The Best Restaurants in Chelsea

Kutir in Chelsea is nothing like your typical Indian joint when it comes to design. The interiors give off classy, elegant dollhouse vibes — think Bridgerton dinner party energy. Plus, the hospitality here absolutely matches it. The staff are warm, attentive, and made us feel genuinely looked after, giving that royal treatment which makes the whole experience even better.

For starters, we kicked things off with the lobster pollichathu. Beautifully presented, this came as tender spiced lobster on buttery brioche. Decadent for a starter, but we weren’t complaining. To balance things out, the tandoori broccoli was a standout too — smokey, fresh, and perfectly seasoned. Their mains list isn’t overwhelming, which we actually loved. It gave the place more authenticity, rather than pages of generic kormas and rogan josh options made just to please the masses. That said… we totally contradicted ourselves and ordered the classic chicken tikka masala. But honestly? It’s loved for a reason, and here it was phenomenal. Alongside it, we had the saag — garlicky spinach blended into a creamy paste with sweetcorn added for texture. Such a simple dish but executed to absolute perfection.

For dessert, they had plenty of authentic Indian sweets and a few fun fusions. We should have gone traditional, but the date pecan doughnut topped with cinnamon and caramel, served with kulfi, had us weak. No regrets — it was a dream.

Have to try: Date pecan doughnut topped with caramel and cinnamon
Perfect for: Special occasions
Approx price for 2: £120–£140 with drinks

Bottarga is a moody, intimate restaurant tucked away on Kings Road, and honestly — this is the spot for date night. Candlelit tables, dim lighting, and just the right amount of romance to score whoever’s in charge of planning serious brownie points. That being said, it’s just as perfect for a romantic girls’ night out (which, let’s be real, usually hits even better).

The cuisine is Mediterranean, making it ideal for sharing picky bits over a bottle of wine. Don’t worry though – they do have larger plates for those “no-sharing” moods. No judgement — sometimes we just need our own plate. We started with warm, fluffy pitta bread alongside two dips: the spicy feta and red pepper, and the smoked aubergine. Both were seasoned beautifully, and yes, we were shamelessly scraping down the bowls.

From the mezze selection, it was almost impossible to narrow things down, so we basically ordered half the menu. Standouts? The courgette tempura — light, crispy, and served with an addictive black garlic aioli that we could honestly eat by the spoonful. And the grilled prawns, which came with a zingy citrus freshness, topped with chilli oil and toasted almonds. Everything just worked perfectly with the bottle of Riesling we shared, making the whole evening feel indulgent yet effortless.

Have to try: Spicy feta and red pepper dip
Perfect for: Date night
Approx price for 2: £90–£120 with drinks

The Cadogan Arms is technically a pub, but after stepping inside we quickly questioned this. It more resembles entering the King’s private lounge at Buckingham Palace than our local for a quick pint. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling, burgundy drapes, an intricately designed bar, and the alcohol is displayed so perfectly it could bring a tear to a control freak’s eye. But, really, who’s complaining?

We came for the Sunday roast – because let’s be real, a place like this isn’t allowed to mess that up. And they didn’t. We noticed some seriously tempting starters (buttermilk fried chicken, cauliflower and onion bhajis) but we were here with a mission and needed to leave enough room to do the roast justice. That being said… next time, those starters are getting ordered immediately.

There’s a choice of beef, pork belly, lamb, or a veggie option. These are all served with roasties, Yorkshire pudding, and buttery seasonal veg. And let us just say, the vegetables unexpectedly stole the show. Soft, buttery, still had a bit of crunch — no need to push these to the side of the plate. If you’re usually guilty of dodging your veg on a roast, this place will convert you.

Have to try: Sticky toffee pudding with Cornish clotted cream
Perfect for: Special Occasions
Approx price for 2: £60-£100

Daphne’s is one of those spots that just wows you instantly. The interiors give full-on green room energy — florals, intricate detailing, and an ambience that feels both elegant and serene. They’ve also got a terrace that’s basically begging for a sunny summer afternoon. Honestly, we’d happily return just to sip a glass (or three) of their wine out there.

Leaning into all those lush, greenery vibes, we started with The Factory Cocktail — mezcal, green chartreuse, chamomile, and agave. It was floral, herbal, and a little bit magical. For food, we kicked things off with their seasonal special: roasted pumpkin topped with stracciatella and truffle. The perfect autumnal bite — rich and decadent, with the cool creaminess of the cheese balancing everything beautifully.

We didn’t plan to have a fully veggie meal, but it just kind of happened. For mains, the ricotta-stuffed ravioli in a fresh tomato and basil sauce absolutely called out to us. Light yet indulgent, and bursting with flavour. That said, they do have an impressive line-up of meaty, elevated dishes if that’s more the vibe.

To finish, we kept with the autumnal theme and went for the apple tart with vanilla ice cream. Warm, cosy, and just the right amount of sweet.

Have to try: Roasted pumpkin with stracciatella and truffle
Perfect for: Date night
Approx price for 2:  £100–£140 with drinks

Ixchel is a fun, relaxed Mexican spot, but trust us — the flavours here are a full-on fiesta. First things first: the margaritas. This place doubles as a tequila bar, so make sure to explore the menu properly. Our top pick? The Spicy White Peach. It’s tequila shaken with peach purée, red jalapeño sauce, and agave for balance — sweet, fiery, and absolutely addictive. Just maybe don’t rely on this alone as a cool down when the spicy food hits, like we did.

To start, we obviously had to go for guac and chips. Solid stuff, and while the salsa was tasty, a bit of sour cream on the side would’ve taken it to 10/10 territory. The real winner though? The rock shrimp tempura. Yes, shrimp tempura is everywhere, but their burnt aubergine dip and avocado purée made this version unforgettable.

