Core by Clare Smyth in Kensington and Chelsea

Overall experience was reminiscent of the chef’s previous restaurant, Gordon Ramsay. It was good but over-hyped and certainly not on a 3 star level. The sauces were unbelievable however. Beyond that, the food and pairings were good but not incredible. Still, both the service and atmosphere were lovely.

One of the Best Michelin 3 Stars restaurants that I have visited, excellent cooking! Dishes are super delicious, work of arts! Services are also very good! Highly recommended

Incredible meal, the presentation is exquisite, and the service is impeccable. Perfect One small drawback: the narrow, unisex restrooms.

Best dining experience I have ever had! Warmly greeted by Clare Smyth and the team upon arriving, and had a table specially accommodated for me eating solo. They accommodated my request for sweetbread on the Classic Tasting menu with wine pairing, and I was absolutely blown away by both it and the potato roe in particular, practically licking the plate on both courses. Staff were absolutely wonderful, especially my younger male sommelier, who spent the extra time to discuss dishes and wines with me. The whole team even went out of their way to all sign my menu as a souvenir when I mentioned it. By far the best dining experience I have had, and cannot wait to return to London for more!

Great experience with excellent food. The service is unbelievable, the wine selection is great!

The tasting menu and pairing was excellent, the service was very slick and team who clearly were well drilled....one plate is cleared and the next arrives, felt on reflection that the tempo of the service could be relaxed to allow time to savour the flavours between courses.

THE best service I have probably ever received, stunning decor and stunning food. We had the season's menu in mid May. The langoustine, crispy sweetbreads and “malteser” were the show stealers, but every dish was phenomenal, turbot, caviar and leek and potato and the raspberry fool all absolutely sublime. The service is borderline psychopathic ally attentive, with the waiters able to sense a falling napkin even before it has happened. Wine selections amazing and helpfully and thoughtfully advised on. Expensive and an occasion, but absolutely incredible. One of the best dining experiences I have had.

My favourite restaurant in London great lunch

Had a wonderful experience here the other night. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. The decor feels like a big dining room at a home vs a restaurant. The kitchen is behind a glass wall so some tables are able to watch the chef and team at work. The staff were very attentive. The moment you are done with a dish or a glass, someone is coming by to grab it. Food wise, it was a treat. I got the Core Seasons menu with the wine pairing. Everything tasted great. The roast chicken taco was a meal worth of flavor in one bite. Leeks and potatoes have never been so good. The farm duck was delicious too.

Brilliant food, service and atmosphere.

Absolutely the fantastic experience at Core, we have ordered 2 tasting menu and 2 season menu. Both are very delicious and outstanding. The food presently beautifully. The staff is very attentive, friendly and make us feel very comfortable. Highly recommend to any of my friends visit London.

Had a good 50th bday celebration for my mate Dave, although he’s a fussy eater and they didn’t have any chicken nuggets for him, but apart from that great food!

If one is ever in london then core is an absolute must,the whole experience and dining is sooo divine. Thank you my darlings for your wonderful establishment.

