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    Core by Clare Smyth

    4.7 (38 reviews)
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    Anniversary Lunch.
    Alek H.

    Outstanding meal. World class tasting menu. The price is definitely for a VERY special occasion. We have recommended this place to many people. The experience was amazing and they helped my husband celebrate his birthday. If you want one of a kind world experience, this is the spot for you.

    Signature apple dessert
    srabani r.

    Worth all the hype and in my top three meals of all time. And that's saying a lot. It was more than just the food. It was the combination of approachable hospitality, location, and absolutely amazing and evocative food. If you can get in, go. You won't regret it.

    Alexander Y.

    I feel compelled to write an updated review for Core by Clare Smyth since when I first visited in February 2020 it only had two Michelin stars. Well, it has three Michelin stars now! I had to come back to see what the difference was. Ironically, I didn't realize that I ordered the Core Seasons menu last time (perhaps I should have checked my own review!), but I did end up ordering the Core Seasons menu again. I could tell very clearly that Core has increased its level since the last time I was here. The presentation was tighter, the creativity was on par if not slightly better, and of course the food was still amazing. There were no misses at all on this menu, although if I had to pick a favorite it would probably have to be the Langoustine and Wasabi Pea. But honestly, everything is fantastic as you would expect from a three Michelin star restaurant. As usual, Core has impeccable service. Even though they are now at three stars, you never feel like they think they're too good for you to be here. Everyone here was super friendly! Every dish explained after its brought out. Table cleaned after every dish. Hell, they wouldn't even let me pour my own water. I have been spoiled to have been to multiple three star restaurants, but at least I know what the standard is and they meet that standard. Since I have been here before, I was already familiar with the ambience. Like i I said before, Core prides itself on being "an elegant and informal fine dining restaurant." You never feel uncomfortable in here at all despite it being a three star restaurant. Luckily this time, I was able to be seated at a table at the edge of the room rather than the middle of the room. This really allowed me to observe all the details of the ambience. Really felt super comfortable here, as I did last time. I also wanted to thank the reservations folks for allowing me to book a two person reservation, then changing it to a one person reservation since OpenTable didn't allow for a one person reservation. A lot of fine dining establishments don't do this, so I am grateful that they allowed for this. Core by Clare Smyth is firmly one of my favorite restaurants in the world. I was impressed by it in in 2020 and even more impressed after 2024. And since I still haven't ordered from the Core Classics menu, I still have incentive to come back!

    Chocolate Tart and Jellies
    Nicolas L.

    Dining at Core by Clare Smyth is everything you would expect from a three Michelin star restaurant featuring a diverse, creative, and flavorful tasting menu. There are two options for the tasting menu: the Core Classics and the Core Seasons. I ordered the Seasons featuring in season local ingredients and my wife had the Classics. I included the wine pairing with my dinner, and it was a nice touch that elevated each dish. The meal started with a tasing of "Beginning" Bites: Lobster Roll, Roast Chicken, Pea and Mint Gougere, and Jellied Eel and Toasted Seaweed. I loved the Lobster Roll! This bite sized version of one of my favorite sandwiches had a soft brioche bun filled with tender aromatic lobster. The Roast Chicken was also phenomenal. A bit sized crisp taco-like shell was filled with jellies that exploded with rich meaty flavor and tasted just like a perfectly roasted chicken. The Gougere and Jellied Eel were also very flavorful. Next came the Langoustine with English Saffron. This was my favorite dish of the evening. Super tender and briny Langoustine meat literally melts in your mouth and was paired with a rich jelly and crisp veggies that were soooo flavorful it was like eating a garden. The Leek and Potato was also phenomenal (my second favorite dish of the evening)! The combination of fresh local potatoes and leeks were formed into a tender lightly crisp airy patty which was heavenly on its own. But then it was paired with a creamy buttermilk sauce and a heaping portion of juicy Osietra caviar. The next dish was the Cornish Turbot. The fish was fresh, flakey and tender and paired with flavorful smoked mussels. Crispy Veal Sweetbread was next. A soft potato like bread was paired with a rich sauce. A Merrifield Farm Duck finished the meat portion of the dinner. The duck was rich, juicy, and tender and paired with a rich flavorful sauce. The Raspberry Fool was the first dessert. I am not a big raspberry fan but this was delicious with a creamy rich raspberry flavor. The Core-Teser was a rich creamy chocolate mousse. Finally, the dinner ended with flavorful dessert bites of Chocolate Tart and Jellies.

