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  5. Notting Hill

CORE by Clare Smyth

4.9
4.9
2819 Reviews
£41 and over
British
Chef Clare Smyth’s first restaurant, Core by Clare Smyth, opened its doors August 2017.

Located in London’s Notting Hill at 92 Kensington Park Road, Core by Clare Smyth is a modern fine dining restaurant with a strong British ethos, in an elegant, relaxed interior.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 74 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Fine Dining

  • Cuisines

    British, Contemporary European, Contemporary French

  • Hours of operation

    Tue–Sat 6:30 pm–10:00 pm Thu–Sat 12:00 pm–2:15 pm

  • Phone number

    020 3937 5086

  • Payment options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Jacket Preferred

  • Executive chef

    Clare Smyth

  • Private party contact

    Alison Labesse: 020 3937 5086

  • Neighborhood

    Notting Hill

  • Parking details

    Street Parking

  • Public transit

    52-452 Bus lines, Stop: Stanley Gardens<br />8 minutes walk from Notting Hill Gate Station

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 2,819 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseEnergetic

Loved For

  • London

    Best Overall

  • London

    Best Food

  • London

    Best Ambiance

  • London

    British

  • West London

    Best Overall

  • West London

    Best Food

  • West London

    Best Service

  • West London

    Best Ambiance

  • West London

    Best Value

  • West London

    Innovative

  • West London

    Great for fine wines

  • West London

    Good for special occasions

  • West London

    British

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  1. OpenTable Diner

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Food was really good, not sure if deserves 3 Michelin stars though :) The lobster spelt dish was incredible, so was the Wagyu.
  2. Bskr

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best restaurant in the UK. Without doubt. I've worked in a couple 3 michelin starred restaurants and if I'm being objective core blows us out the water. The Core-teser and the potato and roe are must have. Incredible.
  3. CatherineL

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Utterly amazing experience that left us feeling truly honoured to have been to Core.
  4. BenW

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had an absolutely amazing time at Core. Top quality in every department. Really inventive and delicious food with perfect wine matching. Loved it.
  5. OpenTable Diner

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What an incredible meal. Don’t get hung up on price. This is worth it. Thank you for the team at CORE. You guys and gals are fantastic.
  6. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had the best experience we’ve ever had. From start to finish was faultless. I can’t express how amazing this place is and the team were wonderful! We will definitely be returning! Thank you for making our day unforgettable.
  7. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everyone and everything about the experience was first class
  8. SteveH

    London

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was fab and service was outstanding with very friendly and knowledgable staff, every little detail in place. Delivered exactly what we required with allergies and an unforgettable experience
  9. JonathanW

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent in every way, deserves its 3 Michelin stars
  10. OpenTable Diner

    London

    6 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall3food5service2ambience4
    The food was amazing. Service however, we felt that the servers were way friendlier, nicer, and attentive to the table next to us. I would come back because everything else was enjoyable but the service was quite disappointing
  11. Diner101

    London

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Second time here and just as great! Highly recommend for a special occasion.
  12. DrDa

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall2food2service3ambience3
    salt taste quickly explain no seat for waiting (I met scammers while waiting in front of the restaurant)
  13. MurielM

    Cork

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Once in a lifetime experience. Everything was perfect, from the service to the food and atmosphere. We loved how the kitchen team said hi when we walked in. And a special thank you to the main sommelier who made the experience a bit more special with his attitude and explanations. Favourite dish was the lobster and spelt, honestly out of this world. We will remember our evening at Core for a very long time.
  14. PloyfonS

    London

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall2food1service5ambience3
    Went for dinner yesterday we had I been to core this is my second times my first time is so good it just after covid food was so good taste amazing this time everything salty I meant everything I told the waitress to tell chef it too salty for me and they said will let's the chef know but then it still salty. It the worst food for this price that I ate. Not Good experience this time but service is good.
  15. GessicaG

    London

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food and experience was perfect! I must came back.
  16. AlexB

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Once in a lifetime experience, absolutely outstanding
  17. VWise5

    London

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Food is unbelievable. Best food and drink I've ever had. Already planning on going back. The sommelier is the best I have ever experienced; giving such a beautiful explanation of each wine. We seem to lose him on two of our courses (given someone else) which was annoying. Only bad things were the space/layout (booth vs no booth vs being in the middle of the room); and the staff are constantly with you. My boyfriend and I didn't seem to get any private time for one conversation.
  18. OpenTable Diner

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love the chef table view experience and the variety of food
  19. AdrianL

    London

    37 reviews

    4.0

    37 reviews

    Dined on March 18, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    A refreshingly light and airy restaurant with plenty of staff if you can get their attention. Tremendous canapés and some excellent courses in the Core Classic tasting menu. Highlights were the potato with seaweed butter sauce and the pear and verbena dessert. For me, the let down was the wagyu beef with oysters main course. The beef was incredibly fatty (supposed to be, I’m told) but was very under seasoned or tasteless. I left half of mine without any comment from the staff. Also staff took away wine glasses that still had contents so we had to call them back. We decided against the wine flight but found some nice bottles from the long and old school wine list (lots of old expensive, burgundy and claret) with very few wine the average punter can afford.
  20. SeanP

