Il Portico in Kensington and Chelsea

Delicious, homely food and friendly atmosphere. Took two friends for dinner and had a super evening.

Had lunch there yesterday before a concert. Lovely restaurant, welcoming and attentive staff. Food was delicious, my 2 friends who eat out a lot more than I do thought it was excellent.

One of the best Italian entries in London, ranked amongst the top five in my opinion. A menu which does not overwhelm with choice but where everything is freshly prepared. And there is something for everyone on the menu. The food is exquisitely prepared with reasonable portions allowing room for several courses. Service prompt and helpful and the restaurant pleasantly comfortable and busy - I have never been when it is not eventually full. A restaurant where you will wish to return time and time again.

Nice place, friendly and welcoming staff. With £160 we got two starters, two first courses (stew-cooked), two desserts, a bottle of wine and intestinal discomfort, for an evening that we will certainly remember. Especially for Italians, I strongly advise against this place.

Lovely local Italian. Consistenly good food and welcoming service.

A great atmosphere, the staff really do look after you and the food was great.

Sublime and really high quality, fine dining experience to savour. The London Michelin star/High awards choices are huge in London, so to stand out, there needs to be a signature of difference and this is one place that is a must to try. Really passionate and skilfully executed dishes of the highest quality ingredients and sharp on plate details ( we all first eat with our eyes don't we!). Great attentive but not over dominant service ( I found my sparkling water bottle constantly topped up and never spotted it being done throughout Dinner). Great wine list and superb value for money. Friendly with the right balance between formal and informality, all in a carefully understated but very stylish decor. LOVED IT

Our first visit to II Portico, and won’t be our last…Fab food, great wines and service to match. Thank you

The service was amazing, with friendly and informative staff. We started with the prawns and fell in love with the sauce. We really enjoyed our mains of tagliatelle, lamb shank, and the spinach ravioli. Highly recommend!

Went solo and was concerned they would frown a bit on that. They could not have not been nicer. Amazing atmosphere and service. Wouldn’t call myself a food critic but I enjoyed every bite immensely. If you are looking for a nice place out, this is it.

Good food , good service. Overall great experience.

Me dejé guiar por un par de comentarios y totalmente recomendable. Está de camarero Antonio que nos atendió genial, nos aconsejó y aún tuvo varios detalles con nosotros de los que estamos muy agradecidos. La comida buenísima, se nota que es un sitio que va también gente local y que calidad-precio está bastante bien para ser una zona buena de londres. Volvería sin duda

As always fabulous food and excellent service. compliments to the chef and all Il Portico crew!!!

Excellent restaurant and service. The Dover Sole and Calves Liver were delicious. Would thoroughly recommended this restaurant.

Very warm welcoming and delicious food. Definitely would be visiting again

It is always a pleasure to eat at Il Portico. Such a brilliant family restaurant. James always welcomes us. The calves' liver there is just the most delicious liver anywhere and zucchini to go with it is super.

This was the second time in a week that we dined here. It was a fabulous experience the second time around. The food was excellent as before. The service was outstanding. The staff were all in good spirits, efficient and professional. We will return the next time we are in London. This is a keeper.

Spectacular as always: delicious food, warm and welcoming service and terrific ambiance. If only all restaurants could be like this.

Lovely, neighbourhood, family-run place with fantastic service but sadly the food was not quite up to standard. The ingredients were good quality and we liked the ‘simplicity done well’ ethos. But that ethos requires the food to be exceptional and it wasn’t, and it turned out to be super expensive for what it was. Note: my dining partner said the calves liver is the best she’s ever eaten. Also, the little extras like the bread and olive oil were decent. But aside from that: the fish was overcooked and bland, the sautéed potatoes (which we were told were ‘very crispy’) were just oily boiled potatoes, and the desserts were poor. They tasted processed, not homemade, and felt seriously nuked in a microwave to come out that hot and that quickly. Flavours and seasoning were good but didn’t quite live up to potential. For almost £90 per head that we paid (with just one glass of wine each), the meal was way too expensive for the level of enjoyment of the food. Shame, as we really wanted to love this place and support the family business, and the staff were absolutely wonderful.

