The nation may be in their marathon-running era but we cover quite a bit of ground ourselves in a weekend mooching around London’s neighbourhoods. The key to a good nabe in our eyes (you’d hate hood more) is having enough to sustain a good mooch. Lately we’ve found it impossible to keep away from Notting Hill for exactly this reason. Already home to a destination antique market, grand white townhouses and brightly coloured streets, the growing restaurant scene is what keeps us coming back. Here are our chosen ones to have on your radar.
The Lost Poet is a quintessential London guesthouse oozing with character. The renovated Victorian townhouse has just four rooms, each with its own bold colour palette embodying the eclectic charm of the streets below. Plotted at the beginning of and pretty much instigating Portobello Road, it is prime walking distance from Notting Hill’s buzzing food scene.
For something on-the-go, Layla bakery is a local gem at the other end of Portobello Road and is well worth the walk for its laminated pastries and seasonal specials. Its rustic corner spot allows for a flood of daylight over the counter of flakey goods with a few seats and counter spots inside, plus plenty of tables outside for those optimistic sunny days. We love a cheerleader community and we’ve seen Layla’s loaves proving to be popular with the local restaurants including trendy vinyl wine bar Caia round the corner. When we’ve got time for brunch, this neighbourhood is a pretty safe bet but Eggbreak is always somewhere we beeline for for something indulgent (their Nutella French toast is a must-order and the egg bacon & cheese toastie showered with cheese). We love Kuro for something seasonal and simple, think clean girl aesthetic.
Gold is one of our all-time favourite restaurants in London let alone Notting Hill. Welcoming you off Portobello Road with terracotta and large leafy plants, the effortlessly cool vibe extends across four floors and is perfect for a laid-back dinner with friends or date night. The menu celebrates open-fire cooking intended to be shared (we always order the braised pork meatballs for the table) and cocktails are elegant and simple. Just across the road is Zephyr, an antique-sleek restaurant with a bouncing beach club playlist, grandma-core decor and a modern greek menu. We love it for a special occasion as it can be pretty spenny but the food and vibe make it the ultimate girls’ night spot, ending the night downstairs at their hidden bar, Naked & Famous for cocktails and a DJ.
For a more traditional British backdrop, The Pelican elevates the classic pub aesthetic with a certified destination restaurant. The interiors are a hybrid of cosy and spacious; with worn leathers, woods and a roaring fireplace, while the double-height ceilings give way to windows just as tall, bathing the room in natural light. Stop for a pint and bar snacks, the mince on toast is a must, or book in for a feast and indulge in one of their iconic pies. Located a few doors down is Ria’s, a charming wine bar pairing Detroit-style pizza with natural wine. Welcome the meal in with a ‘cheeky start’ of a vodka shot and feta, dill and cucumber chaser. A big night out for us now!
When a reason to splash the cash, and the time to book two months prior, presents itself, Dorian is a pretty good restaurant to have in your roster. The space has a modern yet classic feel with its high-ceilings, wood panelling and the accent of green in the wrap-around banquette. The menu changes daily depending on prime produce but core players are the caviar rostis and juicy T-bone steaks, which solely justify why this is so hard-to-book. Another near-unbookable restaurant is the flavour bomb that is Akub, with the bold dishes reflecting the technicolour streets beyond. What looks intimate from the curb opens up into three storeys with a bright open summer house in the middle. The menu is inspired by Palestinian flavours and culinary traditions and offers one of the most flavourful chicken pies bukjet mousakhan we’ve ever had.
You wouldn’t guess it but we eat pretty veggie at home, and it’s not often we dine out for a veggie let alone vegan meal but we were introduced to an incredible vegan supper club last year which left us wanting more. Holy Carrot have since opened a permanent space with a sleek bar serving bottled cocktails from the Bar With Shapes For A Name while the innovative menu has been created by ex-ACME Fire Cult head chef Daniel Watkins. On each occasion we’ve found the carrots to be the standout dish, perhaps owing to its namesake, and were blown away by the chilli mushroom ragu and, despite our feelings towards matcha, their matcha tiramisu.
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