Where to eat in Kensington

This South Kensington spot by Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park was recently named the 21st Best Cocktail Bar in the UK, so you can pretty much guarantee it’s going to be memorable. The cocktail list features elegant, seasonal twists on the classics, including spritzes and martinis, while the brunch menu offers a bloody mary with Pecorino rind-infused vodka as well as a hard cold brew. Luckily, the food is on par with the drinks, so you can expect delicately presented small plates like ricotta gnocchi as well as ‘Grammable brunch treats such as the French toast.

MY&SANNÉ is an all-day eatery that has been made for the Instagram generation, and we don’t just mean because of its photo-worthy Mediterranean menu! A visit here will make you feel like you’ve walked into an enchanted greenhouse, with its draped greenery, twinkling lights and lanterns, and a ceiling adorned with flowers. The menu caters to both healthy days and cheat days, featuring superfood salads and vitamin-packed smoothies as well as stacked burgers, rich pastas and indulgent milkshakes… 

Wine lovers will want to head straight to Kensington Wine Rooms if they find themselves in the area—in this cosy corner spot, you’ll find dark wood features, leather banquettes, and high seating. The wine list features 150 different pours, and within that, there are around 40 available by the glass. You can even serve yourself by topping up a pre-paid card!

There’s a tapas-style menu if you just want a few nibbles to complement your wine, from olives and prawns to pates, croquettes, and charcuterie. Meanwhile, you can order something more substantial from the main menu, which features everything from tortellini to tuna and steak. Each menu item also includes wine pairing recommendations, and if you want to learn more, you can book yourself into a wine class.

This neighbourhood pub was recently rebranded—imagine abundant natural light, lived-in wooden furniture and an emerald tiled bar—however it still retains the snug, laidback ambience that it was loved for before. On the regularly changing menu, you’ll find elevated British pub classics that use seasonal ingredients, and you can usually expect a selection of sharing mains and simple but well executed fish dishes like langoustines with aioli and The Holland smoked trout. This inviting spot has even been recommended by the Michelin Guide, which particularly praises the pork collar and almond tart…

Unsurprisingly, Sally Clarke is a familiar name in Kensington — her Michelin-recommended restaurant has welcomed local regulars and foodies alike for three decades now. The bright and homely space is elegant yet serene, featuring white tablecloths, captivating artworks and views of a verdant garden. The twice-daily British and Mediterranean-inspired menu makes use of seasonal produce and reflects Clarke’s extensive international experience in the culinary world. From vibrant salads of grumolo, pink radicchio and pistachios to perfectly roasted Scottish cod fillets, only the freshest ingredients will do here. 

This welcoming spot can be found on a quiet, leafy street in Holland Park, however it’s no wallflower. Recommended by the Michelin Guide, this European bistro offers a seasonal menu that changes frequently, however on Sundays you’ll almost always find traditional roast beef and a variation of crumble for dessert. There’s a tiny bar area where you can perch and enjoy an after dinner drink, from a classic cocktail to one of their more intriguing concoctions such as the soda bread martini. There’s a generous wine list too, but if you prefer to bring your own bottle, then you just need to pay a corkage fee. 

Daquise not only boasts a rich menu, but an incredibly rich history too—its previous guests include Christine Keeler, Yevgeni Ivanov, Roman Polanski and Edward Raczynski, the President of Poland in exile. This enduring Polish spot has an old-school vibe, featuring white tablecloths, traditional glassware and bow-tied waiters; its plethora of Polish regulars is another indication of its high standards of authentic cooking… The menu features hearty, comforting dishes that have been cooked impeccably, including Polish-style stuffed eggs, goulash, veal schnitzel and warming dumplings plump with tasty fillings.

Jacuzzi is a member of the flamboyant Big Mamma family, and if you know what that means, then you know you can expect some fantastic, maximalist decor. This four-floor Italian emporium is filled with sweeping scarlet banquettes, white linen and golden finishes. Classic Italian artwork graces the walls and an abundance of foliage drapes from the ceiling alongside glittering chandeliers.

The menu is just as extravagant, featuring OTT presentations that have become Instagram famous, such as a two-person pasta dish that is served from a 4kg wheel of pecorino cheese and a risotto dressed with half a lobster and dozens of clams. Leave room for the dolce menu, which includes a sharing fondue that’s made with half a kilo of Grand Cru dark Valrhona chocolate…