Best restaurants in Hammersmith

Soaked in history, The Carpenter's Arms is a real local’s local situated in an unassuming, quiet street in this lively neighbourhood of West London. Their sign proclaims, 'We are just as serious about good drink as we are about good food.'

After starring on Ramsay’s Best Restaurant in 2010, this cosy North African spot continues to attract fans. Exotic interiors are awash with Berber carpets and trinkets, and the food takes elements of Algerian, Moroccan and Tunisian cooking. The stars of the show are majestic couscous and tagine dishes, but save room for sticky pastries at the end.

Situated on the quiet banks of the Thames, (yes quiet parts do exist) is a great pub where everyone is welcome. This comfortable local offers a seasonal dining menu with indulgent brunch options, roasts, full bodied wines and craft beers. Worth the trip for the views alone.

One of Hammersmith’s hidden gems, nestled away in Brackenbury village, the Andover Arms is a local’s favourite that also loves to welcome new friends - 'a proper pub with proper food' plus board games, live music and a hefty ale selection on tap. Count us in.

The Crabtree really is what a great British pub is all about. A huge beer garden with wonderful views of the Thames, an acclaimed restaurant with an ever changing line up of guest ales and a seasonal, British-led menu. It's also home to the largest pub quiz in West London, so bring your thinking caps as well as elasticated trousers.

Provençal cooking with sustainable sourced ingredients makes Le Petit Citron a must visit. This romantic neighbourhood restaurant transports us from bustling Hammersmith to rustic Southwestern France. This local eatery really is an extension of owners Lawrence and Emily’s family table - bon appetit.

These self-proclaimed plant-based pioneers were established 1989 and with 30 years of experience, The Gate are quick to ensure everyone is welcome to their four fabulous locations around London. Large windows and high ceilings set the backdrop for unique, contemporary vegetarian and vegan cuisine at this branch.

The spot overlooking the concrete jungle of Hammersmith bus station shouldn’t detract from the brilliance of the cooking at this seafood-focused spot. Ex-Quo Vadis and Sessions Arts Club chef Ollie Bass shows off highly skilled cooking here, paying reverence to classic, British flavours with dishes like potato terrine with smoked haddock and beetroot puree. The lunch deals are outstanding value too.

Shikumen takes its name from a traditional Shanghainese architectural style and there are no doubts that this successful chain is built on solid foundations. Shikumen is delicious, stylish and affordable. The talented team seamlessly blend the flavours of the East and the West across a varied menu that has something for everyone (though we always find ourselves feasting on the dim sum). 

This welcoming gastropub is the perfect setting for any season. Sit fireside on a cosy chesterfield with a roast in the winter or sun yourself with a cocktail in the summer on the (south facing) patio. The blackboard wine list is especially decent for a pub too, with excellent options available by the glass and carafe.

After making a huge splash at Highbury's Xi'an Impressions, Guirong Wei has built herself a mini empire on the back of toothy biang biang noodles and raucous Sichuan flavours. Master Wei is unbelievably well-priced for how good it is - perhaps one of London's most underrated gems - and Hammersmith locals are lucky to have it right on the doorstep. 

The more affordable offshoot from the famous River Cafe sticks to the tenets of the mothership - top class produce and staunchly authentic Italian cooking - but offers a more casual spot to enjoy it. The riverside terrace is one of Hammersmith’s most coveted spots, and you can visit in the day for a coffee and a snack, or commit to an excellent lunch or dinner.

An ever-reliable and popular stalwart of King Street, Mahdi is one of London’s oldest family-run Persian restaurants, and still does a roaring trade in koobideh kebabs, saffron rice with tahdig and zereshk polo. The mixed grills are also elite, and we recommend saving room for saffron ice cream or some of the excellent baklava.

Best by name, best by nature. With over 20 years experience the Gurgur family know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to authentic Turkish food. Inexpensive and incredibly tasty, this low-key middle eastern setting has a shisha lounge to boot. Sign us up.

No gimmicks, no surprises. Zia Lucia (aunty Lucy) is serving up exactly what you want from a local pizzeria. Gather around the huge pizza oven for delicious, affordable and customisable pizzas. Some of the pizza's names alone are worth the visit. 

Of course this place is top of the list. When it comes to innovative Italian cuisine undoubtedly London has a lot to offer, but with over 30 years in the game, a Michelin star and being the birthplace of many a talented chef, the River Cafe sets itself apart from the rest. Not only one of the best in Hammersmith but a must-visit for the whole of London.

Sometimes you just fancy a good curry, but other times you fancy incredible Indian food from a uniquely curated menu in a relaxed yet stylish setting. Say hello to Indian Zing, where owner and chef Manoj Vasaikar brings his sophisticated fine-dining Indian cuisine to Hammersmith with rather brilliant results. 

This family-run Thai restaurant out does above your usual Pad Thai offering. The kitchen takes its name from a city in the heart of Isaan, and Isaan’s cuisine is notoriously spicier than your average Thai offering. Can you handle the heat served up by Aunty Bee?

Potli gathers unique spices and regional delicacies from Mumbai’s Chowpatty beach through to Delhi’s Chandni Chowk market, and we're huge fans of the results. Tremendous curries and sundries will keep curry house fans happy, but there's lots of more interesting regional cooking on the menu too. The creative cocktails are outstanding too.

Crisp has stolen the hearts of pizza lovers across the capital, and even those further afield (turns out people will travel internationally for a good slice). Serving out of a pub near Hammersmith riverside, there’s no seat reservations available here, just pre ordering for takeaway or queuing.

If the River Cafe feels a little out of your budget, perhaps consider a little trip to nearby Sam’s Riverside, which delivers much of the same riverside fun and comforting seasonal cooking at a more affordable price. The river view from the terrace is utterly beautiful on a good day, and the restaurant has some brilliant value set menus on offer during the day too.