For mains, tacos were the obvious choice. After much debate, we landed on the pork rib tacos. Smoky, spicy, messy perfection — topped with pickled radish and avocado purée. Pro tip: add sour cream for a small fee, it’s worth every penny for that cooling contrast.

Finally, dessert was a no-brainer: Tres Leches cake. This one’s dressed up with cinnamon custard crème, fresh strawberries, and corn meringue — fluffy, creamy, and the ultimate sweet ending.

Have to try: Pork rib tacos with smoky chilli glaze and tres leches cake
Perfect for: Fun with friends
Approx price for 2: £90–£120 with drinks

For the ultimate classy, fancy-fancy Chelsea vibes, head to Josephine on Fulham Road. The interiors are timeless and elegant — nothing over the top — perfectly nailing that classic French bistro aesthetic.

We kicked things off with a true comfort classic: French onion soup. Honestly, it never fails to amaze us how something so simple can deliver such rich, decadent flavour. For the brave, the frog legs in garlic butter are a must-try. Don’t overthink it — they taste like a cross between chicken and fish. Besides, the garlicky, buttery goodness completely steals the show.

For mains, the roast veal chop was beautifully tender, marinated to perfection, and paired flawlessly with our side of gratin dauphinois. Another French comfort staple that never disappoints. And of course, no trip to a French bistro is complete without dessert. The standout for us was the delicate choux pastry filled with vanilla chantilly cream. It’s light, airy, and the perfect ending to such a hearty, decadent meal.

Have to try: French onion soup and wine
Perfect for: Date night
Approx price for 2: £120–£140 with drinks

We’re taking it from fancy-dancy to casual, lowkey, and homely with Alley Cats Pizza. The interiors give major cute Italian street pizzeria vibes, complete with red checkered tablecloths and warm wooden accents.

We kicked things off with the garlic and cheese bites, served with a slow-cooked tomato sauce. Essentially bite-sized pizzas, and honestly, who could ever complain about that? Starters done, we were perfectly primed for our mains — yes, actual pizza. The pepperoni was ideal for spice lovers, topped with jalapeños, smoked pepperoni, and a drizzle of honey for the perfect sweet-spicy balance. Our absolute favourite, though, was the vodka sauce pizza. Super simple, topped with aged mozzarella and buffalo mozzarella, all melting together with that insanely creamy sauce.

We also loved how they respect the need for a wide variety of crust dippers. Garlic mayo made multiple appearances, but the scotch bonnet sauce brought incredible flavour too. Mixed together? An absolute winner.

Have to try: Vodka sauce pizza
Perfect for: Casual bites
Approx price for 2 : £30–£50

Stanley’s is a quirky spot with a nature-inspired theme. It’s giving bougie, elevated café vibes while serving up classic British cuisine. The bar is a spectacle in itself, so naturally we started with a cocktail. The lychee and mint martini was gorgeous, refreshing, and perfectly matched the greenery-filled vibe.

We kicked off with the rosemary focaccia paired with aubergine hummus. That fluffy bread was perfection on its own, but the smoky, fragrant hummus made it even better.  Let’s just say not a drop was left. While they have proper starters, this combo with a cocktail was all we needed.

The mains aren’t endless, but each dish clearly promises quality. We went for the saffron risotto with corn and pecorino — creamy, decadent, fragrant, and comforting. Just when we thought we were done, dessert arrived. We went for a chocolate and almond torte topped with cherries and ricotta. The perfect finale, giving us both chocolatey and fruity vibes in one.

Have to try: Chocolate and almond torte with cherries and ricotta
Perfect for: Catch up with friends
Approx price for 2: £55–£65

Three Darlings is refined and elegant yet still feels relaxed, making it the perfect spot for lunch catch-ups with the girls. The cocktail list is insane, so it’s criminal not to order at least one. They have a range of signature cocktails alongside every classic one could imagine. Our top pick? The Melon Fuego — a fruity delight with tequila, Aperol, orange shrub, and watermelon-peach soda.

Every cocktail needs a comforting bready counterpart, so we sacrificed (hardly) and went for the sundried tomato and rosemary focaccia, served with caramelised onion butter. It was heavenly, every bite a little slice of dairy bliss, and instantly set the bar for the rest of the meal.

For mains, we opted for the haddock schnitzel in a katsu curry. Crisp, perfectly cooked haddock with a rich, flavour-packed sauce that puts Wagamama’s to shame. Sides of fries and creamed spinach completed the dream. Dessert? The chocolate and hazelnut choux bun with vanilla ice cream — light but indulgent perfection.

Have to try: Haddock schnitzel with katsu curry and signature cocktails
Perfect for: Girls’ lunch out
Approx price for 2: £60–£70

Azzurra is an Italian spot specialising in seafood, with a buzzy, lively atmosphere that somehow still feels elegant and sophisticated. We kicked things off in fried seafood heaven with the fritto misto. Calamari, prawns, sea bream, and even zucchini, all in a gorgeous crispy batter, served with lemon mayo. To switch things up, we also went for the pizetta. Basically a mini pizza, giving us satisfaction without overdoing it.

For mains, we went all out with the caviar linguine: fresh pasta in a lemon-butter sauce topped with Oscietra caviar. Simple on paper, but utterly decadent and otherworldly in flavour — worth every penny.

To finish, we kept it light with the Limone: Amalfi lemon, ricotta, and white chocolate. Sweet yet refreshing, the perfect counterbalance to the salty seafood feast.

Have to try: Caviar linguine
Perfect for: Seafood lovers
Approx price for 2: £120–£140