Harden's says
From the team behind Caravan, Vardo (the name comes from Romany travelling wagons) opened in September 2019 in a purpose-built new building in Duke of York Square, with a public roof garden and the UK’s first fully retractable glass wall. The food is globally-inspired using top British ingredients.
Harden's survey result
Summary
In a dramatic modern pavilion in Chelsea’s Duke of York Square, this “buzzy and fun” venue (named after the Romany travelling wagon) boasts “plenty of outside seating” and is a particular summer favourite. Food-wise, it takes its cue from the Caravan group it is part of, delivering a global menu of “innovative” sharing plates (“interesting choices for most palettes and to suit those with food intolerances”).
Summary
Set in a striking purpose-built circular pavilion in Duke of York Square, this family-friendly venture is part of the Caravan group (it’s named after the Romany travelling wagon). The menu of global favourites is “very good value for Chelsea” (but, in gastronomic terms, perhaps a bit “dull”).
Summary
With its “great location” and “lovely outside tables” on Duke of York Square, together with the bold contemporary architecture of its circular premises (complete with roof garden), this three-year-old – named after the traditional Romany horse-drawn wagon – has much going for it. Fans would say this includes its diverse menu (similar to its Caravan group siblings) which “ranges from tasty Levantine dishes to delicious pizzas, so giving great variety for families to enjoy”. But ratings are undercut by complaints of “disappointing food” and a feeling that “they need to do something about the service”.
Summary
Looking a bit like a spaceship that’s beamed down next to the old Duke of York barracks, this “buzzy” and architecturally stunning all-day café – cylindrical and complete with public roof garden and mobile glass wall – opened in late 2019. Run by the team behind Caravan, it exhibits a lot of their DNA, scoring well as a “cheap ’n’ cheerful” option in pricey Chelsea and also for its superb breakfasts and brunches: “the people watching is great, as is the obviously high quality food (unusual, fresh and delicious) and coffee”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Vardo?
9 Duke of York Square, London, SW3 4LY
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £32.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £7.50 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
9 Duke of York Square, London, SW3 4LY
Opening hours
| Monday | 9 am‑9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am‑10 pm |
| Friday | 9 am‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 9 am‑10 pm |
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