Architecturally speaking, this West London postcode is synonymous with pastel façades, cobbled mews, historic townhouses and verdant garden squares. But it’s the tapestry of diverse cultures and its keen sense of community that makes Notting Hill such a vibrant place to live. Here you’ll find long-standing residents, young professionals and international families who cherish its eclectic character.
The neighbourhood has an artistic streak, evident from its string of independent galleries, book and record shops, plus the antiques sellers that take to famed Portobello Road each week. Just around the corner, upmarket Westbourne Grove is lined with designer boutiques and interior design showrooms. The food scene is similarly varied, with old-favourites and relative newcomers making collective waves. Then there’s Notting Hill Carnival. An annual celebration of Caribbean culture, it’s a kaleidoscope of music, food and dancing through the streets.
A celebration of Palestinian flavour and hospitality, Akub chefs Fadi Kattan and Mathilde Papazian expertly fuse traditional and experimental cooking. Divided between “bahar” (sea), “ard” (land) and “lahmeh” (meat), the menu is designed to be shared. Twisting olive trees lend a calming backdrop, masterminded by interior design studio Fare Inc.
A concept restaurant imagined by world-class chefs Diego Ferrari and Emily Roux, Caractère doesn’t play by any culinary rulebook. Split into six experiential categories, “curious”, “subtle”, “delicate”, “robust”, “strong” and “greedy”, let the friendly staff guide you through the menu.
Declaring itself the “bistro for locals”, Dorian has quickly become one of W11’s most cherished brasseries. Founded by Chris D’Sylva, the neighbourhood superstar behind the Notting Hill Fish + Meat Shop, renowned chef Max Coen helms the kitchen. Expect a menu centred around seasonal British produce.
A Notting Hill drinking hole with Celtic appeal – and the best spot for a Guinness around. There’s an old-school glamour to The Cow, with a dark saloon-style bar downstairs and a restaurant upstairs. The narrow bar counter is stacked high with piles of ice, staged for the must-try Jersey Rock oysters.
Nestled behind St Peter’s Church on Portobello Road, Farm Girl’s brunch offerings are among the most photogenic in Notting Hill. Healthy, antipodean-inspired dishes are the order of the day, alongside inventive lattes and smoothie bowls. When the sun shines, grab a table in the cobbled courtyard.
An undisputed staple of the Notting Hill food scene. There’s a year-round al fresco feel here courtesy of a garden room with a retractable glass roof. As for the food, expect modern European plates crafted by River Cafe alumnus Theo Hill.
Londoners know that Aussies do brunch best. Cue Granger & Co. – the success story of the late restaurateur Bill Granger. You’ll find Notting Hill’s branch on Westbourne Grove; come for the pancakes and the scrambled eggs.
Named after an island in the Scottish Outer Hebrides, Orasay is chef Jackson Boxer’s personal ode to childhood holidays. Fish and seafood are the focus here, pared with with bold flavours and beautiful presentation.
Created by sushi mastermind Endo Kazutoshi, Sumi is the relaxed little sister to Michelin-starred Endo at the Rotunda. Marvel at the chefs in the kitchen from the bar seating, or enjoy your temaki rolls and sake on the streetside terrace.
Continuing on from the success of their Neal’s Yard location, The Barbary’s 75-cover Notting Hill branch takes inspiration from the stretch of landscape from Southern Europe to Northern Africa. As you’d expect from a restaurant that’s headed by the Paskin siblings (founders of Evelyn’s Table, The Palomar and The End), style and sophistication characterise their menu and interior design.
Brushed plaster walls, mood lighting and a constant buzz set the scene at The Pelican. Prop up the bar for Welsh rarebit and crab toast, or book a table for pub classics and sharing pies. Life drawing classes, hypnotherapy workshops, comedy nights and naturally, a pub quiz, are on the agenda here.
Michelin-starred The Ledbury is something of a Notting Hill landmark. Chef Brett Graham’s love letter to the British countryside, it showcases the best of the UK’s seasonal ingredients with confidence and invention. Revamped by Rose Murray, a refreshed dining space echoes the earthiness of the menu.
A real locals pub, this is a place to linger over a pint and a scotch egg. In the summer, patrons spill out onto the large terrace for drinks in the sunshine. The light-filled interiors are equally inviting, as is the menu of pub classics and daily tapas dishes.
A pitstop for pitta around the clock, Miznon operates a kiosk service at lunch time, and a full sit-down dinner service come evening. Pillowy soft pitta is loaded with lashings of sour cream and tahini and topped with everything from green falafel to rib-eye steak.
Celebrating the country’s culinary tradition of sharing, Mazi translates to ‘together’ in Greek. “We always greet people on the street and welcome them into the restaurant,” says founder Christina Mouratoglou. “On the one hand, we serve the community and our local friends. On the other, we welcome visitors from all over who put a visit to Notting Hill at the top of their list.”
A welcoming local tucked away off the beaten track in Hillgate Village. Family-run, the atmosphere is cosy and laid-back. The Sunday roasts are a real highlight here, but it’s just as good for nightcaps by the fire – the selection of real ales is rotated regularly, and the wine cellar is well stocked.
From Tulum to Tokyo, Los Mochis is known for its Pan-Pacific genius. The menu pairs punchy Mexican classics with the precision and elegance of Japanese cuisine – think sashimi, ceviche and fusion tacos. For the indecisive, there’s a 10-course tasting menu.
