The Laundry, Brixton, launches terrace for al fresco dining

The Laundry, Brixton’s neighbourhood bistro and wine shop from award-winning hospitality entrepreneur Melanie Brown, launched its beautiful new terrace on 4 July.

The Laundry occupies the striking Edwardian building, Walton Lodge on Coldharbour Lane, next to Brixton Village, and has opened its vast, south-facing terrace for guests to enjoy all day, every day. From Caravan coffees with pastries and brunches served until 3pm, Monday - Sunday, through to long al fresco lunches and cocktails as the sun goes down; the new terrace is the perfect spot for the summer months. Offering socially distanced tables with plenty of space, the terrace at The Laundry is the perfect venue for South Londoners to enjoy as lockdown lifts.

The all-day menu is designed for sunny, al fresco grazing (with or without a cool, crisp glass of New Zealand wine) and includes a selection of sharing charcuterie, cheese and antipasti plates as well as meals such as; heritage tomato and basil bruschetta; croque madame; roast chicken, lemon, garlic and gravy; caesar salad; grilled asparagus, lemon and pecorino; and their very own Laundry beef burger. A fare with a nod to traditional french brasseries. As well as The Laundry’s renowned chocolate chip cookie; and nothing says summer like a glorious bowl of English strawberries and cream.

The Laundry comes from Melanie Brown, founder of wine bar Specialist Cellars (previously The New Zealand Cellar) at nearby Pop Brixton, so the wine list is as imaginative, varied and accessible as they come. There’s a concise wine selection on the main list, with a varied selection served by the glass, starting at £6.50. The list aims to represent the very best from old and new world regions to guide guests towards new varietals, as well as providing exceptional representation from classic and well-loved makers, and - notably for the Terrace at The Laundry - lots of fresh summer whites and rosés.

An additional and evolving selection of wines are also served from The Laundry’s premium private cellar collection, The Cleaner’s Diary... Designed to offer a succinct list of fine wines from Bordeaux to Blenheim that remain accessible to ensure guests can enjoy affordable, mature bottles from some of the world’s greatest estates.

Inside, The Laundry still offers the laid-back, cosy banquettes, elegant bar and counter seating, and private dining rooms that locals know and love.

Well-known and respected within the capital’s hospitality industry, New Zealander Melanie Brown previously trained and worked as a chef with Peter Gordon at his restaurant The Providores & Tapa Room in Marylebone, before founding award-winning wine bar and online retailers The New Zealand Cellar and The Australian Cellar, now known as Specialist Cellars. Brown brings more than a decade of restaurant experience to the project, having also worked at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen, Raymond Blanc’s Le Petit Blanc and Vinoteca.

The Laundry is open from 8am Mon- Fri, 9am Sat & Sun