Amazing afternoon celebrating at CORE. Food and service top class - thank you all. Good luck Team CORE tomorrow in the London Marathon 🏃🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Wonderful in many ways, starting with the lovely team. Smyth is fortunate indeed to have found such dedicated hardworking and genuinely caring people, they really make the experience memorable. Some might find the service rushed, but for us the pacing was spot on. We had lunch but would have definitely wanted a slightly slower pace at dinner. Courses ranged from good to very good to perfect. The amuse of eel and jelly was a highlight, however the chicken skin taco was only okay- we have had a very similar dish elsewhere which was much better. The scallop tartare was underwhelming. My partner enjoyed it but I found it lacked brightness and punch. The potato and roe course was divine. The cod, however, was okay but the sauce was too similar to the those on the previous and subsequent courses. Here was another chance for the palate to be awakened but it was just another rich, butter-based sauce. The chard was the nicest component, it sat upon a rather tough bit of leek. A delicate poached turnip was up next, it was fine but another course that could have been more imaginative (and slightly more aggressive in flavour). Lamb was an absolute standout in every way, and I would go back anytime to have it again (and again). The apple dessert was cute, and nice and light, but not overly memorable. We changed the final dessert (usually a version of Eton Mess on the Core Classics menu), my partner had the chocolate malt dessert, fine but a bit basic and lacking in a rich malt flavour. I had the Lemon Parfait which was the absolute best citrus dessert I’ve ever tasted, and would return for this as well. We loved the wine jellies at the end, served with a nice warm chocolate tart with perfect short crust. We didn’t feel like drinking but the Champagne list had some interesting choices. The pairings were amazing in theory, and it would be a tough call whether to have that or a good bottle- up to you, of course. One more small criticism- the napkins are just wrong. I was wearing a dark shirt and pants, and kept picking little balls of linen off my clothes. It would be such a simple fix, hope management considers having a choice of white or black napkins. Oh, there was one server who spoke so quickly and softly, we did not catch a word she was saying. Fortunately we kept the menu so figured out what we were eating. The dress code isn’t enforced, at least at lunch- there were people in t-shirts and faded jeans. People, please make a small effort. Even without alcohol or wine, the bill was quite eye watering. While service was wonderfully relaxed, there were a few too many unmemorable tastes/ courses to say it was worth the money. I wouldn’t do a tasting menu next time, but would be very happy to go and have the potato, lamb, and lemon parfait. Thank you all for making the meal special!

A Foodie’s haven in Notting Hill. Having arrived in London without a dining plan, it was fortuitous to have been on a walk in Notting Hill and to have met a local near this restaurant. At first view I thought from the sign that it may have been a fancy Pilates studio, and I said this aloud, but the man hovering at the door quickly corrected me to say that it was one of the finest restaurants in the city . He was soon to have his wedding rehearsal dinner at the restaurant. Later that day I called to get reservations for the same day and was told that they were full but that they would call me if they had a cancellation . Luck prevailed and I got a call a few hours later and secured a reservation for the same night. The meal was fabulous, with remarkable service commensurate with the creativity of the dishes and the artistic presentation. The wine pairing was expertly done. Having been multiple times to the French Laundry and places similar around the world, I have to say that this experience was a capstone. The 3 Michelin stars are warranted. Highly recommended.

Exquisite!! Top class service and the food was to die for. I had the classic taster menu - loved every dish. Beautiful presentation and loved the history and information that was given about each dish.

I had my fork fall to the floor during lunch. It took 10 seconds—literally—to receive a new, clean one. Ten seconds….. 😳 That small moment summed up the entire service at Core by Clare Smyth: staff seemed to be moving in all directions, but in reality, they were one tightly coordinated system focused on one goal—customer experience. As for the food, it makes no sense to comment. There will always be someone, somehow, who finds fault even here. But if you are looking for an experience that reflects what a three Michelin stars restaurant is meant to deliver, this is one place to go. For sure!

Core by Clare Smyth is one of the most prestigious and refined Michelin starred restaurant in London. Located in Notting Hill in an elegant atmosphere, the Three Michelin starred restaurant by the iconic chef Clare Smyth offers an extraordinary culinary journey with refined dishes created using the best British ingredients from Isle of Harris scallops and Sharpham Park spelt to Rhug Estate venison and Porthilly oysters. Excellent Service. Rino Siconolfi London Instagram rino_siconolfi

Amazing food and service was top class.

What a lovely experience. A warm welcome from Clare and her team on arrival. Excellent dishes and perfect wine parings! Highlight dishes for us were the langoustine, turbot and dessert. The sweetbread dish was really yummy but we feel it didn't fit in with the meal experience, more like a yummy crunchy snack. The bar was also super cute and a great for apéritif and a nightcap.

Core is a very special place, and from the moment we arrived we felt so warmly welcomed, the entire team so friendly and knowledgeable. From our table we could see the brigade hard at work creating the most beautiful and incredibly delicious food- so talented!! And the front of house staff just brought it all to life in the most wonderful way- orchestrated to perfection, everyone engaging and professional, making the entire experience just wonderful. We truly loved it - a wee anniversary celebration that we will treasure together! Thank you team Core!

Absalutly fantastic, would give 100 stars if I could!!!. Clare and team are friendly and approachable and culinary genius evident in all courses.

