Those who live or work in Sanderstead will know that whilst us locals love a good curry and can often be found indulging in a large cod and chips from several of the fantastic fish & chip shops we’ve been blessed with, we’ve also been crying out for a new restaurant to open up in recent years. It’s no wonder then that we’ve welcomed this family-run business, serving authentic mediterranean cuisine with open arms…and a two-week waiting list.

On arrival to the restaurant, located on Limpsfield Road, we’re greeted with a warm welcome from the team and the decor is just as inviting; exposed brick walls, low-level industrial lighting and colourful mediterranean tiles along the bar all suggest this is a place to linger – either over dinner or a drink or two.

Once seated, we learn that the chefs bake fresh bread every morning, which of course, we couldn’t resist, so we kicked off our meal with a basket-load, along with the perfect accompaniment of Babaganoush and Cacak dip, also known as Tsatsiki.

The menu offers a great variety of warm and cold starters to try or you can opt for a mix meze to share. We went for the (oh so garlic-y) Med King Prawns, the Buttered Calamari and the traditional Vine Leaves, beautifully stuffed with rice, pine nuts, currants and caramelised onions.

For the mains, you really are spoilt for choice; Seafood lovers will rejoice at the variety of options, including Chargrilled Sea Bass and Prawn Guvec – a traditional style casserole with tomato, white wine, onions and mushrooms, baked in the oven with cheese. Vegetarians are also in for a treat with dishes including Halloumi Kebab and homemade Falafel. After a few minutes drooling over the menu and much debate, we opted to share the traditional Lamb Moussaka and the Mixed Grill – a very generous dish featuring marinated lamb cutlets, lamb shish, chicken wings, chicken shish and an adana kebab. Yes…like the vine leaves we’d devoured before, we were stuffed, but both dishes were a delight and packed with flavour.

After that feast there was little room for dessert, but who were we to say no to homemade Baklava? It didn’t disappoint.

As we leave it’s clear to us that Sanderstead has gained an exciting new neighbour in The Med Kitchen, and with takeaway available as well as outdoor seating I’m certain this will be the first of many visits. It certainly feels like a breath of fresh air has been blown into the neighbourhood…all the way from the Med.

The Med Kitchen can be found at 39 Limpsfield Rd, South Croydon CR2 9LA. For reservations and more, visit their website here.

Posted by guest writer Hannah Clemens. Photos courtesy of The Med Kitchen, header image by the Croydonist.

Hannah is a born and bred Croydoner and self-confessed foodie, working as a marketing and brand consultant for local businesses.