Harden's survey result
Summary
“An Irish pub called the Churchill Arms that has a Thai kitchen inside may sound strange… but it works!” – this big, 18th-century, corner-boozer near Notting Hill Gate catches the attention of passers-by with lavish external “floral displays that are a highlight of the area”; (originally the Bedford Arms, it was renamed after WWII on the basis that the great man’s grandparents used to frequent it). Behind the pub proper sits a large, upbeat dining annex, which for more than 30 years has pioneered the ‘Thai-in-a-pub’ format. “It’s not quite the bargain basement pit-stop it once was” – relatively “unambitious” now, but “full of flavour, never expensive… what’s not to like?”
Summary
This “always entertaining”, flower-bedecked 1750 tavern near Notting Hill Gate “still scores bang for the buck” with the Thai menu it has served for more than 25 years in a buzzy conservatory to the back of the main pub. It’s lost some of its renown for exceptional value in recent times, but it remains a somewhat eccentric one-off, whose popularity makes booking essential in the evening. (The pub was renamed to honour the wartime leader, whose grandparents apparently supped here).
Summary
“Still a first choice for a fun, good-value Thai meal” – the “freshly cooked” scoff in the “bonkers” flower-filled dining conservatory of this quirky 1750 tavern, near Notting Hill Gate, still makes it a top destination for the budget conscious. Popularity comes at a price, though – “booking is essential after 6pm”. Top Tip – the pub itself is worth a visit too – it was renamed in the statesman’s honour, and his grandparents visited in the Victorian era.
Summary
This “neighbourhood landmark” on Kensington Church Street was built in 1750 and has won renown in recent decades, both for its lavish floral displays (which earned it recognition from the Chelsea Flower Show) and also for the “excellent, cheap ’n’ cheerful Thai” that operates in its pretty and quirky dining annex, all “at a great price-point for the area”. Long-term customers say “it’s not as good as it once was, but still a reliable stalwart”.
For 34 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 Churchill Arms?
119 Kensington Church St, London, W8 7LN
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £6.50 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
119 Kensington Church St, London, W8 7LN
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑9 pm |
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