RestaurantsLondonChelseaSW3

survey result

Summary

£105
£££££
3
Good
2
Average
5
Exceptional
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

The “real Chelsea set” meets up at this “buzzy” haunt near Brompton Cross, founded by Richard Burton’s agent Daphne Rye. Now 60 years old and part of Richard Caring’s empire, it has managed to retain its magic as “somewhere to be seen, not to eat” – whatever your view on the Italian victuals: “fantastic” or “overpriced and simple”. “Start with a cocktail at the friendly bar and go from there – it’s always fun watching the ladies who lunch” (as it was in the 1990s, when it was infamously full of folks hoping to rubber-neck Princess Di, whose favourite it was).

Summary

£96
 ££££
3
Good
3
Good
5
Exceptional
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“A terrific Italian with super service… that’s amore!”, declare fans of this smart Chelsea haunt, founded in 1964 by Richard Burton’s agent, Daphne Rye, and frequented in the 1990s by Princess Di. Now part of Richard Caring’s Caprice group, it seems to be defying the ravages of time and remains a “favourite, if expensive” rendezvous near Brompton Cross. Top Menu Tip – “the crab and chilli linguine is to die for”.

Summary

£89
 ££££
2
Average
2
Average
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“A real favourite” of the Chelsea set since the 1960s, when it was launched by Daphne Rye, Richard Burton’s agent (but most famous for its 1990s association with Princess Di) this smart Italian still has its cheerleaders, who insist that “it never fails”“the best just get better”. Others beg to differ, saying it’s “sad to see such an establishment going downhill”, or damning it with faint praise as “pleasant enough if rather undistinguished”. These days it’s part of Richard Caring’s Caprice group, and feeds shoppers from nearby Brompton Cross.

Summary

£87
 ££££
2
Average
2
Average
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

This “romantic” Italian near Brompton Cross dates back to Chelsea’s ‘Swinging Sixties’, when it was founded by Richard Burton’s agent, Daphne Rye, and was still swinging two decades later as one of Princess Di’s hangouts. Nowadays, impressions vary between sceptics who fear it’s lost its mojo (“riding on its reputation from many years ago”) and a loyal majority for whom it’s “old-school but consistently good”.

For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).

Have you eaten at Daphne’s?

112 Draycott Ave, London, SW3 3AE

Restaurant details

Highchair
40
No dress code
100
Yes

Daphne’s Restaurant Diner Reviews

Reviews of Daphne’s Restaurant in SW3, London by users of Hardens.com. Also see the editors review of Daphne’s restaurant.
S R
Really great Italian restaurant ...
Reviewed 9 months, 9 days ago

"Really great Italian restaurant "

Report this comment
Have you eaten at Daphne’s?
Post your own review of Daphne’s and contribute to our annual restaurant review guide.
Post your own review

Prices

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Veggies Pudding
£17.50 £32.00 £7.50 £10.50
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £38.00
Filter Coffee £6.00
Extras  
Bread £0.00
Service 13.50%
112 Draycott Ave, London, SW3 3AE
Make A Booking
Number of Diners:
Required Time:
Powered by OpenTable
Opening hours
Monday12 pm‑11 pm
Tuesday12 pm‑11 pm
Wednesday12 pm‑11 pm
Thursday12 pm‑11 pm
Friday12 pm‑11 pm
Saturday12 pm‑11 pm
Sunday12 pm‑10:30 pm

Best Italian restaurants nearby

Scalini
Italian restaurant in Chelsea
£96
 ££££
3
Good
3
Good
3
Good
Wild Tavern
Italian restaurant in Kensington and Chelsea
£133
£££££
2
Average
2
Average
3
Good
Cicchetti Knightsbridge
Italian restaurant in Knightsbridge
£59
   ££
3
Good
2
Average
3
Good

Best similarly priced restaurants nearby

Elystan Street
British, Modern restaurant in Chelsea
£108
£££££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
Dinings
Japanese restaurant in South Kensington
£104
£££££
5
Exceptional
3
Good
3
Good
Lucio
Italian restaurant in Chelsea
£102
£££££
3
Good
3
Good
3
Good