La Trompette

Regularly applauded as a “top-notch neighbourhood restaurant”, La Trompette is smart, serene, sophisticated and civilised – everything you might expect from a Michelin-starred restaurant, but without the stinging prices, pompous attitude or fawning staff.  

Whether you’re here for a celebratory evening bash or a chatty midweek lunchtime catch-up, the elegant dining room always looks the part with its contemporary artworks, polished floors, well-spaced tables and views over a classy terrace. Everything gels, and you can almost feel the good vibrations as a pleasant hum of chattering conversation fills the air.  

Meanwhile, the kitchen “never fails to provide excellent food” via a daily menu that’s all about muscular Euro-centred flavours and eclectic ideas. Expect lots of intricate detailing on the plate – as in starters of caramelised calf’s sweetbread with girolles, almonds, mustard leaf and hyssop or Cornish red mullet with grilled aubergine, fennel, green tomatoes and togarashi spice.

Carefully sourced ingredients also get the attention and respect they deserve in main courses ranging from Herdwick lamb accompanied by crushed charlotte potatoes, Tropea onions, lemon and summer savory to aged honey-roast duck, roast French corn-fed chicken or wild sea bass with summer beans, octopus, and salsa verde.

After that, the magnificent cheeseboard is a must, but we also suggest dipping into fruity seasonal desserts such as the English gooseberry soufflé or warm poached apricots with wafers and honey ice cream. Meanwhile, readers give full marks to the “efficient, attentive staff”, the “good-value” lunch menu and the voluminous 600-bin wine list.

Nestled in the heart of beautiful Chiswick, you'll find La Trompette quietly minding its own business, and yet serving up some of the best food in London. The team don't feel the need to shout and advertise, but have been happily serving locals, regulars and those with a passion for food, since 2001.

The space itself received a full renovation in 2013 and today is an elegant and sophisticated set-up, with contemporary and yet classic furniture, atmospheric lighting and a calming colour palette of soft, earthy neutrals next to a hint of uplifting yellow. Walls are decorated with expressive artworks and the overall effect is cultured and in-the-know.

La Trompette is open from Wednesday onwards for both lunch and dinner sittings, with options to call the restaurant or book online, with planning ahead advised. If you're hoping to throw your own private little shindig, the La Trompette has a gorgeous private dining space with capacity for 10 to 16 people.

As for the food, the kitchen is helmed by Chef Greg Wellman who previously ran the sister restaurant, The Glasshouse in Kew, and also has experience working in Elystan Street and The Square. As a keen traveller of Australasia and South America, you can find dishes inspired by this time scattered throughout the menu. The menu seeks to uplift the best seasonal produce, meaning that dishes may change from day to day, but online you can find a sample with an idea of what to expect. For example, starters may look like chilled ajo blanco with charentais melon, pickled cucumber, elderflower and extra virgin olive oil, followed by mains like Cornish jumbo plaice with St Austell bay mussels, beurre blanc, baby lou potatoes, asparagus and chives.

As for drinks, the menu offers a playful Trompette Tropical Punch, or the team prefers to serve Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve Champagne. And, those with a sweet tooth will love chocolate, peanut and salted caramel delice with milk ice cream.