Kensington Restaurants: The Best Places to Eat

The restaurants people search for here are led by three with three Michelin stars: Core by Clare Smyth and the Ledbury in Notting Hill, and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea. Kitchen W8 is the borough’s starred neighbourhood place with a set menu under £50. Every entry was checked against the restaurant’s own website on 24 October 2026.

We have not eaten at these restaurants for this guide, and nothing here is a review. Each entry sets out what the restaurant says about itself and what it publishes about menus, prices, hours and booking. We then add the public record: the Michelin Guide, published press reviews the restaurant quotes, and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) hygiene rating.

Notting Hill and Holland Park

Core by Clare Smyth, Kensington Park Road

Core holds three Michelin stars, and kept them in the 2026 guide. Its own site calls it “an elegant fine-dining restaurant emphasising natural, sustainable food”, cooked from British produce. The menus page lists two tasting menus, Core Seasons at £275 and Core Classics at £265. Wine pairing is £175. The à la carte is £205 at lunch and £235 at dinner. The whole table orders from the same kind of menu. Lunch is Thursday to Saturday, 12pm to 2.15pm. Dinner is Tuesday to Saturday, 6.30pm to 9.45pm. Booking is online through OpenTable. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 17 September 2026). 92 Kensington Park Road, W11 2PN. Call 020 3937 5086. Our listing.

The Ledbury, Ledbury Road

The Ledbury has three Michelin stars under chef patron Brett Graham. It opened in 2005 and was promoted to three stars in the 2024 guide, Wikipedia records. It closed during the pandemic and reopened in February 2022. The Michelin inspectors single out Graham’s “close relationship with his suppliers” and a service team that is “refreshingly approachable”. The restaurant’s own site does not publish prices or hours. Michelin lists dinner Tuesday to Saturday and lunch on Friday and Saturday only. Bookings are through OpenTable. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 12 November 2025). 127 Ledbury Road, W11 2AQ. Call 020 7792 9090. Our listing.

Dorian, Talbot Road

Dorian holds one Michelin star. Its own site describes it simply as “a bistro for locals”. The Michelin Guide calls it an “energisingly busy neighbourhood brasserie”, with wood-fired grilling and counter seats facing the chefs. Michelin also lists it as allowing pets. Dorian publishes its hours as Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm to 11pm, closed Sunday and Monday. It does not publish food prices online. Book online through SevenRooms or by phone on 020 3089 9556. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 10 October 2025). 105-107 Talbot Road, W11 2AT.

Caractère, Westbourne Park Road

Caractère holds one Michelin star and is run by the married couple Emily Roux and Diego Ferrari. It calls itself “an independent fine dining restaurant situated in the heart of Notting Hill”. The smallest menu is three courses à la carte, and the tasting menu is for the whole table. Its FAQs give dinner Tuesday to Saturday and lunch on Friday and Saturday. Bookings open 60 days ahead. A £125 a head fee applies to late cancellations and no-shows. The restaurant says it welcomes children but has no high chairs. The dress code is casual, and a folding ramp is kept for wheelchairs. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 24 September 2025). 209 Westbourne Park Road, W11 1EA. Call 020 8181 3850. Our listing.

Six Portland Road, Holland Park

Six Portland Road says it was relaunched by Jesse Dunford Wood in 2020. It calls itself a proudly independent business, cooking seasonal British produce. The menu changes at the start of each month. A set menu of two courses for £25 runs Monday to Saturday, 12pm to 3pm and 5.30pm to 6.30pm. Sunday roasts are served at lunch and dinner. Groups of six or more can book larger tables, and the whole room takes up to 40. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 5 March 2025). 6 Portland Road, W11 4LA. Call 020 7229 3130.

