KENSAL RISE
Snaking up a hill just north of Ladbroke Grove and Notting Hill, and bordering on Queen’s Park, Kensal Rise has plenty of west London charm, minus the red trouser brigade and tourists. It’s refreshingly down to earth, with a chilled atmosphere and plenty to get your teeth stuck into. Chamberlyane Road is the centre of the neighbourhood – it’s where you can find Kensal Rise station as well many of the area’s best boutique shops, bars and cafes, plus The Chamberlayne, a cracking pub that does a great Sunday roast too.
Paradise by Way of Kensal Green is a local institution, a gastro pub that turns into a late night rave most weekends. Some of the best restaurants in Kensal Rise include The Parlour, Sacro Cuore for authentic Neapolitan pizza and Shishlique for the best Turkish kebabs outside Dalston (and Turkey obvs).
One of the best things to do in Kensal Rise is visit the cemetery. Opened in 1833, Kensal Green Cemetery is based on the infamous Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris and is one of London’s ‘Magnificent Seven’. You can catch a movie at the brilliant Lexi Cinema, which shows a variety of mainstream, indie films and live opera.
From Sunday roasts to late-night parties, Paradise By Way of Kensal Green does it all. As well as serving up some tasty grub, they host a whole load of events with live music, supper clubs, film nights, cabaret and hip-hop nights regularly on the bill. Local or not, it’s defo worth the trip to Paradise By Way of Kensal Green.
You can’t go wrong with some grub at Parlour. The all-day restaurant serves up everything from DIY toast in the morning to cow pies, popcorn chicken and duck liver profiteroles with rhubarb in the evening. They also do a pretty good seasonal set menu that’s £29 for 4 courses and with a huge selection of beers, cocktails, wines, coffee and soft drink, you really will be spoilt for choice.
Flower power all the way at this wonderful flower shop is full scents, colours and creativity. Scarlet & Violet is run by a fun bunch, who buy their flowers fresh from the market everyday, so you can be well-assured of the quality and diversity of their selection, perfect for a unique bunch, whatever your budget.
Optometry seems to be in the blood for orthopedist and dispensing optician Wojtek Wieczorek and his family. After travelling over from Poland and carrying on the family career path from his mother and father (an optician and bespoke frame maker) Wieczorek set up shop in Kensal Rise, selling a selection of classic, contemporary and specialist eyewear frames.
The Lexi Cinema is run almost exclusively by volunteers, meaning 100% of its profits goes to charity! Showing a variety of mainstream, indie films and live opera, they hope to improve the lives of north-west Londoners, whilst also helping those in South Africa, by donating all proceeds to the Sustainability Institute.
Formerly the Kensal Rise branch of Borough Wines, Rise & Vine was born after Guy Butters and Shaun Robert Smith (who met working at Borough Wines) decided to go out on their own and take it over. The shop stocks wine, beer and spirits from a range of independent producers and small dealers, and everything has been tasted by the team so you know you’re only gonna get the good stuff.
Sourcing the best in high quality, organic and free range produce, the award-winning Brooks Butchers will use their vast knowledge and experience to help you choose the best meat, game and fish for your needs.
If you’re after some new threads, you’ll wanna head to Supra. Stocking all the cool kids, you can get your mitts on Champion, Carhartt WIP, Norse Projects, Rains, Adidas, YMC and Margaret Howell across men and women’s clothing, shoes and accessories.
Opened in 1833, Kensal Green Cemetery is based on the infamous Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris and is one of London’s ‘Magnificent Seven’. If wandering round graveyards is your thing, there are tours that take place monthly, which aim to make sense of the higgledy-piggledy gravestones as well as pick out some of the more famous occupants.
Formerly known as Shish Mangal before it expanded, Shishlique is the place to get your kebab fix and we’re not talking about a drunken 3am job. They serve all the doners, shish kebabs and koftas you could possibly want at very wallet friendly prices, and you can BYO wine too.
For a slice of Naples in North West London, head to Sacro Cuore, where you can expect the same style of pizza, the same flavouings, the same cooking method… even the same oven as they would use in Southern Italy. They have only been around for a few years but are already a firm local favourite.
Known as The Chamberlayne once again, this pub is all about great bevs and great gastropub grub. There’s a range of craft beer, cask ales, wines, and cocktails (including a mean martini) on offer from the bar and a food menu featuring dishes like oysters, Devon crab on toast, steak tartare, grilled poussin with pommes anna, chicory & stilton Waldorf salad, and New York cheesecake with strawberry compote, plus roasts on Sundays.
Kensal Rise’s Verandah is a real treasure trove, stocking everything from children’s toys to candles to African laundry baskets. They pride themselves on stocking beautiful and unusual items, so if you’re in need of a present, this is the place.
Salvage, reclamation and the belief that well made objects have value is at the heart of Retrouvius. Whilst they try and keep a variety of modernist furniture and hardwood worktops in stock, the beauty of Retrouvius is that you never quite know what’s going to be in there. You might find an old pub sign, a Georgian fire grate, a glazed urinal or telephone box windows…just get in there and explore.
CABLE CO
Cable Co know a thing or two about coffee. Serving up Climpson & Sons beans, alongside guest local roasters these guys will make sure your coffee is absolutely perfect before serving. And with lots of superfood smoothies, this place won’t just give you your caffeine fix.