    Core-teser - chocolate, malt, hazelnut
    Vivian T.

    Overall, I enjoyed my experience here, but I felt like it was more of a one time thing. There were some dishes that I really enjoyed, but some that were just OK. I really liked the crab dish that was presented in 3 ways and also highly enjoyed the duck. The other folks in my party all got the Core Classics menu that included the lamb and were disappointed by the fact that it was not actually lamb. The plating and presentation of all the dishes were what I expected of a 3* Michelin establishment. Service wise, we were quite confused by how many different wait staff appeared at our tables for different reasons. It felt like there was no communication between them as we were often asked for our drink orders twice and had to repeat other asks as well. We were sat right in front of the kitchen and while it was a joy to watch the chefs at work initially, it quickly felt like it was really noisy and there were a lot of people passing through. The other thing I remember is that all the turnip dishes seem to be tart and I was wondering if there was maybe another flavor profile that could have been represented with that. If I were to go again, I'd probably order from the ala carte menu instead of trying the tasting menus. Overall, good experience, thank you!

    Part of the Amuse Bouche selection
    Shirene B.

    If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. My bf and I have a few shows we watch together, Top Chef being one of them. So when I saw a reservation for lunch open for this restaurant while we were on vacation, I knew I had to book it. We traveled by metro to the restaurant and got there a little early. The hostess was very gracious and let us store our bags in the front closet. We had the earliest reservation, so there we were quite outnumbered by the wait staff. Once the restaurant filled up a bit more, I watched in wonder at a well-oiled machine. Everything from the escort to the restroom, to pulling out chairs, to describing every single dish was impeccable. Now, the food, every single dish, was delicious, well balanced, and presented like an absolute work of art. We started with 3 pieces of amuse bouche to get our palates ready, and my palate was still not ready! The scallop tartare has probably ruined me. I don't know how, if or why I would ever eat scallops after this. To say they were fresh would be an understatement. Potato and Roe, every time I go to a fine dining restaurant, I am always amazed by all of the flavors they can put into a modest food such as a potato. The roasted cod was delicious. The lamb carrot was quite a surprise as the carrot was magically stuffed with roasted lamb. The venison was very tender and juicy. The Core Apple was magical, as it looks like a fuji apple but is a delicious stuffed mousse. The Wild Strawberry is also a beautiful optical illusion as it represents a caprese salad but is a refreshing dessert. Just when I thought I couldn't fit in another morsel, here comes the Petit Fours. With my second stomach that's usually reserved for desserts, I managed to devour a chocolate tart that was reminiscent of a fresh baked cookie and their wonderful jellied wine. This reminded me of a super potent wine jello shot but way more refined. I can not recommend trying to secure a reservation to this restaurant if you're on vacation and want to splurge on a Three Michelin Star meal.

    Appetizers: Mini lobster rolls and chicken tacos
    John J.