    Surrey

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great food. Went Ala Carte. Some real spectacular plates. Wonderful wines. Service and explanations of food was excellent. One downside was the noise levels. Restaurant packed. My third visit. Will be back
  21. ChristopherB

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food, service and ambiance were all sublime. Simply perfect. Nothing else to say!
  22. Axel

    Sweden

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service, food and drinks were outstanding. The only possible issue was the noise level, but for us it only made the dinner more energetic and fun.
  23. Bazzer

    London

    3 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall3food5service3ambience2
    Food very very good Very very expensive Not a relaxing experience as so busy
  24. OpenTable Diner

    Kent

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and wines, accompanied by faultless service.
  25. JuliaM

    New South Wales

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food that is thoughtful, refined and not overstated. Amazing!
  26. Louie

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Overall, our dining experience was excellent as it was our anniversary celebration. Food and service were superb for a 3 star Michelin restaurant. My wife’s initial course was needing replacement and it was replaced quickly and was certainly great. We thought they have served us an extra dessert as a gesture for service recovery as we were told but then when we got to our hotel only to find out that Core charged us for the extra dessert? It may have been an oversight by their staff but quite disappointing nevertheless. Still, our dining experience was definitely worth remembering and worth coming back. Thank you!
  27. OpenTable Diner

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    As amazing as they say
  28. WDJRUSKIn

    Kent

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Probably the best meal ever
  29. OpenTable Diner

    London

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fabulous from start to finish
  30. AlisonN

    Essex

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on March 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A fantastic food experience can’t express how much we all enjoyed our lunch. Every detail was outstanding.
  31. FrankieC

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Sensational from start to finish a wonderful team of people delivering an incredible experience. We will be back. Would be lovely to have seen the lady herself.
  32. GregH

    Washington DC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 28, 2023

    overall4food4service2ambience3
    We dined there a few night ago, and as most guests I’m sure, were very excited about it. From the moment we arrived, we weren’t exactly made to feel super welcome. We arrived 30 minutes early, and were sat fairly quickly, which was great, but then felt very rushed for the whole experience. The dining room team appeared to be frantic almost, as if they would get fired if they missed a table wipe, or dropped a plate of food two second behind the counterpart. Stiff, rushed, and a very short explanations behind the dishes became commonplace, which is a definite bummer, as we had traveled there in hopes of perhaps something different. Again, worth to note that the food itself was delicious and prepared almost flawlessly. Very tasty food, with very ambitious variety of menu. Giving guests choices at a restaurant of this caliber can lead to a difficult style of service I’m sure, however the guest shouldn’t notice the difficulties this much. Overall, I am very glad we stopped in, but I truly hope they can change something about the frantic appearance of service, as it led us to not feel comfortable eating. We left with a strong feeling we were being rushed out,
  33. RobertM

    Central Coast

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on February 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food, flawless presentation, comfortable and attractive environment. My top 3* in London
  34. JulieS

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What a wonderful fine dining experience. Not only is the food incredibly special the staff are exceptional too.
  35. 4everEating

    London

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our second time at Core, although the first since the third star, and it was once again exceptional. I rarely truly enjoy 3* restaurants: they're often a bit stuffy and pompous, but Core is very welcoming and while you won't leave without a significant dent in your wallet, you will leave very happy and sated. Every single course we ate was absolutely delicious; the service was great and the wines both interesting and tasty. I can't recommend Core enough!
  36. OpenTable Diner

    London

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing! Flawless!
  37. JuliaI

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful evening. Staff and food both outstanding.
  38. LumaA

    Surrey

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    From the minute you enter, you feel the atmosphere very relaxed yet very efficient. We had a very enjoyable evening with beautiful food experience.
  39. LouiseJ

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome! It was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. The food was excellent, the front of house staff were attentive and the environment plush, yet comfortable.
  40. OpenTable Diner

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Incredible experience and the best food I’ve ever eaten

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available
  • Physical distancing

    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

CORE by Clare Smyth is rated 4.9 stars by 2819 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 74 times today
Google Map for CORE by Clare Smyth

92 Kensington Park Road, London, W11 2PN

Additional information

  • Neighborhood

    Notting Hill

  • Hours of operation

    Tue–Sat 6:30 pm–10:00 pm Thu–Sat 12:00 pm–2:15 pm

  • Cuisines

    British, Contemporary European, Contemporary French

  • Dining style

    Fine Dining

  • Dress code

    Jacket Preferred

  • Parking details

    Street Parking

  • Public transit

    52-452 Bus lines, Stop: Stanley Gardens8 minutes walk from Notting Hill Gate Station

  • Payment options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Clare Smyth

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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