Best restaurants in Chelsea

Bluebird may have really hit the big time thanks to its frequent appearances on Made in Chelsea, but there’s more substance to this all-day restaurant than the gloss of reality television. A menu of crowd-pleasing classics draws the people, especially in summer when its alfresco terrace really comes into its own. 

At Yashin Ocean House, you can expect to see a showcase of head-to-tail dining, with the chefs here committed to using all parts of the fish they cook with. We’d argue that the best seats in the house are around the turquoise bar, but there’s also booth seating if you’re in a group.

Extravagant interiors, extensive dining rooms and attentive service are all staples of the acclaimed Aqua group and Azzurra is no exception, fitting right in with its Sloane Street location. Here, you'll find menus of Italian fare, spanning crudo to pastas with a seafood focus.

Farm-to-fork restaurant Rabbit on the King's Road is brought to Chelsea by the Gladwin brothers, the foodie trio also responsible for The Shed, The Fat Badger and Sussex (all part of the Local & Wild group). 

Known for drawing in well-heeled Chelsea locals, Daphne’s is a reliably good and utterly assured Italian restaurant. It’s a handsome space, designed by go-to restaurant interior designer Martin Brudnizki Studios, and punctuated by a dark-pink marble bar flanked with green leather stools. 

Russell Norman's original take on a Venetian bacaro in Soho has since found a sister at this Chelsea site on Duke of York Square. Signature sharing plates include pork, fennel and chilli meatballs in tomato sauce, calamari fritti and various 'pizzettes'.

Manicomio's gorgeous floral terrace is a popular retreat amongst locals during the summer months, although this long-standing Italian restaurant delivers traditional fare and warming vibes all year round. 

Co-owners Hubert Beatson-Hird and Oliver Marlowe have managed to balance the feel of an old-fashioned country boozer with a refined Chelsea restaurant at this British gastropub. Don't miss its famous roast on Sundays.

The first spin-off of The Ivy to be christened with a ‘garden’ moniker, this all-day brasserie has proved a hit with Chelsea locals and visitors alike. The space is decked out with The Ivy Collection’s signature jewel box interiors, while the expansive menu champions cosy, homey classics reimagined as sophisticated dishes.

This neighbourhood restaurant is well worth a trip across town. The sophisticated dining room features etched glass, cream coloured chairs and tables adorned with white table cloths, while the 500-bin wine list proves that this is no ordinary local haunt. The kitchen turns out a tempting array of dishes, with much of the produce plucked from chef/proprietor Taylor Bonnyman’s own garden in Sussex.

Following his 25-year tenure at The Square, chef Phil Howard has moved on to his own stylish modern fine-dining joint. The menu here has been championed for its run of uncomplicated, yet highly sophisticated fare – think carpaccio of scallops and tartare of langoustine, or roast fillet of Cornish cod with a mussel, clam, smoked bacon and corn chowder.

Rohit Ghai's debut project focuses on modern Indian cooking that delights with diligent spicing. Top shouts from a menu which mixes the comforting with the classy includes the lamb shank with purple potatoes flavoured with black cardamom, bone marrow and chokha.

Rubbing shoulders with the likes of Michelin-starred Elystan Street just a few doors down, this relaxed and cosy restaurant by chef and restaurateur Roaya Saleh brings traditional Bahraini and Gulf dishes with a twist to the heart of Chelsea.

The vibe here is that of a cosy country manor, with smart finishes including plump cushions and marble-topped tables. The menu meanwhile, majors in dishes which thrill and excite, but don’t bother with anything too high-concept.

With multiple sites across the globe, including a Michelin-starred joint in Hong Kong, Le Petit Beefbar brings its signature steak dishes and modern luxurious interiors to London for the first time with this Chelsea restaurant. 

This 18th century pub has been revamped by none other than the renowned JKS group, breathing a new lease of life into the much-loved institution. Discover pub classics, bar snacks, British dishes and traditional Sunday roasts.

Myrtle is the first solo restaurant from Irish chef Anna Haugh, who has made a name for herself by heading up some big-name London restaurants. Here, she crafts Modern European menus with an Irish influence using the finest produce from her homeland. 

No, your eyes do not deceive you – that is a stained glass window depicting the famous Michelin man. That’s because this historic site was once home to Michelin, and its latest iteration now incorporates a restaurant led by Michelin star chef Claude Bosi. 

The Lalee boasts one of the most beautiful dining rooms in Chelsea, with dripping chandeliers, period fireplaces and vintage flourishes providing plenty of glamour! It's a fun European cafe-restaurant inspired by the grand cities of Europe.

Restaurateurs The Wolseley Hospitality Group has championed Parisian-style cafés and brasseries on London’s dining scene for many years, and dining at Colbert does feel similar to stopping off at a pavement-side café in the French capital. The all-day menu mostly sticks to classic Gallic brasserie fare, from smoked haddock kedgeree to côte de boeuf.

Former head chef of Tamarind in Mayfair, Peter Joseph, thinks up a sizeable menu of upmarket Indian dishes at this swish basement restaurant not far from Sloane Square. For high quality Indian food that doesn't disappoint, Kahani fits the bill. 

With three Michelin stars to its name, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay is the jewel in the crown of the television chef’s ever-expanding restaurant empire. Expect a cool and classy dining room which features all the hallmarks of modern fine dining, plus a menu of hi-spec dishes, including roast veal sweetbread with toasted grains, macadamia and jus noisette.

Pretty as a picture and with plenty of glamorous touches, this chic all-day bar and grill is a welcome addition to Chelsea’s dining scene, linking the five-star 11 Cadogan Gardens hotel with Pavilion Road. The menu takes guests through from breakfast to dinner via afternoon tea, with plenty of pleasing options at all times of the day.