Kew Restaurant Guide

“Very popular” for its “beautifully presented French bistro food”, this “lovely small restaurant” near Kew station and Gardens is “well priced”, and gains much of its charm and ambience from the retro-Gallic styling of its interior: red-and-white gingham tablecloths, 1950s-vintage posters.

“Top-class pizza at the new outlet by Kew Gardens” (on the site of Hawthorn, RIP) wins a particular thumbs-up this year for this “properly Neapolitan” chain (“down to the shrine to Diego Maradona on the wall” in TW9). It was well-rated this year, if not as stratospherically as days gone by, supporting those who feel: “I don’t seem as keen on this place as everyone else, but it’s fresh and friendly and local”. The group started in Ealing over 15 years ago and – as well as its Kew launch – also added a Paddington branch in 2025 to join those in Fitzrovia, Fulham and Islington.

“A nostalgic and perfect way to start and/or end a visit to Kew Gardens” – this wonderfully preserved, 1940s “traditional teashop/café, just down from the Royal Botanic Gardens’ main entrance” is “very touristy of course, but also very atmospheric”. “You can have your perfect cream tea any which way you choose, including with savouries and special teas”, but they also serve lunch (“best steak pie I’ve ever tasted!”). Top Menu Tip – the Maids of Honour tarts, whose recipe it is claimed comes down from Tudor times.