Milk has served brunch by Hildreth Street market in Balham, south London, since 2012. Its aim is to serve “the highest quality, most exciting, creative, contemporary and ultimately delicious food & drink” it can, working only with independent suppliers, with growth, expression and nods to nostalgia at the core. Dairy, eggs and cheese come from Northiam in Sussex, Cackleberry Farm in Gloucestershire and Neal’s Yard Dairy in London, honey from Bermondsey Bees, and fruit and veg from Natoora and from Mick, Balham’s longest-serving market grocer.
The menu changes with the seasons. Some weekday dishes on the café menu make way for a pancake special at weekends, and there is a selection of vegan and gluten-free options. Milk takes no bookings and seats on a first come, first served basis, and it is card only. In July 2024 it opened Milk Run, a bakery sister in Tooting Bec with a pastry counter and shelves of sourdough and focaccia baked fresh daily.
The drinks list runs from espresso drinks to single-origin filter and iced filter. The coffee comes from five roasters: The Barn in Berlin, Bailies in Belfast, Assembly in Brixton, Plot in Woolwich and Penelope in Tunbridge Wells.
Coffee on the shelf
- The Barn Berlin
- Bailies Coffee Roasters Belfast
- Assembly Coffee Brixton
- Plot Roasting Woolwich
- Penelope Coffee Tunbridge Wells
Photograph: Milk