Few corners of West London carry history quite as gracefully as Holland Park. Once part of the 17th-century Holland House estate, the area grew from country grounds into one of the capital’s most desirable postcodes. Its streets of tall stucco houses and green crescents became home to politicians, artists and writers, whilst the remnants of the old estate evolved into the park that gives the neighbourhood its name.
Holland Park’s restaurants do not chase trends or grand openings. Across a few compact streets, it’s possible to find fine dining in a historic setting, modern British cooking built on seasonal produce, and family-run restaurants that bring European and Mediterranean influences to West London. For diners who know the area, the variety is no surprise, just another example of Holland Park doing things well, and on its own terms.
Belvedere
Within the walled gardens of Holland Park, Belvedere is one of West London’s highly regarded dining rooms. The Italian restaurant occupies a building with centuries of history. It was originally a 17th-century summer ballroom belonging to the Holland estate, and later rebuilt as a Victorian orangery. Following extensive refurbishment by the design firm Archer Humphryes, the space retains its grand proportions, with high arched windows, parquet floors, and soft contemporary detailing. The dining room opens out onto a landscaped terrace that looks across the park’s gardens, making it one of the few places in West London where fine dining genuinely meets green space. Heading up the kitchen is Executive Chef Lello Favuzzi, formerly of Mortimer House and Shoreditch House, who partners with small-scale producers to create a menu with ingredients sourced from villages throughout Italy.
Starters range from hand-dived scallops with pea purée and guanciale to creamy burrata paired with courgette and basil. Pastas and mains include fresh black truffle tagliolini, whole-lobster linguine, and wild seabass with saffron sauce and burnt fennel, whilst thin-crusted pizzas are cooked over flames in the wood-fired oven. For dessert, Italian staples such as tiramisu, lemon tart, and raspberry couli are executed with confidence. The wine list reflects the restaurant’s dual focus on Italy and London, with notable producers from Piedmont, Tuscany, and Veneto, alongside French and New World selections. A sommelier is on hand to guide pairings, and the cocktail list is built around classic aperitifs and digestifs that complement the menu’s flavours. An iconic presence in Holland Park, Belvedere has become the benchmark for Italian fine dining in the area.
Six Portland Road
Discreetly set on a quiet street just off Holland Park Avenue, Six Portland Road has built a loyal following for its approach to modern British cooking. The dining room is small with just a few dozen covers, pastel interiors, and open kitchen views. Six Portland Road was relaunched in 2020 by chef Jesse Dunford Wood, during one of the most uncertain moments for London’s restaurants. The kitchen focuses on the best of seasonal British produce, with dishes influenced by the places and flavours that have shaped Dunford Wood’s career.
Menus change regularly, guided by what’s in season and what the kitchen can source from trusted suppliers. A typical line-up might include grilled courgettes with preserved lemon and pecorino, hand-dived scallops with seaweed butter, or burrata served with aubergine caponata. Making a frequent appearance on the main menu is bavette steak with anchovy and sage butter, roast guinea fowl with lentils, and hake with brown shrimp and capers. With Sunday roasts such as sirloin of shorthorn beef or roast Cornish chicken, the restaurant reinforces its place in the local community, offering a tradition that brings neighbours together. Spanning regions from Bulgaria and San Francisco to Gran Canaria and Australia, the wine list showcases a truly global range. With honest food, great wine, and a laid-back setting, Six Portland Road is the kind of place that makes Holland Park feel like home.
Julie’s Restaurant
In the heart of Holland Park, Julie’s has long drawn in a unique crowd. Originally opened in 1969 by interior designer Julie Hodgess, the restaurant quickly became an institution: part bohemian hangout, part social landmark. Over the decades, it has hosted everyone from Princess Margaret to the Rolling Stones, defining a particular strain of West London glamour. In 2023, Julie’s was relaunched under new ownership, bringing the legend back to life for a modern audience whilst keeping the charm and eccentricity that made it famous. Spread over three floors, the restaurant includes a ground-floor bar and brasserie, a lower-ground dining room, and an outdoor terrace. Each space has its own mood with vintage mirrors, intricate wallpaper, and a Steinway piano giving a nod to Julie’s artistic roots.
In the kitchen, Chef Patron Owen Kenworthy, formerly of Brawn and The Wolseley, delivers a menu with inspiration from classic French brasserie cooking. Signature dishes such as the lobster soufflé, carabinero prawn carpaccio, and Cumbrian lamb saddle sit alongside takes on familiar comforts like steak tartare and Dover sole. For drinks, the martini trolley has become something of a house signature, serving made-to-order cocktails at the table, whilst the wine list supports small, sustainable producers. Despite its heritage, Julie’s doesn’t trade on nostalgia. A mix of long-time locals and newer diners gives Holland Park a place where tradition and contemporary London dining meet comfortably under one roof.
Vori
Holland Park isn’t short on good restaurants, but for Greek food with style, Vori leads the way. Located on Holland Park Avenue, the restaurant brings together the essence of Greek hospitality, simplicity and Mediterranean warmth. The interior channels the calm of the Aegean with whitewashed walls, olive-green banquettes, and soft natural wood touches. Its open charcoal kitchen adds a subtle energy to the room, and in warmer months, large windows open onto the street.
At Vori, the menu reflects the traditions of the Greek table, where food is meant to be shared, stories exchanged, and meals enjoyed with family and friends. Sharing plates form the backbone of the menu with dishes such as Santorini fava with capers and dill, crispy courgette fritters with feta, and chargrilled octopus with split peas and oregano oil. Larger plates feature whole grilled fish, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, or aubergine with tomato and kefalotyri. The wine list is curated exclusively from Greek producers. From the volcanic terroirs of Santorini to the mountain vineyards of Macedonia, the list leans toward small, independent wineries, with several natural and organic options. Vori captures the heart of Greek cooking and delivers it with the poise expected of Holland Park.
%20(1).jpg)
.jpg)