The Guide by Vana

Romantic places in Notting Hill

10 romantic places in Notting Hill, each one on the Guide on merit.

1. 

   Akub

   Palestinian · Middle Eastern

   Fadi Kattan's elegant Palestinian cooking in Notting Hill, grown-up rather than glossy. London has very little Palestinian fine dining.

   Ask about the mousakhan baked in bread.

2. 

   Caractère

   Modern European · European

   Emily Roux and Diego Ferrari's stylish room in a former Notting Hill pub: a menu graded subtle-to-robust, sophisticated cooking, no scene-y noise.

   Book well ahead and go for the tasting menu, where the kitchen's range shows best.

3. 

   Dove

   Bistro · European

   Jackson Boxer's successor to Orasay, opened January 2025. Comfort food done with real precision, on seasonal British produce. The dry-aged beef burger, ten a night, has become its own small obsession.

   Book, and ask about the burger when you do. Ten a night means they go early.

4. 

   Electric Cinema

   Cinema

   Leather armchairs, two-seater sofas and front-row beds with cashmere blankets, on Portobello Road. A film the way you'd want it. Book the sofas ahead; they go.

   Book the front-row beds or a sofa well ahead, and arrive early to order drinks to your seat.

5. 

   Ria's

   Pizza · European

   Detroit-style pizza and natural wine, low-key and built for sharing, also in Soho.

   If you want a pavement table, just walk in; outside is walk-ins only.

6. 

   Sino

   Ukrainian · European

   Modern Ukrainian, precise and full of heart, in a serene little room.

   There is a small terrace and a ten-seat private room; ask when you book.

7. 

   Sinuhe

   Persian · Middle Eastern

   Small, warm and properly Persian. Grilled meats and dips done with care, not flash.

   It is small, so book ahead and order the mirza ghasemi with the fresh oven bread.

8. 

   Sova

   Vinyl wine bar

   A wine and vinyl bar off Portobello: low-intervention bottles from Eastern Europe, Rough Trade records and clay-toned calm. Sit at the counter.

   Sit at the counter and ask them to pour you something Georgian.

9. 

   Suzi Tros

   Greek small plates · European

   Northern Greek cooking with a basement cocktail bar, run by the Mazi team. Warmer and looser than its big sister.

   Head down to the basement cocktail bar for a drink before your table.

10. 

    Viajante87

    Subterranean agave bar

    A love letter to agave hidden under a cinema, serious about the bottle and ambitious with the glass.

    Open till 2am Friday and Saturday; ask the team to steer you through the mezcals rather than ordering off the list.