Casual dinner recommendations Kensington

[hackneyhalver]

I’m a Londoner but live in East and try to avoid venturing into the crowded bits of touristy West London wherever possible! I do know the area as years ago I lived in Notting Hill but so much has changed since then! Anyway looking for a specific recommendation from anyone who lives round or frequents that area?

I’m visiting Kensington Palace with my old school friend. We haven’t seen each other in about 2 years so it’s a long overdue catch up. Afterwards we want to go and have an early dinner somewhere we can linger and chat for ages. Nothing too bouji or £££, somewhere relaxed but with delicious food and nice setting, and ideally not a chain you get everywhere. This could be walking distance to Kensington Gardens or on the way back to Waterloo (eg Westminster / Lambeth bridge) where we could get off and walk to Waterloo afterwards - my school friend will be getting a train to the south.

Any insights please?

Bump

Dishoom, Kensington is right across the road and is fantastic for a casual dinner.

Bancone is a chain but a small one, nice and very close to the palace

Maggie Jones or Grato

The Ivy is a stones throw away from Kensington Gardens. Might not be too pricey if you get the set menu?

Agree, those are both good recs

I was also going to suggest Bancone. It’s a smallish chain doing pasta. Not mind blowing but exceptional value for the price. There’s also one up by Charing Cross that would be walkable to Waterloo

Thanks, not keen on Dishoom or Ivy as don’t want something you can get anywhere - my friend is from out of London so be nice to go somewhere authentic.

Look great!