Here’s our top picks of the very best restaurants in Chelsea that offer varied menus, carefully sourced ingredients and a fabulous atmosphere. Whether you fancy something simple or refined, lively or elegant, here are a few spots to head to after a day shopping in Chelsea.

1 

Elystan Street 

Co-owned by Rebecca Mascarenhas and top chef Phil Howard, Elystan Street offers a fabulous blend of simplicity and refinement with a focus on seasonality and a lightness of touch. The menu is sublime and might include the likes of Galloway beef with a brochette of ox tongue, and every meal can be accompanied by a glass of wine from the restaurant’s extensive collection of popular and niche brands.

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2 

Ixchel

Ixchel is an upscale Mexican restaurant offering a tapas-style menu and large plates. The menu is designed by Head Chef Ximena Gayosso Gonzalez (previously of Brat), and includes the likes of sashimi grade tuna tostada and grilled stone bass with a pistachio mole verde. This all pairs with a drinks menu from a bar which contains one of the largest collections of agave spirits in Europe and a vast choice of margaritas and house cocktails.

3 

The Chelsea Corner

The phenomenal Italian menu and the understated charm of its décor make The Chelsea Corner a special place on the dining map of London. Ingredients are carefully sourced and kept seasonal, including daily landed fish, and vegetables from New Covent Garden Market. From simple penne arrabbiata to calf’s liver cooked in sage and butter sauce, you can expect the highest quality in every single dish. And did we mention the fabulous selection of coffee? 

4 

HUŎ

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5 

Bottarga

This buzzing Greek restaurant is a haven of Aegean flavours. Serving up delicious plates of pita with spread of smoked aubergine, spicy feta and red pepper, tarama and tzatziki alongside gorgeous mezze bites of padron peppers, courgette tempura and anthotiro cheese. After indulging, move onto flavour-packed mains of grilled prawn or whole grilled seabass, or lamb belly, soutzoukakia or dry aged rib eye on the bone.

6 

Daphne’s

This much-loved Chelsea restaurant was opened by popular casting director Daphne Rye back in 1964 and has been a popular spot every since. The delightful interiors feature vintage Murano chandeliers and there is a terrace for the summer months. Enjoy Italian classics such as linguine with crab, veal Milanese, and tiramisu.

7 

Josephine Bouchon

Claude Bosi is back to his roots with this charming Lyonnaise-style bouchon. The casual bistro setting offers classic dishes such as steak tartare, frog’s legs, French rabbit with a mustard and tarragon sauce and rum baba. There’s also a great wine list with a focus on the Rhone Valley.

8 

Rabbit

Owned by the Gladwin Brothers, Rabbit serves up a delicious seasonal menu of local and wild produce with a focus on zero-waste cookery and sustainability. They use wild and foraged ingredients, as well as sustainable livestock from the family farm in West Sussex. Try the likes of Yorkshire grouse breast; South Coast gurnard or a rotisserie free-range chicken.

9 

Villa Mamas

Inspired by the richness and variety of the Middle East and the flavours of Roaya Saleh’s childhood, Villa Mamas is entirely halal. There is something wonderfully satisfying and indulgent about the restaurant’s signature dishes which include braised lamb shank served with pine nuts, rosemary and vermicelli, as well as machboos deyay: a chicken pilaf that is the national dish of Bahrain. Just save some space for desserts such as saffron ice cream with candy floss and Egyptian croissant pudding.

10 

Azzura

Azzurra, which opened in autumn 2023, is restaurateur David Yeo’s take on high-end Italian, with dishes inspired by the food of Sicily and the Amalfi Coast. The menu features British fish and seafood, where possible, all served with that wonderful lightness of touch you get in Italy. Enjoy everything from ‘crudo’ dishes like tuna belly with salsa puttanesca to spaghetti with lobster to Dover Sole.