London Hammersmith Restaurant Guide

Formerly ‘The Hampshire Hog’ – this stylish pub near Hammersmith Town Hall has been taken over and ‘gone Indian’ in recent times. Nipping in for a pint, little has changed, but food-wise it’s more like a modern curry house. They are trying hard and it shows in the quality food and responsive service. And the big investment in their large, attractive garden to the rear really pays dividends in summer months.

“Very tasty dosas” headline the “wide range of delicious, South Indian vegetarian dishes”, “with many unusual choices” at this “unassuming-looking” small chain, whose most central branch is just off Leicester Square. “The food is good enough even to silence grumbling carnivores like me!”

“Spartan surroundings…”, “efficient service but can be stilted and without a smile…” yet “all is ultimately forgiven” at these “always busy” and “always reliable” Japanese canteens. “Given the price, you’d expect real mediocrity” and yet meals are almost invariably “acceptable and good quality (if somewhat formulaic)”. Top Tip – “lovely bento boxes”. (The ‘G2’ Golders Green branch specialises in Shabu Shabu – a variety of broths).

2021 Review: “The best kimchi in London” – apparently “voted by the South Korean Embassy!” – is found at this drab-looking stalwart, near Ravenscourt Park tube. Despite the name, the place is Korean-owned and run – and it’s the “fantastic Korean dishes” that garner the plaudits this year: “sweet, savoury, spicy and with generous portions”. But the Japanese dishes are also excellent and “service is always personal”.

Ignore the “very downmarket ambience” – “authentic dishes” and “good value” are the cornerstones of this “first-class”, “cheap ’n’ cheerful” South Indian café on Hammersmith’s main drag.

“Always fine flavours” with deft and “delicate spicing” delight disciples of this deceptively ordinary-looking “local Indian” near Ravenscourt Park, which, they claim, could “easily go head-to-head with any of London’s most famous Indian restaurants”. Perhaps that’s over-egging it a little, but it’s very consistently supported. (The late Michael Winner was an early fan when chef-owner Manoj Vasaikar opened here in 2005).

2022 Review: In November 2020, this gastropub-with-rooms newcomer (from the Big Smoke Brew Company) opened on a Hammersmith site formerly known as The Rook’s Nest, following extensive refurbishment. Eats are hearty, including smoked meats from the pub’s wood-fired Bertha oven, while at weekends, there’s bottomless brunch and Sunday roasts.

“Good-value local Thai restaurants in Hammersmith that do reliable take-away too”. BYO adds to the value of a trip, with the best branch – rammed with stuffed animals, foliage and bric-a-brac – on the site that was for yonks, The Brackenbury (long RIP), complete with cute outside terrace in summer.

2019 Review: History is in the air at this riverside pub, down a cute Hammersmith alley, and with fine views from the small Thames-side terrace. Feedback is enthusiastic about its “fantastic” pub scoff, but the marvellous characterful interior is the big deal here.

Ex-Zafferano head chef, Andy Needham’s “fab and friendly neighbourhood Italian” near Ravenscourt Park station reopened in spring 2022 after a catalogue of disasters (pandemic, floods, dodgy construction upstairs...) – much to the relief of its many fans. There’s “always well-prepared food and a warm reception”. Top Menu Tips – “lovely risottos and the ragu”.

2022 Review: Three minutes’ walk from downtown Hammersmith, this characterful pub – sibling to The Atlas in Earl’s Court – is worth knowing about for its dependable cooking, atmospheric style and lovely outside terrace.

Stalwart Vietnamese, complete with characterful, battered themey interior, that continues to thrive but somewhat divides opinion. To critics it’s “what I would call watered-down Asian food” with flavours lacking bite, but its large local fan club remain delighted and “pleasantly surprised” by its “good value”.

2022 Review: “A pearl of a pub” in a cute Hammersmith backstreet – much less foodie than the Anglesea Arms about five minutes away, but the epitome of a true local, and “with one of the finest pints of Fullers to be had anywhere”. “Pub-standard food is produced with style and care”, if no huge culinary pretentions. “A winner!”.

Jazz music’s loss was Hammersmith pizza-lovers’ gain: professional bass-player Tim Thornton lost his living when live music was silenced under lockdown, so he turned to making “really delicious” pizzas. Now he has a “fantastic little pizza restaurant” on King Street that is “busy and full of locals” (“the best pizzas we’ve eaten in years – a real find!”).

“Down-to-earth,” small Japanese, a short walk from Stamford Brook tube, that’s “a perfect local”: “service is patient and thoughtful” and the “menu covers all the bases (sushi, sashimi, tempura, etc) in good style but with the real winners coming from the robata grill” (“succulent morsels that help the beer go down… grilled mackerel is stunning”).

Cutely tucked away near Hammersmith’s gracious St Peter’s Square, this independent Victorian boozer is a superior local whose inviting menu is more ‘gastro’ than it is ‘pub’ (although it serves a fairly traditional Sunday lunch). The “delightful garden” makes it a special treat for a meal in the summer.

“Good-value local Thai restaurants in Hammersmith that do reliable take-away too”. BYO adds to the value of a trip, with the best branch – rammed with stuffed animals, foliage and bric-a-brac – on the site that was for yonks, The Brackenbury (long RIP), complete with cute outside terrace in summer.

“A superb position by the river” helps set the scene at this “outstanding, modern and really well designed” independent venue by Hammersmith Bridge – part of the revamped Riverside Studios complex – which has “a very buzzy atmosphere inside and lovely terrace outside”. “Sam is a great host” (some regulars recall his Sam’s Brasserie in Chiswick) and inspires “prompt and caring” service from his staff who give a “lovely welcome”. “Very well-sourced seafood” is the highlight of a luxurious brasserie menu that “if not quite exceptional, is very good”. “It’s a place of real quality and a genuine alternative to the River Café down the towpath if they’re full or your budget doesn’t quite stretch that far”.