The Bird in Hand

Italian·
££££
·
Bronze Award
·

SquareMeal Review of The Bird in Hand

Bronze Award

Anyone familiar with The Oak in Westbourne Grove will recognise the style at its sibling – a converted, one-time boozer not far from Olympia. Despite its pubby name, The Bird in Hand is essentially a “buzzy” neighbourhood eatery specialising in rustic regional Italian flavours. On offer, you’re likely to find a range of imaginative small plates divided into ‘garden’, ‘sea’, ‘land’ and ‘heaven’ – think wild mushroom arancini with chilli jam, cod croquettes with lime aïoli, lamb rump with black olive, parsley and caper salad or caramel nut tart with pear and praline ice cream. The highly popular, 12-strong line-up of pizzas also “deserves a special mention” (they’re “delicious” says a fan), while the wine list has some robust Italian bottles in addition to decent stuff from elsewhere in Europe. Italian aperitifs, cocktails and proper Italian coffee are also available at the “lovely” bar.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
Italian
Alfresco And Views
Outside seating
Food Hygiene Rating

The Bird in Hand is featured in

Location

88 Masbro Road, Kensington, London, W14 0LR

020 7371 2721 020 7371 2721

Website

Opening Times

Mon-Sun 12N-11pm (Sun -10.30pm)

Reviews

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4 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Anon

06 January 2024  
Food & Drink 2.5
Service 0.5
Atmosphere 0.5
Value 0.5
Don’t go to this restaurant!

I really advise to not go to this restaurant. The food is good but the service is appalling! The waiter and the manager were rude there are far better options nearby.

James D

30 June 2013  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 4
Great Place
I love this place! The Bird In Hand has always played second to the Havelock but since it's new ownership it has transformed our neighbourhood and become our first choice for a night out. The staff are always friendly and welcoming. The service is always attentive but without being fussy and the pizzas are amazing. The only negative I would say, is that it gets really busy so sometimes it's difficult to get a table.

emma L

24 June 2013  
Food & Drink 4
Service 1
Atmosphere 4
Value 4
Frustrating!
For anyone who has been to the Oak in notting hill, you'll know how great the food and service is! The bird in Hand has so much potential (especially as people end up in there when the havelock has no spare tables!), but after being quite a few times the one issue I have is the service. Its appalling. You wait ages to order, you ask for more drinks and they forget to get them, and the food takes hours to be served as they can apparently only cook one pizza at a time. The food is still nice, but it is grating to see the staff work so slowly when its not a full restaurant. I wish they would sort this out as I know many of my friends who live in the area agree with this, and to be honest with all the great new pubs and restaurants popping up in brook green, they'll soon find the locals going elsewhere if they don't!

Kelli D

19 October 2012  
Food & Drink 3.5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 4
lovely candlelight restaurant with great service. The staff were more than accommodating when my partner had to rush out in the middle of his meal for work by providing a take out box for me. Food arrived promptly and was delicious – there is also quite an extensive wine list. My only complaint would be only getting one tiny piece of bread to go with my foie gras. We arrived around 7pm and didn't have to wait for a table – however it filled up quite fast after that. (you can't make dinner bookings) I wouldn't recommend this place if you were going for a quiet date-night – the tables are quite close together and when the place is packed it can get quite noisy – however if you don't mind noise or you're with a big group of friends it would be perfect. I will definitely be going back.
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020 7371 2721 020 7371 2721

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