Eat The Tube: The Best Restaurants In Notting Hill

The Barbary

The Barbary Notting Hill is a chic spot for a great meal, and there’s a stunning new menu that deserves some attention. With cuisine inspired by the Barbary Coast from South Europe to Northern Africa, expect lots of flavours on your plate and plenty of meaty and fish options. We’d definitely recommend it for an intimate date night, or take a whole group so you can order lots and share.

Do not miss the crispy Barbari bread with whipped goat’s butter to start, and don’t be afraid of more butter with the hand-dived scallops in smoked whey butter.

Andrea, Contributing Food, Culture & Lifestyle Editor

Akub

Adding a modern, refined approach to the country’s culinary offerings, the menu at Akub showcases the best of Palestinian produce while incorporating quality British seasonal ingredients. Centred around small and larger plates, akub’s menu is designed to be shared – Palestinian hospitality is best experienced around an abundant tawla, a dining table with sharing plates offering the flavours and fragrances of the coast, the olives and figs of the Mediterranean terroir and the preservation methods of the desert.

Think labneh rolled in sumac, zaatar, turmeric and Aleppo pepper; crunchy mansaf featuring rice, pulled lamb shoulder, laban jameed, shrak and garlic; and Dead Sea chocolate cake with tahini ice cream. 

where: 27 Uxbridge Street, Notting Hill, W8 7TQ
website: www.akub-restaurant.com

Dorian

​Dorian is a modern British bistro awarded a Michelin star. Helmed by chef Max Coen, the menu showcases seasonal ingredients through standout dishes like crab-topped rösti and veal sweetbreads with sauce gribiche.

The restaurant also has chic, understated interior features. Bar manager Ale Villa created an amazing cocktail list with the fig leaf negroni and a great wine selection.

Come and enjoy and experience Dorian’s incredible food by Head Chef & Owner Max Coen.

where: 105-107 talbot road W11 2AT
website: www.dorianrestaurant.com

Juno Omakase

Set at the back of a Los Mochis restaurant in Notting Hill and sitting just six diners – technically London’s smallest restaurant – Juno serves up a delicious 15-course menu. Of course, given the setting, expect a few nods to Mexico throughout the menu that will have you wondering why the jalapeño and wasabi crossover isn’t more of a regular thing. Granted, this doesn’t come cheap – the tasting menu is £230 – but the setting is so intimate it feels like your own private experience.

The setting is so intimate it feels like your own private experience

where: 2-4 Farmer St, London W8 7SN
Website: losmochis.co.uk

The Parakeet

Here’s a simple insider London tip: If a pub is named after a relatively exotic bird, chances are it’ll serve great food, with The Parakeet as a case in point. As a pub, it’s a stunner – wood-panelled, open fire, with homemade classic pub snacks perfectly paired with a pint of Guinness or glass of wine.

For the restaurant, its menu changes with the seasons, focusing on British dishes and produce harvested at its seasonal height, and all cooked over flame. Think pigeon, kohlrabi with pickled elderberry and sea bream with piperade; meanwhile, on Sundays, they serve their roast menu all day long.

where: 256 Kentish Town Rd, London NW5 2AA
website: www.theparakeetpub.com

Dove

The scene of London’s hottest dish at the moment. Dove’s burger is almost impossible to get your hands on, as they make just ten of them a day, and you can’t pre-book – it’s first-come, first-served. Which means the 6pm booking is the most popular, contrary to popular opinion.

So what makes it so special?  It’s made with a massive 50-day dry-aged beef patty, gorgonzola dolce blue cheese and Champagne-braised onions.

where: 31 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 2EU
Website: www.dove.london.com

Empire Empire

Sister restaurant to the much-loved Gunpowder, Empire Empire is the disco-themed Indian gem that’s as much about the vibe as it is about the food, though it’s earned its Michelin Bib Gourmand for good reason. Step inside and you’ll find a vintage ‘70s disco dream, and a soundtrack to match. The kale patta chaat is a crunchy, tangy must, and the rich, slow-cooked empire dal makhani is comfort in a bowl.

where: 16 ALL SAINTS ROAD, W11 1HH 
website: www.empire-empire.restaurant

Zephyr

Zephyr is a chic Greek restaurant, offering a stylish yet relaxed dining experience with a menu crafted by executive chef John Skotidas. Dishes are designed for sharing and include highlights like yellowtail carpaccio, stuffed courgette flowers and lamb cutlets.

