Here’s a list of restaurants in Kensington & Chelsea that we recommend: (Note many of the pubs featured in our Pubs & Bars section also serve good food, so be sure to check for more options there.)
Aubaine
37-45 Kensington High Street, W8 5ED and 260-262 Brompton Road, SW3 2AS
Website: www.aubaine.co.uk
In two excellent locations in Kensington and Chelsea, the Aubaine restaurants are a perfect venue for dining throughout the day, be it quick and tasty lunch or long, lingering dinner at which you can also take advantage of their extensive wine list and fabulous cocktails. The restaurants are also a great choice for afternoons because of their famous patisserie offering; the Brompton Cross venue (which features a wonderful outdoor terrace) also has a selection of boulangerie for customers to take away.
Balans
187 Kensington High Street, W8 6SH
Website: www.balans.co.uk
Underground: High Street Kensington
A great place to dine, the menu here is very extensive with dishes from a variety of cuisines on offer. Excellent breakfasts too, if you’re in the area on a weekend, make sure you come here for brunch! Superb cocktails.
Bluebird
350 King’s Road, SW3 5UU
Website: www.bluebird-restaurant.co.uk
Underground: Sloane Square/South Kensington
Bluebird is the place to be and be seen in Chelsea. Situated on the Kings Road, Bluebird is a local neighbourhood restaurant on a grand scale, serving modern European cuisine. It comprises a restaurant and bar, café and courtyard, food store, wine cellar and bakery, with four private rooms available for hire.
Da Mario
15 Gloucester Road, SW7 4PP
Website: www.damario.co.uk
Underground: Gloucester Road
“Princess Diana Local Pizzeria” it says on the front steps, though it could just as easily and truthfully say “Kensington children’s favourite restaurant and party venue”. (Note: Well, when I was a child, anyway! Hardly a month went by without someone in my class having a party here – in the special venue room – or being taken here for a treat.) Great local pizzeria, there’s plenty of tasty pasta dishes and more besides on the menu.
Feng Sushi
locations in Notting Hill, Kensington and Chelsea – see website
Website: www.fengsushi.co.uk
Feng Sushi restaurants tend to be quite compact, so I’d recommend going to one of them if you want a good quality, Japanese “bite to eat” rather than a proper eating out experience. Food is excellent though, and I’m particularly impressed by the wide variety on the menu. What pleases me even more – if you’re ever so slightly picky about your fish (i.e. when it comes to sushi, I like salmon…and salmon…and salmon), you can get “boxes” of different sushi types made up of only that fish – e.g. a 12 piece salmon box. Or you like everything, there’s plenty of variety boxes. They usually also have seasonal specials.
Ffiona’s
51 Kensington Church Street, W8 4BA
Website: www.ffionas.com
Underground: High Street Kensington
Ffiona’s is one of the oldest family-run restaurants in London and over nearly 20 years has build up loyal following of locals, international travellers and celebrities. Ffiona’s specialises in British dishes cooked with love using only the very freshest ingredients. British classics such as rump of Welsh lamb are served along side modern dishes such as Steamed English asparagus served hot with an avocado dressing spiked with fresh horseradish. Ffiona’s is also famous for their Anglo-American brunches; Full English, Buttermilk Pancakes, Eggs Benedict, amazing cocktails…..and so much more.
Gaucho Grill
89 Sloane Avenue, SW3 3DX
Website: www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk
Underground: South Kensington
Beautiful restaurant with very stylish decor. If you’re into your steaks, this place is a must. There’s a wide choice of beef (and prices depend on the size of your steak), as well as other items from the grill, such as chicken, lamb or lobster, for example. Very yummy side dishes too, and an excellent selection of wine.
Gessler at Daquise
20 Thurloe Street, SW7 2LT
Website: gesslerlondon.com
Underground: South Kensington
If you’re a fan of hearty, Eastern European dishes (I know I am!), then you should definitely head to Gessler at Daquise. Where once was an old-fashioned, slightly rough-around-the-edges venue (the original restaurant opened in 1947) with hearty, tasty meals is now a smart, more fine-dining affair, having been bought by . The small restaurant is still cosy and comfortable, and many of the favourite dishes remain. Go for a variety of starters to share (top tips are beetroot, herring and pierogi – dumplings), and then a classic such as Golabki (cabbage leaves stuffed with veal) for a main. A fine selection of desserts too; do also try out the flavoured vodkas (my favourite was honey!) for a post-dinner tipple!
Itsu
118 Draycott Avenue, SW3 3AE
Website: www.itsu.co.uk
Underground: South Kensington
If you’re a big sushi fan – and want to eat it amongst the beautiful people in South Kensington – you should come here. Very good quality sushi, if a little on the expensive side. This isn’t, however, your typical 30-minute, in-n-out, converyor belt Japanese place (although it does operate a conveyor belt system), so if you’re after a more luxurious sushi dinner, come here!
