The best Notting Hill pubs

A west London institution, Irish gastropub Cow is known throughout the city for its fine Guinness and wonderful seafood. Get yourself a pint of prawns or a tower of whelks, crab and oysters and settle down for some serious people watching. There's an upstairs dining room if you're after something a little fancier, but the best seats in the house are down by the bar. The platonic ideal of a London pub. 

The Mall Tavern is a modern pub – its classic exterior has been painted charcoal grey, there’s orange wine on the menu, and it’s the meeting point for a weekly Wednesday evening run club. But don’t be fooled into thinking this place lacks a pub-like atmosphere. There might not be floor-to-ceiling dark wood panelling and an armchair in every corner, but the Mall Tavern takes enormous pride in its food, champions independent breweries and is a hub for community spirit, with weekly jazz sessions and pub quizzes are on the schedule. In almost painfully west London fashion, the Mall Tavern has a deli counter. If you’re heading to one of the many lovely parks nearby, pop in and grab your (pricey, but delicious) olives, cheeses and cured meats.

This may just be one of the most popular pubs in London, with tourists heading out west to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous floral canopy that covers the building. Inside is just as extravagant, with wartime memorabilia and shiny copper things a-jangling. Grab Thai cuisine in the rear restaurant or sip ale and nibble on cheese at the old-fashioned bar, among the amateur photographers.

Grab a bottle of wine, take a seat on the terrace, and witness your afternoon sweetly vanish. This beloved suntrap is prized by locals for a reason. Menus change daily with a spotlight on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, and the approachable wine list isn't too spendy. There’s also a stonking range of traditional ales and Belgian beers. But the drawcard is that outdoor terrace, lending itself to spontaneous chatter with your neighbouring tables and an all-around convivial vibe. Should you find yourself in west London on a summer's day - head here. Yes, the crowd may be a tad bougie at times, but this is Notting Hill, darling.

A short skip from Notting Hill underground station, and you jump straight into The Champion. It’s cosy, very British, and ticks all boxes for tourists seeking that traditional boozer experience. The drinks list is broad and sensibly priced. Staff are genuinely warm and will amenably recommend one of their sterling craft beers (on tap) if you're undecided. The fireplace roars in winter, and there’s a beer garden out back for al fresco dining (or a vape break). Locals stream in for the weekly quiz night, mixing with internationals who’ve strayed from the path of Portobello Road.

This spruced-up Notting Hill boozer has been given the gastropub treatment. Its stripped-back but still welcoming interior houses diners tucking into a modern British menu laden with eclectic delights including mince on toast, potted shrimp, and tomahawk steak. 

The Oak is the local we all want. An Italian menu boasts delectable cicchetti and sophisticated mains, but the pizza… mamma mia! Wood-fired and smoky, it arrives at the table with a crisp base and chewy crust, glistening with molten mozzarella. The cocktail and wine lists are fabulously inventive and not too extortionate. Head upstairs to a bar reminiscent of a wealthy playboy's 1970s mansion - an orgy of Chesterfield chairs, vintage lamps, and scattered velour cushions. The crowd is eclectic, relaxed and, importantly, fun. Whether you come to eat or drink, you'll likely leave with plans to return.

Notting Hill has no shortage of not so rough-around-the-edges-pubs, and the Walmer Castle is right on-brand for the neighbourhood. It gained a name as the former project of Guy Ritchie and David Beckham, however, the pair surrendered the keys to some new owners in 2022, and after a stylish refurb it reopened in November. The pristine brickwork of the façade now encases a neat, fresh-looking but classic pub bar on the ground floor and an elegant, candle-lit dining room upstairs. The Walmer Castle’s food menu is full of richly flavoured, smartly-presented pub dishes – the cod fish bites with lime and coriander dip were a standout – and an extensive wine list to add to the chicness.

It's not Notting Hill without yet another tarted-up trad boozer. This beer-driven gastropub does decent food in surroundings that are a touch fancier than your usual local. 

First, you’ll see a sturdy Sam Smith's pub, occupying the corner of Portobello Road and Westbourne Grove. Within, there are partitioned areas done out in neat, shiny wood and interconnected by chest-high doorways. Among the photographs – past carnivals, touched-up images of Portobello Market – is another oddity: a wall honouring the man after whom the pub is named, the so-called Yellow Earl, who is most famous as the founder of the AA.

Another of the area’s trad pubs that’s been given a posh lick of paint, the old bar is now populated with bright armchairs in a crushed velvet finish. There's also seasonal British food on offer and cocktails too if a pint doesn't take your fancy. 

This tastefully turquoise pub sits right in the middle of Portobello Road, offering plenty of nooks and crannies for drinking and dining as well as outdoor tables to soak up some sun (if you're lucky). It's also where Adele signed her first ever recording contract, pop fans. 

With its ridiculously bright yellow submarine-esque exterior, The Sun in Splendour us hard to miss, even standing out from every single knock-off royal blue 'Notting Hill Bookshop' around the corner. Inside you'll find good beer, good food, and great vibes.

This is a proper Portobello local. The majority of the jolly, bohemian-minded punters hanging around the pleasingly sparse, open-plan interior – probably at the bar – seem cheerfully merry whatever the time of day, which is testament of sorts to the agreeable atmosphere cultivated by the matey staff.

A charming, wood-clad backstreet boozer with interesting cask ales from small UK brewers. But don’t forget the option of a bloody mary or Pimm’s in the idyllic pub garden. The Windsor Castle is just as popular on Sundays too, with roasts being served to large family groups and small crews of friends (all well-heeled, obviously).

There's been a pub on this site for well over a century, so when the Knight of Notting Hill opened, it had a solid tradition to uphold. Thankfully, they smashed it – albeit in an eclectic way. Crystal chandeliers and leather banquettes live alongside a gargantuan screen televising sports and there are sumptuous cocktails and cheap beer on tap. The menu is Indian-focused (authentically good), but there are also artisanal pizzas. Add to its repertoire a mini hotel - they offer boutique rooms – and it's almost negligent to call this a mere pub. Billed as a 'live music venue featuring rappers, singers and DJs,' it beguiles locals and tourists alike.

Serving a menu of mind-blowing, experimental pub food, you can count on The Hillgate for a full-proof pub experience, roasts n' all.

The prominent, self-standing pub sign outside proudly declares 'Free House', and sure enough, the Ladbroke Arms is a law unto itself. With smart dining, a shady beer garden and a list of wines and ales worth perusing, there's something for everyone here.