The best restaurants in Chelsea

Discussing the best restaurants in Chelsea can cause as many eye rolls and grimaces as it can nods of approval. The average Londoner doesn’t choose to dine in these leafy suburbs lightly. Some of the restaurant covers are highly sought-after, requiring forward-thinking, while bills can total considerably more than in many other London areas. However, there are plenty of gems among the pomp and pageantry some establishments put on. It’s a place where you’ll stumble across exceptional Indian cuisine in charming Georgian townhouses, sip sparkling aperitifs before Italian feasts in light-flooded glasshouses, and rediscover the joy of convivial dining in a courtyard that feels a million miles away from the rush hour chaos of Sloane Square. One newer opening will even make you feel like you’ve jetted off to the Costas as paella is theatrically dished out tableside and ice cubes crack in jugs of punchy sangria. This is our tried and tested guide to Chelsea’s bucket list establishments – knives and forks at the ready.

Daphne’s

Daphne's is an established favourite among its smart clientele in a quiet row of boutiques and restaurants off Sloane Avenue. It has been serving authentic Italian dishes close to bustling Sloane Square since 1964. Ideal for people-watching, the establishment attracts ladies-who-lunch (with chairs assigned for their designer bags), smartly dressed families and diners with something to celebrate. In the summer, the small roadside terrace opens, while the conservatory sits through the main restaurant – a light and airy retreat that transports you to a Sorrento farmhouse with its lush greenery, open fireplace, rustic colours and velvet lampshades. The paintings depict nearby Holland Park, while the vast mirrors make the intimate space feel roomy. With a focus on seasonal vegetables and fresh seafood, the menu offers everything from crab linguine to Spaghetti alle Vongole and a trusty rib-eye steak. The three-course a-la-carte menu is recommended, with the seared scallops easy on the eye and the stomach – if you can handle a spicy kick. The deep-fried courgettes do not disappoint, while the deliciously light vanilla cheesecake garnished with passion fruit and edible flowers seals the deal. Don’t miss the special summer cocktail menu in partnership with Malfy Gin – the zesty ‘Lavender Drop’ and foamy ‘Flowered in Chelsea’ are dangerously delicious concoctions. Jessica Rach

Address: Daphne's, 112 Draycott Avenue, London, SW3 3AE
Website: daphnes-restaurant.co.uk

Kutir

On a drizzly summer’s evening, we’re sheltering in the lounge area of a charming townhouse-turned-restaurant a stone’s throw from Sloane Square. To our left, two glamorous ladies sip Champagne as they work their way through a rotation of starters. At the same time, a neighbouring group of friends fill the cosy space with joyous chatter and encouraging sounds of approval between mouthfuls. The graceful Georgian property isn’t where you’d expect to find one of Chelsea’s most popular Indian restaurants, but that makes it all the more delightful. It’s like we’re at a silver-service supper club, catching a new scent between slurps of flower-adorned cocktails each time the kitchen door opens. We begin with aloo tikki, crispy potato cakes doused in honey yoghurt marbled with mint chutney, pomegranate seeds and pea shoots. The paneer tikka is an equally pretty site (discreet snaps obligatory), while some of the juiciest prawns we’ve tasted come with a pleasant kick. I top piles of fluffy rice with lashings of creamy, fenugreek-rich chicken tikka masala. My companion’s lamb shank comes with an unexpected kick (a perfect winter warmer, no doubt) and a sauce that warranted a joint effort of naan-tearing and plate-mopping. We groan the bloat away as we check out the secret gin terrace to the back of the property, peeking in a swanky private dining room as one of the party pops out before deciding to share an indulgent date, pecan and cinnamon dessert. Feasting in this postcode all too often equates to overspending, but here, prices are more than reasonable for the atmosphere and dishes on offer. The tidy menu reflects the team’s attention to detail, and there’s an exceptional bargain to be had on lunchtime visits thanks to the set menu offering. Connor Sturges

