Dining
The 5 Best Restaurants in Chelsea
From riverside grandeur to neighbourhood favourites: where to eat well in Chelsea.
In short: our top picks are Medlar, Elystan Street and The Ivy Chelsea Garden. 5 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Chelsea eats quietly and well. Less showy than Mayfair, more grown-up than Soho, it rewards people who know where to look, from polished dining rooms to neighbourhood places locals would rather keep to themselves. These are the ones worth the trip.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Medlar | Chelsea | ££££ |
| Elystan Street | Chelsea | ££££ |
| The Ivy Chelsea Garden | Chelsea | £££ |
| Bluebird Chelsea | Chelsea | £££ |
| Colbert | Chelsea | £££ |
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Editor’s choice
Medlar
Why we pick itThree AA Rosettes since 2011, signature crab raviolo with leek fondue and bisque
Worth knowingConsidered, formal dining rather than a scene, so anyone expecting the buzz of the trendier Chelsea openings nearby should recalibrate.
The best value in Chelsea.
-
Elystan Street
Why we pick itPhil Howard's elegant, light-filled room doing precise, seasonal cooking without a scrap of fuss. Grown-up dining at its best.
Grown-up dining at its best.
-
The Ivy Chelsea Garden
Why we pick itAll-day glamour with a gorgeous garden room and terrace. Not the most serious food in Chelsea, but few rooms are more pleasant to sit in.
Worth knowingThe garden is the reason to book rather than the kitchen: standard Ivy Collection staples done competently, and the indoor room is far less special.
For all-day glamour and a garden.
-
Bluebird Chelsea
Why we pick itTerence Conran's converted 1920s motor garage, over a century on King's Road
Worth knowingLong waits at busy periods, and a seating order that can leave you watching later arrivals served first. Build in time rather than fighting the pace.
The reliable all-rounder.
-
Colbert
Why we pick itA handsome Parisian-style cafe on Sloane Square, open all day, good for a coffee, a steak or a glass of wine while you watch Chelsea go by.
For people-watching on the Square.
Before you book
Book ahead at the well-known rooms, but leave space for a walk: half the pleasure of Chelsea is the streets between the King’s Road and the river. Lunch is gentler and better value. And dress smart-casual; Chelsea notices, without making a thing of it.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Medlar is our editor's choice: Three AA Rosettes since 2011, signature crab raviolo with leek fondue and bisque. Medlar, Elystan Street and The Ivy Chelsea Garden lead the guide, with 5 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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