Notting Hill: Your Full-Day Explorer's Itinerary

Beneath Notting Hill’s ridiculously photogenic, pastel-laced, Hugh Grant-infused, omg-apparently-Paddington-Bear-lives-here facade is a neighbourhood rich in culture, quirks, and contradictions.

From its roots as a working-class melting pot to its current status as one of the capital’s most desirable (that is, frighteningly expensive) postcodes, it was once a hub of immigrants, artists, and activists – now, however, even the pigeons have trust funds. To be clear, we’re not trying to lift the lid on this socio-political Pandora’s box, we’re just setting the scene for an area that still thrives in its rich, patchwork nature, making it by far one of the most interesting parts of the capital to explore.

Here’s where we recommend you start…

MORNING

We’ll open with the obvious one. You simply cannot talk about day-long visit to Notting Hill without at least acknowledging a pilgrimage to Portobello Road Market. It’s best known for antiques, but don’t be fooled – there’s a lot more to this stretch of street than silver spoons & questionable Victorian knick-knacks. The place still sings with the gorgeous aromas of Caribbean food, the relentless bustle of treasure hunters, and the inimitable cry of merchants. Hit the market early, ideally on a Friday or Saturday before it’s in full swing, and you’ll find everything from vintage clothing to street food to one-off art prints (or, if you’re unlucky, ceramic pugs). If you’re with a friend/date, set a spending limit, and buy each other something.

Once you’ve had your fill of bric-a-brac, grab a drink from the team at Chai Guys Bakehouse. They’ve got masala chai infused with the gentle burn of fresh ginger, an aromatic Kadak chai with cinnamon, and a beautifully floral Kesar chai with rose petals & saffron. You’ll feel like you’re cheating on coffee, and that will just make it all the more thrilling. Oh, and get a milk bread pistachio bun while you’re there.

From there, wander up to Westbourne Grove, a street that somehow makes shopping feel like an art form. The boutiques here skew chic and independent – think bonkers candles, artisanal chocolates, and Scandinavian fashion brands you can’t pronounce. It’s superb for window shopping. It also might well be the brunch nucleus of the entire city, with Beam, Sunday In Brooklyn, Granger & Co, The Barbary Notting Hill, and more, all packed into the same 400 yard stretch of street. So, if you have the stomach for it, dive in.

LUNCH

Where to go for lunch? Right now, there seems to be one answer for literally everyone and their brother (and their brother’s three best friends who are all influencers): Canteen. It’s is a vibey, relaxed eatery on a corner of Golborne Road fitted with shimmering steel countertops and mid-century wood panelling. The menu takes the form of a constantly morphing Italian line-up, from gnocchi with duck ragù to olive oil-drizzled chocolate mousse – and it’s consistently excellent, too. Don’t worry, it’s walk-ins only.

Feeling slightly fancier? Then get thee to SUMI for some absolutely first-class sushi. This is the more casual sister to Endo at the Rotunda (which you’re not getting into unless you booked six months ago) and it’s absolutely delightful. It costs double what Itsu charge, but tastes four times better.

Feeling less fancy? Jay Dee’s Catering is a Caribbean takeaway known for its generous portions of jerk chicken, curried goat, and Jamaican patties. For around a tenner, you can get a box packed to the brim with charred jerk chicken, rice and peas, cabbage, beans, and carrots, all covered in a perfectly spicy and fruity sauce.

AFTERNOON

It’s time to walk off lunch with a trip to Holland Park, an oasis of calm that feels a million miles away from the heaving crowds of Portobello. This isn’t just any park – it’s got a Kyoto Garden complete with koi carp and peacocks. Yes, actual peacocks. Go say hi, but don’t get too close; they’re like toddlers with feathers.

Feeling cultural? Wander back towards The Tabernacle, a hub of Notting Hill’s creative life for decades. It’s a former church that now hosts everything from live music to art exhibitions to theatre. Check the schedule – you might luck into something spectacularly offbeat. Orrr, there’s the bleeding-edge art of Graffik Gallery (while you’re there, take a looksie at the artists at work under the underpass). Of course, while we’re talking galleries you could always check out the stunning architectural wonder that is Ladbroke Hall. And there’s always something good on at the Design Museum, and the Museum of Brands.

If the weather’s playing silly buggers, swap green space for Electric Cinema, one of the most beautiful cinemas in London. Think plush armchairs, cashmere blankets, and a bar serving actual cocktails. Or, take a browse in one of Notting Hill’s many great specialist bookshops: Books for Cooks and The Travel Bookshop (AKA The Notting Hill Bookshop) both house tomes that you can’t find anywhere else.

Of course, while you’re flitting between these literary havens, you’ll likely see a shop called The Biscuiteers, and you’ll likely decide that it’s worth at the very least looking inside its handsome & intriguing monochrome facade, and by this point it’s inevitable that you’ll pop inside, and possibly find yourself all of a sudden engaged in an icing masterclass. No matter. Just save space for dinner.

DINNER

For dinner, you’ve got  buttload of standout options. Honestly, it’s almost too much to choose from. So, starting at the most casual, and moving into ever-fancier territory, you can grab a pint & a pie at The Pelican. The tables are candlelit, and the food is excellent.

Moving slightly higher up the totem pole there’s Akub, a celebration of Palestinian food that will serve you an beautiful, comforting meal in a placid, earthy-toned dining room that’s fitted with an actual olive tree.

If you really want to push the boat out though, you could try your luck at the area’s two Three Michelin Star restaurants, The Ledbury and Core by Clare Smyth. And by ‘try your luck’ we really mean book them so far in advance that you’ve almost forgotten, and then prepared to take out a second mortgage.

EVENING

Bringing things firmly back to earth, you can round off the day with a drink at The Churchill Arms, a pub that doubles as the city’s most ambitious florist. It’s the kind of place where the flowers outnumber the people, and the Thai food in the back room is weirdly brilliant.

If you’re not quite ready to call it a night, pop into Trailer Happiness, a low-lit tiki bar serving some of London’s most inventively wild cocktails. And when you finally stumble out onto the quiet streets, just try not to trip over a reality TV star on the way home.

This is Notting Hill, after all.