British, Modern Restaurants in Kensington
1. Clarke’s
British, Modern restaurant in Kensington
124 Kensington Church Street - W8
“Terrific ingredients, cleverly but unfussily combined” has long been the hallmark of Sally Clarke’s “impeccably run restaurant” in Notting Hill, which has been at the cutting edge of promoting seasonal, Californian-inspired cuisine since 1984. “It’s on the pricey side, but quality remains superb”; the setting is “romantic”; and the service, from a loyal and seemingly well-looked-after contingent of staff is “excellent, all overseen by Sally herself”. The “marvellous” wine list has an “unusual emphasis on North American wines” and some “reasonably priced alternatives to famous names”. Top Tip – “the good-value daily lunch set menu is a fantastic way to try this restaurant out”.
2. The Ivy Kensington Brasserie
British, Modern restaurant in Kensington
96 Kensington High St - W8
With the “lovely decor” replicated from the Theatreland icon for which they are branded, Richard Caring’s “always buzzy” spin-offs have found a gigantic audience nationally. But “these places live off the name for sure” and “it’s the ambience that keeps them going” – while fans say the food is “reliable”, more sceptical types dismiss it as “conveyor-belt cooking”; and say service is merely so-so. Some branches are better than others: best in London is ‘Chelsea Garden’, which has the same “distinctly average” standards as the others, but reliably offers an “uplifting” atmosphere and “great people watching” (and “on a sunny afternoon there is literally NO WHERE ELSE TO BE but its large garden. HEAVEN!!”). Also worth mentioning is the outlet by The Thames in SE1: “excellent views of Tower Bridge”, “even better if outside in summer and convenient for The Bridge Theatre”.
3. Kitchen W8
British, Modern restaurant in Kensington
11-13 Abingdon Road - W8
“I’ve had dinner here at least 20 times over the last 10 years and have never had a bad meal. I’m a fan!” – this smart and “very comfortable” (“slightly dull?”) fixture sits in a side road off Kensington High Street and is very accomplished by the reckoning of neighbourhood venues (and is nowadays in the top-100 most mentioned London restaurants in our annual diners’ poll). Star chef Phil Howard is a partner in its management, and standards are “very good all round”, including the “really creative and delicious” modern European cuisine.
4. Megan's on the HIgh Street
British, Modern restaurant in Kensington and Chelsea
204 Kensington High Street - W8
“Fairy lights, greenery and charming decor create a warm and cosy atmosphere” at this still-expanding group, which is most popular as a “reliable and friendly brunch option”. Its Med-inspired tapas is typically rated somewhere between “tasty” and “nothing special” and scores overall are dragged well down by those experiencing “chaotic service” and “food that doesn’t live up to the pretty dining room”.
5. The Abingdon
British, Modern restaurant in Kensington
54 Abingdon Rd - W8
“A very special gastropub tucked away in a quiet street off Kensington High Street”, which has been run for 25 years by the Staples family, who have remodelled what was built as a classic Victorian corner tavern into an “all-round reliable local restaurant” and bar fit for its chichi environs.
6. Park Terrace Restaurant, Royal Garden Hotel
British, Modern restaurant in Kensington
2-24 Kensington High St - W8
2021 Review: With its “beautiful views over Kensington Gardens”, this “quiet and comfortable” hotel restaurant makes a useful venue for lunch or afternoon tea. “The service is a perfect blend of efficiency and friendliness”, while the Sunday roast – sirloin of Buccleuch beef, carved from the trolley – is “delicious”.
7. Launceston Place
British, Modern restaurant in Kensington
1a Launceston Place - W8
“Tucked away from the hustle and bustle”, in the kind of ultra-picturesque Kensington backwater where one imagines Mary Poppins floating about on her umbrella – this “quirky” converted town-house provides a “special”, “understated but comfortable setting” and “always impeccable personal service with attention to detail”: it’s “ideal for a romantic evening”. “You might not expect much of the cooking as it’s part of the D&D London Group – but you’d be wrong!” – Ben Murphy has been at the stoves since 2017 and his “refined and interesting” cuisine goes from strength to strength: “food that just makes you smile about how it looks and how it tastes”. Top Tip – “good value at lunch”.
8. The Holland
British, Modern restaurant in Kensington and Chelsea
25 Earls Court Road - W8
“A fantastic new gastropub near Holland Park”, in the no-man’s-land location just south of Kensington High Street as you head down to Earl’s Court. It was converted in September 2022 (from The Princess Victoria, RIP) with an upstairs dining room serving a modern British menu from chef Max de Nahlik, whose pop-up Oxalis was highly regarded. Initial high ratings and reports – “lovely Sunday roast…”, “good and attentive service…”, “deserves to be fuller than the night we went there…” – suggest it’s worth discovering.
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