Top 13 Best Restaurants in South Kensington, London

South Kensington, a neighbourhood boasting beautiful parks, famous garden and world-class museums, is a great area for sightseeing. But when it comes to finding where to eat, things can get a bit tricky as there is so much choice. So, here are the top restaurants in and around South Kensington, all close to the train station:  

• Baalbakis Restaurant
• Margaux
• Launceston Place
• Di Mario
• Ognisko
• Daphne’s
• Gaucho Sloane Avenue
• Capote Y Toros
• Zuma
• Osteria Romana
• Dishoom
• San Pietro
• Franco Manca

1. Baalabakis Restaurant

If you are staying at Park International Hotel London, the restaurant is right across the road from the hotel’s front door. This unassuming restaurant has something truly special to offer. If you’ve never experienced Lebanese cuisine before, Baalbakis will definitely be an eye-opener.  

Location: 124 Cromwell Rd, Kensington, London SW7 4ET  

Cuisine: Lebanese  

2. Margaux

Fantastic French restaurants are few and far between in London, so if you’re staying in South Kensington, it’s lucky that Margaux is only 470m away from Park International Hotel London. They usually stay open until 11pm at night; great for when you are looking for a late night dinner.  

Location: 152 Old Brompton Rd, South Kensington, London SW5 0BE  

Cuisine: French  

3. Launceston Place

Along Launceston Place until you get to the aptly named Launceston Place. This European restaurant is what fine dining in London should be, with modern British dishes and a fantastic lunch a la carte menu.  

Reservation is a must.  

Location: 1A Launceston Pl, Kensington, London W8 5RL  

Cuisine: European 

4. Da Mario

Find an Italian restaurant that evokes the sense of an authentic trattoria, and you know you’re going to have a great meal. Da Mario has been keeping things simple since 1972, and you’ll see from the second you walk up the named tiles on the steps that it’s quite a spot.

This Italian cuisine restaurant can get incredibly busy around lunch, especially for tourist groups, so best to book a table for dinner and get ready for an Italian feast.

Location: 15 Gloucester Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 4PP

Cuisine: Italian

5. Ognisko

You’ll never have had Polish food in a setting like this. Ognisko is a bright and airy restaurant with a focus on Baltic and Polish cuisine. 

In the summer months, it’s a must to book a table for the outside patio for lunch. Even if you don’t know what the name of the dish on the menu means, taking a gamble will result in a great dining experience.

Location: 55 Exhibition Rd, Knightsbridge, London SW7 2PG

Cuisine: Polish

6. Daphne’s

Daphne’s - an upscale Italian eatery known for their focus on seasonal dishes. It’s been a mainstay in the Kensington area since opening in 1964, with a recent facelift that has seen a new bar open and vintage Italian Murano glass chandeliers in the main restaurant.

If you were looking for first-class Italian restaurants in Kensington for a group, booking into their Conservatory room is a must.

Location: 112 Draycott Ave, Chelsea, London SW3 3AE

Cuisine: Italian

7. Gaucho Sloane Avenue

Not to be confused with El Gaucho beside South Kensington tube station, Gaucho Sloane Avenue is where anyone looking for a perfectly cooked steak will want to go. As one of twelve Gaucho restaurants in London, this Argentinian restaurant is an extremely popular chain.

Their Electro Brunch Feast is one of the best brunch experiences in the area.

Location: 89 Sloane Ave, Chelsea, London SW3 3DX

Cuisine: Argentinian Steak

8. Capote Y Toros

Like having a little sherry with dinner? Then how does a menu of 125 sherries sound?

Capote Y Toros advertises itself as a ham & sherry bar with a diverse tapas food menu and one of the most comprehensive wine lists you’ve ever seen.

Location: 157 Old Brompton Rd, Kensington, London SW5 0LJ

Cuisine: Spanish

9. Zuma

If you think Japanese cuisine is all about sushi, think again. Zuma is one of the highest-rated restaurants in the area, known for its informal dining style (known as izakaya) in a very trendy setting.

It gets incredibly busy in the evenings, so booking is advised.

Location: 5 Raphael St, Knightsbridge, London SW7 1DL

Cuisine: Japanese

10. Osteria Romana

Less big plates of pasta and more elegantly arranged dishes packed full of flavour, Osteria Romana focuses on an often underlooked area of Italian cuisine: Rome.

Much of the food is genuinely imported from markets in Rome every week, bringing a level of luxury that other Italian restaurants in the area can’t match.

Location: 3-4 Park Cl, London SW1X 7PQ​

Cuisine: Roman

11. Dishoom

Upending the usual experience of going out for Indian food, expect marble tabletops, small plates, quality cocktails and a focus on presentation. Dishoom is great for an informal meal in a trendy setting, with their vegan naan roll a popular dish.

Location: 4 Derry St, Kensington, London W8 5SE

Cuisine: Modern Indian

12. San Pietro

Any Italian restaurant that lets you know their pizza dough rests for at least 48 hours is a restaurant that knows their stuff.

When you’re in a pinch for where to eat and prefer supporting a local restaurant over a chain, San Pietro makes for a quaint dinner option.

Location: 7 Stratford Rd, Kensington, London W8 6RF

Cuisine: Italian

13. Franco Manca

Speaking of pizza, a thriving local chain with a focus on sourdough, Franco Manca is always a great shout for a quick lunch option. Their location just a few streets away is always guaranteed to satisfy. Just make sure to get one of their plant base starters to taste how good the dough is.

Location: 91 Old Brompton Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 3LD

Cuisine: Pizza

Where to stay in South Kensington, London

Want to explore more of South Kensington-one of London's must-visit corners? Then you’ll need somewhere to stay for you to rest your head in between your jaunts around the area.

With its top-rated comfort and convenient location right in the heart of Kensington, Park International Hotel London, is your safe home away from home in central London. The hotel is just steps away from the nearest Gloucester Underground station, making a great starting point to explore different areas in London. Don’t forget to check-out latest offers and book your stay in central of it all now!