Kensington

Kitchen W8, Abingdon Road

Kitchen W8 holds one Michelin star. It describes itself as “a genuinely relaxed and friendly Michelin-starred neighbourhood restaurant”. The chef is Mark Kempson, and its sister restaurant is Elystan Street in Chelsea. The set menu is £49.50 for three courses, at lunch and early evening, Monday to Saturday. À la carte and tasting menus are also served. Lunch runs 12.15pm to 2.30pm Monday to Saturday and 12.15pm to 3pm on Sunday. Dinner is 6pm to 9pm Monday to Saturday and 6.30pm to 8pm on Sunday. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 13 May 2026). 11-13 Abingdon Road, W8 6AH. Call 020 7937 0120. Our listing.

Clarke’s, Kensington Church Street

Clarke’s is Sally Clarke’s restaurant, with her shop and bakery across the road. The restaurant page says it welcomes walk-ins and can usually find room at short notice. The menus change every day with the season. A three-course set lunch is £45, Tuesday to Saturday. Lunch is from 12.30pm Tuesday to Saturday, and dinner from 6pm Monday to Saturday. It is closed on Sundays. Book through OpenTable or on 020 7221 9225. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 5 November 2025). 124 Kensington Church Street, W8 4BH.

Il Portico, Kensington High Street

Il Portico says it has been family-run since 1967, now in its fourth generation. It calls itself “London’s oldest family-run Italian restaurant”. The family came from a village in Emilia-Romagna, the site says. Group menus start at £45 a head for pasta sharing and £65 for a feasting menu. The restaurant keeps tables back for walk-ins and asks last-minute diners to ring 020 7602 6262. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 26 May 2026). 277 Kensington High Street, W8 6NA. Our listing.

Mazi, Hillgate Street

Mazi is a Greek restaurant off Notting Hill Gate. Its own site says the name means “together” and that it reworks “old time classic recipes with a modern twist”. It publishes separate vegan and gluten-free menus. Tables are booked in two-hour slots unless you ask otherwise, or the group is larger than six. It asks for 24 hours’ notice to cancel. Bookings more than 15 minutes late are cancelled automatically. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 3 June 2025). 12-14 Hillgate Street, W8 7SR. Call 020 7229 3794. Our listing.

South Kensington and Knightsbridge

Ognisko, Exhibition Road

Ognisko sits in the Victorian home of Ognisko Polskie, the Polish Hearth Club, near the museums. Its own site says it cooks “the cuisines of Eastern and Central Europe”. It serves house-infused vodkas in the bar. The terrace overlooks communal gardens and stays open all year. It opens from 12pm daily: until 11.30pm Monday to Thursday, midnight on Friday and Saturday, and 10.30pm on Sunday. Last food orders are 2.45pm for lunch and 9.45pm for dinner, or 8.30pm on Sunday. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 14 May 2026). 55 Exhibition Road, SW7 2PG. Call 020 7589 0101. Our listing.

Tom Brown at The Capital, Basil Street

Tom Brown’s seafood restaurant in The Capital Hotel opened in April 2025. It won a Michelin star in the 2026 guide, the hotel’s owner says. Its own site promises “clean, creative, and produce-driven cooking”. The Michelin inspectors call the room “intimate, immaculate and perfect for that discreet lunch or celebratory dinner”. Dinner is 6pm to 9pm, Tuesday to Saturday. The site gives lunch hours in two different ways, so check when you book. Hygiene rating 5 for The Capital Hotel (FSA, 11 March 2025). 22-24 Basil Street, SW3 1AT.

Chelsea

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Royal Hospital Road

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay holds three Michelin stars. Its own page did not load for us, so these details come from the Michelin Guide. The inspectors say the kitchen is “fiercely committed to maintaining the highest standards”. They name lobster ravioli among its signature dishes. Menus are the Prestige set menu, the Carte Blanche surprise menu and an à la carte. Michelin lists it open Tuesday to Saturday, for lunch from 12pm and dinner from 6pm. Bookings go direct to the restaurant. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 2 September 2025). 68-69 Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HP. Call 020 7352 4441.

