London Restaurants - West London

191 Portobello Road, London W11 2ED

The Electric is the second outpost of Luke Farrell’s fiery Thai hit Speedboat Bar. This West London version features interiors inspired by an engine room, complete with a real Thai speedboat engine. While the look’s a little slicker than the Soho original, the menu sticks to the winning formula: bold Thai curries, noodles, and cocktails that pack a punch.

186 Portobello Road, London W11 1LA

Permit room is an offshoot of Dishoom, set in a slightly more casual cafe setting, but still featuring some of Dishoom's signature dishes. So you will find their house black dahl and bacon naans here, alongside curries, biryanis and small plates. This Permit Room even has rooms upstairs if you fancy staying over (the breakfasts are certainly worth getting up for).

6 Chepstow Road, London W2 5BH

After making waves in Lima’s elite Nikkei scene, Fan has quietly landed in Notting Hill. Run by Romania Parra, Jorge Sasaki and Santiago Wong, the menu fuses Japanese technique with Peruvian, Chinese and global influences. Expect an 11-course omakase or à la carte options like scallops with squash butter or ceviche with coconut tiger milk.

7 All Saints Road, London W11 1HA

Sino's kitchen is led by chef Eugene Korolev, who has worked at Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe. Here at Sino, his menu is a contemporary take on classic Ukrainian dishes with modern takes on dumplings and chicken Kyiv making an appearance on the menu.

5 Woodfield Road, London W9 2BA

The team behind Crispin and Bistro Freddie are also behind Canal, an all-day spot on the Grand Union Canal. There's a seasonal British-European menu with standout dishes like Portland crab doughnuts and red mullet bouillabaisse, with the shared "table cheeseburger" a signature dish. Cocktails are from A Bar with Shapes for a Name and wines lean European and low-intervention. With communal tables, a central bar, and two big south-facing terraces on the canal, it’s become something of a scene.

2-4 Farmer St, London W8 7SN

Hidden away at the back of Los Mochis in Notting Hill (which is worth visiting too), you'll find this tiny omakase bar that fits just six diners every sitting. The menu here, which changes daily, takes inspiration from both Japanese and Mexican cuisines, so it's notably different to London's other omakase offerings. A cosy, intimate affair, it's right up there among London's very best omakase restaurants.

310 Portobello Rd, London W10 5TA

The Fat Badger comes from the same team behind The Pelican, also in Notting Hill, and it continues the theme set by that pub, namely a great pub which also has a fantastic menu. Set on the first and second floors (it's above Canteen restaurant), the food is hearty and you're quite likely to see an odd local celeb or two in here.

118 Talbot Road, London W11 1JR

This small 12-seater sushi bar comes from the team behind Dorian, and it's only just across the road from that restaurant. A walk-in-only affair, it's a casual sushi bar, albeit one with perhaps the highest quality sushi in the area. The wine list is also impressive, mainly as it's the same one as Dorian itself.

1 Paddington Square, London W2 1DL

This is the Paddington outpost for the Market Halls food hall group. Situated just beside the station (at the Praed Street exit) it couldn't be handier for commuters or anyone working in the area. Inside the hall, you'll find seven food traders with options like Taiwanese buns from BAO and steak & chips by From the Ashes. That's backed up by two bars, live music and an extensive alfresco area (when the weather is decent).

20 Thurloe St, South Kensington, London SW7 2LT

This South Kensington institution opened just after the Second World War and for decades has been serving up borscht and dumplings to locals and homesick Poles. Reeling from a break-up, celebrating an engagement or a 70th birthday party? This is a restaurant for all of those occasions.

10-14 Lonsdale Road, London NW6 6RD

This Queen's Park restaurant (on the very foodie Lonsdale Street) comes from one of the founders of Coco du Mama and here he's launched a combo bakery and neighbourhood restaurant. The bakery has proven hugely popular and that leads through to a vibey restaurant with a prominent open kitchen serving up warming cassoulets and more.

31 Kensington Park Road, London W11 2EU

Originally the seafood-centric Orasay, Jackson Boxer reinvented this restaurant as Dove, a neighbourhood restaurant that serves what he describes as "elevated comfort food". The look and feel is similar to its previous guise and the cooking remains on top form as ever. The deep-fried lasagna bites are a must.

300 King's Road, London SW3 5UH

Fantomas sees chef Chris Denney (Fiend) teaming up with restaurateurs George Bukhov-Weinstein and Ilya Demichev for this Chelsea restaurant. It brings some much-needed Mayfair glamour to Chelsea, with a menu that sees Denney producing modern European sharing dishes with a few influences from Asia.

109 Kew Rd, Richmond TW9 2PN

The opening of this neighbourhood restaurant saw local chef John McClements coming out of retirement to get back in the hospitality game. The aim was to serve up seasonal French bistro food that was also - drumroll - affordable. Locals would say they’ve more than succeeded. The duck fat brioche served with a selection of terrines is not to be missed.

310 Portobello Road, London W10 5TA

This Italian restaurant in Notting Hill comes from the same team behind pub hits The Pelican and The Hero. Here, they brought in two ex-River Cafe chefs to create a classic Italian menu that's going down very well with the locals.

45 All Saints Road, London W11 1HE

This pub has undergone many iterations over its long lifespan but the newest revival has been a big hit with foodies and critics alike. The cosy atmosphere provides a backdrop to the small plates menu with dishes showcasing the local produce; their link to the local neighbourhood increases with regular events such as movie nights and Pilates classes.