First of all, we were treated like Royalty! The food was incredible! If I stopped after my appetizer, it would have been a great meal, but the main course was off the scale! We came over from the States, and this place will be a “must” when we come back!

This is a very good restaurant. The food was excellent. The service over the top. One feels very welcome here. We'll be back.

You are allowed only 1 hour and 45 minutes to dine. Beware of this.

Amazing food and service! Very sophisticated and yet casual setting! I highly recommend !

Always good. Best Italian in the Borough. A local must.

Excellent neighbourhood restaurant. Food is delicious service attentive. Welcome atmosphere. Never disappoints! My Italian guests really enjoyed it.

Nice staff and welcoming. Calamari starter was very tasty , fresh with delicious sauce , The vongole also delicious main

Can not recommend this place more! Staff were amazing, extremely attentive, professional, kind and fun! They really want you to have a good time. Food was absolutely delicious and the house wine was to die for! 20/10! Alma (the owners dog) was the best part of it all. She was a cutie.

Lovely food, warm and attentive service - every time.

Lovely family atmosphere, delicious food. Ricotta & spinach ravioli were superb.

Just perfect! Amazing service, great ambiance, not too loud. Even my picky kids loved it. Best veal I’ve ever had, and I’ve had it in Italy! I’d give seven stars if I could. A gem!

Our first visit, and one of the best meals we have had for a long time. Fresh cooked pasta, authentic Italian Cuisine with excellent service to back it up. Would certainly recommend.

As always a delicious meal served professionally and swiftly for those of us going to Opera Holland Park for the evening performance

Excellent as usual and the place to dine before Opera Holland Park as very well organised for timing.

As always, much enjoyed. Both food and service are reliably efficient and welcoming.

Been looking forward to coming here for a while after hearing the owner talk about his passion for food and his family history. Went with an old friend and we both enjoyed a simple Italian meal washed down with a glass of wine.

Most amazing restaurant. Food, service and ambiance were all 10/10. Will definitely return.

Delicious food and excellent service. Will return, thanks.

Great quality of food, delivered at pace on a busy evening. Pleasant service.

Pre-operation early dinner was very good here with extremely nice Maitre D’ Perfect Italian food served and comfortingly served. I’d go back for sure.

The food is always spot on but the staff are what make this place so special so happy attentive and obliging. I’ve been to this restaurant many times now and have never had a bad meal.

Extraordinary food, service as well as ambiance. Felt very at home here and best Italian food in London so far. Very recommended!

Exceptional food - the gnocchi for starter followed by the saltimbucco ! Delicious

You are not at a restaurant. You are at home with the family and friends. And you are being served fabulous family food with a smile and always after making your experience the very best. Thank you ! I love your place and will continue to come.

Great food and service - lovely to be sat outside on such a warm evening

Really delicious Italian food, high quality, fresh ingredients, beautifully prepared and presented. Lovely, friendly staff.

Absolutely amazing place - I stayed for 3 hours! The food was absolutely incredible, but what made it for me was the family-feel from the staff. They made me and my friend feel so incredibly welcome and we had such a laugh with them. I want to give special thanks to the barman, Lass, who had the loveliest way about him. Thank you all for such a lovely time. Can't recommend this place enough - hope to go back ASAP!

I have been there quite a few times with different types of companions and the experience has always been amazing. This is the best Italian restaurant in London by far

Great restaurant. It's been there for ages and there is a reason for that - great food plus great ambiance.

Good Italian food with some favourites but also a selection of game and meats. Slightly over-attentive service - we were interrupted frequently by different staff asking us for an order - but mostly friendly and efficient. Good selection of wines by the glass.

I had Spaghetti alle Vongole, which was by the far the most authentic Italiano dish I have ever had within this country.