A most spectacular honeymoon dinner

Absolutely loved the food here. Every dish has its own unique taste, the artichokes dish was the best and wouldn’t be able to find this taste anywhere else.

probably not, perhaps not even the best menu we had at our trip to London, but it was damn close and a worth entrance to the three star universe…. The quality of the food (the only dish we found a little bit disappointing was the sweatbread, which could have been a little bit more crispier) especially the sauces were overwhelming (thanks god, they give you a spoon with every dish), impeccable service and a wine list which might be one of the longest I have ever seen (and also one of the most exclusive and expensive one) everything is perfect! And despite this perfect professionality the atmosphere at Core is very relaxed and you feel right at home Will I go there again? Definitely, but it will need some time to save some money …..

A truly wonderful experience dining at Core. The staff, the service, the ambience and the of course the food are second to none. Our best dining experience in London.

Simply the best restaurant experience of my life, the Wagyu beef was the best thing I have ever tasted.

Mc Donald’s tastes better. Clare go work there

It was a lovely place to dine in, highly recommended for everyone to experience. Me and my family will surely love to comeback to this place.

I am extremely disappointed with the level of customer service from this three Michelin-star restaurant. After purchasing a gift voucher that has now been lost in transit, I have been met with a complete lack of support. There is no readily available email contact, and no one answers the phone after 5pm. When I finally managed to reach the customer service team, I was simply told that they do not handle gift vouchers and was directed to the third-party supplier, GiftPro. I personally spoke with Lauren and Alina, both of whom showed no interest in assisting me. The responses I received felt robotic and dismissive, as if my concerns were not being taken seriously. I was spoken to in a manner that made me feel as though I was being unreasonable or overly dramatic. Had I known this would be my experience, I would have never chosen this establishment.

En general, disfruté de mi experiencia aquí, pero sentí que era más de una sola vez. Hubo algunos platos que realmente disfruté, pero algunos que estaban bien. Me gustó mucho el plato de cangrejo que se presentó de 3 maneras y también disfruté mucho del pato. Las otras personas en mi grupo recibieron el menú de Core Classics que incluía el cordero y se decepcionaron por el hecho de que en realidad no era cordero. El enchapado y la presentación de todos los platos eran lo que esperaba de un establecimiento Michelin 3 *. En cuanto al servicio, estábamos bastante confundidos por cuántos camareros diferentes aparecieron en nuestras mesas por diferentes razones. Parecía que no había comunicación entre ellos, ya que a menudo nos pedían nuestros pedidos de bebidas dos veces y tuvimos que repetir otras preguntas también. Estábamos sentados justo en frente de la cocina y aunque fue una alegría ver a los chefs en el trabajo inicialmente, rápidamente se sintió como si fuera muy ruidoso y había mucha gente de paso. La otra cosa que recuerdo es que todos los platos de nabo parecen estar tarados y me preguntaba si tal vez había otro perfil de sabor que podría haberse representado con eso. Si fuera a ir de nuevo, probablemente pediría del menú a la carta en lugar de probar los menús degustación. En general, buena experiencia, gracias!

Amazing! Would give 6* if I could!

Faultless experience. My wife and I were gifted the tasting menus for our wedding. From the moment we arrived the experience felt very personal and the food and service was exceptional. Really like the window into the kitchen, which was on view from our table.

I had high expectations for Core, given its three Michelin stars, the starter is great. But my experience was disappointing due to the unprofessional behavior of the service staff. Throughout the meal, multiple waitstaff were standing behind our table, chatting loudly about guests’ attire, nationality, and even personal topics like job and cloth brand. This was not only distracting but also made the dining experience uncomfortable and far from the level of professionalism expected at such a prestigious restaurant.

I had a really good time and the food was so good

Good place to eat there and enjoy time there

Core by Clare Smyth Michelin three stars Three Michelin stars in a residential area of ​​Notting Hill Opened by gordon ramsay's female apprentice, the very famous female apprentice of Hell Chef The dishes do have a sense of feminine elegance A perfect meal, enjoyed it very much

Excellent service with a smile, prompt and polite. Food was delicious and lovely setting

Beautiful and friendly staff and lovely atmosphere Excellent food and definitely going again Highly recommend

Nice food everything was delicious Excellent service

Best place i have been to that atmosphere and food was brilliant and the service was even better

Wow, top friendly service and with a smile, Amazing food, the lamb was excellent. I would definitely recommend the experience to all.

