Now in their 12th year, the lifestyle awards run by the website Muddy Stilettos highlight standout independent businesses across 21 categories, with hundreds of thousands of votes cast nationwide.
This year’s awards have been described as the most popular to date, with over half a million nominations and votes submitted across the UK.
The south west London winners in the London region are:
• Exhibit Balham (Best Bar) – More than just a pub, Exhibit is an all-day venue in Balham combining a cocktail bar, restaurant and late-night party spot.
It hosts bottomless brunches, flowing dinners, DJs every weekend, and boasts a hidden garden bar often described as one of Balham’s best-kept secrets.
• The Avenue Cookery School, Wandsworth (Best Family Experience) – A family-run cookery school offering relaxed and sociable classes for adults and children.
Known for its fun and hands-on approach, the school runs everything from boozy evening workshops to kids’ parties, corporate events and private sessions.
• Maremma, Brixton (Best Restaurant) – A neighbourhood Tuscan restaurant with a focus on seasonal regional dishes.
Its concise menu features handmade pasta and charcoal-grilled meat and fish, with wines, cheeses and olive oils imported directly from the Maremma region in Italy.
All regional winners will now go forward to the 2025 National Awards, where five businesses in each category will be selected by the Muddy Stilettos Editors for the national finals.
The overall ‘Best of the Best’ winners will be announced in June.
Hero Brown, founder and Editor-in-chief of Muddy Stilettos, said: “I set up these awards 12 years ago to give local lifestyle indies a chance to shine.
“It’s been an honour to showcase these most creative, innovative lifestyle businesses across London.
“The response to this year’s Muddy Awards has been incredible with thousands voting to support an amazing array of local businesses big and small.”
