Dating back to 1870, The Pelican is a pub and dining room in Notting Hill from co-owners Phil Winser and Richard Squire, and restaurateur James Gummer. The site underwent a major refurbishment in 2022 and was relaunched by the trio as a neighbourhood pub with the intention of being ‘a cornerstone of the local community, not just somewhere to eat and drink’.
The warm and traditional dining room accommodates up to 48 people and has been designed in an understated style throughout, with dim lighting, cosy tan leather banquettes, original fireplaces and antique furniture. The bar area is able to seat 40 guests at most, while an outdoor area can house a further 24.
Head chef Owen Kenworthy has spent time in a multitude of respected restaurants including The Wolesley, Sketch and Brawn where he was head chef. His menu focuses on the very best British produce and follows a strong sustainable ethos, engaging with suppliers who use regenerative farming methods as much as possible. Typical dishes from the main dining room menu include raw beef with Gentleman’s relish, ham hock with egg mayo, potted shrimp, onglet and shallot, and lobster and monkfish pie with lobster head gravy. Desserts include lemon posset with shortbread and ginger parkin and custard, made with Owen’s family recipe.
On the drinks list, discover a wide selection of British beers including Allsopp’s IPA, Portobello Pilsner, and Deya. A selection of classic cocktails are also available as well as a concise 40-bin wine list. The pub also offers a constantly evolving single bottle wine list, so do ask the team to see what’s on that week.
If all you fancy is a drink at the bar with a couple of snacks, you can also find a bar snack menu featuring small but tasty plates such as pork scratchings, sausage roll, spider crab toast and Welsh rarebit.