High Street Kensington; a Great Spot for Summer Fun

I think High Street Kensington comes alive in the summer. The neighbourhood benefits from stunning green spaces such as Holland Park and Hyde Park, just a short walk away. The area is awash with wellness clinics, designer stores, fabulous hotels and art exhibitions. This busy enclave of London is the most central area I know that benefits from feeling like a neighbourhood.

Just a few minutes’ walk from High Street Kensington Tube Station, Como Garden occupies a convenient spot for those needing a break after a shopping spree. The restaurant is fully committed to the Como Garden theme and my favourite feature is that it has a set of retractable glass doors, which open up to the street creating an al fresco-style dining experience, even from inside.

The interior layout continues the garden concept with immersive details. A central olive tree adorned with twinkling lights forms the focal point of the space. The banquet seating around it feels really romantic and special. There are decorative elements such as statues, framed quirky Italian inspired artwork, and green foliage creating the feeling of dining within an ornamental garden. Tasselled lampshades and garden trellis complete the vibe.

The restaurant is the perfect pit stop during the day and I imagine it turns into a twinkly haven at night.

Italian Tapas

Como Garden serves a tapas-style Italian menu, with small sharing plates brought to the table as they’re prepared. This approach can introduce a surprise element into the meal, but may lead to timing inconsistencies; for example, bread arriving after the main dishes can feel slightly disjointed and leaving some hot dishes cold.

Standout dishes were the Truffle Pasta, delectable, luxurious and well balanced. The dish is served tableside from a large cheese wheel adding an element of theatre, and the pasta itself was well seasoned with the perfect amount of freshly shaved black truffle. Another notable dish is the chicken, served on the bone. Moist and rich with garlic, it paired well with the accompanying mashed potatoes.

I noticed lots of people stopping by for an Aperol Spritz and a pizza, probably because the people watching in this part of town is so good, and the cute cobbled side street invites you to pause.