Address: 1d Palace Gate, South Kensington, London, W8 5LS, United Kingdom
Phone: +442034176768
Rating: 4.7
based on 185 reviews.
Staff and Service
Pros:
"Staff were welcoming and happy to sit us down as there was space available."
"Service was excellent throughout, nice atmosphere and highly recommended for a visit."
"Very attentive but not overbearing staff, the perfect medium."
"Staff were very friendly and attentive, the general atmosphere made us feel very welcome."
"Our waiter, Greg, was charming, knowledgeable and super efficient."
"Service was great and the waiters were very attentive, friendly and happy to explain how dishes were made."
"Greg and team were perfect in explaining the menu and recommending dishes."
"Every member of the staff was exceptionally friendly and clearly passionate about food and drink."
"Our server was aware we were vegetarian too, so we were disappointed by the lack of clarity on the menu that was also ignored by the server."
Cons:
"Staff did their job, but were totally disengaged."
"The staff was really poorly trained. No conversation skills, the waitress seemed in a rush."
"Miss the old chef and menu. No options for vegans where there were before, and no flexibility."
"Unfortunately, 3 out of 4 people got food poisoning."
"Food was tasty, but portions were small. Drinks were late to arrive, came after the food."
"The staff/owners are a delight and have such an infectious passion for their business that you can't help but love the service."
"The waiter was lying, I asked to be sited outside, the waiter replied that the table is reserved, so I was dining inside, as I was about to leave, a couple went in and asked to be seated, they didn’t have any reservations, and they were seated in the exact spot where I wanted to sit outside."
"The manager accepted a table of 6 people and had a table of 4 seats available when we arrived. His planned solution was to wait for an additional table to be freed up for 2 of the extra seats. This doesn’t really constitute proper service."
Food Quality and Variety
Pros:
"Both food (small plates style) and white wine were delicious."
"All dishes were amazing and the cocktails were the best we've had in London."
"Food outstanding, and the place has a low-lit, chilled vibe."
"The pigeon was a stand out, really nicely cooked and great flavours."
"The food was nice but it didn't blow us away."
"Enjoyed the wild mushrooms and salad with the calamansi vinaigrette."
"The food was well priced and very delicious."
"If you go there you have to check-out the wild mushrooms and the croquettes! They are exceptionally good!"
"The food was incredible, especially the rabbit and the heart of the duck."
"Food outstanding, and the place has a low-lit, chilled vibe. Wild mushrooms were buttery perfect, squid carbonara had a spicy kick."
"The food is superb, the service excellent and the location outstanding."
"Amazing food! Brisket croquettes were crispy and perfect, the rabbit sliders were pleasantly plump, and the mushrooms with tarragon were unbelievably delicious."
"Everything from the service to the food was 5/5 stars."
"The food was delicious but the staff was really poorly trained."
"The food was amazing. The steak and mushroom were a marriage made in heaven."
"The food was so unique and has a complex flavour in a positive way!"
"Every dish we ordered was perfectly executed, with an interesting combination of flavors."
"The food was outstanding, and the staff guided us with informed suggestions."
"Absolutely outstanding. The service, the food, the cocktails; honestly among the best I’ve experienced."
Cons:
"A little on the pricy side, some menu items felt more value for money than others."
"Everything else was pleasant but nothing too inventive."
"The food was nice but it didn't blow us away."
"Worst dining experience of the last decade. If you think paying £13 for a few pieces of beetroot, and more than double that for chicken with foam on it is great, this place is for you."
"Horrendously overpriced. The trout was drowned in huge amounts of lemony, salty liquid and was a tiny portion for only £23 pounds."
"The food was ok, not great, but not bad either. However, the portion sizes are half of what you'd expect for the price, and you need to order 2-3 dishes per person."
"Unfortunately, 3 out of 4 people got food poisoning."
"Food with good appearance but very greasy and - at times - weird in flavour."
"Looked great from the onset. However, the food was terribly overpriced: £20 for a tiny little plate for the very average “seasonal” dishes."
"I am frankly wondering if any of the people who left a 5 stars review have ever had decent food, not even good food, but decent food. Extremely salty or lacking taste."
"Outrageously priced even for the area, quality of food is very volatile (tasty croquettes, over-cooked steak) with portions that are way too small for the price attached."
"The menu is diverse and accommodates vegetarian if needed; drinks are great, and the service is exceptional."
Ambiance and Location
Pros:
"Nice venue with a private feeling to it."
"Small restaurant but nicely decorated with wooden panelling and painted metal grid infills."
"The warm welcome and Japanese Scandi vibes inside are a welcome surprise."
"A small restaurant for sure. They do have a dining area downstairs however it's not being use at the moment."
"The cafe is quite small, has a nice terrace that is overlooking the street."
"Fabulous! Our food was excellent, the service was extremely attentive, personal and informative, the decor is welcoming and comfortable especially the uniquely panelled staircase!"
"Great ambiance, food and service. We went as a group of four and were seated outside which is heated and covered with provided blankets."
"The space is well-designed and welcoming. It’s small, but has a great atmosphere."
"Absolutely delightful restaurant. The food is delicious and made with great care."
"The staff is professional and Vinay was particularly helpful and knowledgeable. I highly recommend a visit to Publik."
"Shhh don't tell anyone! There's a great little restaurant tucked away close to the Royal Albert Hall. Amazing food, friendly welcome, biodynamic wine - great value for money!"
"What a wonderful surprise to discover this little gem of a restaurant in Kensington. Tasty cocktails, wonderful service and some of the most extraordinarily delicious food that we have had. Can't recommend them highly enough!"
"Visited Publik for London Cocktail Week, what a great experience! We were served by Vinay who was very charming and made us feel at home. Great cocktails and the wine and craft beer selection caught our eye as well as its from local and small producers, definitely worth a visit!"
"Great food and very friendly staff!! The restaurant as well as the menu are small but of superb quality!"
"What a wonderful place; it's elegant and relaxed, offering very good food and excellent cocktails and wine."
Cons:
"The only flaw was that when I asked for bread I didn't receive because they don't serve bread."
"The manager was also condescending and unwelcoming towards us, saying “this is how they do things around here”."
"The full experience was delightful, the service was great and really warm."
"Unfortunately, 3 out of 4 people got food poisoning."
"One tiny thing (which wouldn't change my rating) was as I had my 7 year old daughter with me (who was particularly hungry) it would be great to have had some bread or snacks a little more suited to young children, however the service was quick so she wasn't hungry for long!! :)"
"It's not great to give out a bad review, but we didn't enjoy our experience. We reserved a table and were almost seated right on the road in front of the bus stop. When we asked to switch it, we were seated in a very uncomfortable bar even though the restaurant was empty."
"This was a nice cozy little restaurant that my husband and I stopped at after visiting Hyde Park. The menu was seasonal and weirdly different from the one displayed on the fence right outside, which seems deceiving imo."