It’s no secret that London is a sprawling city, and with it as many neighborhoods as there are pubs. Much like our approach to covering New York, we wanted to take that into account and view the city not as a monolith but as a collection of numerous pockets of culture.
First on our list is Notting Hill – an eclectic outpost of northwest London known for its diverse culture, great shops and restaurants, and a movie starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. We fell in love with Notting Hill for its neighborhoody culture, endless dining options, tight-knit retail community, and beautiful architecture. Like any good neighborhood, Notting Hill is also great for its proximity to nearby spots outside of its limits – anglophiles will spot recommendations in adjacent Kensington and North Kensington. Read on to see all out picks in this West London jewel.
Located right at the mouth of Portobello Road, this boutique 4-room hotel is where you must stay while in the neighborhood. Each unique room in this Victorian townhouse is well-appointed and feels entirely private. We loved how cozy it felt to pop off the lively street into a house so beautiful that most passersby were taking photos of the façade – it didn’t hurt that the wisteria was in bloom.
Another thing we love about the Lost Poet is the service – even for a small boutique hotel there was always help when we needed it and breakfast was delivered to the room every morning (included in every stay!)
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This place draws inspiration from so many different sources – Danish decor, warm-weather cocktails, and Detroit-style pizza. Don’t be fooled by the small space – we popped by on a Monday night and the dining room was abuzz with cool Londoners meeting up for a cozy meal or an intimate date in the corner. A must-try in the neighborhood!
While the most famous style of London breakfasts may be the full English, it’s a bit heavy for our taste. That’s why we loved the fresh, Middle Eastern morning meal we had at Beam. Don’t miss out on the coffee either!
There’s a good chance you’ve cooked or been cooked a recipe from one of Yotam Ottolenghi’s cookbooks, but even better is to get a taste from the source. The casual, to-go sitch at Ottolenghi in Notting Hill is perfect for when you want a healthy and memorable meal but have a jam-packed schedule for the day.
In case you didn’t know, the national dish of England is Chicken Tikka Masala – so understandably, London is awash with great Indian food. Yes there’s that one very famous place that still has a line, but might we suggest the disco-themed Empire Empire instead? This place is full of fun – from the plating and drinks to the jukebox.
An upscale pub, The Pelican still has lots of wood, but instead of the waxy dark interiors you might expect, it’s imbued with Nordic minimalism – complete with fireplace and dried flowers hanging behind the bar. It’s no surprise that a place like the Pelican takes food seriously – they source ingredients from two small farms that promote biodiversity and center around regenerative farming.
The best way to describe Secret Sandwich Shop’s creations is LAYERED. Stacked high, but neat, the edited menu has lots of hits. But…the 7th Ave with its pastrami, swiss, and sauerkraut is what really steals our New York hearts.
This sweet spot on Ladbroke Grove is the perfect place to get a taste for a classic English treat: the sausage roll – a spiced sausage wraped up in flaky puff pastry. If savory (or carnivorous) isn’t your vibe, Layla has plenty of sweet and vegetarian selections too.
If you walk around the more residential streets of Notting Hill, you’ll start to get a nagging urge to enjoy a horribly posh lunch. Go Greek at Zephyr, a moody, swanky spot on Portobello Road. If you’ve ever dreamed of dips in a 70’s nightclub, this is the place for you.
Right in the heart of Notting Hill, Gold is a fun place to see and be seen. From rotating seasonal plates in the dining room to cocktails at the late-night bar, Gold is THE spot.
Somehow, in our minds, the flavors of Australia are a lot like the flavors of America (or at least New York / LA.) If you’re missing home, the Notting Hill locale of Granger & Co is a good place for a taste of it – Avocado toast and all.
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This small chain has a solid shot of espresso in a neighborhood surprisingly void of specailty coffee. We liked the interiors and the ability to pop in, get a great coffee, and keep it moving.
For those who mightn’t’ve fancied a visit to London, or avoided pubs altogether, it’s important that we say this: many of them are NICE. The new-ish Walmer Castle is no exception here and has a wonderfully appointed barroom and chic dining upstairs. They also offer live music which provided us entertainment in two ways as we sipped our pints…first the tunes, then the bartender swoonining over the performer.
Another great pub, the Ladbroke Arms near the intersection of Notting Hill and Kensington skews a little more classic than the Walmer castle (all in a positive sense!) Sometimes you want a quiet place to play a game of backgammon and exhale after a long day – this is just that place…if you strike it at the right time.
High tea is a rite of passage in England, and while many grand hotels offer this service, it’s not to be missed airy and traditional independent tea room just off the Kensington Palace green. Coolstuff recommends pairing an afternoon tea with a viewing of the royal swans in the parks Round Pond!
If you’re wondering, “is somebody gonna match my twee?” Caramel is for you. This high end clothing line for adults and children has two locations in Notting Hill (one for each of its demographics) and is wonderfully appointed.
One of the newest stores in Brooklyn right now is the TOAST on Atlantic Ave, but the brand is thoroughly BRITISH! As you’re popping down Westbourne Grove, be sure to check out the sprawling location which even includes on-site mending.
Aimé is a fixture in Notting Hill retail and somehow strikes a balance between London’s put-together looks, a Parisian attitude, and the relaxed nature of the tropics. A great place to discover small womenswear brands you might not have seen before.
As big fans of English interior decorating (best illuminated by House & Garden) we spent our visit on the hunt for good home goods shops. We loved the Jackson’s colorful selection – especially the wooden candlesticks from their new homewares collection!
Sometimes the name says it all! Books for Cooks is a wonderfully specific store that brings us joy – and a respite from the disappointment for anyone thinking the “Travel Book Shop” owned by Hugh Grant’s character in the film Notting Hill sells anything more than souvenir umbrellas. We especially love the “Test kitchen” in the back.
On a more industrial block near the top of Kensington you’ll find womenswear brand Sister Jane’s concept, the Sister Jane Townhouse. Part retail, part cafe, part brand HQ, the townhouse occupies an entire Georgian row house and is a great place to get a taste for the brand.
While Ann’s might have been closed when we walked past, our eyes were completely aglow when we saw the seemingly endless array of vintage lamps and shades behind the windows. Until next time…
This antique shop is certainly on the higher end, but Patrick Sandberg is legendary in the English decorating circles. Worth a browse, but try your best not to touch anything until after you’ve seen the price tag.
Perhaps the greatest fabric shop in the world, the Cloth Shop on Portobello Road is full of games. We love that they focus on natural fibers and classic patterns like stripes, florals and checks. If you’re looking for something left of center, still stop by – they have a yard or two for every taste.
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A must-see gallery in London, Eight Holland Street (located at the same address between Kensington and Notting Hill) offers a wonderful mix between fine art and high end interior pieces.
In the decade-plus that WSJ Gallery has been around, they’ve built up a roster of impressive artists. What we love about the gallery is that while they will occasionally have solo or themed shows, the space is generally curated with a selection of works spanning artists, mediums, and subject matter.
We hinted at the gardens a little bit when talking about Candella Tea Room, but here is our full-on endorsement. Located at the west end of London’s sprawling green that also includes Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens is simply a vibe. From the moments to Lady Diana, to the view of Kensington Palace, there are many highlights – our favorite being the Round Pond and its swans.
We’ve saved Notting Hill’s most famous resident for last – Portobello Road Market. While there are vendors daily, the fair really picks up on Saturday when it becomes official. The street is completely crowded with booths selling just about any bric-a-brac you can imagine. It’s been happening for ages too – you’ve been able to find a deal on Portobello Road since the 19th century.