A warm and genuine welcome from the host. Staff were all good and helpful and knew their options well. Food was delicious. Simple fresh ingredients and beautifully prepared. Cant fault the meats but the pasta was a little dry and think. Could have been thinner to allow the Osso Bucco flavour to come out better. Veal and Liver were the best we have eaten in a long long time. Staff very kindly allowed for an outside birthday cake to be given and joined in the fun! A wonderful evening and great restaurant.

I'd been told this was London's best Italian restaurant so understandably had high hopes ahead of our visit. We were warmly welcomed and I was delighted to find the restaurant nice and cosy on a cold evening. Service was great, food however on the disappointing side. Although prices were more reasonable than its competitors I was underwhelmed by the cuisine. My squid starter was inedible as the fish was so chewy I couldn't even cut it with a knife. The waitress asked if all ok when she cleared my full plate, I explained too tough to eat and she said "oh well do you want to order a main course?". I had the whole Dover sole which was very well cooked despite taking forever to be taken off the bone, we'd finished the minuscule zucchini fritte portion during the wait time and had to order additional. My husband ordered a rather heavy tiramisu after enjoying his veal Milanese. Not sure I'd rush back: we had an extremely disappointing experience at the sister restaurant La Palombe, and although this was an improvement, I have been to way superior Italian restaurants in London.

Great food!!! The Saltimbocca was absolutely divine!!!!! My husband had pasta with clams and he said it was the best he had ever had.

I'd been told this was London's best Italian restaurant so understandably had high hopes ahead of our visit. We were warmly welcomed and I was delighted to find the restaurant nice and cosy on a cold evening. Service was great, food however on the disappointing side. Although prices were more reasonable than its competitors I was underwhelmed by the cuisine. My squid starter was inedible as the fish was so chewy I couldn't even cut it with a knife. The waitress asked if all ok when she cleared my full plate, I explained too tough to eat and she said "oh well do you want to order a main course?". I had the whole Dover sole which was very well cooked despite taking forever to be taken off the bone, we'd finished the minuscule zucchini fritte portion during the wait time and had to order additional. My husband ordered a rather heavy tiramisu after enjoying his veal Milanese. Not sure I'd rush back: we had an extremely disappointing experience at the sister restaurant La Palombe, and although this was an improvement, I have been to way superior Italian restaurants in London.

Yet again a fantastic meal - cannot wait to return.

We changed tables Charcuterie was great My spaghetti Congolese a little salty for me not for my daughter

First time there, pasta was extraordinary, service friendly and efficient. Coffee panacotta so go. Expensive but fair for the area.

A family favorite place for consistently good Italian fare.

Best local Italian spot ever. It’s family run and a place you’ll absolutely want to go back to! The food is delicious - real Italian made by Italians. The pastas are my favorite but everything is good!

I didn't regret coming into this restaurant. The staff was nice and pleasant. They recommended me lamb shank and i didn't regret it. It was so tender and delicious.

A nice neighbourhood restaurant vibe. Food was generally very good apart from the squid which was overcooked and tough. Pasta portions are large.

This place has delicious food. The staff treat you very kindly and the food is delicious. The cheese here is also very good and they age it for even better taste. Make sure to visit if you are ever close, I ordered the pork ragu and visited with my family. We had a great time.

Excellent food. The food, at times, had a little too much flavor, but overall, it was great. I went here with my family and had a great experience. The food tastes great and the service is amazing.

Nice gem of a restaurant. Cosy place. Good food. Excellent service. Certainly a return in the future

A local gem and great fun. Brilliant and friendly service.

Disastrous dinner in London. They only have the name of Italian pasta without any taste, pasta and clams tasted like pasta and oil. I'm sorry, I don't recommend it to real Italians.

Wow ! So fantastic and the staff was so helpful! Fabulous dinner!

Cena da incubo, mangiare che nulla ha di italiano. Pasta e vongole e’ risultata scotta e le vongole cucinate troppo, neanche commento gli altri piatti. Cambiate staff e soprattutto prendetelo italiano.

Excellent home made pasta. Tiramisu was so-so. Will eat here again.

Fantastic meal, literally couldn’t have been better. Will definitely return.