    My wife and I chase celebrity chefs like other folks chase rock stars. So when we finally had the chance to hop across the pond for a visit to London, a collection of Michelin Star Chefs were on the shopping list. Clare Smyth was on the top of our list and, despite having 6 months advance notice to get reservations, we were unable to book anything at Core before we landed at Heathrow. I wrote Clare an email, and her staff replied that while they had nothing available (as we'd expected), but they would keep us on a waiting list and call if anything opened up. I figured they were just being polite, and so when my phone rang at about 6pm that night, I nearly jumped out of my skin. We were in the underground on our way to another restaurant for dinner when they phoned, and my mobile dropped the call! I called back at least 5 times with no answer. When we got above ground, my phone rang again and we connected - 9:00 dinner? Heck yeah! we canceled our other reservation and hot-footed it for Core. Despite the last-minute nature of our booking, the staff treated us like we were guests in their home. If you've never dined in a 3-star Michelin restaurant, this is exactly what you should expect. First off, we were escorted to the lounge area, where a hyper-enthusiastic gentleman offered us a drink menu. I don't think I've ever met a happier person anywhere, much less in Britain. Our cocktails were fabulous and, when the time came, we were escorted to our table in the dining room. Every member of the team stopped what they were doing to greet us as we passed by... some of them by name, which was impressive by itself, especially considering we didn't have a reservation 3 hours earlier. Once seated, we opted for the simple 4-course meal. Four courses? Try seven. Little surprises around every corner. Everything from an amuse bouche, to a palate cleanser, to a second, special dessert on top of the already fancy first offering. I was starting to wonder if they were ever going to stop bringing us plates. But then I pondered that eating one self to death on some of the most delectible, creative, artistic, and scrumptuous food in the world might not be a bad way to go, really. As we left, we were invited to meet the chef (regrettably, Clare was not cooking that night, but the head chef du jour was wonderfully cordial, taking a moment to let us thank him for the meal). The walk back to our hotel was a touch longer than we'd planned in the crisp, evening air. But we needed to burn off a few of the calories those housemade wine gums, deconstructed malteser, and petit fours had deposited on our waist. No better night could be had by a pair of foodies our age. And we can't wait to return another day to see what other creative dishes Clare and her team have concocted.

    Roasted Cod
    Elise B.

    Wow this restaurant is beautiful & the food is phenomenal! I came with my family and it is easy to see why they have 3 Michelin stars. The staff is so attentive/aware, constantly moving, and they don't miss a thing. They are a smooth running machine- even setting down the plates is an art and has to be done at the same time. Each course of the meal is a piece of art, tells a story, and has so much flavor! I was very impressed by the Lamb Carrot course- having a vegetable be the main feature of the dish. The duck was so soft and deliciously prepared with the flavor profile & the cod was moist and flakey. The potato and roe course was savory and even had little potato chips on top too. All of the desserts were a perfect finish to the meal. I love how the core apple is designed like an apple on the outside and has the flavor on the inside. We had such a lovely experience here and can't wait to dine here again!

    Robert L.

    Honestly, this is one of my most memorable and amazing meals that I've had. A 3 star Michelin restaurant with a chef whom is consistently present with her staff and has the passion and empathy to say hi to her guests while making her menu financially accessible to more people considering the status of her food. It was a genuine pleasure to be serviced by the waiting staff and chefs. Clare Smyth is a major reason to visit, but her staff and their warmth and professionalism is on another level of service. Genuinely, it broke my mind the way we were treated. I ordered the classic menu while my date had the seasonal spring menu. We also ordered a bottle of wine! Overall, cannot say enough amazing things about my experience here.

    Meeting Clare Smyth
    Gary K.

    Took my wife here to celebrate our first big trip since the pandemic. From start to finish the experience was extraordinary. Clare Smyth's cuisine and service embody excellence across the board, and truly she is one of England's greatest chefs. Booking was by the numbers. While you have to be ready to get a table when released, thankfully, it was not impossible. We took the tube to Notting Hill, and it was a pleasant walk to the restaurant through some lovely neighborhoods. Upon checking in we were greeted warmly and taken to our table. Two tasting menus were offered - the classic tasting menu and the "Core Seasons." We got one of each, why not try each dish? We also got a wine pairing. We prepared our palates with some champagne and cocktails, and sat back to enjoy the experience. Each dish was a breathtaking melange of color, expertly arranged and plated. The flavors and how all the ingredients were sublime. The wait staff were very knowledgeable about all the wines served and we enjoyed their stories of the provenances of each vintage. On the way out we got to meet Clare and thanked her for a wonderful evening we would not forget.

    Carl J.

