Harden's survey result
Summary
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
“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
“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
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
Daphne’s Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Really great Italian restaurant "
Prices
Drinks | |
---|---|
Wine per bottle | £38.00 |
Filter Coffee | £6.00 |
Extras | |
---|---|
Bread | £0.00 |
Service | 13.50% |
112 Draycott Ave, London, SW3 3AE
Number of Diners: | |
Required Time: | |
Opening hours
Monday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
Tuesday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
Wednesday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
Thursday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
Friday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
Saturday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
Sunday | 12 pm‑10:30 pm |
Best Italian restaurants nearby
Italian restaurant in Chelsea
Italian restaurant in Kensington and Chelsea
Italian restaurant in Knightsbridge
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Chelsea
Japanese restaurant in South Kensington
Italian restaurant in Chelsea