Recommended Restaurants

More in Eating: Cafes | Other Eating Options

Here's a list of restaurants in Kensington & Chelsea that we recommend: (Note many of the pubs featured in our Pubs & Bars section also serve good food, so be sure to check for more options there.)

The Ark
122 Palace Gardens Terrace, W8 4RT
Underground: Notting Hill Gate
This restaurant looks a little unassuming from the outside, but inside it's sumptious. And the food - modern Italian - is divine. A little on the pricey side (it is worth it!), you might want to come here for special occasions.

Balans
187 Kensington High Street, W8 6SH
Website: www.balans.co.uk
Underground: High Street Kensington
A great place to dine, the menu here is very extensive with dishes from a variety of cuisines on offer. Excellent breakfasts too, if you're in the area on a weekend, make sure you come here for brunch! Superb cocktails.

Bluebird
350 King's Road, SW3 5UU
Website: www.danddlondon.com/restaurants/bluebird/home
Underground: Sloane Square/South Kensington
Very stylish restaurant created by Sir Terence Conran, there's a great menu on offer here. There's also a cafe located here for quicker bites, or try one of the great breakfasts.

Da Mario
15 Gloucester Road, SW7 4PP
Website: www.damario.co.uk
Underground: Gloucester Road
"Princess Diana Local Pizzeria" it says on the front steps, though it could just as easily and truthfully say "Kensington children's favourite restaurant and party venue". (Note: Well, when I was a child, anyway! Hardly a month went by without someone in my class having a party here - in the special venue room - or being taken here for a treat.) Great local pizzeria, there's plenty of tasty pasta dishes and more besides on the menu.

Feng Sushi
locations in Notting Hill, Kensington and Chelsea - see website
Website: www.fengsushi.co.uk
Feng Sushi restaurants tend to be quite compact, so I'd recommend going to one of them if you want a good quality, Japanese "bite to eat" rather than a proper eating out experience. Food is excellent though, and I'm particularly impressed by the wide variety on the menu. What pleases me even more - if you're ever so slightly picky about your fish (i.e. when it comes to sushi, I like salmon...and salmon...and salmon), you can get "boxes" of different sushi types made up of only that fish - e.g. a 12 piece salmon box. Or you like everything, there's plenty of variety boxes. They usually also have seasonal specials.

Gaucho Grill
89 Sloane Avenue, SW3 3DX
Website: www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk
Underground: South Kensington
Beautiful restaurant with very stylish decor. If you're into your steaks, this place is a must. There's a wide choice of beef (and prices depend on the size of your steak), as well as other items from the grill, such as chicken, lamb or lobster, for example. Very yummy side dishes too, and an excellent selection of wine.

Itsu
118 Draycott Avenue, SW3 3AE
Website: www.itsu.co.uk
Underground: South Kensington
If you're a big sushi fan - and want to eat it amongst the beautiful people in South Kensington - you should come here. Very good quality sushi, if a little on the expensive side. This isn't, however, your typical 30-minute, in-n-out, converyor belt Japanese place (although it does operate a conveyor belt system), so if you're after a more luxurious sushi dinner, come here!

Julie's
135 Portland Road, W11 4LW
Website: www.juliesrestaurant.com
Underground: Holland Park
One of the classic restaurants in West London (it's over 40 years old!) this wonderful place has lots of different levels and little hidden alcoves, with different furnishings throughout. Definitely the place to come for a "special" meal, no doubt many a celebratory or romantic time has been had here!

L'Etranger
36 Gloucester Road, SW7 4QT
Website: www.etranger.co.uk
Underground: Gloucester Road
Upmarket French restaurant with an Asian twist.

Maggie Jones's
6 Old Court Place, W8 4PL
Underground: High Street Kensington
Another Kensington favourite, this one draws the crowds back again and again with its classic food and cozy setting.

Masala Zone
147 Earls Court Road, SW5 9RQ
Website: www.masalazone.com
Underground: Earls Court
Great value - and very authentic - Indian place. Lots of great dishes on offer, our top tip is one of the Thali dishes for a little mix of everything.

Nozomi
14-15 Beauchamp Place, SW3 1NQ
Website: www.nozomi.co.uk
Underground: Knightsbridge
Gorgeous Japanese restaurant serving sumptious food and exqusitie cocktails. Be warned that the dishes are slightly on the small side (well, it is sushi) whilst the bill tends to be on the large side!

Pasha
1 Gloucester Road, SW7 4PP
Website: www.pasha-restaurant.co.uk
Underground: High Street Kensington/Gloucester Road
Wonderful Moroccan restaurant that's as much a feast for your eyes (amazing decor) as for your tastebuds! Really great, traditional food, don't be surprised to see a bellydancer do her thing whilst you dine! There's also a lounge for cocktails and hookah pipes.

Thai Square
19 Exhibition Road, SW7 2HE
Website: www.thaisquare.net
Underground: South Kensington
Fantastic Thai food

Wagamama
180 - 182 Earls Court Road, SW5 9QG and 26 Kensington High Street, W8 4PF
Website: www.wagamama.com
Underground: Earls Court or High Street Kensington
These places were a relevation when they opened, and are based on ramen bars in Japan. Good value for menu, they're perfect if you want a quick bite to eat - you'll be in and out in no time. (That's not a criticism, that's just the style of the place.) Plenty of noodle/soup dishes, there's also salads and rice dishes.

Wodka
12 St Albans Grove, W8 5PN
Website: www.wodka.co.uk
Underground: High Street Kensington
For something a little different, why not try this Polish restaurant, serving traditional and Eastern European dishes? Make sure - of course - that you sample their vodka menu too!

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