The Barbary Notting Hill

If you’ve visited The Barbary’s original restaurant in Neal’s Yard, then this second site in Notting Hill will feel gargantuan in comparison. Its trademark counter still lies at the heart of the restaurant, but those who prefer a more leisurely dining experience can now tuck themselves between cosy booths and tables in a dedicated dining area. There’s a standalone cocktail bar with seating too, where skilled mixologists shake up twists on classic cocktails. It’s official: The Barbary has grown up.  

The interiors are a gorgeous mixture of natural textures and rich tones, with a crack-glazed volcanic stone bar in the centre of the room. Sharp corners have been replaced with curved edges where possible, from plush blue booths to circular art deco stools, and its beautiful counter curves smoothly so guests can sit all the way round it. It’s stylish but relaxed and feels like a fitting addition to the corner of Westbourne Grove.  

We pull up a stool in the thick of the action, watching chefs wield puffy flatbreads in and out of an enormous wood-fired oven. These must be ordered alongside a cacophony of dips, our favourite being a spicy mulch of sweet pepper and chunky feta finished with a bruléed layer of crunchy fired sugar. A line-up of torched, gnarly grills include coffee-rubbed chicken, blackened around the edges and juicy within, then served on a smooth puddle of tahini. We devour this with fluffy-crispy (for it was both) baked rice, and a brazen chunk of roasted cauliflower. Sure, it’s chicken and rice, but even the most seasoned cooks would have trouble achieving this level of cookery at home. We finished with basbousa, a sunny dish of turmeric-tinted semolina, baked until a thick skin forms, and paired with coconut ice cream. It was so rich and comforting we wolfed it in seconds.  

The damage? About £60 a head before drinks, which feels fair for a meal this good in the heart of Notting Hill. For such an almighty upgrade in size, we’re certain The Barbary will have no problem filling seats every night.

The Barbary Notting Hill marks the Mediterranean-North African restaurant’s first step away from its cult counter-dining roots and into a more traditional, sit-down setting.

Both the original Neal’s Yard outpost and sibling site The Barbary Next Door build their reputations on convivial counter dining around a signature horseshoe bar. In contrast, the Westbourne Grove opening embraces a more spacious, relaxed format, while still nodding to its origins with a small counter for solo diners. With the team behind Michelin-starred Evelyn’s Table at the helm, this new iteration seats around 75 covers – a significant leap from the intimate 24 seats of the Covent Garden original.

Named after the historic Barbary Coast of North Africa, the restaurant continues to explore the meeting point between European, Mediterranean and African food cultures. The menu stays true to the Barbary ethos, centring on food cooked over fire and bold, sun-drenched flavours from the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Middle East. Expect familiar signatures such as house-made merguez, seasonal flatbreads and smoky small plates, followed by desserts like pistachio hashcake or basbousa, the classic Egyptian semolina cake.

The move to Notting Hill also signals a step up in the drinks offering. A dedicated crack-glazed volcanic stone cocktail bar allows for a broader, more experimental cocktail list, while the wine selection expands dramatically, boasting more than 250 bottles. These range from thoughtfully chosen everyday drinking to heavyweight options, including first-growth Bordeaux and rare sparkling wines.

The Barbary Notting Hill offers a more polished take on a much-loved concept, delivering the same warmth, flavour and fire-led cooking, now matched with extra space and a more refined dining experience.