92 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 2PN

Clare Smyth once led Gordon Ramsay's signature London restaurant before going onto even bigger things and earning three Michelin stars here at Core. Expect fine dining (but in a relaxed atmosphere) with signature dishes like the Potato and Roe or he Core Apple not to be missed. If you can't get a reservation, the bar Whiskey and Seaweed (which also has bar snacks) is well worth a visit in itself.

105-107 Talbot Road, London W11 2AT

Notting Hill's Dorian has become one of the most popular restaurants in the area and much of that is down to their head chef, Max Coen, previously at Ikoyi and Kitchen Table. Owned by Chris D'Sylva (Notting Hill Fish + Meat Shop), and billed as a "bistro for locals" they have a seasonal British/European menu on offer and a notably great wine list.

123 Bayswater Rd, London W2 3JH

The Park is billed as a New World grand cafe and this restaurant from Jeremy King moves outside of his traditional European grand cafe comfort zone. Here, both the food and wine are influenced by the west coast of America and there's also a feel of mid-20th Century US glamour here too. Expect a wide range of food that includes everything from huge pies to seafood pasta with both US and European-influenced dishes appearing and a great cocktail list.

Thames Wharf Studios, Rainville Road, London W6 9HA

Decades after originally opening, Ruth Rogers' River Café opened a new café close to the original legendary restaurant that's a much more casual affair. As well as pastries and cakes, you'll also be able to order dishes cooked up by the main River Café team here.

55 Shirland Rd, London W9 2JD

The Hero saw the team behind The Pelican take The Hero at Maida and completely revamp it, with a stripped-back look that really showcases the rooms beautifully. Food here comes in two parts. There's the pub food downstairs, which features pub snacks and classics like ham, egg and chips while there's a proper grill restaurant upstairs.

135 Portland Rd, Holland Park, London W11 4LW

The third iteration of Julie's sees the restaurant back to its former glory, albeit in the new guise of a French brasserie. Now owned by a local, the restaurant features an array of small plates, snacks and larger dishes like a lobster souffle. Expect a piano player inside, a lively terrace and the downstairs bar is back in action too.

127 Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, London W11 2AQ

One of London's legendary restaurants and one that's often raved about by foodies as among the very best in town. Fronted by Brett Graham, it's recently had a complete revamp, returning with a glammed-up redesign and perhaps something of a more high-end feel than before. That change was certainly for the better as it earned the restaurant its third Michelin star.

87-135 Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL

Harrods Dining Hall introduced four new restaurants to overhaul the offering. Options include Sushi by Masa, featuring three-Michelin-starred Chef Masayoshi Takayama's creations. Kinoya Ramen, by Chef Neha Mishra, makes its UK debut with diverse ramen broths and izakaya dishes. Assembly Mezze & Skewers, by Greek Chef Athanasios Kargatzidis, offers mezze delights. Kerridge's Fish and Chips does just that, while Pasta Evangelists by Chef Giancarlo Perbellini elevates the pasta experience. Finally, The Grill, Harrods' own-label restaurant, showcases dry-aged beef.

Grand Union Canal, Sheldon Square, Central W2 6DS

Moored beside each other, this pair of barges on the canal at Paddington are hard to miss with their exterior painted by Sir Peter Blake. Their bottomless weekend brunches are particularly popular. For the menu, think Aussie-inspired dishes like tiramisu lamingtons and sweetcorn fritters with mashed avo. The nearby Bondi Green is also a good option from the same people.

13 Norfolk Pl, Tyburnia, London W2 1QJ

As the name suggests, this is a private members club catering to journalists working in international affairs and particularly in conflicts. It also has an open-to-all restaurant, which is now run by Santa Maria Pizzeria. Come for lunch and dinner in a dining room filled with amazing Magnum photographs.

50 Connaught St, Tyburnia, London W2 2AA

If you’re after a traditional Indian meal in comfortable surroundings, then this elegant West London spot is just the ticket. From an extensive menu, the tandoor section is probably the best area to spend time on and it’s a particularly good spot to go if there’s a vegan or vegetarian in your group.

13 Sale Pl, Tyburnia, London W2 1PX

Any restaurant that’s managed to survive more than five decades in the frenetic London restaurant scene must be doing something right. Royalty and celebrities alike have been flocking to this Malaysian restaurant since the 1970s for dishes like the titular satay and laksa too. If you’ve managed to save room for dessert, the deep-fried banana is a must.

9 Sheldon Square, London W2 6HY

This modern Lebanese restaurant in the heart of Paddington is handy for commuters and office workers alike. If you’re here with a group, the set mezze menus are the easiest way to go, but they also do a line of what they term ‘massguettes’ - baguettes stuffed with lamb or chicken shawarma or falafel. You’ll find a decent selection of Lebanese wines on the wine list here.

153 Praed St, Tyburnia, London W2 1RL

Open all day from breakfast through to the early evening, the menu at Mihbaj focuses on dishes from Jordan and Palestine. It also boasts a hidden terrace which is a perfect little oasis from the hustle and bustle of Paddington. Start the day with shakshuka or French toast with rose and vanilla ice cream. If you’re here later in the day their upside-down maqluba dish of aubergines, tomatoes and lamb is unmissable.