The Campaner

The Chelsea Barracks may be just a short walk from the socialite stomping ground of Sloane Square, but this tranquil space feels a million miles away; consisting almost entirely of flats, the residential area brings a different vibe from the usual restaurant spots nearby, with The Campaner offering some welcome respite from the crowds. 

Perched in the square, opposite the Grade II listed Garrison Chapel, the site consists of a well-polished dining room that takes inspiration from Barcelona with its exposed brick, numerous trees and laid-back style.  

We take our seat on the terrace - an excellent people-watching spot – and kick off with quick fire tapas classics, like pan con tomate, ham croquettes and steak tartare. Whilst each dish is usually admired for its simplicity, they lacked any real depth, with some missing seasoning and the pan con tomate falling particularly short on the tomato front. However, the tortilla arrives topped with a punchy aioli and jamon, bringing a real hit of flavour to the table.   

For mains, it felt only natural to go for the paella, which is cooked to order and arrives in a large traditional dish. We opt for the Catalan version, where the rice is cooked in a rich lobster bisque and topped with some large Carabineros prawns. It’s clear that this is a masterclass in paella cooking, with rice that is perfectly al dente, a flavour so deep and rich without becoming claggy, and an expert level of ‘socarrat’ - the crisp layer at the base of the dish, which is the benchmark of a good paella. 

The wine list features bottles from around the world, but we can personally vouch for the Nosso Menade from Spain - a recommendation from our knowledgeable waiter who paired it perfectly with our food. 

The Campaner, with its stunning decor and beautifully presented dishes, feels as perfectly poised as the people who live around here. Of course, with this neighbourhood comes a price tag to match, so for most, the restaurant will land itself in the special occasions bracket, but there’s no doubt this spot has potential, and with a few tweaks will be well worth the journey for any celebratory meals. 

The Campaner is the first international restaurant from Los Reyes del Mango, the group also behind Martinez and Frankie Gallo Cha Cha Cha in Barcelona. Located in Chelsea Barracks, the restaurant is open for all-day dining, from morning coffees to leisurely lunches and dinners. You can find it on a quiet square alongside the grade II-listed Garrison Chapel, where it occupies a beautiful building designed by architect Ben Pentreath.

Guests enter The Campaner through double height doors into the stunning dining room, which features high vaulted ceilings and large arched crittal windows. A central island bar with high stools are decorated with natural, warm materials and colours to create a welcoming and tranquil atmosphere. There’s also a beautiful wraparound outdoor terrace, with seating under the cloistered walkway surrounded by greenery and a direct view to the Garrison Chapel.

Although The Campaner describes itself as imbued with ‘Barcelona soul’, this is not explicitly a Spanish restaurant. Instead, it offers a seasonal menu using local produce from the best producers across the UK – including Wright Bros, Neal’s Yard, HG Walter and Natoora. While fresh herbs and vegetables are grown onsite in its kitchen gardens.

Examples of specialities on the menu include oyster gratin with bearnaise sauce, roast leek with pickled tomatoes, steak tartar served on bone marrow and scallops with celeriac and caviar. At the heart of the menu is a selection of charcoal-grilled meats, fish and veg cooked in its Josper oven including Rossini sirloin steak and grilled rack of herb-marinated lamb.

In the morning, diners can pop in for everything from eggs and pastries at breakfast, to salads, jamon, oysters, Exmoor caviar, and cheeses from Neal’s Yard Dairy throughout the day. And for dessert there’s lemon pie, a seasonal fruit pie, crema Catalana, chocolate ingot, and cheesecake.