Guidebook for Greater London
Food Scene
This svelte neighbourhood restaurant, once the late Princess Diana’s favourite, has had an unexpectedly turbulent last couple of years due to changing personnel, but ex-Woodford chef Ben Murphy has got things back on track. Try pigeon in puff pastry to start, followed by grouse with fig and salsify or brill with verjus and turnip.
37 locals recommend
Launceston Place
1A Launceston PlThis svelte neighbourhood restaurant, once the late Princess Diana’s favourite, has had an unexpectedly turbulent last couple of years due to changing personnel, but ex-Woodford chef Ben Murphy has got things back on track. Try pigeon in puff pastry to start, followed by grouse with fig and salsify or brill with verjus and turnip.
Describing Mazi as offering the best Greek food in London might sound like damning with faint praise, but that’s exactly what’s on offer here. Aubergine and thyme honey in a jar nestles alongside shredded lamb shoulder stifado, and a dish of Grandmama’s meatballs and chips is just a tenner.
43 locals recommend
Mazi
12-14 Hillgate StDescribing Mazi as offering the best Greek food in London might sound like damning with faint praise, but that’s exactly what’s on offer here. Aubergine and thyme honey in a jar nestles alongside shredded lamb shoulder stifado, and a dish of Grandmama’s meatballs and chips is just a tenner.
Notting Hill’s best fast food outlet is probably their branch of London’s finest burger joint. Not only are the burgers — especially the legendary Ari Gold — as delicious as ever, but special offers, including a £5 main and two cocktails for a tenner, makes this a fine haunt for the carnivorously impecunious.
20 locals recommend
Patty & Bun
14 Pembridge RdNotting Hill’s best fast food outlet is probably their branch of London’s finest burger joint. Not only are the burgers — especially the legendary Ari Gold — as delicious as ever, but special offers, including a £5 main and two cocktails for a tenner, makes this a fine haunt for the carnivorously impecunious.
Aka ‘the restaurant they couldn’t close’. A traditional family-run Italian restaurant on Notting Hill Gate that was threatened by the planned expansion of next door’s Gate cinema — now defeated — it serves exemplary antipasti, and tiramisu that led Jay Rayner to write “it needs to be tried by everyone else attempting to make one.”
32 locals recommend
Da Mario Kensington
15 Gloucester RdAka ‘the restaurant they couldn’t close’. A traditional family-run Italian restaurant on Notting Hill Gate that was threatened by the planned expansion of next door’s Gate cinema — now defeated — it serves exemplary antipasti, and tiramisu that led Jay Rayner to write “it needs to be tried by everyone else attempting to make one.”
It might be one of London’s most intimate (read: cramped) restaurants, but this excellent spot, the first in the Gladwin brothers’ mini-empire, punches above its weight with a menu of fresh and foraged fare, including cured grouse with parsley root puree and scallop with pork crackling.
85 locals recommend
The Shed
122 Palace Gardens TerraceIt might be one of London’s most intimate (read: cramped) restaurants, but this excellent spot, the first in the Gladwin brothers’ mini-empire, punches above its weight with a menu of fresh and foraged fare, including cured grouse with parsley root puree and scallop with pork crackling.
Drinks & Nightlife
One of the best bars in Notting Hill, if it's Italian cocktails you're after, then look no further than Polpo. Offering delicious small plates to boot, you're always going to be fed, watered and well looked-after at this gorgeous spot.
31 locals recommend
Polpo
126-128 Notting Hill GateOne of the best bars in Notting Hill, if it's Italian cocktails you're after, then look no further than Polpo. Offering delicious small plates to boot, you're always going to be fed, watered and well looked-after at this gorgeous spot.
Comprising of three spaces, 65 & King brings you a choice from one of the three private rooms, the Thrills Room for 35 people, the Opera Box for 50 or the intimate Red Room for 10. Amazing signature and classic cocktails are the order of the day when it comes to drinks at 65 & King. And for the peckish people, the American style food menu cannot be overlooked - sliders, steak, lobster, burgers and sandwiches.
34 locals recommend
The Hayden Pub & Rooms
65 Westbourne GroveComprising of three spaces, 65 & King brings you a choice from one of the three private rooms, the Thrills Room for 35 people, the Opera Box for 50 or the intimate Red Room for 10. Amazing signature and classic cocktails are the order of the day when it comes to drinks at 65 & King. And for the peckish people, the American style food menu cannot be overlooked - sliders, steak, lobster, burgers and sandwiches.
This intimate drinking den claim that the “creation and execution of exceptional drinks is our passion”, and who are we to argue? Pop a couple of Hell in the Pacific's down the hatch and it'll be hard to counter this claim, and they're pretty darn serious about the quality of their Dim Sum plates too. A must for all rum aficionados, there's also soothing DJ sets to enjoy at the end of the week.
109 locals recommend
Trailer Happiness
177 Portobello RdThis intimate drinking den claim that the “creation and execution of exceptional drinks is our passion”, and who are we to argue? Pop a couple of Hell in the Pacific's down the hatch and it'll be hard to counter this claim, and they're pretty darn serious about the quality of their Dim Sum plates too. A must for all rum aficionados, there's also soothing DJ sets to enjoy at the end of the week.
While The Mitre is known for its charming pints and British interiors, it's often the basement that sparks interest in Notting Hill. Known for their fun cocktails and whisky bottles, head on down to these illicit depths for a charming and delicious night.
21 locals recommend
Old Mary's
24 Craven TerraceWhile The Mitre is known for its charming pints and British interiors, it's often the basement that sparks interest in Notting Hill. Known for their fun cocktails and whisky bottles, head on down to these illicit depths for a charming and delicious night.