine’s Day with love hearts stuck to the walls. Had the negroni- was good. The weekly pizza special which was burrata and mortadella which is put on after the pizza is done. Only issue is that it was rather tasteless- Could have more seasoning/ flavouring. Pizza base was good. Tiramisu was good. Was overcharged for the negroni and had to get it amended. Dinner- in and out in an hour.

   almost 3 years ago
2. James Lerwin Dela Peña ★★★★★

   Loved the atmosphere of the restaurant! Pizza was cooked in the right temperature and indeed delicious. They offer great selection of wine and the staff are very courteous and friendly. I highly recommend this restaurant.

   almost 3 years ago
3. Nadine Stewart ★★☆☆☆

   Lots of good reviews for eating in here, unfortunately I don’t have anything good to say about my experience getting a takeaway (via Deliveroo). Terrible value for money. I posted pics for proof. A £10 salad (goats cheese & pears) in a small cardboard box and a measly slice of tiramisu for £6, also in a cardboard box. Shamelessly bad portion sizes for the price I paid. Also, there are plenty of other more suitable and practical takeaway container options for a salad than a cardboard box. It looked sloppy, not at all presentable. Very disappointing.

   almost 3 years ago

1. Capt John F. Holmes ★★★★☆

   Busy Friday evening but a table was found for 3 in a very cosy area at the rear of the restaurant. Very prompt service with attentive staff. Had Suprema board, tasty with a great dessert. Would return for sure.

   almost 4 years ago

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