London Kensington And Earl’s Court

Kensington’s prim and pretty character, along with attractions like Kensington Palace and the big three museums, make it ripe for pricey fine dining. Meanwhile, major thoroughfares like Earls Court Road, Old Brompton Road, and Kensington High Street host mostly chain restaurants and unappealing cafes. If you look hard enough, though, you’ll find a couple reasonably priced and downright pleasant places to eat. Kensington Court, a short pedestrian street lined with budget and mid-range cafes, is always popular on warm summer evenings, while Kensington Square’s environs provide decent sit-down options. In South Kensington, the area around the Tube station has some nicer chain cafes, and on francophone Bute Street, just opposite the Institut Français’s lycée (high school), you’ll find cheap patisseries and continental delis.

L Restaurant and Bar, 2 Abingdon Rd. (☎020 7795 6969; www.l-restaurant.co.uk), High St. Kensington. L serves delicious modern European-Spanish fusion in a classy, comfortable atmosphere—and food critics rave. Indulge in entrees like oven-roasted stuffed squid with tomato and pepper salsa, chorizo, and saffron rice (£15), or go for a couple tapas like mussels with red pesto and manchego crust (£4.30-8). At lunch and early dinner 3 tapas £10, with drink £12. 2-course lunch menu £16; dinner £20. Entrees £13-20. Open M 6pm-midnight, Tu-W noon-3pm and 6pm-midnight, Th-Sa noon-3pm and 5pm-midnight, Su noon-midnight. Reservations recommended F-Sa for dinner
Zaika, 1 Kensington High St. (☎020 7795 6533; www.zaika-restaurant.co.uk), High St. Kensington. If you’re looking to splurge, indulge at one of London’s best Indian restaurants. Soaring ceilings, vibrant colors, sleek decor, and creative food served on silver platters. Appetizers £7.50-13. Entrees like coconut poached prawns with lime and curry leaves and rice £16-21. Excellent wine list. Desserts £6-12. 2-course lunch menu with wine £20, 3 courses £25; 6-course dinner menu £39, with wine £68; 9-course dinner menu £58/95. Formal dress. Open M 6-10:45pm, Tu-Sa noon-2:45pm and 6-10:45pm, Su noon-2:45pm and 6-9:45pm. Dinner reservations recommended
La Brasserie, 272 Brompton Rd. South Kensington. Bustling, cheerful French brasserie, with the obligatory large mirrors, red leather booths, shiny dark wood tables, and greenery. Famous for its oyster bar (6 for £12, 12 for £23) and steak tartare (£19), La Brasserie serves large portions and usually buzzes with blazer-clad locals. Extensive French wine list. French favorites like goat cheese salade and entrecôte with béarnaise sauce and fries (£14-26). Appetizers £5.60-7.90. Best value are the menus (2 courses £19; 3 courses £23). Open M-Sa 8am-11:30pm, Su 9am-11:30pm
Babylon, Kensington Roof Gardens (☎020 7368 3993; www.roofgardens.com), High St. Kensington. 99 Kensington High St. entrance is on Derry St. 7 stories above Kensington in the sumptuous Roof Gardens, Babylon offers a fresh, modern atmosphere to accompany its equally fresh cuisine. Appetizers like whipped Perroche goat cheese with asparagus, marmalade, and gingerbread £9-14. Entrees like roast lamb with aubergine chutney, spring onions and madeira jus £18-25. Best deals are the weekend lunch menus (Sa 2-course £18, 3-course £21; Su £22/25). Open M-Sa noon-2:30pm and 7-10:30pm, Su noon-2:30pm. Reservations recommended

Cafes And Specialty Shops

Oddono’s Gelati, 14 Bute St. (☎ 020 7052 0732; www.oddonos.com), South Kensington. Intriguing tastes include cinnamon, basil, chocolate and cognac, chili, and vodka lemon. At the back, you can watch ...more