It’s easy to claim that a neighbourhood ‘has it all’, but this one – from Shepherd’s Bush through to Brook Green and into Hammersmith – certainly ticks a lot of boxes. With cultural institutions to rival Central London’s, outstanding schools, excellent transport links and blue heritage-plaque buildings, is little wonder that people who move here are in it for the long run. Housing stock is made up of Victorian cottages, Georgian townhouses with expansive gardens, warehouse conversions and contemporary new builds, making for a diverse network of residents: from growing families to young entrepreneurs and city commuters.
From the Westway down to the River Thames, this West London patch has a history rooted in creativity, with a vibrant music and theatre scene across Grade-II listed venues. Luxury shopping courtesy of Westfield is complemented by generations-old weekly markets. Seekers of peace and quiet gravitate towards Brackenbury Village’s cluster of cafés and delicatessens, while others prefer the upbeat thoroughfares of Hammersmith Grove and Goldhawk Road. Natural tranquillity comes in the form of Ravenscourt Park and Furnivall Gardens, leading to the long riverside promenades.
A West London institution, The River Café opened its doors in the seventies, earned its Michelin star in 1997 and has continued to impress customers with its outstanding Italian cuisine ever since. A host of famed chefs has worked in the kitchen, plating up signature dishes including Dover sole, homemade gelato and indulgent chocolate nemesis cake.
This wine bar and restaurant has carved out a name for itself as a destination for both casual wine lovers and seasoned oenophiles. As well as dedicated wine tasting sessions, there’s a finely tuned menu designed to complement the curated international vintages perfectly.
In the heart of residential W12, Burnt is a seasonally focused café and restaurant that epitomises London’s new wave of understated dining. Open throughout the week for brunch, and for dinner of Fridays (think small plates and natural wines), this is the place for great food with a laid-back atmosphere.
A pub with a rich cultural history, The Dove has stood on its Hammersmith site since the 17th century. Once the haunt of Regency writers including James Thomson, who composed ‘Rule, Britannia’ here, its cosy charm still prevails. Look out for the smallest bar room in the world (found to the right of the main bar), as awarded by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Famed LA chef Kris Yenbamroong brings east-meets-west innovation to Chet’s. The mid-century furniture and banquette seating recalls vintage diners while the all-day menu features a playful combination of Thai flavours and textures with classic Americana dishes.
Starting life in a modest 20-seater Brixton shipping container, Kricket’s rise to fame has been remarkable. Its latest branch takes over a large dining room in White City, with the same Mumbai-inspired dishes that first put it on London’s culinary map. If you’re dining as a group, there’s an ambient basement with elongated communal tables to make the most of the sharing plates.
Found in the former BBC Television Centre, this Michelin-starred sushi restaurant gazes out across West London. Imagined by third-generation sushi master Endo Kazutoshi, diners are welcomed in as a group to an L-shaped counter fashioned from 200-year-old hinoki wood for an omakase tasting menu spread over 18 exquisitely presented courses.
Crittall windows and marble-topped dining tables set a sophisticated scene for the modern British menu at Sam’s Riverside imagined by head chef Ashley Tinoco, formerly of The Ritz. Positioned right by the water overlooking Hammersmith Bridge, this is the go-to for fresh seafood platters, cosy Sunday lunches and classic puddings.
Housed in a handsome Victorian building, with exposed brickwork, brushed plaster walls and huge windows, the setting of this seafood restaurant is as impressive as its food. Faber celebrates the British coastline, working closely with local fishmongers to source the freshest, sustainably sourced produce, paired with elevated ingredients.
The sister restaurant to The Oak in Notting Hill, it’s unsurprising that The Bird in Hand would have similar appeal in Brook Green. There’s a rustic feel to the decor, that’s matched by the handmade Italian cuisine and fine wine. Come for the pizzas, the small plates and the relaxed atmosphere.
As the name suggests at this unassuming kiosk right by the entrance of New Shepherd’s Bush Market, the falafel is king. Served in classic wraps, salad boxes and loose alongside a range of authentic sides – from fried aubergines to ful medames fava bean stew – you can eat in or grab a satisfying lunch to go.
There’s a Wes Anderson-esque vibe to The Elder Press Cafe, right by the River Thames. Inspired by Hammersmith’s 20th century literati, chef Lindsay Elder has created a welcoming and creative meeting ground. Blush pink walls, green shiplap counters and vast Crittall windows set a stylish tone for specialty coffee and inventive brunches.
A taste of Provence in Brook Green. The quintessential bistro-style décor (distressed mirrors, red check tablecloths and vintage posters) feels transportive, as does the food. The perfect pre-show dining spot, expect the classics – escargot, duck, ratatouille and soufflé – all within a 10-minute walk of the Eventim Apollo and Lyric Theatre.