Seasonal ingredients, whole foods and ethical produce are the order of the day at The Good Plot. This all translates into an enticing and colourful array of foraged-plant dishes, hand-reared meats and biodynamic wines, some of which come directly from Ewhurst Park, The Good Plot’s estate in rural Hampshire. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the regular supper clubs.
'Architecturally speaking, this West London postcode is synonymous with pastel façades, cobbled mews, historic townhouses and verdant garden squares.'
Bodyism unites fitness and wellness, focusing on five core philosophies: movement, mindset, nutrition, recovery and connection. Members can expect a personalised training schedule that matches them with one of Bodyism’s specialists, suited to their needs and goals. As well as the numerous training sessions and treatments on offer, talks with industry pioneers explore the physical and mental aspects of health.
Located in the quiet cobbled enclave of Colville Mews, Cloud Twelve is family members’ club that shines a light on holistic wellbeing. From osteopathy to yoga, cooking classes and an interactive play area, there are activities to keep every age entertained. There’s also a spa.
One of the oldest picture houses in the country, the Electric Cinema is embedded in the fabric of Portobello Road. The Grade II* listed establishment catches the eye with its iconic red neon sign and offers a thoroughly relaxed screening experience with luxe armchairs, cashmere blankets and table service.
Europe’s biggest street festival is a colourful celebration of African-Caribbean food, music and community. Carnival is the neighbourhood’s ultimate calendar event, welcoming millions of visitors to the streets over the last weekend of August. Exuberant performers dance their way along the parade route to the sound of calypso music and steel drums.
Notting Hill and Portobello Road go hand-in-hand. Running at half a mile long, this world-famous market street is W11’s most treasured offering and has been a site of literary, cinematic and photographic fascination for decades. Throughout the week, you’ll find an array of bric-a-brac, clothing, household goods and antiques stalls as well as fresh produce and hot food vendors.
'The neighbourhood has an artistic streak, evident from its string of independent galleries, book and record shops, plus the antiques sellers that take to famed Portobello Road each week.'
This Notting Hill boutique champions independent designers from across the world. Located in a converted three-storey period townhouse, the shop runs as two separate stores: Couverture contains a range of womenswear, accessories and home décor, while Garbstore is filled with refined menswear. In both departments, you can expect to find emerging designers and exclusive collaborations.
Also known as the chef’s supermarket, Notting Hill Fish + Meat Shop works with independent producers from across the country to stock the freshest, restaurant-quality produce. Contrary to what its name suggests, you can fill your basket with more than just fish and meat – from homemade stocks and sauces to seasonal fruit and vegetables, freshly baked sourdough, Japanese groceries and Champagne.
Having garnered a loyal fan base over its 30 years of business, Sally Clarke is something of a London institution. With its sophisticated atmosphere and service, it’s a local favourite for relaxed lunches and private dining. The adjoining shop next door sells freshly baked goods and pantry essentials to take home.
Not your average bookstore. Famed literary agents Sarah Lutyens and Felicity Rubinstein founded their eponymous shop in 2009, partnering with architects De Rosee Sa to create an inspiring backdrop to display their wide range of literature. Over the years, Lutyens & Rubinstein has established itself as a staple for bookworms in London. Come evening, the store hosts live discussions with authors of the moment.
Set on Westbourne Grove, this contemporary design showroom offers interiors to match that of the Soho House brand: relaxed and refined. Soho Home sells the same pieces found across its clubs, as well as offering a bespoke styling service for your own home.
On All Saints Road, Moi et Toi takes over the Empire Empire restaurant each morning, when the neon light signals its transformation into a neighbourhood bakery. Inside, find counters filled with freshly baked goods and a station serving coffee and house-made chai. At the back of the bakery, catch a glimpse of chefs at work. When the light switches off, the space reverts to Harneet’s Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded Indian restaurant, Empire Empire.
Piers Gough, the architect behind The National Portrait Gallery, designed the turquoise island that houses Wild at heart in 1993. It remains a suitably bright backdrop for the blooms of Notting Hill’s beloved neighbourhood florist.
Mid-century furniture, tableware, lighting and plants: Foundry ticks all the home essentials boxes. Grown out of a wider archiving project, founder Rebecca Denholm curates a trove of beautifully crafted pieces. Expect to find Danish furniture classics by the likes of Hans Wegner and Børge Mogensen alongside tactile mugs by contemporary ceramicist Georgie Scully.
It’s hard to resist Melt Chocolates’ handmade truffles, rolled every morning in the kitchen at its Ledbury Road store. Browse the brightly packaged bars and boxes or stop for a hot chocolate. And if that doesn’t satisfy your sweet cravings, book onto a chocolate making workshop to perfect the art of bonbons, brownies and bars for yourself.
A taste of the Gloucester countryside via Westbourne Grove. Fresh produce is delivered every morning from Daylesford’s organic Cotswolds farm, from seasonal fruit and vegetables to pasture-raised meat and cheeses. Pick up a salad, coffee or smoothie to go, or take a seat in the calming café.
A considered layout is the foundation of any well-designed home – one of the main challenges at Westbourne Gardens, as studio founder and creative director Irene Gunter explains.
The Italian creative on bringing a dash of La Dolce Vita to her opulent Notting Hill townhouse.
