The west London suburb of Notting Hill is home to some of the city’s best places to eat. The area has seen huge changes over the years, and it is now one of the most affluent areas of the UK’s capital city. This affluence and diversity is reflected in the range of restaurants on offer here.
Notting Hill is home to what many people consider to be the world’s most famous market – the Portobello Road Market. This has been bringing in locals (and plenty of people from further afield) since 1865, with an incredible mix of stalls selling clothing, antiques, fruit and vegetables, and delicious street food.
The area is also home to the famous Notting Hill carnival, an annual Caribbean carnival that has taken place here since 1966. It attracts around two million people each year and runs every August Bank Holiday weekend.
But any time of year is a good time to take a stroll along the Portobello Road, as it’s a wonderful place to get a sense of what this city is all about, with a vibrant community of shops, bars, and restaurants.
With that in mind, we’ve pulled together six of the best for Notting Hill’s restaurant scene to add to your itinerary.
Walmer Castle
What better place to dine in London than a historic pub? Walmer Castle on Ledbury Road has been trading in Notting Hill since 1845. This was once an ordinary pub, and the classic and cosy interior ensures that feel has been retained, but nowadays with its high-end menu and focus on food, it has more of a gastropub vibe. It offers a regularly updated British-inspired menu of delicious dishes that are far from ordinary. Expect fresh, local, and seasonal produce, like juicy steaks, pan-fried fish, and creative veggie options. The Walmer Castle also has a superb drinks menu, including wines from some of the world’s leading independent producers and beers from a range of excellent breweries.
Akub
Akub on Uxbridge Street is a Palestinian restaurant from chef Fadi Kattan that is open Tuesday to Sunday. It has established an incredible reputation in Notting Hill, using local ingredients to create mouthwatering dishes celebrating the best of Palestinian cuisine with a modern twist. The venue is open for brunch, lunch and evening meals. On the a la carte menu diners can expect mouthwatering options like short rib fatteh, bukjet mousakhan, arak cured monkfish, batikh salad, crunchy mansaf and more, inspired by the chef’s heritage.
Empire Empire
Book a table at Empire Empire, on All Saints Road, for comforting, 1970s nostalgia-inspired Indian cuisine in Notting Hill. Despite its influence, this is not a theme restaurant, but a restaurant that has captured the attention of food lovers from across the capital. Inside there is a laid back vibe and a soundtrack of Bollywood hits, while on the menu you can expect a varied selection of both classic curries and street food treats from the Punjabi region. Mains include butter chicken, king prawn kadhai masala, wild mushroom biryani, paneer makhani, and saag gosht. Those with a sweet tooth should save room for dessert options such as gulab jamun and meringue cheesecake or a saffron milk cake. There is also a varied drinks menu to suit all tastes, including small-batch, biodynamic wines.
Core by Clare Smyth
If it’s first-class high-end dining you want, Core by Clare Smyth might be just what you are looking for. This contemporary European restaurant is located in a period building on Kensington Park Road, and boasts three Michelin stars. Chef Clare Smyth previously earned the same number of Michelin stars working at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, so you know this venue serves up fine dining of the highest standard. Inside, there are 13 small tables, so be sure to book yours well in advance. For a truly special experience, you can even book The Chef’s Table to see the team at work creating these precise and delicious dishes.
Gold
Located on Portobello Road, Gold is set over four floors and has a deliciously diverse menu of food options made for sharing. The restaurant serves up generous plates of seasonal food cooked in wood ovens. The drinks menu is extensive and offers low-intervention, organic, biodynamic, and natural wines. Those who fancy treating themselves to something a little special will find a good selection of cocktails on offer too.
Former River Café chef Theo Hill is the head chef here, and diners can enjoy interesting dishes like chargrilled picanha steak with chilli, parsley, and balsamic, and wood roasted half free-range chicken, nduja, tomatoes, Parma ham, and toast. Visitors are encouraged to book a table in advance, but Gold always tries to leave some tables available for walk-ins. This mix of covers guarantees a vibrant atmosphere of local residents and food tourists that have been drawn here by fantastic reviews.
The Pelican
The Pelican on All Saints Road has a history dating back to 1870. Since 2022, this place has been testament to the dedication of co-owners Phil Winser, Richard Squire and restaurateur James Gunner to establish it as a big part of the local community. A warm, traditional dining room interior is the perfect backdrop for a British menu of hearty dishes such as Mince on Toast, Beef & Guinness Pie and Whole-Roasted Brill. While these choices may at first appear rather rudimentary, the Bib Gourmand that The Pelican was awarded in 2024 by the prestigious Michelin Guide serves as the best reference for quality and cookery craftsmanship. There can be no doubt that The Pelican deserves its place amongst the elite, with David & Victoria Beckham even choosing to spend their 25th Wedding anniversary evening in this cosy and quintessentially English location.
Of course, these are just a few of the best restaurants in Notting Hill. This thriving neighbourhood is truly blessed with options to suit all tastes. With something for every taste and so much to see as you explore, we’re confident you will be coming back for more meals again and again.