The restaurant also boasts a downstairs cocktail bar, perfect for enjoying drinks like the “Cocoaiquiri” or “Smoky Tommy’s.”

Zēphyr offers a casual dining affair inspired by Grecian culture and a late-night bar downstairs.

where: 100 Portobello Rd, London W11 2QD
website: www.zephyr.london

Core by Clare Smyth

One of the most feted restaurants in the country since its opening in 2017, three-Michelin-starred Core focuses on natural, sustainable, UK-sourced food.

Clare is the first and only British female chef to hold the coveted three Michelin stars in the UK, and has worked in some of the best kitchens in the world. Monarchists will also know that she catered Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s wedding reception.

For your own royal experience, dinner at Core is not to be missed – a rapturous mix of classical French techniques and the best British produce.

The pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of Core.

where: 92 KENSINGTON PARK ROAD, W11 2PN
website: WWW.COREBYCLARESMYTH.COM

Caia

Standout cocktails, wood-fired small plates and vinyl. Caia is a go-to for golden hour cocktails and late-night music. Start your Sunday with their wood-fired Sunday Feasting Menu or go by in the evening for DJs spinning vinyl in the basement.

Nab a window seat for prime people-watching with a spritz in hand, or head downstairs when the lights dim and the music kicks in. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to settle into and stay a while.

Enjoy exquisite wines from old-world regions or our crafted cocktails.

where: 46 Golborne Rd, London W10 5PR
website: www.caia.london

Sumi

The little sister to Michelin-starred Endo Kazutoshi in White City, Sumi serves outstanding sushi in a less formal atmosphere than its sibling.

Handcrafted, fresh and elegant, Sumi is where to take a date you particularly want to impress (and for even more ideas, look at our selection of the best restaurants for date nights). Don’t skip the stunning house cocktails and end the meal with a pick from their generous sake selection.

The atmosphere is always lively thanks to the young crowd and the great cocktail list.

where: 157 WESTBOURNE GROVE, W11 2RS
website: WWW.SUSHISUMI.COM

Mazi

Fine dining, Greek style. Mazi opened in 2012 with the aim of showing the world just how refined Greek dining could be. 13 years on, and they’ve certainly done that.

Not only does the food represent the best of the Aegean, it is served sharing style, so that guests enjoy the truly Greek experience of all sitting round the table to break bread together (Mazi literally means “together” in Greek).

Stepping through its doors feels like the start of a holiday – think welcoming, knowledgeable staff, shots of Ouzo, a courtyard covered with green vines and a buzzing, lively atmosphere.

where: 12 HILLGATE STREET, W8 7SR
website: WWW.MAZI.CO.UK

Princess Royal

A pub yes – but not just any old boozer. Beautifully designed, with stunning gardens and even four bedrooms, the menu reflects the upscale interior.

Chef Ben Tish brings a Mediterranean edge to pub classics, and there is even a raw bar for fish fans to indulge in.

If you want a roast that is a cut above your usual, this is the pub to make a beeline for on a Sunday.

The newly revamped and rather gorgeous looking pub.

where: 47 HEREFORD ROAD, W2 5AH
website: WWW.CUBITTHOUSE.CO.UK

Sunday in Brooklyn

The New York favourite chose Notting Hill for their first international outpost, serving lucky Londoners their famed American brunch (and more).

Portions are generous and the wrap-around windows let the sunlight in – perfect for shaking off even the worst of hangovers.

For a sugar fiend, the Sunday Pancakes, which come in single, double or triple size, are a standout on the menu.

The selection of dishes is accessible and fun enough that there’s something for most tastes, but there’s a level of sophistication on display that feels special.

where: 98 WESTBOURNE GROVE, W2 5RU
website: WWW.SUNDAYINBK.CO.UK

Granger & Co.

The chopped salad at Granger & Co. and Bill Granger’s sunny, fresh Australian style menu – has locals queuing around the block for a table on weekends, ready to indulge in the famous pancakes, so come early and be ready to wait. There are now five outposts of Granger & Co. across London, a testament to how well the city has taken to this slice of Australian life.

Be sure to order a portion of what’s considered by many as the creamiest scrambled eggs in London.

where: 175 WESTBOURNE GROVE, W11 2SB
website: WWW.GRANGERANDCO.COM