For fans not from the UK, Craven Cottage, home to Fulham Football Club, is more than just a football haven. To some people, it’s home, and match day is a ritual.
For most of you, that ritual involves food and a few pints—sounds like the perfect Sunday (or Saturday or weekday, whenever the game is). The ground is close to a few great places to fuel up for the pure rage that’s about to leave your body.
Read on for five of our favourite places to eat close to Craven Cottage.
Nando’s
A cheeky Nandos before the game? Sounds perfect.
Cheap, cheerful, tasty, and quick — that’s what Nando’s is about. And if you’re one of the weird people who says they’re not a fan of Nandos, you simply haven’t found your Nandos order combination.
Nando’s serves unmatched peri-peri chicken and vegetarian options. The casual dining restaurant provides a relaxing atmosphere and great customer service, so you can eat before the match without rushing the matchday experience.
Located in Fulham Broadway Retail Centre and a 30-minute walk or 9 minutes Uber from the Stadium, you can’t go wrong.
Gola
Experience the richness Gola brings from Southern Italy.
This restaurant is located at 787 Fulham Road, London SW6 5HD, and is roughly a 20-minute walk from the stadium or a short bus or taxi ride.
The rounded drinks rack that illuminates gives the restaurant a beautiful smart setting and inviting ambiance.
Signature dishes often use fresh pasta and seafood, reflecting the coastal cuisine of Puglia. Preferred by customers before matches thanks to the upscale dining experience, it’s a bit of an upmarket suggestion, but we’re sure you’ll love it.
Fishers
You can’t go wrong with a classic fish and chips! And if you don’t like fish, well, we don’t need to explain what a chip shop sells to anyone from the UK.
For us, Fishers is the place to be. It offers great value and authentic taste. It is located at 19 Fulham High Street, London, SW6 3JH, about a 15-minute walk to Craven Cottage, which makes it very handy on a matchday.
The restaurant specialises in freshly caught, ethically marketed fish, all beautifully battered and fried, and served with all the traditional accompaniments. Whether you prefer cod, haddock, or plaice, Fishers guarantees that the batter will be crisp and the fish tender and soft.
La Pizzica
With its modern take on classic Salentina cuisine, La Pizzica offers a top-tier gastronomic experience.
It is located at 764-766 Fulham Road, London SW6 5SJ, and, again, is only a 15-minute walk from the stadium. The warm atmosphere is created by the modern decor and the exposed brickwork, which feels authentic to Salentina.
Some of the restaurant’s highlights include wood-fired pizzas, other varieties of pasta, and the best ingredients from Italy. The restaurant uses seasonal, local ingredients to keep their dishes fresh all year round. Again, it’s a bit more up-market for game day, but some people like that.
The Harwood Arms
Back to true British fashion, how could we not mention a pub?
The Harwood Arms is the only Michelin-star pub in London, so technically we’re sticking to the upmarket vibes again. Despite that, it still feels like a traditional pub inside.
Located at Walham Grove, London SW6 1QP, it is roughly a 30-minute walk to Craven Cottage. The pub specialises in British cuisine with a focus on game and wild food served in a relaxed atmosphere. Their signature dishes are venison Scotch eggs, hearty meat pies, and local vegetables. Its seasonal menu serves fresh and unique dishes, which certainly make your matchday start on a good note. Well, actually, because this is such an upmarket place, we’d recommend going after a big game, like a reward. If Fulham wins a big game, treat yourself.
The areas around Craven Cottage have endless options; you’ll find something you love. Or maybe you won’t eat if you let match-day nerves get the better of you. In that case, you’ve got a Wetherspoons that you can walk to in 20 minutes.