    I'm a little tardy in writing this review since we were in London late March to celebrate my wife's birthday. We had the pleasure of dining at Core on her birthday thanks to AMEX Concierge securing a reservation for us. We received a warm welcome from the host and were escorted through the beautiful bar area and past the open kitchen where we were greeted by the staff. We walked up a few stairs to a lovely dining room of 15 or so tables and got the best table IMO. Every detail is considered at Core, from the decor to the tasteful table setting. Service was on point, pleasant and timely with water and cocktails to start. Everyone on staff were impeccably dressed. We decided to go with the Classic and a Seasons menu. It's been over three months since we were at Core and we still talk about how this was top level cooking and for us, the best we have enjoyed. Every dish was excuted perfectly in taste, texture and temperate . After dinner, we had a cocktail and more after dinner deserts while we waited for our driver. We left full and happy! An exceptional experience and again; the best fine dining we have tried over the years, can't wait to return. Cheers!

    Menu 09/10/2022
    Jeannie N.

    Set your alarms to get reservations because they get booked quick! I was fortunate enough to get reservations about 2 months out for our trip to London for a birthday dinner. We were excited to dine here after seeing Chef Clare on Chef's Table on Netflix. Dining at Core was a wonderful experience. Our host grabbed us to get seated after we had a cocktail in the waiting area. Right when we entered the dining room, we saw Chef Clare and her friendly staff members waive and greet us with the most welcoming hello! I enjoyed her open kitchen layout to see the chefs hard at work. We decided to pick one of each on the tasting menu so we can try a variety of Chef Clare's dishes. I love that we have the option of choosing different tasting menus when it was just us 2 dining. Typically, high end restaurants require you get the same tasting menu for the whole table since it's easier to prepare. All of the dishes had it's own unique taste with a gorgeous presentation. The sauce for her signature potato dish was divine and the potato was cooked perfectly. Be prepared for a TON of dessert dishes. I wish they offered more savory compared to sweets. The staff was very knowledgeable and gave us a full description of each dish while serving us. I highly recommend giving this 3 Michelin Star restaurant a try!

    Holly R.

    I would like to eat here again and often! There's a small bar at the entrance and the cocktails were great. Based on all the buzz, we were excited to actually meet Chef Smyth as we walked by the open kitchen to our table. She was warm and friendly. Every course was wonderful and delicious. I liked everything, but want more of the canapés, both the gougères and foie gras! I'm a big fan of pumpkin and this was the first time I've ever had pumpkin and truffle oil together (in the gougères). COVID-19: Like just about every spot in London, there was no mask wearing and customers weren't asked to show proof of vaccination.

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    The Champion- Notting Hill - Sunday roast sharing platter

    The Champion- Notting Hill

    4.2(135 reviews)
    0.5 miNotting Hill
    ££

    This was a decent pub we all had dinner at in London on a Monday. Service is a little different in…read moreLondon. You typically order at the bar instead of a waitress coming to the table. One eventually came to our table after sitting awhile. I of course had to try the fish n chips. A couple of veggie burgers were ordered and a regular burger. Surprisingly happy hour was still on at 8 o'clock so drinks were ordered. The food all came at the same time and everything was cool. The fish had a nice flavor from the fried batter. To me it was similar to Long John Silvers as far as the batter is concerned, but slightly better quality overall. The fries were standard. The only thing horrible was the very bland mashed green peas. They should be omitted from every pub across the country, but I think it is a traditional item included with the fish. The cocktails were good as well as the price. The sticky toffee pudding was something else I was advised to try while in London. I must admit it was really delicious. It came with a scoop of ginger ice cream and a warm buttery toffee sauce to pour over. It was delightfully warm and sweet and paired well with the ice cream. The cake itself was moist enough on its own with notes of brown sugar and molasses. I could have had seconds and thirds of this desert. Yum! The majority of my party didn't think the food was fantastic. The burgers happened to be somewhat alright. This was a first for me having pub food and I would have more again as long as I stick to the basics.

    I only came here because it was a convenient meeting place for several friends, and one of my…read morefriends is a regular here, so we all decided to meet one evening, and I am glad we did! Yes, there are many pubs in London, everyone has their favorite, everyone has their local, and my "local" depends on where I am staying. In any case, several of us met here. The place was definitely hopping but one of our group arrived early and grabbed a table. We all ordered drinks, I had beer which was delicious. After perusing the menu, I ordered the standard- Fish & Chips, with Mushy Peas. It came out quickly and was fried to perfection. Everybody else who ordered food seemed happy with their choices. It was a great setting to meet up with friends, and I will happily come back here when in the area. A solid pub in a city of many pubs!

