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Best restaurants in South Kensington

The best restaurants in South Kensington are also some of the very best dining options in London - so you know the standard is high. The dining options here are all pretty varied too – from the most hyped celebrity chefs’ eateries to unassuming Michelin-starred spots and chains that never disappoint. Read our curated list of the best spots for every price point, and click through to check out what our food critics thought.

Updated on 02 September 2024

This area is known for some of the best museums and shopping spots worldwide, but it also has plenty of places with lovely food and great atmosphere which we’ve gathered together in our list of the best restaurants in South Kensington. From romantic French ambience, to modern British cuisine and some of the most delicious Italian dishes you’ll ever taste, there’s something for every palate and every price point. 

So, after you’ve done a spot of shopping at Harrods or checked out some art at the V&A, it’s time to tuck your feet under one of these tables and sample some of the best restaurants the capital has to offer. There are quite a few Michelin-starred places, so you know you’re in for some very high quality food in South Kensington, and celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Claude Bosi have eponymous restaurants here. But quality doesn’t always have to come at a price - we have found some delightful food at elegant yet unassuming spots that won’t break the bank, but will leave you feeling happy and satisfied. These include fun neighbourhood joints offering vibrant and imaginative vegan food for less, and warm, nostalgic gastropubs.

Every one of the restaurants featured in our list of best restaurants in South Kensington have been tried and tested by food critics and our own customers, so make sure to click through to check out the full reviews.

Sumosan Twiga

Sumosan Twiga

165 Sloane Street, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 9QB

Sumosan Twiga has plenty to explore inside - from its basement nightclub, first-floor dining room, to its spacious top-floor bar. The menu is a mix of Japanese and Italian dishes, so you could pick from sushi, sea bass risotto, or veal Milanese. Our favourite? The T&T sushi rolls - they're heady with truffle-laced tuna.

Over £80
Japanese
Italian
Pétrus

Pétrus

1 Kinnerton Street, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 8EA

Another brick in the Gordon Ramsay empire, this glamorous and lively dining spot is best enjoyed when booking the eight-seater chef’s table in front of the kitchen (although it comes with a serious bill). Honourable mentions go to the seasonal rhubarb souffle with creme anglaise and crumble, and the genius take on Black Forest gateau.

Over £80
Modern European
French
One Michelin star
SquareMeal London Top 100
The Hunter

The Hunter's Moon South Kensington

86 Fulham Road, South Kensington, London, SW3 6HR

A London take on a traditional country pub, the Hunter's Moon will fill you instantly with nostalgia, with its rustic oak floors and open fireplace. The food, however, is in no way dated - menu highlights include scallop ceviche with wasabi mayonnaise and yuzu dressing, and Dua Lipa favourite olive oil ice cream with Maldon sea salt. 

£30 - £49
Modern European
British
Gastropub
No. Fifty Cheyne

No. Fifty Cheyne

50 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, London, SW3 5LR

Formerly the Cheyne Walk Brasserie, this beloved local gem was refurbished and relaunched by Sally Greene, founder director of The Old Vic and owner of Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. With marble tables set on parquet floors and chandelier-lit ceilings, its classy interiors match the sophisticated flavours on the menu by Chef Iain Smith.

£50 - £79
French
Dinings SW3

Dinings SW3

Walton House, Belgravia, London, SW3 2JH

A luxurious ode to modern Japanese cuisine, Dinings SW3 is exactly what you would expect from fine Knightsbridge dining. Predictably, there's caviar, truffle, and wagyu all over the menu, but also some surprisingly affordable choices like the shrimp tempura inside-out roll (£17 for six pieces), and some interesting cocktails, such as a miso-infused Espresso Martini.

Over £80
Sushi
Japanese
Elystan Street

Elystan Street

43 Elystan Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 3NT

From acclaimed chef Phil Howard and restauranteur Rebecca Mascarenhas, Elystan Street merges sleek, cool interiors with a refined yet comforting Modern European menu. Removing the twice-baked cheese souffle from the menu garnered widespread complaints, so thankfully it's now back; elsewhere, enjoy baked berry ice cream with warm Madeleines for dessert.

£50 - £79
Modern European
One Michelin star
SquareMeal London Top 100
La Poule au Pot

La Poule au Pot

231 Ebury Street, Belgravia, London, SW1W 8UT

One of London's most romantic restaurants, La Poule au Pot has been delighting Londoners with its Gallic menu for more than half a century. The quiet terrace is the perfect setting for alfresco balmy evenings, while the atmospheric bare-brick interior is decorated with bushels of dried herbs, flowers and twinkly candles.

£50 - £79
French
Jacuzzi

Jacuzzi

94 Kensington High Street, Kensington, London, W8 4SH

The Big Mamma group (Gloria, Ave Mario, among others) is synonymous with maximalist decor, and Jacuzzi, set in a four-storey Sicilian mansion, is no exception. Look beyond the oversized chandeliers, however, and you'll find some exceptional food - we recommend the indulgent pasta puttanesca, and the classic Big Mamma tiramisu to finish.

£50 - £79
Italian
Claude Bosi at Bibendum

Claude Bosi at Bibendum

Michelin House, Chelsea, London, SW3 6RD

French chef Claude Bosi is described as being at 'the top of his game' in one of London’s most iconic rooms. This two-Michelin-starred master of innovative French cuisine uses the finest produce around to create inventive dishes - think a Moroccan-inspired take on French guinea fowl, or quail served with raspberry vinegar and lemon thyme.