Address: Kutir, 10 Lincoln Street, London SW3 2TS
Website: kutir.co.uk

Ixchel

I admit I’ve always hesitated to venture into the Chelsea food scene (except for Phat Phuc Laksa). I’m a South Londoner, and needless to say, the vibe is slightly different. However, entering Ixchel is like being transported into the heart of Mexico. The interiors are warm and inviting – rich in terracotta, deep greens and yellows. Weaved light fixtures hang from an intricate bamboo ceiling, and sumptuous couches pepper the space, creating a homely atmosphere. This warmth carries into the menu, with dishes encouraging sharing and demonstrating the depth of flavour in Mexican cooking. We’re spoilt for choice but finally decided to start with guacamole, bream ceviche and a pork belly taco. The star was undoubtedly the bream ceviche – fresh and packed with a spicy kick to balance out the sweetness of the mango. We take a breather with the Virgin Spicy – a citrus-based mocktail that packs a punch – there are plenty of unique Margaritas and house cocktails if you want a tipple. Next up, the mains, a chipotle creamy rice with grilled octopus, prawns al ajillo, and roasted red pepper, arrives, and I waste no time digging in. This dish is to die for. The rice melts in your mouth with sweet and smoky notes complemented by the crispy octopus and flavourful prawns. We top it off with a tres leches cake – a dessert that is hard to come by in London – but an absolute favourite of mine. Ixchel brings diversity and atmosphere to the Chelsea dining scene, and I encourage Londoners from all zones to visit King’s Road for a visit to the area’s up-and-coming restaurant. Amber Port

Address: Ixchel, 33H King's Road, London SW3 4LX
Website: ixchellondon.com

At Sloane

2023 was a busy year for splashy hotel openings in London. This makes At Sloane, the new hush-hush address on Sloane Square, all the more intriguing. Those in the know will recognise the names behind it – the boutique London hotel is a collaboration between renowned architect and interior designer Francois-Joseph Graf and the 300-year-old Cadogan Estate, envisioned by world-renowned French hotelier Costes. Graf also oversaw the six-year-long renovation of the 19th-century Arts and Crafts townhouse. At Sloane’s ethos is an ardent marriage between Parisian chic and Chelsea charm, culminating in the top-floor restaurant. The whispered approach sets the tone with only 48 seats spread (or squeezed) across four jewel box-esque rooms, plus a cupola – a private octagonal space that fits up to four guests. The intimate space is inspired by architect Thomas Jeckyll’s Peacock Room, with over 500 vases and just as many candles covering the white lacquered shelved walls. Every detail, from the delicate latticework to the stained-glass windows, has been impressively recreated by ateliers to appear original. Adding to the syrupy candlelight are a mix of original and reproduction Benson chandeliers and lamps – there are more than 700 found throughout the hotel. With so much to admire, the menu is thankfully unfussy. French dishes with simple single-word English translations like ‘artichokes’, ‘sea bass’, and ‘caviar’ (with a £200 price tag). Champagne is the natural tipple of choice, and it’s also the only restaurant in the area that serves proper foie gras. Many of Hotel Costes’ signatures are here, too. The spicy lobster pasta is a decadent comfort dish with generous chunks of lobster. The steak hits a Goldilocks level of just right. The popular pommes allumettes are bendy but not crispy, which caused much debate at our table. I’m intrigued by the very unfrench pavlova for pudding, but I'm told it’s a dish for four. Instead, the pain perdu comes highly recommended. French toast may seem like a rogue dessert choice – and yes, you can come here and try it for breakfast, too – but this is an undeniably indulgent dish, all gooey with caramel and a delicate crunch. C'était très bon. Lauren Burvill

Address: At Sloane, 1 Sloane Gardens, London SW1W 8EA
Website: atsloane.com

The Campaner

Found in a quiet, pristine courtyard, roughly 10 minutes from Sloane Square station, The Campaner is one to add to the summer bucket list. With plenty of outdoor seating, it’s a chance to catch some rays, vermouth in hand, as wafts of paella float through the restaurant from the kitchen. Close your eyes, and you’re lounging in Spain rather than one of the best restaurants in Chelsea. There is plenty of seating inside the vast, airy and colourful dining room for days when the weather isn’t much like Spain at all. Expect lots of seafood on the menu: smoked salmon, caviar blinis and oysters with sherry vinaigrette to start, followed by larger sharing plates of prawns al ajillo, and paella to share, theatrically plated up tableside. Large chunks of meat are cooked over charcoal on the grill, from the 45-day aged ribeye to the shoulder cut of presa Ibirico. Our menu highlights include the selection of freshly-shaven meat from the cured jamon leg on the kitchen counter, the unusual patatas bravas made by layers of thin potato and fried into crispy cubes served with tangy garlic aioli and the unbeatable croquettes coated in crumbly breadcrumbs and stuffed with soft, salty Iberian ham. Save room for a slice of gooey basque cheesecake for dessert. Sophie Knight

