The Prince Bonaparte
Large gastropub with laid-back soundtrack, high ceilings, brick walls and mismatched furniture.
About
Oh look, another London pub trying to convince us it's not just another London pub. The Prince Bonaparte in Notting Hill stands there, all proud of its French-sounding name, probably thinking it's terribly clever. I rolled my eyes so hard walking in, I nearly gave myself a headache.
But damn it all to hell, they're actually doing something right here. I hate when that happens.
Let's address the elephant in the room - yes, The Prince Bonaparte is yet another gastropub in London attempting to elevate pub grub beyond greasy chips and questionable pies. The difference is, they're actually succeeding. Their Sunday roast (which I fully expected to mock) turned out to be a revelation that made me question everything I thought I knew about pub dining. The Yorkshire pudding was so perfectly risen it could have been used as architectural reference material, and the roast potatoes managed that mythical balance of crackling exterior and cloud-like interior that most pubs can only dream about.
The interior strikes that infuriatingly perfect balance between traditional pub comfort and modern sensibilities. They've somehow managed the renovation without completely sanitizing its soul - a feat so rare in London these days it's practically worthy of documentary coverage. The bar still feels like a proper pub where you can get a decent pint without having to mortgage your house, while the dining area manages to be smart without making you feel underdressed in jeans.
Speaking of drinks - and I can't believe I'm saying this - but they actually know how to pour a proper Guinness here. I watched the bartender with the skepticism of a thousand disappointed pub-goers, only to witness what I can only describe as liquid artistry. The wait time was respected. The surge was perfect. The head was immaculate. It was... beautiful. I think I might have shed a tear, but I'm blaming that on the dust from the recent renovations.
Their scotch eggs deserve their own paragraph. Actually, they deserve their own sonnet, but I'll spare you my poetry. These aren't your corner shop's sad, grey offerings. These are golden-crusted orbs of perfection, with just-runny-enough yolks that make you wonder if they've employed some sort of egg whisperer in the kitchen. They're priced reasonably too, which is refreshing in a city where some places charge you the equivalent of a small car payment for pub snacks.
The staff, led by a manager named Jack (who I'm annoyed to report is actually quite good at his job), maintain that delicate balance between attentiveness and letting you enjoy your meal in peace. No hovering, no disappearing acts - just proper service that makes you feel like a valued guest rather than an inconvenience or a walking wallet.
Let's talk practicalities. The Prince Bonaparte accepts all major forms of payment (including contactless, because we're not barbarians), offers both dine-in and takeaway options (though why you'd want to take this food away from its natural habitat is beyond me), and takes reservations - which, given the quality of their Sunday roast, you'll definitely want to make. The prices sit comfortably in the "reasonable for London" category, which is to say they're not cheap, but you won't need to sell a kidney to enjoy dinner and drinks.
Fine. I admit it. The Prince Bonaparte has won me over, and I'm both thrilled and slightly resentful about it. In a city drowning in mediocre pubs trying to be something they're not, this place in Notting Hill actually delivers on its promises. Whether you're after a proper pint, a Sunday roast that'll make your mum jealous, or just a comfortable spot to escape London's perpetual drizzle, you'll find it here. Book a table, order that scotch egg, and prepare to join me in reluctant admiration. Just don't tell them I sent you - I have a reputation to maintain.
Contact Information
Address
80 Chepstow Rd, London W2 5BE, UK
London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the)
Phone
+44 20 7313 9491Website
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