Over £80
French
Two Michelin stars
SquareMeal London Top 100
Medlar

Medlar

438 King's Road, Chelsea, London, SW10 0LJ

A charming neighbourhood spot with elegant white and green decor, Medlar has built up a reputation for its excellent service and and exceptionally well-priced set menu. The menus are updated regularly but steaks and the signature crab raviolo are a mainstay. An insider tip tells us everyone should "request some Madeleines with after-dinner coffee".

£50 - £79
Modern European
French
Cambio de Tercio

Cambio de Tercio

163 Old Brompton Road, London, London, SW5 0LJ

Described as "incredibly authentic", Cambio de Tercio offers a mix of classic and modern tapas. Regulars say must-order dishes include the 'nuevas’ patatas bravas filled with spicy tomato and alioli, but new additions like rock oyster tempura with plankton seaweed cream deserve a chance too.

£50 - £79
Spanish
Kutir

Kutir

10 Lincoln Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 2TS

Finding an Indian restaurant in London is not hard - finding a good one is a different story. Enter Kutir, a place where modern Indian cuisine gains centre stage. For extra novelty points, you'll be amused to hear diners must ring a doorbell or rap the silver elephant door knocker to enter.

£50 - £79
Indian
Sale e Pepe

Sale e Pepe

9-15 Pavilion Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 0HD

A traditional Italian mainstay that has held its spot on Pavilion Road since 1974, Sale e Pepe certainly lives up to its glamorous reputation, while recent interior renovations prevent it feeling dated. The food has a welcome focus on high-quality produce, and signature dishes like the veal Milanese or whole seabass shared between two cannot be missed.

£50 - £79
Modern European
Mediterranean
Bars
Italian
Fish
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay

68 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 4HP

The flagship restaurant of one of the most the recognised chefs in the world thankfully lives up to his famous name – which is good because it can take up to two months to secure a table reservation at this coveted dining spot. Make sure you try the signature sweet lobster ravioli.

Over £80
French
Three Michelin stars
La Famiglia

La Famiglia

7 Langton Street, Chelsea, London, SW10 0JL

With nearly 40 years of history, the traditional, family-run Italian La Famiglia will transport you to a better, friendlier time where first-rate ingredients make the classics more delicious than ever. Expect no glitz and glamour, this place is all about the wholesome hearty food and welcoming environment. We hear the truffle tagliatelle is a must try!

£30 - £49
Italian
Origin Kensington

Origin Kensington

Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London, W8 4PT

On the hunt for somewhere to eat on Kensington High Street? This hotel restaurant is warm and welcoming, with bright interiors, views of Kensington Gardens, and international menus that cater to every occasion - including afternoon tea and a Sunday roast! 

£50 - £79
British
Hotel Bars
Myrtle Restaurant

Myrtle Restaurant

1A Langton Street, London, London, SW10 0JL

In Myrtle Irish chef Anna Haugh has made her solo restaurant debut, following successful stints at big names like London House and Bob Bob Ricard. Turns out if you mix an elegant take on modern Irish cuisine and add in friendly hospitality, you get the perfect cosy location for a date night or an overdue catch up with a friend.

£50 - £79
Modern European
Irish
The Five Fields

The Five Fields

8-9 Blacklands Terrace, Chelsea, London, SW3 2SP

When food is described as “sublimely fresh”, you know you're onto a winner. Throw in incomparably warm and genuine service, with a classically elegant, warmly lit, low-ceilinged room and you get The Five Fields, possibly the most unassumingly glamorous joint to ever exist.

Over £80
British
One Michelin star
Josephine Bouchon

Josephine Bouchon

315 Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW10 9QH

Rustic French bistro Josephine Bouchon (a traditional Lyonnaise restaurant) is named for the grandmother who inspired head chef Claude Bosi's approach to traditional French cuisine. This is thus a nostalgic tribute to Bosi's hometown of Lyon; dishes like beef Bourguignon are prepared with unpretentious warmth, and also come with decent value for money (£15.50 for a special).

£50 - £79
French
Min Jiang at the Royal Garden Hotel

Min Jiang at the Royal Garden Hotel

Royal Garden Hotel, 2-24 Kensington High Street, Kensington, London, W8 4PT

The view is without a doubt one of Min Jiang’s best selling points – 10 floors up and nothing short of mesmerising. But its scrubbed-up but authentic Szechuan and Cantonese cuisine is a close second, especially the star of the show – the Beijing duck, in all its crispy-skin-dipped-in-fine-sugar glory.

£50 - £79
Chinese
Dim Sum
Wulf & Lamb

Wulf & Lamb

243 Pavilion Road, Chelsea, London, SW1X 0BP

Decorated in a cute pastel colour palette, Wulf & Lamb offers up a wide range of options to its vegetarian and vegan clientele. Vegan alternatives to popular dishes include a vegan burrito made with ackee for mains and a creamy, pull-apart mac ’n’ cheese as a side, as well as a range of Insta-worthy burgers.

Under £30
Pan Asian
Vegetarian
Vegan
British
Bars
International
Fusion
Wine Bars

If you like dining out in West London, you’ll love our round up of the best restaurants in Chelsea, or the best restaurants in Belgravia.

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