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Mention of Hammersmith might conjure up a vision of an enormous concrete flyover rather than somewhere to seek your next adventure in food. But explore a little deeper, past the unfounded opinions of awful traffic on the A4 and constant smoky fumes, and you¡¯ll find that this is a pocket of London that is both multifaceted and multicultural ¨C especially when it comes to eating out.
PATRI
Patri, which translates as ¡®train track¡¯, is a restaurant that pays homage to India¡¯s great railway stations. Founder Puneet Wadhwani’s street-food-style menu brings to life the snacks and dishes he ate as a child (growing up within a bicycle ride of New Delhi station) and of those he remembers eating on board India’s legendary rail journeys. Start with the chatpati aloo tikki chaat ¨C potato patties on a bed of chickpeas, topped with tamarind and mint chutney ¨C and special Raj kachori ¨C pakoras filled with the chef’s carefully spiced vegetable mix and served with chutneys and coriander. The classic tandoori chicken is cooked to perfection. You¡¯ll need to be hungry to handle the chef’s thali of the day ¨C a complete meal of the type served on Indian trains, which includes a daily selection of curries, dal and vegetables each served in mini pots, with fragrant rice and soft, warm naan. An extensive drinks menu includes Patri’s signature mango lassi, the French Patri Rouge wine or perhaps a Porn Star Martini if you¡¯re feeling fruity. It also has a street-side terrace, making it the authentic, low-key Indian restaurant in London we all want in our neighbourhood. Serena Chambers
Address: Patri, 103 Hammersmith Grove, London W6 0NQ
Telephone: +44 20 8741 1088
Website: patri.co.uk
The River Caf¨¦
Ruthie Rogers¡¯ simple Thames-side restaurant is a national treasure, and a beloved spot that continues to endure as one of the best restaurants in London. Guests book weeks in advance for the light lemon-coated zucchini fritti and chargrilled squid with chilli and rocket. We recommend making the most of the primi: risotto ¨C with clams, zucchini flowers and Castello di Neive Langhe Arneis, bowls of pappardelle with rabbit rag¨´ or taglierini with cherry and marigold tomatoes and basil. Pasta in London doesn¡¯t get much better than this ¨C it’s still deserving of its Michelin Star 22 years later.
Address: The River Caf¨¦, Thames Wharf, Rainville Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9HA
Telephone: +44 20 7386 4200
Website: rivercafe.co.uk
Mes Amis
This fabulously kitsch, colourful and eclectic restaurant is the place to go for traditional Lebanese food and the warmest of welcomes. The owner, who mans the stove in his tiny open kitchen, truly cooks for his guests as if he¡¯s welcoming them into his home ¨C and it does feel as though you¡¯ve stepped into his living room, the mantelpiece crowded with knick-knacks. Order the set mixed-meze plate for parsley-flecked tabbouleh, bowls of hummus and puffed-up pittas, and follow up with something from the grill, then a saucer of sticky-sweet baklava and an equally sugar-soused mint tea. Portions are huge, as are the flavours, but it¡¯s the atmosphere that will keep you coming back.
Address: Mes Amis, 1 Rainville Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9HA
Telephone: +44 20 7385 5155
Kenta
Decent, authentic Japanese food used to be very hard to come by in Hammersmith, but this low-key neighbourhood joint has been redressing the balance since it opened in 2017. In the small, minimalist room, black timber contrasts with white-painted brick walls, a bottle of Kikkoman soy sauce the only adornment for each table. The vibe is relaxed and friendly, and the menu lists a selection of sushi, tempura, teriyaki and noodles that allows you to explore Japanese food without the often hefty price tag. The warming salmon udon soup is a fine choice, as is the crispy tuna roll, while bento boxes are particularly popular at lunchtime, when local workers fill the metal-framed chairs and the banquette running along one wall.
Address: Kenta, 106 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9PL
Telephone: +44 20 8741 8111
Website: no website
Rangrez
The lamb chops will blow your socks off at this fantastically low-key Punjabi restaurant Order some alongside a bowl of shahi paneer (Indian cottage cheese in a creamy tomato sauce) and a pillowy garlic naan for a simple supper, or go with friends and take some time to explore all the options the lengthy menu has to offer. Starters take in street-food favourites such as momos (stuffed steamed dumplings from the Himalayas) and khati keethi kapdi khat (crispy wafers topped with potatoes, yogurt, chutney and pomegranate, and the house-special lamb dopiaza is aromatic and spicy. The decor is simple, enlivened with a judicious scattering of plush patterned cushions, fretwork screens and woven wall hangings.
