North Kensington, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

2022 Review: This expensively refurbished Ladbroke Grove pub quietly opened in late summer 2019 – when we added it to the website it already had over 20k followers on Instagram, which can be explained by its backing… some guy called Ed Sheeran. Early reports of the diverse menu suggest that Ed’s lyricism hasn’t infused the cooking with any magic – quite the contrary – but that his upbeat style is more evident in its party vibe.

On the second floor, above the former site of Pizza East (RIP) – a semi-secret pub upstairs from hip Notting Hill Italian the Canteen, whose street cred was sealed by making entry in the early days ‘by invitation only’ (via WhatsApp). From the team behind the Pelican nearby and the Hero in Maida Vale, it’s big on cocktails as well as beer. The menu changes daily but is limited: three snacks, a starter, main, and dessert.

Viral chef Thomas Straker (3M+ followers on Inst) successfully delivers on the promise of his social fame at his “Notting Hill hotspot” off Portobello Road – a “warm, convivial hug of a place” with “excellent food from great grilled fish to knockout duck gnocchi” (“I know I’m getting old because I’m starting to hate music in restaurants: that aside, Straker’s cooking is exquisite”). A fire in the ventilation system closed the venue in spring 2025 but that had little effect on the chef’s momentum: he switched to a residency at the nearby Brasseria while opening casual deli/restaurant Acre across the road (see also) and plotting his first launch in NYC for good measure. Top Menu Tip – “OMG the flatbreads…”, which come topped with mussels and chilli butter or leeks and taleggio.

2024 Review: “In a scruffy but lovely part of London, in the shadow of the Trellick Tower”, this year-old, Portobello-fringe bar/restaurant is “top notch”. It serves “small plates of interesting combinations charred on an open grill” and “bar seats offer great views of the actual cooking”. Beyond the food, it’s an “excellent night out” all round thanks to its “warm ambience”, helped along by a brilliantly curated vinyl collection.