Notting Hill, Italian Restaurant Guide

2021 Review: “Always enjoyable” local Italian that’s provided consistently well rated meals in Notting Hill for 22 years. Its two siblings, Osteria Basilico and Essenza, are near-neighbours on the same street.

2021 Review: “Simple, honest Italian fare done well” – with “fresh ingredients and great service” – is a combination that has served Notting HIll well for almost 30 years at this local trattoria: the senior in a group of three siblings in the same street (see also Mediterraneo and Essenza).

2021 Review: Just off Notting Hill Gate, this “splendid staple” wins solid marks for “great pizza, pasta and more” – including a decent array of fish showcased in a chiller-cabinet. “Authentically Italian in its chaos and delicious food”, it’s also “fun and child-friendly”. The best seats are outside on the glorious terrace in summer (which is also very effectively covered in winter and bad weather).

2021 Review: “Absolutely the best new restaurant in the past year or so” – the Roux dynasty have come up trumps with this “great newbie in the Notting Hill ’hood”, on the site of Bumpkin (RIP). It’s the brainchild of Michel Roux’s daughter Emily Roux and her husband Diego Ferrari (former head chef at Le Gavroche). “Just around the corner from The Ledbury, but half the price and less formal” – it provides a “fabulous all-round experience”, founded on “outstanding” and “creative” cooking “born out of two great cuisines: French and Italian”. (However, “the unusual menu layout does take a moment to puzzle out”, with headings like Curious, Subtle and Greedy). “Impeccable service” and the “very comfortable” space, decorated with “quirky touches” complete the experience. Top Tip – “don’t miss the celeriac ‘cacio e pepe’”.

2021 Review: “Lovely… if a little pricey” – this “smart casual” (and business-friendly) Holland Park Italian has survived over a good number of years thanks to its “interesting” Sardinian dishes and an overall feeling of quality: “it doesn’t outscore others on specifics, but the whole package works well – professional but not sleek, good but not gastronomic – a favourite”. Since the pandemic struck in early 2020 it has been closed, hopefully to emerge once more favourable times return.

2021 Review: “Extraordinarily good pizzas”, “very good negronis” and “no burgers” are served at this bar, which boasts “the style of Mayfair transplanted to Notting Hill”. It’s upstairs from Assaggi, and from the same team, in the former pub they share, and these days seems the less risky bet. Top Tip – “try the truffle pizza in winter and English asparagus with San Daniele ham in summer”.

All-day sibling to La Brasseria Milanese in Marylebone.