Best restaurants in Bayswater

Sporting funky orange banquettes and a textured ceiling, this Chinese restaurant seems to be stuck in the seventies, but that clearly doesn’t matter to the swarms of mostly oriental customers who regularly pack out Mandarin Kitchen. Being an Asian seafood specialist, it’s definitely not one for vegetarians but if you’re a fan of luxury crustacea cooked to exacting standards, it’s an absolute must.

From mildest Korma to hottest Vindaloo and everything in between, Taste of India promises something for everyone. Beloved by locals, it’s a great shout for an authentic curry and ideal for groups looking to splash out on a set menu. Ice cold draught Cobra beer and a selection of wines will keep thirst at bay, while friendly staff are on hand to ensure you have a great experience.

It might be a chain, but this trendy Pan-Asian restaurant thoroughly deserves its place on this list thanks to its reliably excellent food and efficient service. Although a typically meat-heavy cuisine, Banana Tree offers an extensive vegan and vegetarian menu, making it a great spot for mixed groups as well as pairs and solo diners.

This all-day dining brasserie serves up a broad menu of modern Lebanese classics, from houmous to lamb kafta, grilled halloumi and musaaka. Situated just a short walk from Bayswater station, Grilandia is a great spot to stop off at for everything from breakfast through to dinner and cocktails. It also has a lovely little garden for tranquil alfresco dining on warm days.

Meat is king at this cosy Argentine restaurant near to Hyde Park, so if a slab of grass-fed pampas-reared beef served with signature horseradish sauce and anchovy salsa verde sounds good, it’s well worth a visit. An outstanding wine list with plenty of bottles from top Argentinian producers seals the deal.

Famous in China, Hong Kong, and Dubai, as well as the UK, this top dim sum restaurant offers Chinese food fit for a king. Dishes are prepared using the finest ingredients, which result in mouth-watering Cantonese flavours that diners will queue for at weekends (tables aren’t bookable). Arrive early to beat said queues and don’t leave without trying the prawn and chive dumpling.

Formerly a pub and covert meeting place for politicians including Winston Churchill, this French bistro now sports elegant Art-Nouveau interiors which have been carefully incorporated into the original architecture of the early 19th-Century building. Whether you’re out for a glass of wine and a single dish or a full three-course meal with a bottle of excellent wine, you can expect superb ingredients and top-notch service.  

This feisty, London-only group of Indian brasseries is known for its smart service, fun interiors and fresh plates inspired by Indian home cooking, and the Bayswater branch is no exception. Menus are forever changing, but diners can expect the likes of street-food nibbles, thalis and traditional curries, all served by friendly staff only too eager to help.

If you love large portions, you’ll love Meatliquor! Here the menu is inspired by the meat-loving southern states of the USA, the star of which has to be its purist butter-grilled cheeseburger. In spite of this, there’s actually a lot of choice for veggies and plenty to keep you entertained too, from bowling to arcade games. Don’t miss the boozy shakes here – they’re wonderfully decadent.  

A traditional British pub dating from 1851, the Prince Alfred is a solid choice for mixed groups looking for a decent tipple to go with their meals. Pub grub is served up throughout the day, with homemade burgers and fish ‘n’ chips particularly worthy of mention. Prices are middle-of-the-road, service is cheery, and there’s plenty of choice.

This hidden gem is a superb find for anyone who loves authentic Greek food. Lashings of top-quality Greek olive oil, along with fresh vegetables, seafood and plenty of fortifying red wines bring the Med to this pocket of London for anyone willing to stray off the beaten track. The interior is modestly decorated, but if it’s juicy olives and fresh tzatziki you’re craving, you’ll love Kalamaras.

The décor here isn’t the best, but the roast duck really is. A Four Seasons speciality, it’s first dried before being marinated with a special mix of spices and herbs then fired in a specially-built roasting furnace. Of course, that’s not all this authentic Cantonese kitchen can rustle up; you’ll also find a sizeable range of traditional soups, spring rolls, soft-shell crab, rich peasant hotpots and chicken, pork and prawns cooked in a multitude of ways.

With credentials that include being the only entirely plant-based hotel restaurant in London, you won’t be surprised to learn that Café Forty One is a very welcoming restaurant. As well as being 100 per cent vegan, it’s also alcohol-free and able to cater to other dietary requirements, such as gluten-free, without compromising on variety or flavours. Simple interiors and a menu which covers breakfast, lunch, all-day desserts and afternoon tea make it a great choice for any time of day.

Liquid dinners still count as dinners, right? If cocktails for dinner sounds like a good idea, then you should definitely check out this awesome subterranean tiki bar. The tropical beach bar vibe extends from the vibrant décor to the premium French Caribbean rums and professionally dispatched tiki-style Zombies, Slings, Hurricanes and Daiquiris.

Strictly speaking, this branch of uber-popular Kurobuta is in Marble Arch, but we love it so much we’ve included it anyway. Anyone who’s visited the Chelsea branch will know that Kurobuta takes its cue from Japan’s rock ‘n’ roll izakayas, where small plates and drinks make the evening go with a swing. The menu offers twists on familiar sushi, maki and tempura, with plenty of snacks, raw dishes, salads, robata grills and Japanese ‘junk food’ to choose from too.

In spite of being housed within a private members’ club, the smartly decorated Frontline Restaurant is, happily, open to the public. Here you can tuck into classic British dishes, such as nettle and wild garlic soup, haddock and chips, and a Bakewell tart to finish. Prices are on the high side, but the service is charming and the interior, which is decorated with some of the most iconic photographs of the 20th century, is laid-back and convivial.

Blink and you might miss this dinky Moroccan den, half-hidden below the pavement on a Bayswater side street. Once you descend the steps, however, you’ll discover a delightful North African eatery, decorated with tile-topped tables, coloured glass lanterns and berber rug wall hangings. Fresh ingredients and careful spicing are the kitchen’s USP, so whether you’re tucking into a selection of mezza or going straight in for a gutsy main, you’ll love the flavours the chefs conjure up.

With glamorous branches in New York and Beverly Hills, it’s no surprise that the London branch of Bombay Palace bucks the curry house norm. Dark walnut tones, contemporary chandeliers and cream walls make for a plush yet relaxed ambience in which to enjoy regional Indian dishes that are a cut above. The garlic naan is a must-try.