The best pubs in Notting Hill combine a room with character, a well-kept bar, food that earns its place, and a reason to stay for another round. This list spans historic locals, modern gastropubs, Sunday-roast destinations, and beer gardens that hold the sun. Andrew decides which pubs belong; reader votes shape the running order.
The best pubs in Notting Hill combine a room with character, a well-kept bar, food that earns its place, and a reason to stay for another round. This list spans historic locals, modern gastropubs, Sunday-roast destinations, and beer gardens that hold the sun. Andrew decides which pubs belong; reader votes shape the running order.Read the noteHide the note
The best pubs in Notting Hill combine a room with character, a well-kept bar, food that earns its place, and a reason to stay for another round. This list spans historic locals, modern gastropubs, Sunday-roast destinations, and beer gardens that hold the sun. Andrew decides which pubs belong; reader votes shape the running order.
The local tip: The Thai green curry is the sleeper hit on the menu
Arguably London's most photographed pub. The exterior is draped in over 100 flower pots, 48 window boxes, and 42 hanging baskets in summer, with extravagant Christmas displays in winter. Built in 1750, frequented by Winston Churchill's grandparents. The interior is crammed with Churchill memorabilia and WWII artifacts. Serves Fuller's real ales alongside an unexpected Thai kitchen that has been operating for 35 years in the conservatory. An institution.
The local tip: Sunday roast here is a proper event. The garden is great in summer
Tom Conran's beloved Anglo-Irish gastropub, an essential destination for Guinness and oysters since 1998. The ground floor is a proper pub bar with a raw bar; upstairs is an intimate dining room serving seafood with Northern European influences. Half a dozen rock oysters with a pint of the black stuff is one of London's great simple pleasures. One of the original gastropubs that defined the genre in west London.
The local tip: Order the lobster and monkfish pie for two — the lobster head gravy is the whole point.
A beautifully restored Victorian pub on All Saints Road that opened in its current form in 2022 and quickly became one of Notting Hill's most talked-about dining pubs. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand. Elevated classic British fare -- rib of beef, lobster pie, fresh oysters, locally brewed beer. Airy interiors with high ceilings, big windows, and a relaxed neighbourhood feel. The Sunday roast is exceptional.
The local tip: Slip through the tiny dividing doors into the back snugs — the Grade II wooden screens have been there since the 1830s.
A genuinely historic pub founded in 1826, Grade II listed and on CAMRA's National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. Original Victorian wood panelling, wooden floors, and private booths separated by partitions so low you duck to pass between them -- these "snugs" are wonderfully atmospheric. Open fire in winter. The massive walled beer garden out back is one of the best outdoor drinking spots in the area.
The local tip: Go for an after-dinner glass and a plate of cheese — no need to book.
An elegant little wine and cocktail bar on Westbourne Grove with a sommelier-led list and the cheese and charcuterie to match it. Low-lit and grown-up — the spot for an after-dinner glass or a long, unhurried catch-up. A welcome bit of proper wine-bar culture in the heart of Notting Hill.
The local tip: Ask for the garden room upstairs — the retractable glass roof and greenery make it the best seat in the house, whatever the weather.
A three-storey boho restaurant and late-night bar that is one of Notting Hill's coolest spots. Enter through a dramatic mural by Portuguese street artist Vhils into dark, moody interiors. Strong natural wine list and seasonal cocktail menu. Wood-fired plates on the food side. The garden room upstairs has a retractable glass roof filled with plants. One of the few places on Portobello where you can drink past midnight.
The local tip: Let the bartenders walk you down the mezcal list — and check the weekly listing first, since hours and DJ nights move around.
Hidden beneath Zephyr restaurant, this is one of Notting Hill's most talked-about agave bars. 1970s-inspired retro decor, a deep tequila and mezcal list, and an intimate basement room make it a strong late-night option off Portobello Road. Walk-in policies, DJs and hours can shift, so check the current weekly listing before going.
The local tip: One of the last proper community pubs. The beer garden is a suntrap
Sitting proudly at the top of Portobello Road near Ladbroke Grove. A big, handsome Victorian pub with high ceilings, large windows, and an excellent beer garden. Dog-friendly throughout. Proper neighbourhood pub with good food and a fantastic range of drinks. Popular with the Carnival crowd given its Ladbroke Grove location. The outdoor space is one of the larger pub gardens in the area.
The local tip: Same building as Canteen — pub on the first floor, a calmer dining room up top. Book the second floor for the Sunday roast.
A solid gastropub near the top end of Portobello Market that manages to feel like a proper local despite the tourist footfall nearby. Good Sunday roasts, a decent wine list, and a warm, wood-panelled interior that's perfect for settling in on a rainy afternoon. The upstairs dining room is worth knowing about if you want something quieter. Dog-friendly downstairs.
The local tip: Great for a quiet pint. The garden is an unexpected oasis
A proper locals' pub tucked away on a pretty residential street behind Notting Hill Gate station. No gimmicks, no pretension -- just excellent traditional pub food, well-kept ales, and a genuinely cosy atmosphere. The kind of pub where regulars know the staff and the staff know the regulars. Famous for having some of the best pub food in Notting Hill. The Sunday roast is a destination meal.
The local tip: Two-time Evening Standard Pub of the Year, on a residential side street with hanging flower displays you'll see on Instagram before you find the door.
Dating from 1843 on a quiet residential street. AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence. The flower-bedecked front terrace and heated patio are gorgeous in warmer months. Inside, the dining room serves an eclectic European-influenced menu alongside gastropub classics and premium steaks. Original stained glass windows in the light-filled bar. Legend has it Lord Ladbroke once owned it and lost it at poker. Dog-friendly and family-friendly with a kids menu.
