My favourite restaurants in Notting Hill
Notting Hill has always been a special place for me: my mother’s side of the family have always been based in the area, and I spent my teenage years visiting Portobello Road Market on Saturdays, and later, during my university years, wandering the neighbourhood streets by myself and sharing my photos of the pretty, coloured houses on Instagram. I’ve now called this neighbourhood home for five years, and below, I’ve rounded up my favourite restaurants in the local area:
Picture this: three floors of elegant restaurant space, and a buzzing bar on the ground floor, situated slap bang in the middle of Portobello Road. It’s no surprise that Gold has been doing a roaring trade since opening in 2019. Offering a Mediterranean-inspired menu in a chic but unpretentious setting, it makes the perfect location for date night, dinner with friends, or after-work drinks. Expect moreish sharing plates: creamy burrata and grilled peppers on toast, roast chicken in buttery ndjua sauce, and the charred aubergine are some of my favourite dishes on the menu, but it’s very hard to choose!
This bakery at the top of Portobello Road has established somewhat of a cult following, and for good reason too. Expect an impressive variety of freshly baked pastries on the counter every day: fluffy cinnamon buns, flakey croissants and generous sourdough sandwiches. Flavour combinations change with the seasons, and are far more interesting than your regular bakery - it’s no wonder that there’s a steady stream of visitors at all hours of the day.
From the same minds behind Gunpowder, Empire Empire is a relaxed Indian restaurant on All Saints Road serving dishes from the Punjab region, inspired by the late 1970s Indian disco era. Dishes are comforting and offer a twist on the classics you might expect: every single plate here is a total flavour bomb…don’t miss the daily-changing biryani!
Jackson Boxer’s restaurant off Portobello Road offers a seafood-focussed menu in a chic and elegant setting. There’s a relaxed and romantic atmosphere here without feeling flashy or pretentious. Don’t miss the melt-in-the-mouth cod’s roe flatbread, and make sure to leave some room for the tasty desserts on offer too.
From the same minds who brought us Chicama and Pachamama, enter Zephyr, the restaurant group’s first ever Greek venture. Expect all of your Greek favourites on the menu (tomato salad, tzatziki mopped up with freshly baked pita, and lots of freshly grilled seafood, all served within an incredibly chic (and very Instagrammable) space.
This popular French outpost (with branches in Paris and New York) finally opened the doors to its first restaurant on British soil in between lockdowns. Located on Blenheim Crescent, Buvette is part-bar, part-bistro, and 100% Parisian. Expect indulgent classics like croque monsieur and homemade waffles with berries and cream. Freshly baked croissants and financiers are also on the menu every day- and don’t forget to order a plate of their warm madeleines, served with homemade Nutella for dipping.
One of west London’s best pubs, The Pelican is so much more than just a place to sling back beers. The kitchen is known for producing dishes that are far more elevated as your regular pub - but just as hearty and comforting. Expect generous lobster pies, monkfish scampi, and addictively good Welsh rarebit on the menu here: the perfect location for a leisurely weekend lunch.
This 3 Michelin-starred gem is tucked away just off Portobello Road - under the supervision of owner and head chef Clare Smyth (awarded World's Best Female Chef in 2018), expect a hushed atmosphere and elegant interiors. You’ll be wowed by each course on the menu, which champions sustainable British produce; dishes are beautifully presented in mesmerising and inventive ways - this is definitely a place for a special occasion.
The pioneers of Australian brunch in London, Granger & Co’s original branch is on Westbourne Grove, and has queues round the clock, every day of the week. The queue moves quickly here however, and the atmosphere inside is always lively and inviting. You can’t beat their delicious brunch classics either: creamy scrambled eggs, the best hotcakes known to man, plus tasty salad bowls and a hearty ‘fresh Aussie’ breakfast. There’s only one or two places that I’ll willingly queue at, and Granger is one of them.
This laidback but upscale Turkish restaurant on Golborne Road is a bit of a hidden gem. Its unassuming facade doesn’t give much away, but inside you can indulge in delicious sharing mezze: creamy hummus mopped up with homemade pita and chocolate babaganoush (trust me, it works), followed by the juiciest chicken skewers you’ll find in London.
This family-owned business was born out of the first lockdown in the UK, and opened its first establishment on Talbot Road, often with long queues winding out the door. Visit for their sweet, flaky buns - expect classic flavours such as cinnamon and cardamom, and some more indulgent ‘dessert’ offerings; if you’re craving a savoury hit, their homemade focaccia is ridiculously bouncy and melts in the mouth.
Owning three establishments all within 50m of each other (Kuro Coffee, Kuro Bakery, and Kuro Eatery) Kuro London dominates a colourful corner of Notting Hill Gate. Pop into their coffee shop for some of the best matcha in London, or head to the bakery for freshly baked sourdough and pastries - while their eatery serves a lunch and dinner menu that offers an interesting fusion of Asian and Mediterranean flavours.
Located on Westbourne Grove, Tab x Tab is a sleek and modern coffee shop championing proper coffee and artisanal food - with beans roasted by Bocca and matcha supplied by Lalani & Co, there’s a consistent and obvious dedication to quality produce here. You’ll find delicious brunch dishes made fresh every day, from chicken katsu sandwiches to smoked haddock and poached eggs on crumpets, all served on Kana crockery.
Edging into Ladbroke Grove, Over Under Coffee’s fourth London location is one of its biggest yet: featuring slick marble tables and a tasty brunch menu (delicious avocado toast and pancakes are amongst the dishes on offer), you’ll find pounding music, friendly baristas, and expertly poured flat whites here.
Also: Lift Coffee, Notting Hill Coffee Project, and Flying Horse Coffee for great coffee, Ottolenghi for the best cakes you’ll find, Sally Clarke’s for delicious deli items to take away (think proper British biscuits and the best chicken pie, served by the slice), and SUMI for delicious (but expensive) sushi.
Have you ever been to any of these restaurants? I’d love to know what you think in the comments below.