    Photos
    The Champion- Notting Hill - Mercury Lounge featuring photos of Freddie Mercury in The Champion - Nottingham Pub

    Mercury Lounge featuring photos of Freddie Mercury in The Champion - Nottingham Pub

    The Champion- Notting Hill - Fish and chips

    Fish and chips

    The Champion- Notting Hill - Pornstar martini & old fashion

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    Pornstar martini & old fashion

    The Cow - Seafood

    The Cow

    4.2(64 reviews)
    0.6 miBayswater
    ££

    Just us having no clue whatsoever that this funny little spot was for London hobnobbers and…read morewondering why there were middle aged men out front dressed like they were deadass in the circus. Never mind the (probable) English celebrity blocking the doorway in some ridiculous performative hug. Absolutely hilarious "scene". Lovely lovely waitstaff. My food was atrocious but my friends looked quite nice.

    It's hard to categorize the Cow. On the one hand, it's a British pub - beer flowing, small and…read morebustling, and the gallery of young folks outside catching a smoke. However, on deeper inspection - the Cow is a marvelous dining experience - complete with an extensive wine selection, rotating specials, and a bespoken approach to food preparation. The food? Well, it's British pub fare - with a slightly divergent menu on Sundays. Everything is fresh and beautifully plated. The bangers and mash was exceptional. The green bean salad was so unique and popping with flavors, I scribbled the ingredients list in an attempt to reproduce the dish at home. The atmosphere is hopping - it's a small pub ambience and there is not any wasted space. Not to fear, the delightful staff can help find a table for your party. I was a bit intimidated walking in on a Sunday night all by myself. My trepidation quickly went away as the server made it easy to relax and enjoy my evening. As a small aside, I sat next to the small kitchen space on the main floor. To see the amazing plates being prepared one after the other in that tiny kitchen, well . . . that was an amazing experience in and of itself. Chapeau to the chef. Truly a masterpiece to put out such accomplished food from a space no larger than most bathrooms.

    Photos
    The Cow - Sunday roast

    Sunday roast

    The Cow - Banoffee Pie

    Banoffee Pie

    The Cow - Oysters! Briny and fresh, and part of the daily special.

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    Oysters! Briny and fresh, and part of the daily special.

    The Shed - Marmite eclair

    The Shed

    4.4(107 reviews)
    0.5 miNotting Hill
    ££

    We dine here regularly and the team always provide and friendly, attentive and helpful experience…read more We recently had our Xmas feast, with 12 guests. Huge compliments to the kitchen for not only providing delicious food, but for perfectly co-ordinating the timing of the delivery of each course. My favorite restaurant in London. Highly recommend.

    We were staying at a hotel nearby and wanted to find a dinner spot without needing a reservation…read more The Shed came up as an option. When we arrived, it seemed like reservations were expected, and they did have some available, but they kindly seated us anyway. We chose the tasting menu since it featured a variety of farm-fresh dishes. My husband added the wine pairing. We started with a mushroom marmite éclair, which was better than I expected, followed by buttery Queenie scallops, a cheese course, chorizo, and beef bavette. Dessert was chocolate mousse, but I asked to switch to pie, and they were happy to accommodate. The ambiance felt like a cozy English countryside diner. I loved the details about the farm and the little pamphlet about where the food came from. Every dish was so thoughtful. This place is a hidden gem. We would absolutely come back to try the tasting menu again when it changes. Also, the crispy potatoes were incredible.

    Photos
    The Shed - Inside seating area

    Inside seating area

    The Shed - Mushroom Marmite Eclair with egg yolk confit and cornichon - A MUST!

    Mushroom Marmite Eclair with egg yolk confit and cornichon - A MUST!

    The Shed - A beautiful experience highlighting Nutbourne Farms in the most exquisite ways

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    A beautiful experience highlighting Nutbourne Farms in the most exquisite ways

    Core by Clare Smyth - british - Updated May 2026

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