Elystan Street, Elystan Street

Elystan Street holds one Michelin star and is Phil Howard’s restaurant. It aims to serve “pure, seasonal, ingredient led, gimmick-free dishes”. The menus page lists a set menu at lunch and between 6pm and 6.30pm, Monday to Saturday. It also lists an à la carte and a “Six of the best” tasting menu. Sunday lunch runs from 12pm to 3pm. The contact page gives lunch from 12.30pm Monday to Saturday and dinner from 6pm. It is closed on Sunday evenings. Hygiene rating 4 (FSA, 22 August 2025). 43 Elystan Street, SW3 3NT. Call 020 7628 5005. Our listing.

Medlar, King’s Road

Medlar opened in April 2011. It is independently owned by chef Joe Mercer Nairne and front of house manager David O’Connor. It quotes Jay Rayner of the Observer: “Medlar is as good as it gets”. It also quotes Time Out’s five-star review. Lunch is £57 for three courses or £48 for two, Monday to Saturday. Dinner is £83 for three courses or £67 for two. Sunday is £59 for three courses. Some prices rise in December. Open seven days, with lunch from 12pm to 3pm and dinner from 6pm or 6.30pm. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 12 February 2025). 438 King’s Road, SW10 0LJ. Call 020 7349 1900. Our listing.

Corenucopia by Clare Smyth, Holbein Place

Corenucopia is Clare Smyth’s second restaurant, a few steps from Sloane Square. It won a Michelin star as a new entry in the 2026 guide. Its own site calls it “a luxury bistro in Chelsea” that “pays homage to beloved British dishes”. It names Dover sole fish and chips with lobster mousse, and a separate menu of potato sides. The senior team came from Core. Lunch is Friday to Sunday, 12pm to 2.30pm. Dinner is Wednesday to Sunday, 5.30pm to 9.30pm. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 12 June 2026). 18-22 Holbein Place, SW1W 8NL.

Daphne’s, Draycott Avenue

Daphne’s says it has served Italian food since it was founded in 1964. The menu runs from antipasti through handmade pasta and risotto to fish and meat. Ice cream is made daily. The head chef is William Halsall. The conservatory at the back has an open fire in winter, and there is a small terrace in summer. Open Monday to Saturday 12pm to 11pm, and Sunday 12pm to 10.30pm. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 5 March 2026). 112 Draycott Avenue, SW3 3AE. Call 020 7589 4257.

How we chose

These are the restaurants people search for, chosen on the public record rather than on taste. We used Michelin stars, how long a place has been open, the press reviews a restaurant publishes, and the Food Standards Agency hygiene rating. Nothing here is rated below 3. We left out places we could not check against a website of their own on the day. Hours and prices are as each restaurant published them on 24 October 2026. Menus change, especially around Christmas, so check before you book. Every hygiene rating is from the FSA register. For the latest borough inspections, see Kensington food hygiene ratings.

Run a place that should be here, or spot something that has changed? Email newsdesk@thekensingtonpost.co.uk.

For more to do locally, see things to do in Kensington, what’s on in Kensington this month, and the restaurants in our Kensington business directory.

Frequently asked questions

Which Kensington and Chelsea restaurants have three Michelin stars?

Three: Core by Clare Smyth on Kensington Park Road and the Ledbury on Ledbury Road, both in Notting Hill, and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay on Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea. All three kept their stars in the 2026 Michelin Guide.

Where can I eat at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Kensington for less?

Kitchen W8 on Abingdon Road, which holds one Michelin star, publishes a three-course set menu at £49.50 at lunch and early evening, Monday to Saturday. Elystan Street in Chelsea, also one star, runs a set menu at lunch and between 6pm and 6.30pm. Clarke’s on Kensington Church Street, which is not starred, publishes a three-course set lunch at £45, Tuesday to Saturday.

Which is the oldest restaurant in this guide?

Il Portico on Kensington High Street says it has been family-run since 1967 and calls itself London’s oldest family-run Italian restaurant. Daphne’s in Chelsea says it has served Italian food since 1964.