Address: Rangrez, 32 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9PH
Telephone: +44 20 8563 7176
Website: rangrez.co.uk
The Gate
One of the original vegetarian restaurants in London, and still entirely worthy of a visit. You¡¯ll walk up a flight of stairs to an oasis of hanging plants and folded linen under a gloriously high ceiling ¨C the light and modern vibe is the perfect platform for the inventive, elegant food. Try miso-glazed aubergine to start, or crispy arancini balls studded with sweet pops of pea. Mains, such as aubergine schnitzel with Applewood-smoked cheddar and basil pesto and the Asian-influenced Green Dragon salad, borrow international flavours. Pudding brings classics such as tiramisu, prune and apple crumble and sticky toffee pudding, and the wine list is chosen to match plant-based food, all certified vegan.
Address: The Gate, 51 Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, London W6 9QL
Telephone: +44 20 7833 0401
Website: thegaterestaurants.com
Pizzeria da Mariano
The owner of this straight-up pizzeria, Mariano Del Sole, learnt his art at a very early age in some of the best pizzerias in Naples, so the guy knows his dough. Neapolitan-style pizzas with fluffy charred crusts are generously topped: try cacio e pepe with smoked mozzarella, or the Cetus with yellow tomatoes, basil and tuna. There are some great small fried bites too, including mozzarella-stuffed potato croquettes and moreish strips of deep-fried pizza. An Italian take on the rum baba (which is also on the menu), the baba al limoncello is a pudding and digestif in one.
Address: Pizzeria da Mariano, 93 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London W6 8JA
Telephone: +44 20 8563 9558
Website: pizzeriadamariano.co.uk
Mari Delicatessen
Meander along the Thames past pretty pubs, boats and lycra-clad joggers and eventually you¡¯ll stumble across Mari Delicatessen. It¡¯s an unassuming end-of-terrace spot, but don¡¯t discount it for its appearance ¨C the honest-to-goodness Italian cooking has a lot to recommend it. The vibe is traditional Firenze deli meets lunch at your Italian friend¡¯s Nonna and Nonno¡¯s house. It¡¯s warm, friendly and home to people whose mission is to make sure you¡¯re well fed. All the classics are here ¨C a gooey aubergine parmigiana, bruschetta loaded with juicy tomatoes and basil and a mean Aperol spritz. If the sun¡¯s out, a few of Mari¡¯s antipasti, boxed to go, with a couple of flaky sfogliatelle pastries or ricotta-stuffed cannoli, make an excellent riverside picnic.
Address: Mari Delicatessen, 1a Eyot Gardens, Hammersmith, London W6 9TN
Telephone: +44 20 7041 9251
Website: maridelicatessen.com
Potli
The colourful furnishings and generous terrace at this spirited modern Indian restaurant in London combine to make you feel as though you have wandered into a buzzing food bazaar, and the street food-influenced menu continues the theme. The scents of spices escaping from the kitchen are mouth-watering ¨C start with tamarind-spiked pani puri and flaky samosa chaat before getting serious with lamb shank Rogan Josh and Portuguese-influenced wild-boar vindaloo made with slow-cooked belly meat. To drink, there¡¯s gently spiced masala chai as well as kali chai ¨C a tea served black with fresh mint, lime and peppercorn ¨C and puddings include cardamom-scented cr¨¨me br?l¨¦e and pistachio or mango kulfi on a stick.
Address: Potli, 319-321 King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 9NH
Telephone: +44 20 8741 4328
Website: potli.co.uk
Azou
Another scene-setter, Azou is decked out with coloured-glass lanterns and generous swathes of jewel-toned Berber fabric. The welcoming staff at this family-run North African restaurant serve up Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food that packs a flavourful punch. Start with harira, a traditional meat soup with vegetables, pulses, spices and herbs, or brik, a Tunisian speciality of crisp thin pastry filled with tuna, potato and egg. Tajines are a speciality, and there are 11 to choose from, including a fish option flavoured with preserved lemon, and a tomato-laden one made with kofte meatballs. Mop up rich sauces with fluffy couscous or sesame-sprinkled bread before rounding things off with a plate of honey-soaked baklava and strong, sweet cardamom-scented Arabic coffee.