Joe’s
126 Draycott Avenue, SW3
Website: www.joseph.co.uk
Underground: South Kensington
Joe’s is one of a small handful of restaurants owned by the ultra-chic fashion retailer JOSEPH. On a discrete back street off the Fulham Road, Joe’s beautifully attired customers eye up the exquisite creations hanging in the windows of JOSEPH’S flagship store opposite. Peppered with luxurious red leather chairs, the re- designed restaurant with its dramatic wall of wine is the new home of chef Maria Elia. Her eclectic cooking has flavour at its heart and an underpinning of sustainability. The frequently changing menu is made up of deceptively simple, multi-layered dishes, all keenly priced. Vegetarians will be pleasantly surprised by the choices offered for Maria Elia is a master of vegetarian cooking. The lunchtime set menu changes daily.
Julie’s
135 Portland Road, W11 4LW
Website: www.juliesrestaurant.com
Underground: Holland Park
One of the classic restaurants in West London (it’s over 40 years old!) this wonderful place has lots of different levels and little hidden alcoves, with different furnishings throughout. Definitely the place to come for a “special” meal, no doubt many a celebratory or romantic time has been had here!
Le Cercle Restaurant & Bar
1 Wilbraham Place, SW1X 9AE
Website: www.lecercle.co.uk
Underground: Sloane Square
Le Cercle is another divine gastronomic experience from the stable that includes Club Gascon and Comptoir Gascon. This is fine French dining at its best. Le Cercle provides all the trappings that guarantee a memorable night out – award-winning food, discreet service, a glamorous bar and an impressive wine list. The restaurant is intimate and moody, with discreet booths perfect for clandestine meetings of both the romantic and entrepreneurial kind. Le Cercle offers an express lunch for excellent value at £15 for three courses and £19.50 for four, including tea and coffee. It is also the ideal venue for relaxing cocktails after a long day of shopping. Look out for the Flower menu launched every year to celebrate the Chelsea Flower Show!
L’Etranger
36 Gloucester Road, SW7 4QT
Website: www.etranger.co.uk
Underground: Gloucester Road
Upmarket French restaurant with an Asian twist.
Maggie Jones’s
6 Old Court Place, W8 4PL
Underground: High Street Kensington
Another Kensington favourite, this one draws the crowds back again and again with its classic food and cozy setting.
Masala Zone
147 Earls Court Road, SW5 9RQ
Website: www.masalazone.com
Underground: Earls Court
Great value – and very authentic – Indian place. Lots of great dishes on offer, our top tip is one of the Thali dishes for a little mix of everything.
Nozomi
14-15 Beauchamp Place, SW3 1NQ
Website: www.nozomi.co.uk
Underground: Knightsbridge
Gorgeous Japanese restaurant serving sumptious food and exqusitie cocktails. Be warned that the dishes are slightly on the small side (well, it is sushi) whilst the bill tends to be on the large side!
Pasha
1 Gloucester Road, SW7 4PP
Website: www.pasha-restaurant.co.uk
Underground: High Street Kensington/Gloucester Road
Wonderful Moroccan restaurant that’s as much a feast for your eyes (amazing decor) as for your tastebuds! Really great, traditional food, don’t be surprised to see a bellydancer do her thing whilst you dine! There’s also a lounge for cocktails and hookah pipes.
Spaghetti House
9 Kensington High Street, W8 5NP
Underground: High Street Kensington
The High Street welcomes an old favourite! Something of a London institution (the very first Spaghetti House was opened in Goodge Street in 1955), this newly opened restaurant in Kensington serves up some of the old favourites from their wonderful range of typical Italian cuisine. From the rustic breads and antipasti to start, to the pasta dishes (of course!) and “La pasta artigianale” (handcrafted artisanal dishes), not forgetting their pizzas and other Italian mains. For something a bit special, why not try “La spaghettata”, a spaghetti meal for two that’s served in “the Italian way to eat pasta” – by sharing!
Thai Square
19 Exhibition Road, SW7 2HE
Website: www.thaisquare.net
Underground: South Kensington
Fantastic Thai food
Timo Restaurant
343 Kensington High Street, W8 6NW
Website: www.timorestaurant.net
Underground: Kensington Olympia or High Street Kensington
Timo is an elegant, modern Italian restaurant in the heart of Kensington. You will be warmly greeted by the proprietor Piero Amodio who, together with his team, consistently aim for the highest standards of food and service. As well as advising you about the daily specials, Piero will recommend wines from his extensive list, representing most of the regions in Italy, from which you will find the perfect wine to complement your food.
Wagamama
180 – 182 Earls Court Road, SW5 9QG and 26 Kensington High Street, W8 4PF
Website: www.wagamama.com
Underground: Earls Court or High Street Kensington
These places were a relevation when they opened, and are based on ramen bars in Japan. Good value for menu, they’re perfect if you want a quick bite to eat – you’ll be in and out in no time. (That’s not a criticism, that’s just the style of the place.) Plenty of noodle/soup dishes, there’s also salads and rice dishes.