There’s something about leafy, laid back Chiswick that makes you feel like you’ve truly left London, the West London neighbourhood’s village-cosplay extending from its name (the Old English for ‘Cheese Farm’) all the way to Strand-on-the-Green, where riverside pubs have perfected their pastoral performance.
A little smug, maybe, but undeniably beautiful all the same. And when the West London light hits the river just right, there really is no better place to be in the capital than here, staring at those refractions through a two-thirds full pint glass.
Chiswick is also a fine place to dine. These days, while the monthly cheese market still draws crowds to the High Road, W4’s culinary credentials extend far beyond curds and whey – though we’d strongly recommend timing your visit to coincide with that dairy-fuelled Sunday session if you can.
This is a part of London that manages to feel both connected and removed from the capital’s frenetic energy. The broad pavements of Chiswick High Road host a parade of independent cafés, artisan delis and restaurants that wouldn’t look out of place in Paris or Rome, while the quieter streets that branch off it harbour both ‘hidden’ gems and fine dining heavyweights.
With all that in mind and the scene somewhat set, here’s our rundown of the best restaurants in Chiswick.
La Trompette
Ideal for Michelin-starred dining without pretense…
Under Greg Wellman’s steady hand, La Trompette continues to deliver the goods that earned its Michelin star back in 2008. Part of the same esteemed restaurant group behind Chez Bruce and the now-closed Glasshouse (RIP – what a place that was), the dining room strikes an elegant note without fuss – crisp white tablecloths and golden banquettes setting the scene for cooking that sings. Come summer, the front terrace with its fold-back doors offers a delightful spot for lunch.
Wellman’s menu (a refreshingly straightforward £89 for three courses, with six choices for each) draws deeply from the well of British ingredients while casting occasional glances further afield. A recent visit brought a sweet, earthy Jerusalem artichoke veloute, garnished with little nuggets of chorizo picante, followed by a masterclass in meat cookery – perfectly pink Devonshire duck breast with celeriac puree and braised red cabbage. In autumn, the kitchen shows particular prowess with game – their roast grouse deserves circling on the calendar, quite frankly.
The wine list stands among London’s finest, particularly strong in Burgundy and the Rhône. Sommeliers here wear their knowledge with a refreshing lightness, as happy to guide you to a £7.50 glass as they are to discuss grand crus. Indeed, La Trompette proves that serious food doesn’t need to come with a stuffy attitude – perhaps exemplified by the recent reintroduction of their set lunch menu, which sees three courses (a little less choice admittedly) priced at just £39.50 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. That’s some mighty fine value for the calibre of cooking here.b
Website: latrompette.co.uk
Address: 3-7 Devonshire Rd, Chiswick, London W4 2EU
The Silver Birch
Ideal for modern British cooking that’s not afraid to get indulgent…
Chef Nathan Cornwell (nope, not Nathan Outlaw of Cornwall – must stop skimming), who cut his teeth at prestigious restaurants Le Champignon Sauvage and The Barn at Moor Hall, has turned this understated High Road restaurant into one of West London’s most downright enjoyable dinners. In keeping with the whole soft-pedal sophistication of Chiswick, the space whispers rather than shouts – natural woods, neutral tones, and dried flowers providing subtle punctuation marks.
Cornwell’s cooking lets ingredients take centre stage. His Devon crab with apple and dill on house-made sourdough crumpets demonstrates a delicate touch that’s increasingly rare in a dish that’s become ubiquitous, but even better is when the kitchen takes the brakes off and lets a certain opulent streak take over. Dare we say that there’s a sense of indulgence at The Silver Bitch that’s left the London food scene at large, best exemplified in a gorgeous plate of crisp, bubbled Iron Age pork belly. The breed, a cross between a Tamworth sow and a Eurasian wild boar, is prized for its thick layer of fat, and you know what that means? More crackling. The addition of a slab of foie gras on the plate isn’t necessary, but christ it’s welcome.
Even the bread service demands attention rather than resentment for filling you up too fast. Here, Guinness sourdough with cultured butter sets the tone and gets the crowds cooing. The wine list offers plenty by the glass for under a tenner, which is always appreciated in this economy, in this neighbourhood. Book ahead – tables here are increasingly hard to secure.
Website: silverbirchchiswick.co.uk
Address: 142 Chiswick High Rd., Chiswick, London W4 1PU
Villa di Geggiano
Ideal for transportive Tuscan dining…
Walking into Villa di Geggiano feels like stepping through a portal to the Italian countryside. The imposing villa seems to have materialised from a Tuscan hillside, complete with a gated terrace that provides welcome separation from the High Road’s bustle.
