Faber

For a restaurant whose concept hinges around capturing the essence of the Mediterranean, Faber couldn’t have chosen a more contrasting location. West London’s hot new seafood restaurant finds its home on a busy stretch of main road overlooking Hammersmith’s concrete bus station. It feels like a confusing choice for this plush new spot, but the dining room’s luxe aesthetic and friendly staff do a fine job of shutting out the city noise.  

Once inside, we’re ensconced by a calming oasis of cream tones and pale stone. There’s a swish terracotta-tiled bar in the corner amongst other expensive touches, like impressive block columns, a large arched mirror and vintage-style chandeliers. You have to hand it to whoever designed the place; we feel closer to the Cote D’Azur than Hammersmith roundabout.  

Manning the kitchen is executive chef Ollie Bass (ex-Quo Vadis and Sessions Arts Club) who’s ever-changing menus revolve around smaller, fish-focused sharing plates and a daily specials board. Every dish that arrives is impossibly pretty, and there’s some fine skill going on here too, from a gorgeous, smoky cod cheek skewer served with warm, homemade tartare, to a crisp block of potato terrine topped with soft haddock, smoky beetroot puree and the tang of creme fraiche. A moment for the chips, which are supremely chunky batons of fluffy potato heaven and an excellent way to spend £6, if you ask us. 

The wine list offers a lovely selection ‘from British shores’ alongside coastal and inland options. We sampled a delicious Sussex-grown Bacchus filled with minerality and elderflower, and paired unsurprisingly well with seafood and fish. 

Faber seems to be onto a trick here – it was fairly busy for a Tuesday night, and we imagine its 20 quid lunch deal does a fine job at attracting workers midweek. If you're seeking a getaway to the Mediterranean coast, Faber isn’t a bad way to tide you over in the meantime.  

Faber is a seafood restaurant in Hammersmith which champions the best of British day-boat fish. This new opening flung its doors wide at the end of 2023 and is a joint vision from friends Matt and Anthony, who together have 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry. They started with shellfish and cocktail deliveries via bikes in lockdown and now have a gorgeous space on Hammersmith Road. 

A period building with handsome arched walls, exposed brick and huge windows, the space is flooded with light and complemented by stylish, contemporary decor is soft hues. Relaxing and atmospheric, the dining room works for dinners with friends, impressing clients with the hottest new thing in town, and even a date. 

Before taking a look at the menu, it's important to understand the context behind the produce the team have hand-picked and pain-stakingly sourced. Indeed, everything you see and taste is courtesy of important relationships with local fishmongers who reach the coast each evening to collect day-boat fish and local ingredients, fulfilling a goal that the menu be sustainably sourced and support the local economy.

Because of this, you can't always plan your order ahead but there is a sample menu online to get a flavour of what's to come. Generally, you can expect rock oysters from Maldon and Essex, Dorset crab on toast, and burrata with sea vegetable salad and dulse breadcrumbs.

We like the sound of the BBQ Orkney scallop with cauliflower and pastis puree, pickled cucumber and chervil, alongside Cornwall grilled cod cheek skewer with tartar sauce, and Sussex slow roasted pork belly with pink fir potatoes. If you're dying to know what you're about to tuck into, check the daily menu on Instagram. As for drinks, we like that the cocktail menu has a nautical twist with tipples like a Sugar Kelp Old Fashioned with syrup made with kelp from Car Y Mor, Wrecking Coast rye whisky, sugar kelp and bitters.