Kensington’s Michelin
starred neighbourhood
restaurant
Kensington’s Michelin starred neighbourhood restaurant
About us
Kitchen W8 is that rare thing – a genuinely relaxed and friendly Michelin star neighbourhood restaurant. Our chef since launch has been Mark Kempson whose exceptional cooking along with his team won us our first Michelin star in 2011, an accolade which we have retained each year since then.
When we launched Kitchen W8 in 2009 we intended it to be a home from home, something which we strive to achieve year after year. Along the way we have made many great friends and loyal customers. Our benchmark for success is to send you back out into the world feeling better than when you arrived.
Philip Howard & Rebecca Mascarenhas
Co-owners
Food & Drink
Food Style
Our style is modern English with a French soul. It is about integrity, simplicity and conviviality. Ingredients are centre-stage and we source them carefully from a short list of trusted suppliers. Menus change with the seasons to celebrate the arrival of new produce.
Neighbourhood Feel
As a neighbourhood restaurant getting our pricing right is key. We want our customers to use us regularly for both impromptu visits and special occasions alike.
Special Events
Throughout the year we produce one-off menus to celebrate special occasions, from Valentine’s Day to the arrival of autumn truffles.
Set Menu
Available from January to November, our set menu offers one of the very best deals available in London
Lunch – Tuesday to Saturday £26.50 for 2 courses, £29.50 for 3 courses
Early Evening – Tuesday to Friday £26.50 for 2 courses, £29.50 for 3 courses (6.00pm-6.30pm)
During December we run a Christmas menu in place of our set menu. We offer this for lunch bookings only.
Tasting Menu
This six course tasting menu showcases seasonal produce with consummate skill. The menu costs £80.00 per person or £125.00 with wine flight.
Great wines & no corkage on Sunday nights
We have a carefully chosen list with both great value and special occasion wines to pair with any dish. We understand that you may occasionally wish to bring your own special bottle with you. We offer corkage at £25 per bottle, with a limit of one bottle per person, up to a maximum of 4 bottles per booking. On Sunday evenings we offer free corkage (with the exception of special events, Valentine’s day and NYE) with the same limit of one bottle per person, up to a maximum of 4 bottles per booking. Please just let us know when you book
Reservations
Reservations Policy
Online reservations are for a maximum of seven guests. Please note that the largest table we can accommodate in the main dining room is for 7 guests. To secure your booking we will need to take details of your credit card. Please be aware that we have a 24 hours cancellation policy and if we are unable to rebook the table a charge of £50 per person will be made and donated to The Fulham Palace Gardens charity. For larger groups please email your enquiry to [email protected]. Our Private Dining Room can accommodate up to 14 guests.
If you are unable to book at your preferred time, would like to change your reservation or have any other queries, please call us on +44 (0)20 79370120, or email us [email protected] and we will be pleased to help.
Occasionally we do have more availability than our online booking system will show. Please do contact us directly if your preferred date and/or time does not appear available as we may be able to accommodate you.
Our People
Mark Kempson
Head Chef
Mark Kempson has been at the Helm of Kitchen W8 since the opening. His phenomenal skills, drive and passion for food add talent and strength to the team. His calm demeanour is inspirational in the kitchen and he shows a real understanding in providing food that people want to eat rather than just marvel at. Mark previously worked at The Square with Phil Howard and also The Vineyard at Stockcross with John Campbell.
Phil Howard
Co-owner
Philip Howard has always been a “chef’s chef”, quietly notching up years of service and influencing the industry immeasurably. Formerly Head Chef and co-owner of The Square for twenty five years, Phil is now chef and co-owner with Rebecca Mascarenhas of Elystan Street in Chelsea. Known for his delicacy of touch and his emphasis on seasonality and flavour Phil held two Michelin stars for 17 years of his tenure at The Square. He has spent much of his career nurturing chefs and enjoys showcasing his protégés. He remains a partner in four restaurants; Kitchen W8, Elystan Street and The Ledbury.
Rebecca Mascarenhas
Co-owner
In 1986, she opened the definitive neighbourhood restaurant and proved that it was possible to have delicious food locally. Sonny’s Kitchen, in Barnes was a pioneer, and the restaurant is full of residents who are delighted that they do not have to trek into the West End for a good night out. Thirty years later it continues to be a success. Continuing her passion for high quality neighbourhood establishments, Rebecca also owns HomeSW15 in Putney.
Charlotte Prescot
General Manager
We’re very pleased to welcome Charlotte Prescot as our new General Manager. She brings a wealth of experience. Most recently she was at the wonderful Lorne in Pimlico and before that at our sister restaurant Elystan Street in Chelsea. With her background as a sommelier and front of house manager she has the perfect combination of knowledge, friendliness and calm efficiency.
She says “I’m really excited to have joined the team and I’m looking forward to meeting all of our regular guests.”
