A Story Begins
Tucked away on the leafy edge of Queen’s Gate, The Kensington Hotel is a regal string of handsome Victorian townhouses, connected to create one of London’s most inviting addresses. At its heart is Town House, an all-day dining restaurant offering a refined take on British and European classics. Designed to feel warm, familiar, and residential, Town House is intimate and elegant, more like a grand private home than a traditional hotel dining room.
The recent appointment of Isabela Tavares-Vaz as Executive Head Chef brings an evolution to the menu. Originally from São Paulo, Isabela brings a wonderfully global perspective with years spent in Brazil, Israel, and some of London’s finest hotel kitchens. Her confident, unfussy style now graces every dish at Town House, where the emphasis remains on seasonality and beautifully cooked food that appeals to well-travelled hotel guests and locals who return time and time again.
Cocktails, Charisma & a Mirror-Box Menu
We started our evening at The K Bar, which quite honestly feels like the secret, sultry heart of the hotel. The décor has a sexy, gentleman’s club atmosphere with all deep oak, teal velvet, and a golden glow that makes everything (and everyone) look better.
Their “Reflections” cocktail menu is one of the most inventive we’ve seen in a while. Presented in what looks like a chic black jewellery box, the menu comes to life only when you open the lid and read it through a mirror. Yes, really. It’s a clever nod to the mirrored walls of the bar and makes ordering a drink feel like opening a mystery novel.
We chose Gibbous, a rich and layered cocktail combining tequila with the sweetness of ube and plum. The result was warming yet floral and a quietly confident drink. Pangea followed and had a tropical softness with black barrel rum as the base, banana and coconut, with pandan adding a green, aromatic lift.
Then came the Martini Trolley wheeled over with theatre and charm by Krish, who completely won us over with his warmth and wit. We opted for two variations: one a classic dirty gin martini with Sipsmith, the other clean and zesty with a lemon twist. Krish’s showmanship, chilled glasses, and an eye for detail made this a standout experience. It felt like being pampered in a private club. It was one of those hospitality moments where theatre, taste, and service were faultless.
Comfort, Culture & a Confident Menu
Crossing into Town House for dinner, the setting shifted to a serene and light-filled space, lined with bookshelves and soft furnishings. This is a place that encourages you to take your time and unwind.
Our meal began with a warm loaf of golden focaccia, soft and pillowy within, served with butter and olives. The gambas pil pil arrived sizzling, the prawns juicy and slick with garlicky oil, perfect for scooping with more bread.
We shared three starters: the grilled octopus, tender and smoky, served with chorizo and buttery new potatoes; a British burrata delicately perched on heritage tomatoes, with fragrant pesto; and a beef carpaccio, thinly sliced and scattered with sweet, charred figs. Every dish was balanced, flavourful and light.
For mains, the Dover Sole was a standout, pan-fried à la meunière, its buttery richness balanced by simply steamed greens. The black cod was silk on a plate. Flaky, sweet from the miso glaze, and beautifully paired with sticky jasmine rice and tender pak choy.
But the surprise star? The Chicken Tikka Masala. We were told it was a must-order by the staff and let’s just say… we’re glad we listened. It was creamy and well-spiced, arriving with saffron rice, golden papadum, and a house-made mango chutney. It was one of the most memorable plates of the evening, spicy and full of personality. An unexpected triumph.
The wine list was impressive too. Broad, interesting, and not intimidating. We shared a bottle of Chardonnay from Domaine Monrouby, a crisp French number that matched well with the seafood, spice, and everything in between. There’s also a refreshing international focus on the wine list with bottles from Argentina, Armenia, Italy, England and beyond.
For dessert, we split a Basque Cheesecake with blackberry sauce (baked, but still oozy in the middle) and a Vanilla Crème Brûlée with glazed plum (classic and done exceptionally well). Paired with a 10-Year Tawny Port, it was the final flourish that made the whole evening feel well-paced.
Overall
There’s a wonderful charm to dining at Town House. Service is intuitive, the setting is elegant, and the food is a true reflection of thoughtful craft. While the restaurant stays rooted in classic British and European flavours, there’s a lightness and finesse across the menu. A signature touch brought by Executive Head Chef Isabela Tavares-Vaz. Whether it’s a cocktail at K Bar, or a long, slow dinner at Town House, The Kensington Hotel rewards guests with something special. It doesn’t demand attention, it earns it.
For more information, visit The Kensington Hotel
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All Images Courtesy of The Kensington Hotel.