Notting Hill
Establishment
neighborhood
Fez Mangal
104 Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill
This spot is always bustling, in no small part thanks to the grilled meat, which is fresh and delicious. There's seating for casual dining as well as take-away.
Orlebar Brown
206 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill
This Notting Hill shop started out selling traditional tailored swim trunks for men and women, and the brand quickly expanded to include more colorful and extremely well-made basics.
Mazi
14 Hillgate St., Notting Hill
Mazi is pushing the boundaries of Greek food (think feta tempura) with a slight French influence (the husband-and-wife owners are French and Greek, respectively). Dips in jars and innovative signature large plates are served with Greek wines and ouzo in a clean, contemporary space in Notting Hill.
Wild at Heart
222 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill
Nikki Tibbles’s flower emporium has been around for over twenty years, making her a household name and her shops—a concession at the entrance to Liberty, a landmarked turquoise street island in Notting Hill, and a formal Chelsea boutique—an institution. You can count on Wild at Heart for its signature graphic bouquets, which make perfect gifts no matter what the occasion. The seasonal jam-jar arrangements make a particularly thoughtful gift for the host as they're so easy to throw on the table or mantle for quick dinnertime décor.
Bay Sixty6 Skate Park
65-66 Acklam Rd., Notting Hill
This indoor skate park offers full-day lessons for beginner and advanced skateboarders of all ages, as well as skate camps and after-school clubs. Kids especially love Gary, but all the guys are very knowledgeable, friendly, and welcoming. The skate park itself is an iconic scene of punk life in London.
Electric Cinema Kids Club
191 Portobello Rd., Notting Hill
Originally built in 1910, Electric Cinema is one of the oldest movie theaters in the UK: It's been running on and off since that time, but it caught our attention when it was leased to Soho House as part of its Electric House property. The Saturday night Kids Club shows a great selection of films for little ones, and kids love hanging out in the unusual leather sofa seating.
Bonpoint
197 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill
These beautiful boutiques are now peppered across the city and stock impeccably crafted, stylish, yet age-appropriate childrenswear. The clothes are classic with a distinct French feel and a painstaking attention to detail, from the hand-stitching to the organic cotton. Bonpoint also carries shoes, toys, books, and more. It's pretty expensive, but you totally get what you pay for, so whatever you buy for your oldest now will still be in pristine condition for your youngest years later.
Couverture and the Garbstore
188 Kensington Park Rd., Notting Hill
Run by husband-and-wife team Ian Paley and Emily Dyson, this multilevel space is stocked with independent designers from all over the globe. While the women's section is home to plenty of international names that are hard to find elsewhere (along with a strong NYC contingent like Rachel Comey and Steven Alan), it's the meticulously edited kids’ selection—Morley tees, Oeuf toys—that's earned the shop praise from locals and visitors alike.
Taqueria
141-145 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill
Mexican friends living abroad have proudly declared Taqueria the best Mexican restaurant in London. This bustling Notting Hill establishment offers excellent comida corrida, which isn't easy to find in England. The tacos and antojitos are fresh and authentic, and you can even buy the salsas, spices, and tortillas to take home for your own taco night. Dropping in is easy; though it’s always full, the tables turn over quickly.
Merchant Archive (Closed)
19 Kensington Park Rd., Notting Hill
Owner Sophie Merchant was, until recently, a well-kept industry secret, helping designers (of brands we couldn’t possibly out) build their vintage archives for runway inspiration. In 2007, she took her skills in-house and opened her own, appropiately named Merchant Archive. At the store in Notting Hill, you'll find her immaculate vintage trove from Chlo to Ossie Clark and more, along with her vintage-inspired line and picks from brands like Paper London, Robert Clergerie and Preen. She has some exquisite finds for wedding shoppers as well.