Guide to the best pubs in Notting Hill

The Duke of Wellington is one of the best-known pubs in West London, on Portobello Road. It feels more contemporary than your average London pub, with raw brickwork and large windows. They serve a menu of traditional pub classics with ingredients sourced from local and sustainable suppliers, like ale-battered fish and chips and sausages with crushed potatoes, crackling and gravy. As for the drinks, think of all the classics, like craft beers, real ales, creative cocktails and a selection of premium wines from around the world.

This laid-back pub is nestled between Ladbroke Grove and the leafy Holland Park and is the place to go for a hard-to-beat Sunday roast. It’s an all-round crowd pleaser, with British meat, crispy goose-fat roasties and fluffy Yorkshire puddings. They also have an extensive wine menu for enthusiastic wine drinkers and all classic pub drinks. The pub is wood-panelled with beautiful stained-glass windows and plush velvet seating.

This much-loved Notting Hill haunt is supposedly the oldest pub in the area and is the ideal spot for post-work drinks or laid-back catch-ups with old friends. In true Notting Hill style, it would be hard to walk past this one without double glancing, thanks to its bright yellow façade. Inside there are period features paired with contemporary elements. For food, you can expect British classics and a bar stocked with a wide selection of wines, spirits and craft beers.

This Anglo-Irish gastropub in Notting Hill specialises in seafood with Northern European influences. It’s run by restaurateur Tom Conran, who owns several restaurants, and is a top spot for those who enjoy oysters and Guinness. The shellfish menu is something to be ogled at - it’s extensive, along with a list of tasty seafood mains and other dishes like sausage and mash. The wine list is also sizeable, and you can expect all classic pub drinks served here too.

The Pelican is a progressive pub located at the tip of All Saints Road in Notting Hill. It was once a run-down pub that only a few would visit but was later taken under new ownership and given a new lease of life. These days it’s a stylish west London pub (think dark wood, chunky oak tables and grey-washed concrete walls) which serves delicious pub grub using locally-sourced producers who use sustainable production methods.

The Westbourne is one of the most popular pubs in Notting Hill, located right in the heart of the district. They serve a changing daily menu of classic pub dishes made using fresh ingredients from independent suppliers. There’s also a range of traditional lagers and ales, as well as a selection of Belgian beers, fine wines and cocktails. Outside there’s a beautiful terrace which is ideal for al fresco dinners and drinks throughout the warmer months.

You’ll find The Hillgate tucked away behind the south side of Notting Hill tube station, moments from the busy city streets. Inside it’s bright and roomy, with a wood-panelled bar and big windows drenching the place in natural light. The menu is chock-full of classic pub meals with a contemporary twist like jer- spiced sweet potato black bean curry. They also stock traditional pub drinks along with an extensive wine list.

This traditional British pub is the place to go for a classic English pub experience. They serve cask ales from small UK brewers, English favourites like Pimm’s, and refreshing cocktails. The pub feels like a traditional boozer but has a few contemporary touches, like dark wood and period features. There’s also a courtyard for alfresco drinks and a private room, Martha’s Bar, that is bookable for private events.

The Earl of Lonsdale is nestled on the corner of Portobello Road and Westbourne Grove. It’s filled with interesting decorations and pictures, like photos of previous carnivals and old images of Portobello Road. The food menu features all of the classic pub dishes, like sausage and mash, beef lasagne and steak and kidney pudding, along with the standard pub drinks.

This fairly newly-opened pub in Notting Hill has a kitchen headed up by the renowned chef Ben Tish, who has crafted a menu of Mediterranean-inspired dishes using British ingredients. The Sunday roast is also excellent and comes with a choice of four options. There are also a few private dining rooms which are perfect for events, and four hotel rooms on the top floor, which offer a comfortable place to base yourself.

This sophisticated pub in Notting Hill is a modern city pub brimming with British charm. The drinks menu features innovative cocktails and craft beers, whilst the food menu is filled with dishes like steak, lobster and burgers alongside a separate weekend brunch menu and a Sunday roast. It’s modern, bright and roomy, with a funky carved ceiling and leather chairs.

The Castle in Notting Hill is a quirky, eccentric pub in the hustle and bustle of Portobello market, directly opposite the famous blue door featured in the film Notting Hill. It's the perfect spot for dinner and drinks, with a menu filled with seasonal dishes, like beer-battered haddock with triple-cooked chips. Inside, it's classic pub style, with bar stools, wooden tables and plenty of natural light coming in through the huge windows.

The Walmer Castle, a notable Notting Hill establishment, has been home to various hospitality ventures over the years. Now reborn as an independent, family-run gastropub, it's an elegant affair adorned with artworks from renowned artists like Tracey Emin. The kitchen serves a menu that offers sophisticated twists on pub favourites, crafted from meticulously selected ingredients.