Spend the day in Notting Hill

One of London’s most charismatic neighbourhoods, Notting Hill runs at a separate speed to the rest of the city. In the 60s and 70s it drew in the cool, creative crowd searching for more freedom than Kensington or Chelsea offered. The home of Carnival and a multi-cultural melting pot, Notting Hill was cheap, edgy and had a lively nightlife with speakeasy bars, eclectic antiques and exotic fruits on offer early into the morning. Now, known as one of London’s most fashionable areas, Notting Hill is a rare neighbourhood that offers both a close neighbourhood community feel and a vibrant and bustling atmosphere. The real Notting Hill can be found hidden amongst the rows of candy coloured houses and down the idyllic cobbled side streets. From the liveliest local haunts to rose matcha latte, we’ve put together an insider’s restaurant and cafe guide to give you a true taste of the real Notting Hill.

Once the sun is up…

Beam

Notting Hill’s newest caffeine fix, Beam bravely opened their floor-to-ceiling glass doors just post-lockdown. The café offers super sleek mid-century modern interiors in which to enjoy gluten-free buttermilk pancakes, French brioche toast or goat’s cheese and beetroot benedict. With a menu inspired by Mediterranean and British cuisine and created with locally sourced ingredients, this has already become a firm local favourite.

Daylesford

Daylesford brings rustic, countryside charm into the heart of Notting Hill. Sourcing fresh and organic food directly from their farm in the Cotswolds, an authenticity prevails from the food through to the interiors. A regular for the local yummy mummies, fashionable business meetings and those in between exercise classes.

Granger & Co

Not even the pandemic quietened the queues outside the original UK outpost for the famed restaurant chain Granger and Co. Australian chef Bill Granger’s restaurant is a bright and airy dining room, with quality food, attentive service, and a relaxed vibe. Be prepared to queue if visiting on the weekend.

Places worth losing sleep over…

Portobello Star

Serving drinks since 1740, Portobello Star have had plenty of time to perfect the gin and tonic. An unassuming bar from the outside, this is an intimate and lively bar serving an endless menu of gins in very generously sized glasses.

The Henderson Bar, The Laslett Hotel

Named after Russell Henderson, one of the founding fathers of Notting Hill Carnival, The Henderson Bar is a chic, monochromatic lounge bar found in The Laslett Hotel. Enjoy quiet conversation alongside very reasonably priced, quality wine.

The Cow

The legendary gastropub owned by Tom Conran captures the real Notting Hill spirit: oysters are served alongside beef and ale pies and the shabby meet the chic. The Cow is always busy and often frequented by a familiar face or two.

Meet friends in…

Core by Clare Smyth

Opened in 2017 by Clare Smyth, the first and only female British chef to win three Michelin stars, Core is one of London’s most exclusive fine-dining spots. If you are unable to book a table several months in advance, they hold back limited seats at the bar for walk-ins.

Osteria Basilico

Osteria Basilico is a typically unassuming, rustic Italian restaurant that transports you out of the heart of busy Notting Hill the moment you walk in. Known to locals for its friendly service, tables that spill out into the street, homemade Italian cooking and endless Aperol Spritz’.

Stay:in. Take Away.

Notting Hill Fish Shop

Known by locals as the ‘supermarket of dreams’, this newly opened farm-fresh grocers were an instant success. Revolutionising traditional fishmongers, Notting Hill Fish Shop teamed up with independent producers from across the UK to create a sustainable grocer selling fresh, quality and artisanal produce.

Ottolenghi

Best known for plate upon plate of freshly-made jewel-coloured salads and irresistible morning pastries, the original home of the deli emporium brings the Mediterranean to the heart of Notting Hill. Predominantly serving food to take away, Ottolenghi has a small dining area at the back.

Provenance Butchers

Committed to sustainably-sourced, ethically-reared and high quality food, Provenance is a modern interpretation of the traditional family butcher. Find their sell-out wagyu beef and Korean short-ribs alongside handmade pies and artisan condiments.

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life” – Pablo Picasso

Maddox Gallery

If you’re looking for carefully curated art from either well renowned or emerging artists, look no further than Maddox Gallery. With a reputation as an innovative, international gallery group showcasing contemporary and modern art, their gallery on Westbourne Grove (their largest exhibition space) is always worth a visit.

Ross Lovegrove

Ross Lovegrove is an internationally celebrated award-winning designer and art visionary. Inspired by the logic and beauty of nature, his designs are what many industrial leaders see as the new aesthetic expression for the 21st-century.

Siegfried Contemporary

Siegfried Contemporary is a London based Art Consultancy & Advisory service for private and corporate clients, specialising in modern and contemporary art, especially from Europe and North America. Their showroom showcases modern and contemporary art in a domestic environment. Visits by appointment only.