Basil & Grape - Croydon

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

K M.

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.

Julie S.

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!

Dani K.

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

louis D.

Came for a birthday lunch, food was great, atmosphere was very chill and the staff were all pleasant. Will come again.

MrBABBOCH

I’ve been coming to Basil & Grape for quite a while now, and every visit has reminded me why this place stands out from so many others in London, especially when it comes to Italian food. It’s rare to find a restaurant that manages to balance consistency, quality, and genuine hospitality over multiple visits, but they pull it off every time.

From the moment you walk in, there’s a relaxed but professional atmosphere. The team are attentive without being overbearing — they check in at the right times, they notice when your glass is empty, and they’re more than happy to explain the menu or suggest a wine pairing if you’re unsure. They treat you as if you’ve been a regular for years, even if it’s your first time.

The food here isn’t just good — it’s carefully made. You can tell straight away that the sauces are cooked from scratch because they have depth and richness you simply can’t fake. My personal favourite, without a doubt, is their bolognese pasta. On paper it sounds like a simple dish, but here it’s done the way I’ve only ever had it in Italy — the pasta cooked perfectly al dente so it holds the sauce just right, and the bolognese itself slow-cooked so the flavours have time to blend. You can taste the freshness of the tomatoes and the quality of the meat. There’s no overpowering seasoning to mask anything, just clean, balanced flavours that speak for themselves.

I’ve eaten bolognese in plenty of restaurants around London, including places that charge far more than here, but it’s rare to find one that tastes this authentic. Most places either drown it in cheese or serve it lukewarm; here, it arrives hot, beautifully presented, and portioned generously enough to leave you satisfied but not uncomfortable.

The cocktails are also worth mentioning. I’ve tried several on different visits, and they’ve always been full of flavour and well-balanced. Presentation-wise, they look as good as they taste — you can tell there’s actual thought put into them, rather than just throwing ingredients together. It’s one of the few places in Croydon where the drinks feel like they could be served in a top London cocktail bar.

As for the atmosphere, it’s cosy yet lively. The music is never too loud, the lighting is warm without being dark, and the tables are spaced so you can have a conversation without shouting over your neighbour’s table. You never feel rushed here, even when it’s busy — which to me is a sign of a restaurant that cares more about the guest’s experience than about flipping tables quickly.

What really sets Basil & Grape apart, though, is that everything feels intentional — from the way the food is plated to the way the staff move around the floor. It doesn’t feel chaotic or slapped together. Every time I leave, I feel like I’ve had a proper meal cooked and served by people who genuinely take pride in what they do. That’s why I keep coming back, and why I recommend it to anyone looking for authentic Italian food with service to match.

Christine J.

What a fantastic find in the middle of East Croydon. Our first visit & had a sharing board & happy hour cocktails, delicious! I only wish we'd found it sooner.

George H.

Having visited this restaurant a few times, the range of pinsa’s on the menu is impressive, with both red and white options available. The starters are definitely worth a try, and there is a good selection of wines on offer. It’s great to have such authentic tastes in Croydon.

While the quality of the food is top notch, the prices are a little steep considering the location and portion sizes - Central London prices in Croydon. If it wasn’t for this, we’d visit more often.

That said, the restaurant has always been busy and staff have always been warm and welcoming to us.