The Chelsea Pig

It would be a shortfall not to firstly touch on the interiors at newly-renovated The Chelsea Pig, for they have been crafted by British furniture brand Timothy Oulton. Fittingly, a dedicated corner of this cosy pub is set in the style of a home-from-home living room complete with a period fireplace, coffee table and union jack-emblazoned sofa (the latter feature really does draw the eye). The décor throughout heroes a moody colour palette, from floor-to-ceiling navy velvet curtains and grey-paneled walls to dark wooden textures. Combined with numerous hanging crystal chandeliers, the style of this 19th century pub sits somewhere between homely and gothic.  

Onto the food and we were pleased to be presented with a concise menu featuring a handful each of starters and mains, all made with seasonal and British ingredients. We started with Scottish scallops paired with a smooth celeriac puree, buttery wild mushrooms and sweet blackberries which was simple and well-balanced, while its dainty proportions left us wanting more.  

Elsewhere, classic pub grub gets an elegant, well-presented twist. A nicely-browned fillet of cod was paired with artichoke, swiss chard and caviar sauce while the chicken pot roast was well seasoned and hearty. We also ordered a side of potatoes to ramp up the carb component, but if you were less hungry, then the main dishes would suffice. From the dessert section, a neat slice of treacle tart arrived with Grand Marnier caramel – we welcomed the boozy element, but perhaps could have done with some cooling ice cream to break up the sweetness.  

Each course was paced well and, when more than two dishes were required, were delivered in one fell swoop by extra staff dressed in white lapelled jackets. A main course will set you back between £20-30, which seems about right for a pub in Chelsea. If you’re only in town for a drink then we’d recommend ordering a bespoke cocktail at the bar, if only to languish in Oulton’s dramatically-designed surroundings.  

The venue that houses popular SW3 pub The Chelsea Pig has been around since 1892 and it is a space that has long been thought of as something of a rarity, offering a genuinely charming boozer amid Chelsea’s backstreets.

The pub’s latest iteration is led by Timothy Oulton, marking the acclaimed furniture designer’s first foray into the world of London hospitality. The pub spreads itself across two floors, comprising a bar and informal dining space on the ground floor and then a proper dining room on the first floor, which is known as the Trophy Room. Unsurprisingly, the pub is a stylish space featuring a rich colour palette and bespoke design accents such as a handcrafted bar in moonstone with glass baguettes suspended in a brass frame and an array of vintage furnishings from Oulton’s personal archives. Adding further glamour are hand finished leather seating and modern chandeliers which hang from the ceiling.

The Chelsea Pig is open every day from midday, serving a lunch and dinner menu of classic British favourites, alongside a bar stocked with premium and classic beers, as well as spirits, cocktails, wines and Champagnes. While the menu may take influence from traditional British cuisine, do not expect run of the mill pub grub here. Instead, diners can tuck into luxe dishes such as beef wellington or roast halibut in a Champagne sauce. Elsewhere, you can choose more comforting plates such as the stacked house burger or lobster mac ‘n’ cheese, while on Sundays Hereford rib of beef for two offers a hearty alternative to a classic roast.

Oulton currently operates 46 stores worldwide, across glitzy locations such as Miami and Malibu, while he also has a gallery at nearby Chelsea restaurant Bluebird (famed for its numerous appearances on the popular reality show Made In Chelsea).