Inside, a sense of craftsmanship takes centre stage – custom furnishings and curated artwork (including some dead strange trophy mounts) lend an atmosphere that feels just a little regal, though fortunately, the tones are anything but hushed in here. It’s a boisterous kind of place, full of braying toffs, sure, but also families and folk who simply like to have a spirited conversation. The restaurant has its own coat of arms for some reason…
It would all be a bit much if some reheated schiacciata (must see a doctor about that) hit the table within a minute of ordering, but fortunately, the kitchen delivers Tuscan specialities with conviction, with the wild boar pappardelle a faithfully rendered version of a classic. A 1.1kg bistecca alla Fiorentina is served confidently with just a green salad and some pan juice. For £120 and enough to feed several, it’s not bad value in this part of town. If you are looking to blow the budget, there’s even a section of the menu dedicated to the region’s revered truffles.
The wine list leans heavily into Italian regions, unsurprisingly, with several bottles coming from the restaurant’s own Tuscan estate. For summer dining, the terrace here is one of Chiswick’s finest spots – especially with a glass of their house Chianti in hand and a conversation about the rising cost of second homes in Salcombe on the lips.
Website: villadigeggiano.co.uk
Address: 66-68 Chiswick High Rd., Chiswick, London W4 1SY
Napoli On The Road
Ideal for world-class Neapolitan pizza…
Michele Pascarella didn’t need his 2023 Global Pizza Maker of the Year award to prove his worth – the crowds at this modest Devonshire Road spot already knew that something remarkable was happening with flour and water at Chiswick’s Napoli on the Road. Further confirmation arrived late last year when it was named the best pizzeria in Europe (outside Italy) by the influential 50 Top Pizza list, but like we said; the locals didn’t need it confirming.
A lemon tree bursting through the floor tiles and a central wood-fired oven provide the backdrop for pizzas that redefine expectations. Pascarella’s dough achieves that magical combination of lightness and character, emerging from the fierce heat of the oven with just the right amount of char. Sure, the space is small and can get noisy, but that’s part of the charm.
While the benchmark margherita is pretty much as-good-as-it-gets, there are some more creative touches that show Pascarella’s growing personality as a pizzaiolo first hand. The ‘Cheesewick’ sounds like it shouldn’t work – five cheeses (ricotta, fior di latte, stracciatella, parmesan crisps and Stilton) unified by Vesuvian cherry tomato jam. Yet somehow it achieves perfect harmony and, remarkably, isn’t too heavy. That’s down to Pascarella’s absurdly digestible dough, no doubt.
The pizza fritta (fried pizza) section is worthy of your time, too, with the double pepperoni and hot honey something of a revelation. Save room for bocconcini – the fried dough balls with Nutella and pistachio will live long in the memory.
Website: napoliontheroad.co.uk
Address: 9A Devonshire Rd, Chiswick, London W4 2EU
Read: The best pizzas in London for 2025
The Hound
Ideal for sophisticated pub dining in a storied setting...
With a crime rate so low there seemed no point in keeping it going, the 1872 Chiswick police station has found an unexpected new calling under the guidance of JKS Restaurants (the increasingly ubiquitous group behind Gymkhana, Hoppers, and BAO). That new calling is The Hound, a gastropub with a humble mission statement; to nail the minutiae of the ‘gastro’ part of gastropub, and to get all the things we love about pub dining just right.
The Victorian architecture provides a dramatic backdrop to this humble goal, with the space cleverly divided into distinct areas – a proper pub floor for casual drinks, two private dining rooms, a covered courtyard, and a sun-trap front terrace that’s worth booking ahead for during warmer months. There’s even footy on the tele.
Executive chef John Sparks, working alongside two Michelin-starred James Knappett of Kitchen Table, has created a menu that celebrates (even elevates, though we’re not meant to say that anymore) pub classics without stripping them of their comfort. Plates are marked out by their attention to detail: the lacy batter on the fish and chips that’s several shades bronzer than your chippy; the choice of Oxford sauce (homemade, of course) with the black pudding scotch egg; and the frankly cartoon-perfect hot dog, here made with Highland wagyu, and topped with house sauerkraut and Ogleshield cheese.
The Hound is still proudly a pub at heart (at least, in the marketing material) so rotating cask ales sit alongside craft beers, while the wine list offers genuine interest at each price point, with several drops available by the glass and carafe. They pour a decent Guinness, too; pretty much a prerequisite for any self-respecting gastropubs in the capital these days.
Website: thehound.london
Address: 210 Chiswick High Rd., Chiswick, London W4 1PD
Sushi Bar Makoto
Ideal for fine Japanese cuisine without the fuss…
Don’t let the modest frontage on Turnham Green Terrace and the canteen-like interior within Sushi Bar Makoto fool you – this tiny spot serves some of West London’s best value Japanese food. The space itself barely seats 20, which means weekday lunches offer your best chance of securing a table without a wait, but it’s worth the queue if you do pitch up at a busier hour.