Accolades
We have held one Michelin star since 2011.
The Michelin Guide says:
“Using top quality ingredients, dishes with distinct flavours are carefully prepared to a consistently high standard.”
Kitchen W8 is in the Bookatable Top 50 London Restaurant List
Bookatable says:
“Stunning presentation of British Seasonal Food”
Reviews
Mark changes the menu regularly to reflect the seasons – but his precise, flavourful cooking means the menu will always be packed full of delicious dishes.
The sort of restaurant every neighbourhood should have…Cooking has depth and personality and prices are restrained considering the kitchen’s skill.
Mark Kempson’s dishes look cleanly and neatly designed in the modern way, with a strong emphasis on the true flavours of their principal ingredients.
The team’s take on contemporary European cuisine is outstanding.
Fine dining that is honest, delicious and lacks pretentiousness. Just perfect!
The menu does not venture into experimental territory, so there are plenty of things that most people might actually want to eat…
Soothing, sophisticated and satisfying.
Mark Kempson’s modern European menu is characterised by clean flavours and seasonal ingredients.
…It was always top quality…at this unexpectedly fine neighbourhood restaurant.
Buy Vouchers
All vouchers purchased while the restaurant is temporarily closed will be valid for 18 months from the date of Kitchen W8 re-opening.
If you would like to treat someone to a meal out at Kitchen W8 as a special gift you can purchase our gift vouchers online or in the restaurant. The vouchers are valid for 18 months from the date of purchase. If you want the voucher to be sent directly to the recipient you can fill in their email address during the purchase process. If you want to download the voucher yourself so that you can email it or print it out then leave the email details of the recipient blank. To download the voucher just click on the unique voucher code on the receipt that will be emailed to you after your purchase has been completed.
All the voucher recipient needs to do is bring the voucher with them on the day, having already mentioned that they will be paying or part paying by voucher at the time of booking (you can add a note in the guest notes section if booking online).
HOW TO BUY
Add to Basket
To purchase your voucher please hover your mouse over your preferred option. Click to open it. Add the recipient’s name and click on the Add to Basket icon.
Pay by PayPal
If you have a PayPal account you can just log in and pay.
Or Pay by Card
If you would prefer to pay by credit or debit card simply choose Paypal then opt for the Checkout as Guest option.
Download Your Voucher
You can download your voucher from the confirmation page or your confirmation email. Just print it and send it to the recipient or email it as a pdf. Each voucher has a unique code.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
This voucher can only be exchanged in return for full or part payment for a meal at Kitchen W8 restaurant. It is not refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash. All vouchers are valid for 18 months from the date of sale. Vouchers not used within this time will be forfeited with no entitlement to refund or exchange. All vouchers must be booked in advance. Vouchers must be presented by the bearer on arrival at the restaurant and should be mentioned when booking. Risk will pass to the customer on booking and title pass upon recipt of payment in full. Where vouchers are dispatched by email risk will pass to the customer when the email is sent and title will pass upon receipt of payment in full.
Gallery
Private Dining
With its close proximity to the entrance yet separated from the main dining area, the private dining room at Kitchen W8 remains very much at the heart of the restaurant. It’s the perfect place to host an entirely bespoke event for up to 14 guests. Be it a special family occasion, a formal business lunch, a casual dinner or a structured wine event we can deliver a truly exemplary experience.
Contact & Info
You will find us just off High Street Kensington and close to Holland Park and the Design Museum
Kitchen W8
11-13 Abingdon Road
London W8 6AH
Reservations: 020 7937 0120
Lunch
12.30-2.30pm Tuesday – Saturday
12.30-3pm Sunday
Dinner
6.00-9.00pm Tuesday – Saturday
6.30-8.30pm Sunday
Nearest Tube:
High Street Kensington
Earls Court
Bus routes:
No. 9, 10, 27, 328, C1
Parking
There is pay and display (2 hour max) on Abingdon Road, directly outside the restaurant as well as residents’ parking. There are also car parks nearby.
For all enquiries please email [email protected]
Kitchen W8
From time to time we send out emails about special events and offers at Kitchen W8, please click below to sign up for our email updates.
Our Sister Restaurants
CHURCH ROAD
Church Road is the newest restaurant in our family. A relaxed local restaurant with a chic bar, it opened in September 2019 with Sam Astley Dean as Head Chef and Alan Parry as General Manager. Both have hugely impressive CVs which include stints at Elystan Street, Chez Bruce and Simon Rogan’s Fera.
ELYSTAN STREET
43 Elystan Street, London, SW3 3NT
When it was launched to huge acclaim in 2016 Elystan Street was named London’s best new restaurant. Critics described the food as ‘sublime’ and ‘thrilling’. It showcases the cooking of Phil Howard, one of Britain’s foremost chefs in a relaxed and contemporary environment.