Address: The Campaner, Chelsea Barracks, 1 Garrison Square, London SW1W 8BG
Website: thecampaner.com

Le Petit Beefbar

If the Croque Sando sandwich is yet to grace your Instagram feed, you’re in the minority. Slices of tender dry-aged beef ribeye steak and stringy mozzarella wedged between thin slices of white toast, chopped perfectly into rectangles and arranged as four walls on a little plate with Le Petite Beefbar’s signature sauce poured into the centre, covering the sando in rich gravy. Of course, we had to try the showstopper. Le Petit Beefbar runs restaurants in Dubai, Paris, and Dublin, to name a few. The London spot sits a few streets back from King’s Road on a pretty residential street. There’s a terrace outside with tables to soak up the sun and elegant bar seating for a cocktails-only visit. We chose the decadent dining room for our visit, which has a chic French bistro vibe: rattan chairs, red leather sofas and deep blue walls. As we walked through to our table, we spotted a few tables sharing the signature steak and frites served over a hot flame, drizzled in a secret house sauce, a popular and delicious choice. Mix it up with some sides; from the ‘street food’ section, we loved the KFC, fried Kobe beef with Cinzano marinade and sweet Sichuan pepper sauce, the fresh crab tacos with cashews satay sauce and the goma spinach salad with Asian dressings for something light and healthy. Sophie Knight

Address: Le Petit Beefbar, 27 Cale Street, London SW3 3QP
Website: beefbar.com

Stanley’s

Squirrelled away down a hidden side street just off the King’s Road in Chelsea, you might miss the entrance to Stanley’s at first glance. But look closer; you’ll spy its sweet canopied courtyard hidden a few steps down the street. The terrace rocks a distinctly feminine aesthetic – pink faux blooms wind throughout the space, pleasingly paired with sage green and creamy white tones, and a well-stocked outdoor bar and bouncy music set a playful tone. The vibe is moodier and more intimate inside, but these fresh summery plates befit an al fresco setting. Post-8pm and the vibe is buzzy – a well-dressed cohort sips lychee and mint martinis and picks at sharing plates of crab arancini, beef tartare and creamy burrata with crunchy cucumber drizzled in pesto sauce. The presentation is as pretty as the environs – a whole roasted poisson proved a standout, with a crisp skin and a just-right level of chilli, with a side of liberally salted parmesan-topped potatoes. Charley Ward

Address: 151 Sydney Street, London SW3 5UE
Website: stanleyschelsea.co.uk

Meat the Fish

Born as a curated meat and fish home delivery service in Beirut, Meat the Fish has extended its culinary remit from the Lebanese mountains and beach to a red-brick townhouse in Cadogan Gardens, Chelsea. Committed to delivering an authentic experience, the “Mediter-Asian” fusion fare is in keeping with the Lebanese tradition of sharing, offering the option to graze dishes. The interiors, designed by the design studio Mariagroup, mimic those of the Beirut locations through cedar wood panelling and tiling with marine-inspired elements woven into its core from the medusan fireplace to the brown, leather anemone entranceway. The retro ambience of the place reverberates through a mirrored bar at the centre to a more secluded nook signposted by a vast textured, floral mural. With wagyu options and Korean short ribs, most of the visit is spent choosing your feast, but the beef sando is the word, with every table requesting a serving. And how could they not? The beef is moist with a flaky crust, sandwiched between crispy buttered toast. Simple but effective. The Maine-style lobster rolls are a surprisingly light and welcoming, picture-perfect addition to the table as a precursor to the tomahawk, served on a board between two with spicy smashed potatoes and an Asian-inspired stir fry bok choy and broccoli side salad. Winding you down for the evening, the lights dim ever so slightly as the date night music elevates to the dessert menu gently placed before you. The perfect end to an intimate evening over quality food and ingredients, the cake of the day on this occasion was a crisp yet stodgy gluten-free chocolate brownie served with two forks. Heaven. Megan Wilkes

Address: Meat the Fish, 39 Cadogan Gardens, London SW3 2TB
Website: meatthefish.co.uk