Address: Azou Restaurant, 375 King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 9NJ
Telephone: +44 20 8563 7266
Website: azou.co.uk
Poppy¡¯s 1, 2 and 3
These three sister Thai restaurants in London are all located in Hammersmith and exuberantly styled by the chef-owner, the eponymous Poppy: flocked wallpaper in pastel shades, mirrors in ornate frames, a menagerie of taxidermied animals and frothy flower arrangements are just some of the hallmarks. The keenly priced menus are a roll-call of Thai favourites ¨C crispy calamari, smoky Pad Thai, an excellent beef massaman ¨C plus spring rolls, which arrive on the table in miniature shopping trolleys, prawn toast and crispy aromatic duck. Alcohol is BYO with a small corkage fee, all branches are cash only, and while Poppy¡¯s 3 runs a sugar-loaded sideline in afternoon teas, we¡¯d say Poppy¡¯s 2 just has the edge, taste-wise, of the three.
Address: Poppy¡¯s 1, 78 Glenthorne Road, Hammersmith, London W6 0LR
Telephone: +44 20 8748 2351
Website: facebook.com/Poppys
Address: Poppy¡¯s 2, Greyhound Rd, Hammersmith, London W6 8NX
Telephone: +44 20 7385 9264
Address: Poppy¡¯s 3, 129 Brackenbury Rd, Hammersmith, London W6 0BQ
Telephone: +44 20 8748 8008
Eat 17 Hammersmith
Eat 17 is a growing empire on the London food scene and a fantastic opening for the area. Combining quality local food with an indoor street-food market, yoga classes on the mezzanine floor and a wall of refillable food stations to help support plastic-free, sustainable living, this isn¡¯t your average store. They¡¯ve filled the beautiful space with some of the best foodie offerings around, and high-calibre suppliers include Portobello Brewery, London Cru Wines and So Choux macarons. The food stalls serve up highly Instagrammable loaded burgers from Knowing Meat Knowing You and authentic stone-baked pizza from the Pizza Project. There are baby-pink accents, plenty of ferns and blond-wood booths to sit and snack in. It¡¯s a great place to drop in after work or for a relaxed lunch with added grocery perks.
Address: Eat 17 Hammersmith, 77 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London W6 8JA
Telephone: +44 20 8741 0632
Website: eat17.co.uk
Truth
Step inside this cosy-nook-caf¨¦ to a welcome of warm lighting, genuine service and the scent of expertly roasted coffee. There¡¯s an easy, friendly vibe and a long menu full of tempting things including sweet-potato waffles and creamy pesto mushrooms, but on at least one visit you should go for the Turkish Eggs served in dill yogurt with chilli oil and toasted sourdough ¨C it¡¯s fresh, rich yet light, and tangy. The coffee is strong, but do make room for the Envy smoothie: a total rock-star of a drink that¡¯s packed with spinach, avocado, mango, apple and mint for the ultimate hangover cure.
Address: Truth, 34 Fulham Palace Road, London W6 9PH
Telephone: +44 20 3620 5511
Website: truthcafe.co.uk
Antipode
This compact Antipodean caf¨¦ in the shadow of the flyover is a true coffee haven bringing a little bit of minimalist magic from the laneways of Melbourne and Sydney¡¯s Bondi Beach. It¡¯s buzzy on weekends, when locals come to drink seriously good brews ¨C beans are sourced from highly rated Australian roasters. They also know how to mix it up a bit: if you¡¯re lucky, they¡¯ll have the iced-coconut and Kahlua latte on the specials board. Food-wise, all the usual brunch suspects are here, but inventively played, so the bacon and eggs come with spicy tomato chutney and cream cheese in an Iraqi naan, and the cheese toastie is packing kimchi, with the option to go vegan. In the evenings, caf¨¦ becomes bar, serving charcuterie and cheese boards, craft beers (many of them Aussie) and a short but appealing list of cocktails and wines.
