Join our inner circle to get the latest in travel, beauty, style & more !

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.

48 Hours In...

A Weekend In West London: What To Do In Notting Hill

Immortalised in movies and home to Europe’s biggest street party, Notting Hill is one of London’s most famous areas. This is the CF guide of what to do in Notting Hill – Carnival weekend, or any other.

Including Greek restaurants, French pastries, yoga and meditation workshops and stylish boutique stores, there’s plenty to do in Notting Hill. These are some of the best places to stay, eat, drink and shop.


STAY

The Laslett

A short stroll away from Notting Hill Gate, The Laslett is composed of five Grade II-listed townhouses hidden behind the area’s bustling streets. This hotel takes design inspiration from the annual Carnival, resulting in an energetic, creative and art-filled space. Designed by British architect Tom Bartlett it features boho furniture, kitsch antique objects, and artwork from local heroes such as Barbara Hulanicki and Jerome Dodd. Rooms are surprisingly spacious and come with large bathtubs and full-size REN bath products, too. In the library, piles of Penguin paperbacks are stacked on the shelves, some making their way into bedrooms.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Laslett · Notting Hill (@thelaslett)

 

The Portobello Hotel

The Portobello Hotel exerts a bohemian flair to match the surrounding Notting Hill area. Rooms are adorned with wall-to-wall frescoes and eclectic mixes of antique finds, and no two rooms are alike. Large Victorian bath tubs add glamour and luxury while breakfast is taken in the sitting room, comprising of window-side tables and sofas, and features classics such as the full-English, smoked salmon, poached eggs, and porridge. Head to the hotel bar for an evening tipple; the signature L’Hotel or Cowley cocktail are both perfect nightcaps. In a central Notting Hill location, this is a wonderful spot from which to soak up the full West London experience.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Portobello Hotel, London (@portobelloldn)


EAT AND DRINK

Gold

Gold is a go-to people pleaser. Situated on Portobello Road it promises stylish interiors, delicious food and excellent cocktails. Choose between the rustic terracotta first-floor dining room or the palm-lined modern conservatory. Or, soak up the action of the kitchen, perched on a rattan stool at the sleek bar. Expect a seasonal and modern menu of fish, wood-roasted meat and elevated vegetable dishes, all designed with the intention of sharing. Mix and match your order: seabass carpaccio comes accompanied with majoram, chilli and datterini tomatoes, and chargrilled corn ribs with smoked paprika aioli. Finish with the cherry lattice pie or the heavenly chocolate and olive-oil cake.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gold, Notting Hill (@goldnottinghill)

 

Zēphyr

A new(ish) edition to the Notting Hill food scene, Zēphyr opened in 2022 and is a trendy Greek odyssey, complete with cool interiors. Its unassuming exterior belies the glossy, sophisticated space you’ll find inside: from novel glassware to unique kitsch objects, everything about Zēphyr exudes style and the trendy decor is matched by an equally trendy crowd. Traditional Greek salads feature salty feta and black olives; the famous crispy potato terrine is completed with a cheesy truffle custard; yellowtail tuna is infused in a dashi sauce; and finish off your meal by sharing the loukoumades, a typical Greek desert that will leave you coming back for more.

 

 

Straker’s

The latest innovation from TikTok sensation Thomas Straker, this modern-European restaurant serves up sharing plates such as roasted beets, grilled langoustine and mini flatbreads served with either buttery-garlic cavolo nero or chilli-butter soaked mussels. The menu is an amalgamation of glorious flavours with interiors to match: sit at the open counter or nab a space in one of the more intimate green-velvet booths. No visit here is complete without an order of the doughnuts with crème fraiche and jam. An ideal, year-round lunch or dinner spot and with a menu to replenish energy levels – even if after dancing the streets during Carnival.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by S T R A K E R ’ S (@strakers__)

 

LAYLA

A Notting Hill institution, Layla Bakery has some of the best coffee and pastries in the area. Tucked slightly away from Golborne Road and the chaos of Portobello, sunny summer mornings are well-spent on its outdoor benches, catching up with friends or enjoying a solo breakfast bite. There is no shortage of choice when it comes to what to order: from sticky cinnamon buns to warm almond croissants or stone-baked sourdough. And the locally-roasted coffee and loose-leaf tea are both as equally as delicious. Arrive early to avoid disappointment: the artisanal spiced buns get snapped up in an instant.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Layla Bakery (@layla_w10)


THE TO-DO LIST

Love Supreme Projects

Love Supreme Projects is a yoga studio home to some of London’s most respected teachers, attracting a crowd of dedicated yogis, from complete beginners to experienced practitioners. From meditation workshops to healing sound baths, this magical space provides yogis with the tools they need to unwind and reset. Consider it a space to come back to yourself, and to connect with likeminded people from all backgrounds. They also have merchandise which can be purchased from the studio.

 

 

Electric Cinema Portobello

The outrageously retro interiors at Electric Cinema Portobello come straight out of 1911, the year when it was constructed; the red-velvet interiors and vintage lampshades will transport you back in time. This trendy theatre comes complete with a retro diner for long lazy lunches or dinners that turn into drinks. The cinema and restaurant welcome all ages, making this a family-friendly space for film buffs and brunch-goers. Don’t miss the coffee and banana smoothie, the strawberry shortcake shake or the french toast with a side of streaky bacon.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Electric Cinema (@electriccinemas)

 

Kyoto Garden in Holland Park

Hidden inside Holland Park, this traditional Japanese garden is a tranquil escape away from London life. The garden was built to celebrate the Japan Festival in 1992, and was a gift from the city of Kyoto to commemorate the friendship between Japan and Great Britain. Tiered waterfalls and serene ponds are filled with colourful koi carp offering visitors a quiet and relaxing space to reflect and rest. Look out for the Japanese maple trees and peacocks. Stop by Daylesford for picnic goodies on the way, or grab a matcha and pastry from nearby KURO Japanese bakery.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Holland Park (London) (@holland_park)


Shopping

Notting Hill attracts an eclectic and chic crowd, which is reflected in the offering of kitsch boutiques and European brands. From Westbourne Grove’s refined curation to Ladbroke Grove’s trove of vintage treasures, Notting Hill offers each shopper something unique.

At the top end of Portobello Road, Aimé is home to a stylish curation of independent brands, from Dragon Diffusion to Isabel Marant Étoile and Ulla Johnson. As the only London outpost, the Sézane boutique transports visitors to the streets of Le Marais in Paris, offering a selection of colourful knitwear and timeless French denim.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Aimé (@aimelondon)

French pharmacies are notorious for their selection of body and beauty products and Oh My Cream is no exception; offering in-store signature facials or Tata Harper cleanses, the staff here are knowledgable and available to offer expert advice on their selection of under-the-radar beauty brands.

Ladbroke Grove’s reputation as a vintage hotspot is reinforced by the abundance of vintage stalls and shops. Look beyond the market for hidden designer and vintage treasures which can be snapped up in Found and Vision, a pandora’s box of Chanel, Pucci and Dior. For curated homeware, turn to TROVE or Fez. Both feature an eclectic mix of goods, from furniture to tableware.


Lead Image: The Laslett

We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.

You May Also Like

Any Questions or Tips to add?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share