The local tip: Cow pie or arctic roll — Jesse Dunford Wood signatures since 2010, with a Sunday roast locals queue for.
Independently owned, family-run pub that is Notting Hill's best destination for craft beer. 23+ taps pouring the best from London's craft breweries and beyond. Fresh, seasonal British food to match. The atmosphere is classic but not stuffy. A garden for outdoor drinking. This is the pub for people who care deeply about what's in their glass. The tap selection rotates frequently.
The local tip: Head straight through to the heated courtyard — and with a midnight close every day, it outlasts almost everything else by the Gate.
A relaxed pub right next to Notting Hill Gate station with one of the area's best courtyard beer gardens -- heated, with hanging lights, lush greenery, and bold wall art, seating up to 47. Wednesday night quiz. Live sports on Sky. The famous Gate Theatre (75-seat fringe venue) used to be upstairs. Open until midnight every day. Probably the oldest pub in the area, dating from the 1800s.
The local tip: The hidden courtyard garden behind the yellow curved frontage has a fire pit — Portobello Road's oldest pub kept its secret out back.
Thought to be the oldest pub in Notting Hill, dating from 1852 and the first watering hole on Portobello Road. The bright sunshine-yellow facade is iconic and instantly recognisable. The "Secret Garden" beer garden out back is a genuine gem with colourful tables and growing vines. Classic British pub grub. Victorian interior with elegant slender poles and a curved frontage. An institution.
The local tip: A proper local pub with real ales. Unpretentious in an area that rarely is
A Notting Hill landmark since 1845, stylishly refurbished in 2022 under new owners (also behind The Surprise in Chelsea). Three storeys of thoughtfully designed spaces -- pristine ground-floor bar, elegant candle-lit upstairs dining room, and a private event space. Richly flavoured, smartly presented British seasonal dishes. Live music nights. The Ledbury Road location puts you in the heart of Notting Hill's chicest stretch. A freehouse -- independent, not tied to a brewery.
The local tip: Basement rum bar vibes. The daiquiri is superb
A legendary basement tiki bar that has been a Portobello Road institution since 2003. Kitsch decor modelled on Elvis's Jungle Room at Graceland, with an extensive rum list, colourful tropical cocktails, and DJs on weekends. The cocktail programme is award-winning and taken seriously -- this is not a gimmick bar. Featured on the World's 50 Best Discovery list. Walk down the stairs from Portobello Road into what feels like a different world.
The local tip: Sit at the bar and let them build something around mezcal for you.
A basement cocktail bar on Notting Hill Gate that blends Tokyo and Tulum with a zero-waste, agave-forward drinks list. It is listed by 50 Best Discovery and ranked No.99 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 extended 51-100 list. Dark, transportive and serious about its craft without the attitude.
Not every pub in Notting Hill deserves a spot on a list. The ones featured here meet a simple bar: would I personally recommend this place to a friend visiting for the first time? That filter rules out a surprising number of pubs that look polished but underwhelm in practice. Quality of execution, atmosphere, and consistency matter more than postcode prestige or social-media presence. The shortlist reflects Andrew's editorial judgment about which places deserve a recommendation.
Where the Notting Hill locals go
If you live in Notting Hill and want the pubs that haven't been hyped to death, look at the hidden-gem tag. 2 pubs on this list earn that label, quietly excellent places that have built a reputation through word of mouth. Naked & Famous, Trailer Happiness stay full without ever appearing in a Time Out roundup.
How this pub list is curated
I start with places I would actually recommend, then let agree/disagree votes move the order around. Paid placement is not part of the ranking. If a pub stops earning its place, it is reviewed and can be removed.
Best for…
Best for a date: The Cow, Franklin's Wine, Gold. Look for right lighting, table spacing, and atmosphere worth turning up dressed for.
Best for kids: The Churchill Arms, The Ladbroke Arms. Look for space for prams, patient staff, and food kids will actually eat.
Best for a dog: The Churchill Arms, The Pelican, The Windsor Castle. Look for water bowls, treats, and a genuine welcome rather than a tolerated table by the door.
Best for a sunny day: The Windsor Castle, Gold, The Elgin. Look for a proper terrace, garden, or courtyard with space to spread out.
Frequently asked
What are the best pubs in Notting Hill?
The top picks are The Churchill Arms, The Cow, and The Pelican. The order combines local judgment with anonymous agree/disagree votes, not Google review scores.
How many pubs are there in Notting Hill?
17 hand-picked pubs are featured in this guide, covering W11, W2, W8, W10. We don't list every pub in the area — only ones genuinely worth recommending.
Which pubs are open on Sunday in Notting Hill?
15 of the listed pubs open on Sundays, including Franklin's Wine, Gold, and The Churchill Arms. Hours can change, so check the individual place pages for the latest opening times.
Which pubs in Notting Hill are dog-friendly?
9 of the pubs on this list are dog-friendly, including The Churchill Arms, The Elgin, and The Fat Badger. Most allow dogs in outdoor seating; some welcome them inside too.
Which pubs in Notting Hill have outdoor seating?
7 pubs on this list have proper outdoor seating, including Gold, The Elgin, and The Ladbroke Arms. Best for sunny days when the London weather actually cooperates.
Are there any hidden-gem pubs in Notting Hill?
2 of the listed pubs count as hidden gems, including Naked & Famous and Trailer Happiness — quietly excellent places that have built a following through word of mouth rather than PR.
How much do pubs in Notting Hill cost?
Prices range from mid-range (£15–35) to mid-high (£35–60) for the pubs on this list. Each place page has a price level indicator so you can plan ahead.