Amazing food amazing service definitely recommended

Divine experience at Core - celebrated a birthday there and their personable and attentive service made it extra special. Food was all round marvellous, executed with subtlety and finesse. Standouts were the potato starter with seaweed butter sauce, steak and signature pear sorbet dessert. Presentation was good, albeit more elaborate for smaller dishes and minimalistic for mains.

A lot of the food was good. It was unfortunate that they made us eat the first course in the bar (tonnes of commercial kitchen sounds from the cocktail bar, brioche on the way to staling) because they had no tables yet in the room we’d booked for and then told us they needed the table back immediately after dessert. We were in the restaurant for about 2 hours and 20 minutes. It all felt rushed, they plonked one of the courses on my wife’s table while she was in the bathroom so it got cold. Mine had been covered in sauce already so I had to eat it or it’d have been spoiled. We had a good time but you really really expect more when food and wine for two costs over £1000. Generally felt like we were second class guests at the end of service. If you can’t do a good job, don’t offer the time slot.

Nice food, the food was amazing. I will visit again

The best food, the best staff, the best interior, the best restaurant!

Great service and Absolutely excellent and quality food

Amazing place. All good. Staff amazing

The most amazing restaurant I've tried. They are the best in every aspect!

Good restaurant service providing a smooth, enjoyable, and memorable dining experience for guests. I am very happy and enjoyed. A clean restaurant, well-set tables, and neatly dressed staff create a good impression. Great restaurant service turns a simple meal into a memorable experience that makes customers want to return. Would you like tips on how to improve service in a restaurant setting?

It was a wonderful experience. Having visited two of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants and been left disappointed, I had little expectation. However, knowing that she had worked as Head Chef, I was eager to taste her food. While I can’t claim to fully grasp Michelin’s exact criteria, every dish was evidently crafted with immense care and effort. Personally, I find that after indulging in nitrogen-infused, molecular gastronomy-style cuisine, I often feel as if I’ve just stepped off a rollercoaster—somewhat unsettled. Here, however, there were no such gimmicks. The dishes were undoubtedly beautiful. A dress code is required, and reservations are essential.

Thank you for your service. The food was excellent I am really pleased with everything I will diffontaly vist again and again.

Lovely ambience....world class decor. Amazing food and quick service . It was an experience and would recommend them.

Best fine dining experience to date.

Scam and probably the food is disgusting he tries to make fake reviews

Core by Clare Smyth delivers an exceptional fine dining experience, earning its three Michelin stars with flawless service, a warm yet refined ambiance, and a meticulously crafted tasting menu. Signature dishes like Potato and Roe and Rhug Estate venison showcase modern British cuisine at its best, with impeccable presentation and well-balanced flavors. Thoughtful wine pairings elevate the meal, making it a truly unforgettable experience. At £175 per person, it’s a luxury, but one that’s absolutely worth it for those seeking world-class dining in London.

Waiters were very pleasant and the food was brilliant. Will definitely be going back there again. Great Restaurant

A very good restaurant like few you can find in London. The staff is very friendly. Top.top

Had an amazing experience. The food was delicious and tasty, the staffs were courteous and polite. It was an overall great experience and I look forward to visiting again soonest.

Great food and amazing atmosphere would recommend

Amazing food, 10/10 never being more happier once finishing a meal.

Excellent service and very good food. Would highly recommend

Asaliah served me... She lied about the stodgy food being microwaved, Admitted it in the end, Asked for a tip!? THE FOOD WAS TERRIBLE.

We visited as a family had the best service ever received the food was amazing great portions would be definitely visiting again and will be recommending to friends and family staff was so polite 5 star all round .

don’t go here it is awful food and service worst place i have ever visited

Really enjoyed my visit there. Food was great and staff was amazing as well.

