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V&A Friday Late
© Victoria & Albert Museum

Kensington area guide

Head to Kensington to enjoy world famous museums, plus these bars, pubs and restaurants

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The affluent area of Kensington is home to many outstanding restaurants and bars, as well as boasting a rich cultural heritage thanks to some of the biggest and best museums in London. Enjoy a concert at the Royal Albert Hall, or spend a day shopping (or window shopping...) on High Street Ken. Kensington Gardens are pretty nice, too.

What are your favourite Kensington haunts? Let us know in the comments.

The best bits of Kensington

Restaurants in Kensington

Mazi

Mazi

  • 5 out of 5 stars

This stylish addition to the capital’s Hellenic dining scene opened in 2012 in what used to be Costas Grill. Its food has more in common with the...

Yashin

Yashin

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 3 of 4

For anyone who likes sushi, Yashin is a must. Tucked down a side road off Kensington High Street, its exterior looks more like a smart French brasserie than a...

Dirty Bones

Dirty Bones

  • 4 out of 5 stars

Styled as a basement ‘dive and dog bar’ – hot dogs, that is – the interior of Dirty Bones is a triumph of studied retro cool. The...

Kensington Place

Kensington Place

  • 4 out of 5 stars

‘Holy the sea’ says a wall-mounted slogan at this landmark establishment, and it’s clear from the bright, colourful interior design –...

Kensington highlights

Holland Park

Holland Park

The history of Holland Park, one of London’s finest green spaces, makes an interesting tale for history buffs and horticulturalists alike. The park...

Royal Albert Hall

Royal Albert Hall

Built as a memorial to Queen Victoria's husband in 1871, the Royal Albert Hall's vast rotunda was once described by the monarch as looking like 'the British...

Bars and pubs in Kensington

Kensington Wine Rooms

Kensington Wine Rooms

  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4

This popular establishment purrs on, secure in the affections of its Kensington crowd, who treat it like a members’ club, lingering over bottles and...

Churchill Arms

Churchill Arms

  • 3 out of 5 stars

This is a fine establishment, part homely tavern (it’s a Fuller’s, and the beer is excellent) and part Thai restaurant. The verdant frontage,...

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle

  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4

The Windsor is an ancient inn, and thankfully its refurb has been minimal. It’s clad in aged wood the brown of Princess Anne’s saddle; still intact...

Hillgate

Hillgate

  • 3 out of 5 stars

Previously renowned as a genuine local that belied its salubrious surroundings, this corner pub is under new ownership. It’s had a serious spruce-up, and...

Hotels in Kensington

Blakes

Blakes

  • price 4 of 4

An Eastern influence pervades Blakes (rooms give a gentle nod to the aesthetics of India, Turkey, and Russia, etc.), but not so much as to go overboard with...

The perfect weekend in Kensington

Drink: Churchill Arms

Drink: Churchill Arms

  • 3 out of 5 stars

Relax in a homely tavern with great beer and an incredible floral frontage

Love London Awards: last year's winners

Romulo Café

Romulo Café

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4

Filipino restaurants in London? Rarer than hen’s teeth. There’s Josephine’s in Soho, a couple of interesting pop-ups and that’s about it. It’s a slightly odd...

Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market

The London flagship of the American health-food supermarket chain occupies the handsome deco department store that was once Barkers. There are several eateries...

Leighton House Museum

Leighton House Museum

Leighton House reopened in April 2010 after a £1.6 million refurbishment which has uncovered and restored many of the decorative schemes and features of the...

The Roof Gardens

The Roof Gardens

This rooftop members' club features three suitably plush, themed gardens spread over 1.5 acres. Handily, the venue also holds events open to non-members, so...