Address: Antipode, 28 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9PH
Telephone: +44 20 8741 7525
Website: antipodelondon.co.uk
Artisan Coffee
Something of a honeypot for Hammersmith¡¯s laptop-toting free-range workers, this gorgeously lit and decorated corner building is a place that¡¯s just as much about the baked goods as the coffee, with a bench heaving under the weight of every cake, muffin and pastry you could possibly wish for. There¡¯s granola with berries and yogurt in the morning, chunky sandwiches for lunch, and excellent carrot cake, crumpets and cupcakes loaded with frosting for the afternoon slump. The coffee, from London-based roaster Curious Roo, isn¡¯t slacking off either, with single-origin brews available to drink in or take home by the bag and courses to show you how to make a decent cup yourself.
Address: Artisan, 372 King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 0RX
Telephone: +44 7712 657474
Amoret
The almond-milk gods have answered your call at this tiny, coffee-to-go hotspot ¨C it¡¯s hands-down the best in London, an Italian brand that tastes good on its own too. The knowledgeable staff live and breathe coffee, and beans are roasted on the premises then precision-weighed to make consistently good espressos, cappuccinos and macchiatos. On the counter you might find jalape?o and cheese cornbread, plump raisin scones or flaky past¨¦is de nata as support acts for the black stuff. Dogs are welcome ¨C take yours along and there¡¯s a good chance of Insta-stardom on the caf¨¦¡¯s mutt-loving account.
Address: Amoret, 11 Beadon Road, Hammersmith, London W6 0EA
Telephone: +44 20 8222 8266
Website: amoret.co.uk
Coffeeology
An offshoot of the original Coffeeology in Richmond, this new caf¨¦ is warm and inviting, with cakes aplenty (try the avocado loaf) and friendly staff. There¡¯s a room at the back with cushions for lounging, and tables at the front for the more studious sort. Coffee cups and plates in shades of sea green and rose pink sit pretty on wooden tables, and you¡¯ll want to take the low-hanging vintage lights home along with your coffee to go. In an area of London that¡¯s not short of good caf¨¦s, this one stands out.
Address: Coffeeology, 308 King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 0RR
Telephone: +44 7741 311990
Website: coffeeology.me.uk
The Dove
This much-loved riverside spot is a genuine ¨C but also genteel ¨C boozer, stuffed to the gills with history. There¡¯s been a public house in this location since the 17th century, and Charles II is said to have romanced Nell Gwynne here. The open fire, beamed low ceilings and swathes of dark wood panelling are a draw on a cold winter Sunday when the sun¡¯s already disappeared by 4pm, and to the right of the entrance there¡¯s a space reported to be the smallest bar room in the world ¨C squeeze in for a pint of Fuller¡¯s, the pub¡¯s owners whose brewery is just next door in Chiswick. The terrace outside, high above the slow-strolling Thames, is a corker in the sunshine if you¡¯re lucky enough to walk in when there¡¯s a table free. An admirably concise menu is guided by the seasons, so you might find langoustines dripping with garlic butter or light ¡¯n¡¯ breezy South Coast crab in the summer; a pork and cider pie to snaffle down with mash when you need something to warm you up. Blankets for punters and biscuits for their four-legged friends are typically welcoming touches.
Address: The Dove, 19 Upper Mall, Hammersmith, London W6 9TA
Telephone: +44 20 8748 9474
Website: dovehammersmith.co.uk
The Crabtree
The Crabtree is a real Hammersmith treasure and certainly one of the grander waterside watering holes. Chalk-board clad, with high vaulted ceilings, maroon leather banquettes and sturdy wooden tables, it¡¯s pleasingly posh, while outside there¡¯s plenty of space and a barbecue that¡¯s fired up from spring till autumn on sunny days. The food rises above standard pub grub: try creamy burrata with artichoke and truffle-honey aioli, miso lamb rump with confit belly, vegetable yakitori and smashed soy beans, and a ruinously rich dark chocolate and peanut butter cheesecake. There¡¯s a very decent selection of beers on tap and by the bottle or can, and a strong focus on gin, with regular G&T specials in big fishbowl glasses. Live music, an award-winning comedy club and a well-attended weekly pub quiz round things out in an impressive pub that¡¯s very much one for the books.
Address: The Crabtree, Rainville Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9HA
Telephone: +44 20 7385 3929
Website: thecrabtreew6.co.uk
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