Had a lovely meal with my wife, I'll definitely be back

CORE es el restaurante de Clare Smyth, anteriormente chef en el restaurante insignia de Gordon Ramsay. Se ponchó por su cuenta y abrió CORE en Notting Hill, asegurando tres estrellas en 2019 aproximadamente. Reservamos en la primavera de 2020 solo para ver cómo los confinamientos relacionados con el Covid cancelan el viaje previsto. Así que me alegré de poder ir a principios de febrero de 2025 , para el asiento de la tarde a las 9 : 30 pm, con mi hija. Hay dos opciones de menú, CORE Classics y CORE Seasons, y opciones a la carta. Para esto último se elige un entrante, un principal y un postre. Optamos por esta última opción: mi hija tenía la langosta escocesa con espelta, la carne de vacuno Highland Wagyu con ostras Porthilly y el postre CORE - teser signature: todos estaban muy buenos y ella estaba feliz. Tuve el scallop tartar de la Isla de Harris, la lubina de Cornualles con almejas y berberechos y el postre del bosque Notting Hill - todo muy bueno. Clare Smyth trabaja con ingredientes exclusivamente británicos, y me gusta su concepto culinario. Tomamos una botella de vino blanco de la familia Sadie sudafricana (Rotsbank 2021 ) - muy bueno que era. El servicio era, como era de esperar, profesional pero relajado. La factura era sustancial, pero no se acercaba a lo que pagaría en un París 3 estrellas o Singapur 3 estrellas.

Planta baja de una bonita casa. Primero llegas al bar, que se ve y se siente muy bien. El servicio es, por supuesto, de primera clase. Recomiendo comenzar el aperitivo allí. Luego es guiado por la cocina a una sala de estar / biblioteca donde están la mayoría de las mesas (mesa del chef frente a la cocina). Dos menús fijos disponibles – clásico y de temporada – y también opción para un 3 platos a la carta. Todo fue excelente, como se supone. Especialmente me gustó el pan dulce y wagyu y ostras. Servicio casual pero profesional.

Hands down the best eating experience I’ve had, the food was sublime in both taste and presentation, with each course blending perfectly into the next. The service was perfect as well, polite, friendly, attentive and informative. Even the decor and aesthetic of the restaurant was wonderful, it felt cosy and high-end while not feeling overly-snobby. I could not imagine a better dinner, every dish was perfection. We even had the pleasure of meeting Clare which was an incredible delight in itself, she couldn’t have been friendlier! We will definitely be coming back!

Phenomenal - This firmly sits at the top of my restaurant experiences. Amazing settings and ambience, the staff were so grounded and so knowledgable although I think they may have had eyes in the back of their head as nothing went unnoticed - some of the best service I have received. The food was indescribable - you just need to try it for yourself. I loved how personal everything was and everything had a story, from the plates to the gnarled vines the last delights were served on. Thank you Clare and team, we will be back!

Excellent place and great environment, friendly staff, tasty food. Worth trying every weekend

Very friendly and amazing food good place to go with family or dates

Best restaurant i have been 2 in a long time

Amazing place The best place in London 😻 very comfortable

I think this is the best I have ever been to..top notch service, best delicious meal ever,and a very conducive atmosphere…don’t miss out this unforgettable experience.❤️

Took a couple of years to get in here. Staff are fantastic- bar staff especially. Food !! Well that was ok but not blown away like we usually are at restaurants of this standard. Bill was a little awkward as I visited the toilet and feel sure they thought I was doing a runner. Test of a good restaurant is if you ever return - it’s a no from me unfortunately

I would describe our experience at Core as flawless, and we both commented that it has been a number of years since we have said that about a meal. Service was exemplary, and the food executed perfectly. It's often the small things that are hard to spot - whilst we were choosing dessert wine they held off serving so we didn't end up with dessert and no accompaniment, which happens regularly. We met Clare both as we arrived and as we left. I would not hesitate to return.

Special meal with excellent service.

