The Ultimate Guide to Notting Hill, London
Notting Hill is laced with a little bit of magic. This West London neighborhood is one of London’s most romantic, charming, colorful neighborhoods. Spending a day in Notting Hill makes you feel like the main character in a cheesy comfort film. After all, there’s a reason Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant’s 1999 rom-com masterpiece, Notting Hill, was set in this cozy London neighborhood.
Notting Hill has so much to offer! There’s the bohemian Portobello Road lined with antique shops and a daily market selling art, jewelry, and vintage clothing. And, of course, the iconic pastel-colored houses and mews that are so sweet, you’ll have a hard time not falling in love with it here.
This guide is here to help you plan the perfect day in Notting Hill— to the point where you feel like you’re starring in that 90’s rom-com. Embrace your role as the main character and consider yourself charmed by everything Notting Hill has to offer.
How to get here
- Take the Central Line, District Line, or Circle line to Notting Hill Gate Underground station.
- Take the Circle or Hammersmith & City line to Ladbroke Grove Underground station.
Best things to do in Notting Hill, London
See the colorful houses
The pastel-colored houses that line the streets of Notting Hill are the main attraction here. These picture-perfect homes are sugar, spice, and everything nice. Around these parts, it’s quiet, and I love peacefully strolling each street and dreaming of the day I can afford to buy one of these beauties.
Westbourne Grove and Portobello Road (specifically the ones nearest the Notting Hill Gate tube stop) are home to some of the loveliest houses in the neighborhood. You can’t help but stop to admire and take photos. Just be mindful that these are residential streets where people live, so keep that in mind when taking pictures.
Portobello Road Market
Portobello Road Market is the world’s largest antique market. It’s open Monday-Saturday and is an absolute must-see in Notting Hill! Here you will find plenty of antiques, vintage clothing, art, and fresh produce. There’s a lot going on here, so you may have to rummage around for your treasure. However, its buzzy (kinda eccentric) scene makes it one of my favorites in London.
Watch a film at Electric Cinema
Seeing a film at Electric Cinema is one of the coolest experiences in Notting Hill. This theater opened its doors in 1910 and is one of the oldest working theaters in Britain. At Electric Cinema, you’re transported back to an era of cinematic glitz and glamor with its beautiful interior adorned in red velvet. Sit back, order a cocktail, and enjoy the show.
Kyoto Garden in Holland Park
Holland Park is not *technically* in Notting Hill. But it’s pretty damn close. It’s just an 18-minute walk from Ladbroke Grove Station and a 10-minute walk from Notting Hill Gate Underground Station. However, the spectacular Japanese Kyoto Garden within the park makes the walk worth it.
Initially, it’s an unexpected thing to stumble across this misplaced, albeit stunning, Japanese Kyoto Garden nestled away in the middle of a London park. This is a total oasis and a serene escape from the busy city. There’s a peaceful zen energy to the garden, which makes it the perfect resting place after a long day walking, shopping, and eating around Notting Hill.
Where to eat
Zēphyr
Zēphyr is a Portobello Road hot spot serving Greek-inspired dishes that are both familiar and reinvented. Anything off the menu is delicious, but the crispy potato terrine is especially divine (and a truffle lover’s heaven!) The restaurant itself is beautiful. Adorned in eclectic art pieces and green-stemmed wine glasses, an evening at Zēphyr feels special, even celebratory, but it’s nowhere near stuffy. Make sure to order the loukoumades, Greek donuts drenched in creamy dulce de leche sauce, for dessert. And don’t forget to hit the late-night bar downstairs for a sexy nightcap.
Menu Favorites:
- Crispy potato terrine
- Smoked aubergine
- Mushroom orzo pasta with truffle
Taqueria
Good Mexican food is hard to find in London. If you’re craving authentic Mexican with an elevated twist, look no further than Notting Hill’s Taqueria. This joint is not just good— it’s exquisite. For a guaranteed good time, order the hand-shaken watermelon margarita (or passion fruit, smoked chili, and coconut, oh my!) The menu is comforting yet fresh, and to top it off, the service is fast. Scarf down the last of your totopos just in time to walk onto Westbourne Grove. This street is perfectly pastel, tree-lined, quintessentially Notting Hill gem that Taqueria calls home.
Menu Favorites:
- Plantain tacos
- Classic ceviche tostada
- Watermelon margarita
Granger & Co.
Granger & Co. is a hip Australian cafe with a few locations in London. Some may argue it’s over-hyped. Or you may ask yourself what “Australian brunch” even means. How is brunch Australian if it’s all just pancakes and eggs? *Sigh* The answer is a mystery to me too. But hear me out. The food here is delicious. Granger & Co. is that place for brunch. Here, brunch is a verb, not a noun. There are great savory dishes like grilled cheese with kimchi. Or opt for something sweet like the ricotta hotcakes which are just… perfect. They don’t take reservations and there’s always a long, long wait on the weekends. I recommend grabbing a coffee and wandering the neighborhood while you wait.
Menu Favorites:
- Sweet corn fritters
- Grilled cheese with green kimchi open sandwich
- Ricotta hotcakes
Where to Drink
Trailer Happiness
Located on Portobello Road, Trailer Happiness is a tiki, retro 70s-inspired cocktail lounge with a fun cocktail menu and excellent soundtrack. While a tiki 70’s basement theme seems hard to execute, this famed drinking spot delivers a perfectly weird evening out every time.