Doesn’t disappoint! Excellent food and attentive service - even when very busy . Steer clear of Italian restaurant chains when you can experience quality, authentic Italian cuisine here!

Il Portico is one of my favourite restaurants and guests are always delighted by their visits.

Had dinner here with a group of friends. The pasta was divine, the meat/fish options equally good according to those who had them. Nice variety of side dishes. Staff were and always happy to help. Not cheap but absolutely worth the money! We recommend the tagliatelle and the tiramisu.

The food was delicious and the service friendly and pretty quick. Really liked Il Portico and will definitely be going back

All our food was delicious, my friend is an expert on lambs liver and wants to return because it was so good.

Found hair in my food, manager and workers very rude when pointed out. Do NOT eat here. Owner tried to report review as fake to Google because he's salty.

A delicious meal with excellent service and a very nice ambience.

Great evening at Il Portico. Food was great. The staff were amazing - really made our visit specials.

As ever the service for those going to the excellent Opera Holland Park was spot on. Very efficient service and excellent food.

Really outstanding experience from start to finish. Really great service and excellent food—vongole and fegato. Already booked again as THE place before Opera Holland Park.

Delicious Italian “family” food with friendly efficient service. An excellent wine list albeit a little on the high side of price by comparison to other eateries. We’d certainly return following this first visit.

Really great lunch. Calves liver was beautiful and thoroughly enjoyed the desserts. Husband loved the lamb shank, and the mushroom risotto was huge! Staff friendly but not overbearing. Quietly busy - but plenty of space and not noisy. Easy access for our disabled friend too.

Excellent meal with very good and attentive service.

It’s a really charming restaurant. The least good element is the food. It’s basic. The wine is good (barolo £165) the individual staff are lovely. The overall service is just ok - my starter arrived before my aperitif but literally nobody realised. The starter was poor. Gamberoni spoiled by too much sharp lime, but great chilli - nobody tasted this dish before it went out. It’s a place where if you can put this aside you have a lovely evening. It’s charming.

Antonio was awesome. Food was great. Very good Italian restaurant. Highly underrated. A must stop.

Perfect dining experience, as always, at this warm and friendly restaurant with superior Italian food and wine. Highly recommended!

Excellent service and food.the experience was a delight

Very good food. Excellent service. Not inexpensive but worth the money.

A jolly Italian restaurant in Ken High St, ideal for the Opera in Holland Park. Good menu and flamboyant staff.

This is a must for pre-opera suppers. Dining at Portico supper is always part of our evening programme when visiting OHP .The restaurant staff were welcoming, and efficient. The food was memorable; we particularly admired the sauces for each dish. Extra bread ordered so as not to waste them! Excellent value for money.

The restaurant is a very good small restaurant with excellent food. The antipasto is a treat.

Absolutely brilliant. Best value and service I have had in London in a long time. Would 100% recommend

We absolutely love this restaurant. From the atmosphere and friendly waiters and welcoming basket of freshly baked bread and the best olive oil to the al dente pasta starter and perfectly cooked main courses. Went wonderful with our coeliac daughter. Will come back many times. Thank you

Il Portico was absolutely delicious. The service is amazing the owner, James was very gracious.

Great friendly service and tasty traditional Italian food like saltimbocca and calves liver. The service was quick which was welcome as it was a pre opera meal and time was tight. I would definitely come back for a more leisurely meal.

We had guests visiting from Ireland and food was excellent and the service terrific. Thank you James and all of your staff for another lovely evening.

This is the third time I have visited this restaurant and I love it! Great food, friendly staff and a cosy intimate atmosphere. The pasta is fabulous and being vegetarian I was well catered for and able to choose my own dish. The beetroot salad starter was very tasty and the vanilla pod ice cream finished my meal off perfectly! I will definitely be back again!!

Great little spot for authentic Italian food! Celebrated a birthday on vacation.

Another wonderful meal. The service was attentive and friendly.

Read about this in ‘ The Running Grave’ JK Rowling aka Robert Galbraith. Thought it sounded interesting and I am glad to have discovered it. My husband and I had a lovely evening. Thank you.