Hardens Guide to the Best Restaurants in London South Kensington
Hardens guides have spent 30 years compiling reviews of the best South Kensington restaurants. On Hardens.com you'll find details and reviews of 34 restaurants in South Kensington and our unique survey based approach to rating and reviewing South Kensington restaurants gives you the best insight into the top restaurants in every area and of every type of cuisine.
Featured South Kensington Restaurants
1. Tokyo Sukiyaki-Tei & Bar
Japanese restaurant in South Kensington
85 Sloane Avenue - SW3
2017 Review: A Chelsea hideaway serving an eclectic range of Japanese dishes – from Wagyu beef to sushi, sashimi and shabu-shabu (hot pot); reports are still too few for a rating, but very upbeat.
2. Ognisko Restaurant
Polish restaurant in South Kensington
55 Prince's Gate, Exhibition Road - SW7
“What a wonderful oasis of calm in the hustle of London’s museum area” – this “elegant dining room of a Polish emigrés’ club” (open to the general public) has a “wonderful 19th-century vibe” and is a “civilised and reliable” setting that’s both “cosy in winter” and with a particularly “beautiful terrace for summer”. Its “authentic traditional Polish fare” is “charmingly served” in “huge portions” with lashings of vodka and some interesting wines.
3. Bombay Brasserie
Indian restaurant in South Kensington
Courtfield Road - SW7
This upmarket fixture in South Kensington – on the Indian dining scene in London since 1982 – doesn’t make waves nowadays, but still earns solid praise by producing consistently “very good food”. Current owner Taj Hotels have spruced up the interior, although the odd reporter is “not keen on the current look”.
5. Flora Indica
Indian restaurant in South Kensington
242 Old Brompton Rd - SW5
“Really delicious modern Indian cooking” is making its mark at this three-year-old in Earl’s Court, which is further differentiated by its “surprising steampunk decor” – a tribute to the intrepid Scottish botanists who catalogued the flora of the subcontinent in the Victorian era. There’s a “good selection of wines by the glass as well as bottle”.
6. Dinings
Japanese restaurant in South Kensington
Walton House, Walton St - SW3
“Crazy combinations, truly awesome at times” continue to wow all who taste the “meticulous” sushi and other modernised Japanese dishes at this duo of venues – an “awkward and tired-looking basement” in Marylebone (under chef Tomonari Chiba) and a “much-cooler-than-the original” setting in Knightsbridge (under chef Masaki Sugisaki). “I’ve wandered all round the menu with friends, and each bite was terrific”.
7. Macellaio RC
Steaks & grills restaurant in South Kensington
84 Old Brompton Rd - SW7
“Quality Italian beefsteaks” – most notably from the Piedmontese Fassone breed – are showcased in style at Genovese owner, Roberto Costa’s, “unique” steakhouse group, where at each branch you “enter through the butcher’s shop” and “you can tell the staff which cut you want”. “The well-hung rump steak is absolutely delicious” and “a great selection of Italian wines” helps make it the perfect place to kill off an evening.
8. Casa Brindisa
Spanish restaurant in South Kensington
7-9 Exhibition Rd - SW7
Acres of pavement seating are the most eye-catching feature of this “buzzing” operation (run by the well-known Spanish food importers), which sits on the ant-trail between South Kensington tube station and the museums (go on a sunny day). It’s “reliably enjoyable” for a “cheap ’n’ cheerful” meal as the dishes are reliably good, but it’s mostly chosen for its convenience rather than its foodie potential.
9. Da Mario
Italian restaurant in South Kensington
15 Gloucester Rd - SW7
Near the Royal Albert Hall and needing a “reasonably priced” bite? This fun Italian is surprisingly smart given its affordable prices, and its food – majoring in pizza – is consistently well rated. It claims to have been ‘Princess Diana’s local pizzeria’ (and is not shy about promoting the connection via pics on the walls). Top Tip – budget party cave in the cellar.