The Best Restaurants in Notting Hill

With its pretty coloured streets, bohemian background and buzzing Portobello Market, Notting Hill has long been one of the city’s coolest areas. Its biggest claims to fame are hosting the world’s second largest carnival and acting as the setting for Richard Curtis’ iconic 1999 film – but in recent years, Notting Hill is becoming known for its thriving culinary scene, too. From the trendiest vegan restaurants in town to Michelin-starred establishments, here are the best restaurants in the city’s western shores.

Where To Eat In Notting Hill

Trejo’s Tacos

You might know him for his roles in films like Con Air and Spy Kids, but Hollywood star Danny Trejo has another string to his bow: a taco restaurant in LA, Trejo’s Tacos. And now, he has opened his first UK branch in London’s Notting Hill. Located within a two-storey, 3,000 sq. ft space, the eatery offers a healthier twist on Mexican fare, from breakfast burritos to a wide range of different tacos, including beef brisket, mushroom and blackened salmon. The site has two cocktail bars focusing on tequila and mezcal concoctions, with DJs keeping things lively. ‘I love the creativity that the city inspires, and I can’t think of a better place to launch internationally than with our friends in London,’ said Trejo. ‘I’m excited that we found the perfect time and team to bring Trejo’s to its second home.’

299-301, Portobello Rd, London W10 5TD, trejostacos.com

Portobello 177

This summer the cool kids will be heading to Portobelllo 177, a neighbourhood eatery from the team behind nearby cocktail bar Trailer Happiness. With a kitchen spearheaded by Shay Ola of the Rebel Dining Society, the menu is all about experimental flavours, with a nod to Caribbean and Japanese barbecue culture. Grilled prawns are served with fermented mango and lemongrass vinaigrette, for example, while braised oxtail is paired with burnt padron pepper puree. The wine list is equally interesting, with a weekly ‘wild card’ for curious oenophiles, alongside cocktails spotlighting small-batch distillers. 

177 Portobello Road, London, W11 2DY, portobello177.com

The Counter

Image credit: Sam Harris

The Counter is a restaurant with grilling at its core: peek over your plate to see a beautiful cut of meat softly whispering above an open fire. It’s head chef Kemal Demirasal’s first UK opening, and it offers a trailblazing take on traditional cuisine from the region of Anatolia in south-east Turkey. There is such a lot to explore here that you could make an entire meal out of the starters and it wouldn’t be a bad idea. Plunge slivers of flatbread into warm hummus topped with dates and pastrami for a salty buzz, or tuck into lamb tartare finished with a hint of molasses and pepper paste. Meanwhile, the chocolate babaganoush is a dish that you’ll keep thinking about even before you’ve cleared your plate (and it’s so delicious that you will want to clear your plate). Many ingredients have been specially imported to guarantee that customers receive a true taste of Turkey, and every detail feels fresh and carefully considered. With an innovative menu and almost boundless choice, this place is truly something special.

108 Golborne Rd, London W10 5PS, thecounterlondon.com

Caia

Opened last year on Golborne Road is Caia, an unassuming wine bar and small plates restaurant serving seasonal dishes cooked over an open fire. Canadian-born head Chef Jessica Donovan draws on her experience cooking all over the globe to create an internationally inspired menu of punchy, flavoursome creations. It changes often, but there are some staples, like the crispy chicken skin with preserved lemon and nori emulsion, which you should definitely begin your meal with, alongside some seeded sourdough and crudites with labneh. Next, tuck into small plates like harissa spiced charred hispi cabbage, sirloin with bone marrow, mushroom skewers with Szechuan aioli and confit trout with smoked potato and watercress. Pair with wines from both established producers and exciting newbies, plus interesting cocktails like Pink Gloves: a mix of gin, Aperol, Maraschino Liqueur and berry essence. Caia is also a music hotspot, with an underground basement area complete with a jazzy record player.

46 Golborne Rd, London W10 5PR, caia.london

Empire Empire

Putting a fun twist on Indian dining is Empire Empire, a venture from Gunpowder’s Harneet Baweja. Inspired by the 1970s Indian disco era, the restaurant has a strong focus on music and art, with a custom-made Marshall jukebox and a soundtrack of Bollywood bangers, plus artworks from respected Indian artists, Jogen Chowdhury and Rabin Mondal lining the walls. Of course food is fundamental too, with the menu predominantly inspired by the northwestern cuisines stretching across the old Punjab Empire, from Bihar across to Afghanistan. Dishes like the Lasooni Tangdi Kebab and Nizam Chicken Kebab are made by slowly charring the meats over hot coals, alongside a showpiece signature of Lobster Dum Biriyani, complete with the crustacean’s head emerging from the pastry lid. 