The quality of fish here is impressive given the prices. Nigiri arrives precisely formed, each piece dressed appropriately – a touch of nikiri here, a whisper of wasabi there. The sashimi platters showcase the kitchen’s expertise with knife work (two chefs work continuously behind the counter, which is a reassuring testament to the freshness of the fish here), while the donburi bowls offer excellent value for lunch (most hover around £12-15).
Beyond raw fish, their karaage chicken achieves that perfect crisp-juicy balance, while the teriyaki dishes demonstrate proper technique – the sauce glazed onto the fish or meat rather than simply poured over. Green tea comes with free refills, and the service moves at a pleasant clip without ever feeling rushed. What’s not to love?
Instagram: @sushi_bar_makoto
Address: 57 Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick, London W4 1RP
Read: Where to eat ramen in London
No. 197 Chiswick Fire Station
Ideal for all-day dining in an architectural gem…
The transformation of Chiswick’s former fire station (getting a bit concerned about the lack of emergency services here now) into a restaurant could have gone wrong in so many ways. Fire stations present unique challenges for restaurant conversion – their cavernous engine bays can feel cold and impersonal, their industrial fixtures and fittings can clash with dining ambience, and their heritage-protected status often limits renovation options.
Instead, No. 197 has turned these potential weaknesses into strengths. The soaring ceilings and dramatic arched windows now create an airy, elegant atmosphere, while the vast space has been thoughtfully divided into distinct zones that flow naturally into each other, centered around an impressive oval bar that’s worth visiting even if you’re not staying to eat.
Recently acquired by the Portobello Pub Company, No. 197 is part of the Darwin & Wallace collection – and no, we don’t mean the collection of letters, manuscripts, and other materials related to naturalists Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, but rather, a collection of unique neighbourhood bars with nine locations across London including Battersea and Clapham.
The Chiswick outpost is a bright space that calls for an equally breezy menu, and the all-day menu here proves consistently reliable, if not groundbreaking, food. Brunchis the restaurant’s trump card. Their sweetcorn and courgette hash topped with a perfectly poached egg is a winner,, while the full English shows an understanding that this humble breakfast relies so much on sourcing – the bacon comes from HG Walter butchers just down the road, and the sourdough is from Bread Factory.
Later in the day, the menu shifts gear. Small, nourishing plates like roast squash with carrot and turmeric hummus make wholesome companions to their well-crafted cocktails (the house spritz, at £9, is particularly good value). More substantial dishes such as their chicken schnitzel with caper butter demonstrate the kitchen’s ability to handle classics with care and an unpretentious lack of frippery.
The hidden terrace at the back is one of Chiswick’s finest outdoor dining spaces – book ahead for weekend brunches, especially during summer months. The acoustics can get lively when busy, but tables in the back dining room offer a quieter experience.
Website: no197chiswickfirestation.co.uk
Address: 197-199 Chiswick High Rd., Chiswick, London W4 2DR
Le Vacherin
Ideal for classic French bistro cooking…
Tucked away on South Parade and fittingly for a district named after some cheese, Le Vacherin captures the spirit of a neighbourhood Parisian bistro without falling into pastiche. It feels almost too perfect, too apt, too carefully-marketed, with its retro affiches années vingt, draping white tablecloths and burgundy leather banquettes lining the western wall. It’s probably known as ‘our own little slice of Provence-en-Thames’ by some of the more insufferable denizens of Chiswick.
All of this feels like it’s building up to a disappointing experience on the table, but Le Vacherin delivers on the French bistro classics in considerable style. From a commendably tight menu of just five starters and five mains, the cheese soufflé is no doubt a signature, arriving puffed and golden, light as air but rich with flavour, and more than deserving of its keen £12.50 price tag. Things get more interesting when Le Vacherin strays tentatively into more experimental territory; a technically precise foie gras and pheasant terrine comes with poached kumquats and pickled mooli, all light and shade, lift and vigour against the unabashed, earthy indulgence of the terrine. It’s superb.
The wine list leans heavily French but strays to ‘our neighbours’ when quality or intrigue demands it. There are several bottles hovering around the £30 mark, which isn’t bad going in 2025 London. Weekday prix fixe menus offer particularly good value – two courses for £29.50 or three for £36.50 at lunch, and a little more in the evening. That set menu includes classics like onion soup, snails with garlic butter, coq au vin and a Toulouse cassoulet. Whichever way you play it, don’t skip dessert; the pastry section here, unsurprisingly, possess impeccable tekkers.
Website: levacherin.com
Address: 76-77 S Parade, London W4 5LF
Though we’re full to bursting, we’re walking it all off down Kew Road next, on our way to check out Richmond’s best restaurants. Care to join us?
