WEST

Bumpkin

Gastro pub|209 Westbourne Park Road, Notting Hill|££|Have a look!

Specialising in British food with ingredients sourced from local suppliers, this country-chic pub is always very lively and an ideal place to relax. Admittedly, I wasn’t too impressed by the food the day I was there but I loved the deco and relaxed atmosphere. There are also branches in Chelsea, South Kensington and Westfield.

Perfect for: winter evenings

The Cow

Gastro pub|89 Westbourne Park Road, Notting Hill|££|Have a look!

Small pub with a character. Recommended for dinner but can get very crowded even during the week, so prepare to have some wine at the bar while waiting for a table. It is definitely worth the wait though as this place offers some of the best pub food in London.

Try: the fish stew

Perfect for: winter evenings

The Duke of Wellington

Pub|179 Portobello Road, Notting Hill|££|Have a look!

Portobello’s most centrally located pub makes it an ideal stop for a cold beer after a stroll in Notting Hill. Very relaxed place during the week and after the market stalls are gone. On Saturday afternoon, there is always a musician outside the pub drawing the crowds creating a small street gathering.

Perfect for: late Saturday evenings, after the Market madness

The Elgin

Pub|96 Ladbroke Grove|££|Have a look!

Another stylish, young crowd pub mostly known for its live music. Food is nothing to write home about but deco is original and it makes a good place for matey gatherings.

Perfect for: live music

The Oak

Bar, Italian|137 Westbourne Park Road, Notting Hill|££|Have a look!

Off Notting Hill’s ‘beaten track’. Downstairs area is a restaurant offering Italian cuisine, while upstairs is a gorgeous lounge bar. Candle lit only, the restaurant offers a very romantic setting…to share big wood fired pizzas with friends. This is the catch and love it for it. It gets really loud, lively and energetic. Always busy, make sure you have a reservation. Feels rather unfair to classify this place under ‘trendy pubs’ but it is not exactly a bar or just a restaurant. It is unique!

Try: wood fired pizza

Perfect for: catch up with friends, first dates

Prince Bonaparte

Gastro pub|80 Chepstow Road, Westbourne Park|££|Have a look!

A ‘young and trendy’ gastro pub and one amongst those that form an ‘institution’ in Notting Hill. Always busy, always lively. Food can be a bit of a hit and miss especially in the dessert domain.

Perfect for: lazy winter evenings

The Thomas Cubitt

Pub|44 Elizabeth St, Belgravia|Have a look!

Quintessentially British, this elegant pub has different levels starting from the ground floor spacious bar to the top floors private dining rooms. It is perfect for drinks after work, and it is mostly populated by suited city drinkers, and for client/work dining offering private room hire.

Perfect for: after work drinks, work dinners

Walmer Castle

Pub|58 Ledbury Road, Notting Hill|££|Have a look!

This is my local. My absolute favourite. It has recently undergone a refurbishment although didn’t need to. It used to be an ‘old traditional pub’ and I loved it just for the contradiction this made with its young and trendy crowd. This is a four seasons pub, great for winter lounging and summer drinks at its outdoor area – where when the weather calls for it becomes the more festive pub in Notting Hill.

Perfect for: sunny days

The Westbourne

Gastro pub|101 Westbourne Park Villas, Notting Hill|££|Have a look!

Another pub, another Notting Hill ‘institution’. Competes with Windsor Castle on a sunny day offering a very spacious outside area. I prefer the pub’s interior where equally spacious offers a great venue for Sunday brunch. Big windows, beautiful light, my favourite for winter Sunday brunches. Service can be a bit slow, never understood why!

Perfect for: Sunday afternoons