16 All Saints Road, London W11 1HH, empire-empire.restaurant

Los Mochis

Mexican meets Japanese at Los Mochis, perched a stone’s throw away from Notting Hill tube station. It has quickly become a neighbourhood favourite, with couples and groups of friends alike drawn in by low-lit, cool interiors and the promise of innovative, refined fusion bites. The Baja-Nihon menu merges the vibrance of Mexican cooking with the elegance and techniques of Japan, with small plates-style dining allowing you to try a bit of everything without getting too full. Miso cod is served in a choice of soft corn tortillas or lettuce wrap, alongside jalapeno, avocado and sweet potato crisps, for instance, and edamame beans are topped with chipotle chilli. There’s also an array of maki rolls, ceviches and tostadas, plus some wild cards like the Falafelito: fried chickpea falafels served with a truffle chilli sesame sauce. On the drinks side, Los Mochis has an impressive selection of small batch artisanal agaves alongside plenty of sakes and cocktails – the Pink Hot Chilli Paloma is our top pick. 

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

Gold

Gold became an immediate hit after arriving in Notting Hill, with Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, Jourdan Dunn and Lady Amelia Windsor all visiting within weeks of its launch. If you go there you’ll quickly see why: it’s an endlessly chic spot, designed to reflect the bohemian spirit of the area – think stripped back interiors exposing the shell of the building and a garden room filled with pretty trees and greenery. But it’s certainly not style over substance: the kitchen is headed up by ex-River Cafe chef Theo Hill, with an eclectic mix of modern European sharing dishes alongside an equally cool cocktail list from Scout’s Matt Whiley and Rich Woods.

95-97 Portobello Rd, London W11 2QB, goldnottinghill.com

Farmacy

Farmacy is where all the trendiest veggies and vegans congregate – thanks to the cool interiors as well as the wonderful food on offer. It’s the brainchild of Camilla Fayed, who worked with experts to develop a menu of nourishing, healthy dishes that are also mighty tasty. The guacamole is one of the best in town and should be ordered as a side no matter what you’re eating, and is especially good when accompanying the sweet potato falafel starter. The Mexican Bowl is a standout with its bright purple potatoes and ‘sour cream’, while the burger is a classic, made from millet, black beans and mushrooms. Pair with a few cocktails (with added medicinal benefits, or cannabidiol) from the Alchemy Bar, and save space for the raw chocolate tart. With no refined sugars, additives or chemicals, you can indulge guilt-free.

74-76 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5SH, farmacylondon.com

Suzi Tros

Jade-Nina-Sarkhel

Suzi Tros is a Greek-inspired bistro from Adrien Carre and Christina Mouratoglou, the husband and wife duo behind west London favourite Mazi. Named after a character in Greek film I Parisiana, Suzi Tros translates as ‘Suzi, you eat’, which is reflected in the warm, fun feel of the restaurant. Located just down the road from its sister restaurant in the heart of Hillgate Village, this charming spot offers a selection of small plates, taking inspiration from the small eateries of Christina’s hometown of Thessaloniki. Think prawn tartare, smoked aubergine with tahini, grilled calamari, and meatballs with tzatziki, washed down with Greek wines and beers.

18 Hillgate St, London W8 7SR, suzitros.com

The Ledbury

With two Michelin stars to its name, as well as a spot on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, The Ledbury has gained worldwide acclaim since opening back in 2005. It’s headed up by Australian chef Brett Graham, who learned the tricks of the trade under Philip Howard at The Square. British ingredients take centre stage – Cornish cod, Hampshire buffalo milk curd and Berkshire muntjac – all cooked with exceptional flourish. It’s a hugely popular spot, so reservations are crucial.

127 Ledbury Rd, London W11 2AQ, theledbury.com

Orasay

The third venture from culinary duo Jackson Boxer and chef Andrew Clarke – the duo behind St Leonards in Shoreditch – is inspired by Orosay, a small tidal island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. In comparison to the spacious St Leonards, Orasay is a cosy, unpretentious spot with minimalist wooden tables, terracotta-cushioned benches and flickering candles. Seafood is the focus, with a seasonal menu based on what the fishermen send from their catch – recent dishes have included smoked eel with razor clams and egg noodles, sea bass with courgette and almond miso, and Isle of Mull scallops with shiitake and vin jaune. The vegetarian dishes, however, should not be overlooked: there’s deep-fried gnocchi with truffle, for instance, and grilled pumpkin served with roast fennel.

31 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 2EU, orasay.london

Uli

Michael Lim’s modern Asian restaurant Uli was first established over two decades ago on All Saints Road, but closed a few years ago – much to the dismay of its loyal fan base. Luckily it’s re-opened in a new location on Ladbroke Grove with a brighter, cleaner look, and a lighter menu to match. Healthy dishes include coconut tofu curry, pan-fried teriyaki cod, sea bass noodle salad and miso aubergine – though if you’re looking for something indulgent, the sweet and sour battered chicken should do the trick. Be sure to get stuck into the small bites too: the peppercorn salted prawns, spicy scallops and wok-fried daikon cakes are all more than welcome for pre-main nibbling.

5 Ladbroke Rd, London W11 3PA, ulilondon.com

Main image: Getty Images