London North Kensington Restaurant Guide

2021 Review: On Ladbroke Grove, this big landmark pub was taken over by Harcourt Inns, with chef Ruairidh Summers at the stoves, and re-launched in mid-2019, too late for survey feedback.

“Still one of the best Turkish grills in town” – this Ladbroke Grove fixture might be “a bit spartan”, but “speedy service and BYO” make it a “cost-effective alternative to eating at home”. Top Tip – there’s “slightly less-packed seating in the extension next door”.

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.

“An excellent Greek, with a brilliant, relaxed atmosphere. Being Mediterranean, the staff love children. Highly recommended!” – In the thick of Portobello, this cosy spot is only three years old, but fairly conventional in style, complete with ‘traditional comfort cuisine’ and live Greek music.

2021 Review: “A little corner of authenticity in an ever-more-gentrified bit of London”, this Portuguese café in North Kensington’s Golborne Road has been famous for its pastéis de nata for more than 20 years – and, despite increased competition, fans swear they’re “still the best custard tarts in town”.

“Jackson Boxer’s sublime Notting Hill outpost remains an out-and-out favourite, from the laid- back vibe to the small but perfectly formed menu” – that’s the unanimous view on his “beautifully lit and cosy” four-year-old: a “consistent and fantastic neighbourhood restaurant” serving superb, “inventive” small plates all at a “very reasonable price”. Top Menu Tip – “special kudos has to go to the caviar served simply with potato chips and sour cream just as it should be”.

This “decent Notting Hill Italian” is “always mobbed (and the back area is particularly noisy), but the basic fare is great quality and the service is smiley”. It has notched up a quarter of a century, and spawned two offshoots in the same street – Essenza and Osteria Basilico.

A “local favourite” in Notting Hill for more than 30 years on account of its “always-consistent” cooking, this rustic Italian is the sort of place with something for “every member of the family”. It has spawned two offspring in the same street, Essenza and Mediterraneo – an indication of how well it suits the neighbourhood.

“Go for the cinnamon buns, top-quality coffee and croissants and amazing sarnies too”, say fans of this superb “artisanal bakery”, towards the very northern end of the Portobello Road.

“A hot new ticket north of the Portobello Road” – Insta fave-rave, Thomas Straker’s “super-busy” new 40-seater opened in November 2022 and has a “brilliant atmosphere” driven by “passionate chefs creating unusual food in a sharing plates concept”. At their best, results are electrifying, but the odd misfire is not unknown: “the famed butter-drenched flatbreads were over burnt, so the waiters trying to upsell us was annoying… the doughnuts and langoustines were heaven though!”

“Top pizza by the boys from Napoli!” – Carmelo Meli and Emanuele Tagliarina’s “small” venues offer “great pizzas” (it’s down to the San Marzano tomatoes and EVO oil apparently) and “a good atmosphere”. The original in SW3 is the highest rated, and W11 also wins numerous favourable reports. Also now in Hampstead (since 2022) and – new in mid-2023 – Soho.

“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.