I want to give 5 stars but the way the meal ended took the shine off the experience. This was my third visit to Core which clearly shows it has impressed previously, but I’d like to just strike a cautionary note. We arrived at 12 and the welcome was lovely as usual. Very friendly and aware that this was a return visit. The meal was exemplary, but before we were ready to go or had paid, we were pretty much told to move to the bar area so “we could meet the kitchen staff” and maybe have a coffee. We said we’d go in a bit then a few minutes later this came from a different staff member so we moved. I don’t recall there being a time limit on the table, or a second lunch sitting, but it would have been so much better if we were just asked nicely if we could give up the table, rather than the not-so-coded “Go to the bar.” We felt pushed out and as though the meal had finished before we were ready. To cap it all the member of staff in the bar had a very unfriendly and cold manner. Surprisingly poor when all other staff had been excellent. I am sorry to write this when everything up to that point was amazing and shout outs to Rob, Jonny, Gareth and Stefan and all the kitchen staff and others who took the time to share their enthusiasm and make the experience the best for us. I will return as 95% of the experience was brilliant but I hope for better next time.

We have been lucky enough to have tried some of London’s nicer establishments, but this is by far the best we have been to so far! From the welcome at the front door to the passing introduction to the head chef and kitchen staff the service was spot on. No stuffiness about it every aspect was geared for a relaxed atmosphere but with military precision. The food (classic menu) was a triumph, each course a work of art with flavours to match. We had the wine pairing and again the choices were on point and complemented each course very well. The staff were a credit to the restaurant and help make this such a great dining experience. Thank you

This is London's most serious gastronomic destination. All the effusiveness you've read about the food is merited. The brigade is clearly at the top of its game. The wine list is comprehensive but, in all candour, didn't *excite* me. Pairings were well devised, polished, but didn't make me think in a new or different way about the wine or the food it was pairing. This is so often the problem with pairings: they either try to be wacky OR they are sensible and coherent but don't take me somewhere new. A tough balance to strike! Service was generally excellent apart from one member of staff who really didn't know (or want to?) read the table; interacting with them slightly soured what was, overall, an exceptional experience.

As always, the service was friendly and efficient. The sommelier is always a pleasure to work wit. And the food is inventive and delicious with creative ways of putting together multiple ingredients without being heavy. It’s our favourite 3 star restaurant in London.

Fab atmosphere, excellent service, friendly staff and fantastic food

Very hard to get a table here and, of course, outrageously expensive but totally fantastic, wonderful and amazing.

The most amazing experience of my life. Food, service and ambience was amazing head chef John is a charmer.🙏🙏🙏

Excellent place to enjoy with family and good meal

I really enjoyed going here, its really one of the best restaurants I've been to the food was scrumptious and very delicious and the service was really good, the staffs were really nice and pleasing. And the place had a really good setting, the presentation itself deserves a good 5 stars. And I would love to come here again.

Great, it really is the best restaurant in London!!😍😍 😍

We’ve had many memorable meals over the years, but this one certainly takes the cake. Core’s three Michelin stars are extremely well-deserved - the creativity, presentation, and attention to detail are truly unrivaled. Each course was perfectly crafted, beautifully plated, and masterfully explained by its chef. Chef Clare Smyth was active in the kitchen on the evening we dined there, and it was evident how dedicated she was towards every dish being truly perfect. The wine pairings were a highlight as well, as was our amazing service by our server Bri. We can’t wait to return here again someday; do not miss your chance to dine here if a reservation comes available.

the staff there was amazing and the food even more amazing, would totally 100% recommend going, great atmosphere and great vibes

I recently visited there and overall, it was a great dining experience. The ambiance struck a perfect balance between cozy and modern, with attentive service that made us feel welcomed without being overbearing. The menu offered a nice variety, blending classic dishes with more inventive options. The dishes stood out as a highlight—perfectly seasoned and beautifully plated. The drink menu was equally impressive, with a selection of wines and cocktails that complemented the food well. However, I felt the [another dish or aspect, e.g., dessert or service] could use a bit more attention, as it didn’t quite live up to the standards of the rest of the meal.

Absolutely amazing place. The food is amazing, lovely people. I 100% recommend ♥️

Incredible experience, the food looked amazing and the staff was friendly. I recommend visiting and experiencing the atmosphere of flavors and the experience of a great atmosphere.

Fine dining at its best 👌 truly recommend plus the staff are amazing as always.

Amazing food with service I've never received from anywhere before. The vibe was great and would totally recommend. 10/10 place and would go again.

Fine cuisine, tremendous service & very friendly staff.

Wonderful place and wonderful atmosphere very good choice off music and decoration is 100