Where to eat in Wimbledon

It's as lovely as it sounds, Wimbledon Village—a little enclave of quaintness in a gentrified corner of London, beside a village green and a duck pond. During the tennis, it is decked out in purple and green, bunting strung from window to Victorian window; it is also packed to the gills with tennis fans forming sunburned queues at chain restaurants (tip: book a table asap). Here's where to find the best tables even if you haven't booked (fools! This is Wimbledon, don't you know?), watch the match and pick up a picnic.

BEST FOR BREAKFAST AND ALL-DAY DINING

The Ivy Café

Boris Becker and Novak Djokovic have already been spotted here—at The Ivy's new Wimbledon Village Café. It opened earlier this month, just in time for the tennis, in what was originally a bank (though the building was, more recently and amusingly, the Sugarpova sweet shop owned by Maria Sharapova, whose line of confectionary got Wimbledon kids high as kites). Ivy classics are served all day, and the good news is that you can just walk in. Insider tip: Go for the best breakfast anywhere in Wimbledon in the lovely little garden terrace out back—it opens at 8am—when it will be quieter and calmer.
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Light on the Common

A lovely spot for lunch or dinner, practically on the Common. They're all about the seasonal, with daily specials on a chalkboard menu. The food is simple and super fresh, with interesting herb/spice twists; stand-outs include a baked harrisa salmon, watercress tabbouleh and tahini sauté potatoes. And wine–lots by the glass—so perfect for a crisp rosé with lunch. Insider tip: These guys also have a sister restaurant, The Lighthouse on the Ridgeway, about a 15min walk from the village. It serves really excellent contemporary British/French fusion food—and as it's just outside the village, it's a bit calmer during Wimbledon weeks. Website

Maison St Cassien

A more exotic flavour at this little place just over the road from The Ivy Café, which does Mediterranean and Lebanese food and has a cute little courtyard garden. A nice low-key spot for an iced latte and falafel when the sun is out. Website

THE BEST PUBS IN TOWN

The Dog and Fox

It's always been a fabulous old pub, the Dog & Fox—and recently it has been updated and had 17 lovely rooms added (Farrow & Ball-painted wooden panelling, vintage tennis racquets on the wall, type thing). The restaurant is excellent, and they put on a good show for Wimbledon: live music, big screens showing the tennis, a pop-up rum shack. They have a garden and real ales from the local Wimbledon Brewery, too. Website

Fox and Grapes

This cute boozer-turned-gastropub a few years ago, when they brought in a Michelin-star-winning chef and started serving accomplished modern British food. Its location, right beside the common, is all part of the appeal for summertime eating and drinking. 
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THE BEST HOTEL IN WIMBLEDON

Cannizaro House

On the edge of Wimbledon Common is the smartest hotel around: Cannizaro House, set in an 18th-century mansion within its own parkland. Kings, prime ministers and Oscar Wilde have all stayed here, when it was a private country house. It's now a Hotel du Vin, and they've turned the Orangerie, with its potted orange and olive trees and huge glass windows, into a restaurant, which has a superb view out over the full-of-flowers Cannizaro Park and does a wonderful afternoon tea—an iconic Wimbledon experience. Website

BEST FOR PICNIC SUPPLIES

Gail's Bakery

Truly bread of heaven (there are eight different types of sourdough alone) and the most wondrous cakes for your picnic. You can get a decent cup of coffee here, too. Website

Bayley & Sage

Swing by this organic deli to pick up supplies for your picnic, courtside or common. It may cost you as much as a ticket to Centre Court, but heavens to Betsy, what a picnic it will be! Great hams, wheels of obscure-origin cheese, prize-winning charcuterie, famed Scotch eggs. Whole globe artichokes and watermelons, breads, the most delicate tarts, and candy-coloured macarons. Perhaps a pheasant or two, freshly shot—definitely several bottles of wine and fizz. Or just sandwiches, made to order.  Website

FOR LATE-NIGHT CAROUSING

Hemingways Lounge Bar

Hemingways is Wimbledon's smartest cocktail bar, and the only independent one left. Go for the espresso martini, or, if it's late (it stays open till 1.30am), go for the house signature, Pomme D'Hemingways—a large measure of Jack Daniel's, organic apple sauce, orange bitters and lemonade.  Website