For a pint with a view, there’s the Old Ship. A 300-year-old pub right on the banks of the River Thames, the best seats in the house are found on the waterside terrace. The interiors are just as atmospheric though – grab a fireside table for a roast then settle in for the day with a boardgame.
'It’s not an easy claim to say that a neighbourhood ‘has it all’, but this one – from Shepherd’s Bush through Brook Green and into Hammersmith – is certainly a frontrunner.'
A site of innovation and imagination, the Bush Theatre is one of London’s most influential off-West End venues. First welcoming audiences in the 1970s, it’s continued to spearhead new writing and emerging performers to the main cultural sphere. There’s the large main house Holloway Theatre and the intimate Studio space, as well the largest public theatre reference library in the UK.
Portobello Road’s iconic Electric Cinema found a second home in the former BBC Studios. Like its Notting Hill forebear, this W12 picturehouse has plush armchair seating, warm lighting and table service, with a fantastic range of cocktails and food to enjoy while you catch the latest blockbuster.
A relative newcomer to Shepherd’s Bush’s vibrant entertainment scene, Next Door Records is a vinyl store, café, work and event space. Opened in 2020 by three music lovers, the trendy hangout has since hosted hundreds of local and global DJs, becoming a firm favourite with the W12 crowd. Coffees soundtracked by chill beats in the day; small plates to fuel a dance come nighttime.
Spanning around 23 acres, Ravenscourt Park is cherished by the Hammersmith community. There are playgrounds, tennis and netball courts, a lake and walled garden, as well as long stretches of pathway that are perfect for joggers and dog-walkers. More than 600 trees, including rare Dawn Redwoods, Red Oaks and Yellow Buckeyes, make the landscape a verdant one.
Housed in the Grade-II listed Helios Building – the former headquarters of the BBC – this branch of Soho House is characteristically stylish, with midcentury interiors and state-of-the-art facilities. White City House Members can enjoy three screening rooms, a rooftop pool, Club Cecconi’s Northern Italian eatery and the Japanese izakaya-style Pen Yen restaurant. There’s plenty of live events and music, as well as weekend Teeny House sessions for kids.
This multipurpose exhibition centre has been home to trailblazing culture, consumer, sporting and music events for over a century. Olympia’s Grand and Pillar Halls were first built in Italianate style during the 1880s and were given Grade-II listed status in 2003, with Olympia Central later added in a Moderne architectural style. Arguably London’s most ambitious and exciting redevelopment in recent years, a host of new offices, restaurants, concert spaces and shops are set to open in 2025.
For enthusiasts and casual players alike, enjoy a round of tennis in the Park’s peaceful leafy surroundings. There are three floodlit courts and two mini courts available for matches from morning until evening, with on-site coaching options for those that want to scratch up on their technique.
'From the Westway down to the River Thames, this West London patch has a history deeply rooted in creativity.'
This certified farmers’ market is a staple of the W14 community, with over 40 traders and street food vendors setting up stalls every week in Addison Gardens. Whether you’re having a catch-up and coffee with friends or doing the full grocery shop, you can be guaranteed of organic and seasonally-focused produce.
Championing organic British produce and sustainable animal welfare, HG Walter Butchers has made a name for itself as one of the best-in-business. Established in 1972 by venerated butcher Peter Heanen, the company supplies produce for a range of exclusive London restaurants – including local favourites Kricket and the River Café – as well as serving the local community with excellence.
This bustling street in Shepherd’s Bush is known for its array of independently owned fabric shops. As you wander down, you’ll see each store is filled to the brim with different textiles – perfect for tailoring, upholstery or other craft projects you might be setting your mind to.
Your one-stop shop for organic fruit and vegetables, natural wines and artisanal cupboard items, Brook Green Wholefoods is a welcoming neighbourhood store – with a pea-green shopfront that echoes the natural goods inside.
First opened in 1914, this street market has continued to be a central hub of the W12 neighbourhood throughout the years. Every day, stallholders take to the promenade (which runs from Goldhawk Road to Shepherd’s Bush Market stations), selling a variety of food, textiles, household goods and clothing. It’s a pillar of the local community, with multi-generational knowledge, culture and specialities brought from every corner of the world.
Quality, seasonality and sustainability are the guiding principles of The Fishmonger’s Kitchen, an outstanding fish shop in Hammersmith. Headed by Chef Tony Licastro, who worked at Nobu, The Armani Cafe and Belgo, he brings his passion for seafood and fine-tuned culinary prowess to the business, since garnering a loyal customer base that regard the shop as one of the best in the city.
Shaping London’s retail and culture landscape is Westfield, the largest shopping centre in Europe. With around 500 stores, 80 restaurants, and bouldering, bowling, cricket and VR experiences, it’s no wonder the vast site attracts millions every year. Beyond the shops, the surrounding community of West London has benefitted from Westfield’s onsite public library, blood donation units, hidden disability schemes and building of new homes.
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