Dining Out
Dinner plans? We’ve done the legwork. From neighbourhood favourites to new openings worth a fuss, these are the spots we keep going back to.
Dove
The latest opening from Jackson Boxer, Dove is moody, modern and quietly confident. Expect clever dishes, vintage glassware, and a soundtrack that lets you breathe. Tucked off Portobello Road, it feels like a secret – the kind you want to keep, but can’t help sharing.
Take me thereCaia
A restaurant with a record collection. Caia mixes wood-fired small plates with natural wines and vinyl-led DJ sets – and somehow makes it all feel effortless. Come early for anchovy toast and lamb ribs, then slip downstairs for low-lit drinks and music that goes late.
Take me thereRia's
Detroit-style pizza, natural wine, and a playlist that makes you want to stay longer than you meant to. Ria’s is unfussy but excellent – deep-dish squares with perfect crusts, punchy toppings, and a wine list that’s short, sharp and joyfully offbeat.
Take me thereBars
For late-night pours, pre-dinner sips or something stirred just right, these are our go-to spots.
Twice Shy
Small but mighty, Twice Shy is a neighbourhood wine bar with big personality. Expect seasonal plates, natural wines by the glass, and a soundtrack that makes you want to linger. Great for solo sipping, quiet catch-ups, or grabbing a seat at the bar and pretending you’re a local.
Take me thereNaked & Famous
Low lighting, high energy. Naked & Famous is a cocktail bar that doesn’t take itself too seriously – until it comes to drinks. Expect sharp technique, bold flavours and a touch of theatre. Great for date nights, late nights, or anytime you fancy something shaken.
Take me thereCobalto
This is the kind of wine bar you’ll wish were your local. The vibe’s relaxed, the light’s just right, and the shelves are stacked with low-intervention bottles from across Europe. Expect friendly pours, rotating snacks, and that rare, magic balance of unpretentious taste and proper know-how.
Take me thereProper Pubs
Low-lit snugs, sunny beer gardens, proper pints and crisps you didn’t know you needed. These are our favourite locals for a lazy afternoon or a good old-fashioned chinwag.
The Churchill Arms
A West London institution with more flowers than a botanical garden and enough curiosities to get lost in. Come for the pub-front Instagram moment, stay for the Thai food, real ales and brilliantly bonkers interiors. A Kensington classic – eccentric in the best way.
Take me thereThe Fox & Pheasant
Tucked down a Chelsea backstreet, The Fox & Pheasant feels like your friend’s very cosy country house (if your friend happened to pour a perfect Guinness). Think timber beams, fireplaces, and quietly excellent pub fare. Bring a dog. Stay for hours.
Take me thereThe Pelican
A reimagined West London boozer that’s managed to stay proper. All the hits are here - pint of Guinness, Scotch egg, wood panelling but elevated just enough. Come for Sunday roast, or just a midweek perch at the bar with something cold and well-poured.
Take me thereThe Devonshire
The new golden child of pub-lovers and food critics alike. With its old-school charm and serious kitchen credentials (steak and chips here is a religion), The Devonshire is as much about what’s on the plate as what’s in your glass. Booking essential.
Take me thereOut & About
From galleries and green spaces to offbeat gems and cultural highlights – here’s how to spend a day (or three) in our part of town. Curiosity highly encouraged.
The Garbstore
A perfectly curated corner shop (if your corner shop sold Japanese denim, cult ceramics and coffee table books you didn’t know you needed). Couverture & The Garbstore blends fashion, lifestyle, and homeware – all beautifully offbeat. Go for inspiration, leave with something tactile.
Take me thereThe Saatchi Gallery
Bold, brilliant, and never boring – Saatchi Gallery brings contemporary art to life in a way that’s sharp, fresh and always a little unexpected. Big names, new voices, and the kind of exhibitions that stay with you. Pop in for a quick look; stay longer than planned.
Take me therePortobello Market
Vintage treasures, antiques, vinyl, and very good snacks. Portobello is a West London icon – busy, buzzy, and best enjoyed with no agenda. Go early for the best finds, or late for the people-watching. Saturdays are a scene.
Take me thereKyoto Garden
Tranquil, tucked-away and almost too serene to be in London. Kyoto Garden is a little slice of Japan in the middle of Holland Park – think koi carp, waterfalls, and a strong sense of calm. A quiet wander here fixes most things.
Take me thereSweat Lounge
More spa sanctuary than gym locker room, Sweat Lounge is BXR’s take on recovery – infrared saunas, private booths, and a sleek, softly lit space designed for doing absolutely nothing (on purpose). Come post-workout or post-night-out. Hydrate, recline, and let the stress melt off.
Take me there