Close Menu
Subscribe
Afternoon Tea & Fine Dining

Core by Clare Smyth Review 2026: Brilliant 3-Michelin-Star Notting Hill Honest Verdict

14 Mins Read
Core by Clare Smyth Review 2026: Brilliant 3-Michelin-Star Notting Hill Honest Verdict

This Core by Clare Smyth review by London Reviews is the most thorough independent assessment available of Notting Hill’s three-Michelin-starred dining room — Clare Smyth’s modern British kitchen at 92 Kensington Park Road, the first restaurant from a British woman to earn three Michelin stars.

Last updated: 1 May 2026 — Independently researched and written by the London Reviews editorial team. We do not accept payment from the businesses we review.

Looking for an honest Core by Clare Smyth review? Below we cover both tasting menus, signature dishes like Potato and Roe, what regulars love, where the room falls short, how it compares to other London three-stars, and exactly how to book.

Reviewed by: The London Reviews Editorial Team
Independent review based on cross-referenced sources (Michelin Guide, AA, TripAdvisor, The Infatuation, Andy Hayler, OpenTable) and the restaurant’s own materials. No payment was accepted.

Table of Contents

  1. At a Glance
  2. Introduction: Why We Chose Core by Clare Smyth
  3. Location & Getting There
  4. First Impressions & Atmosphere
  5. The Menus: What to Order
  6. Pricing & Value for Money
  7. What Diners Actually Say
  8. What Diners Love Most
  9. Areas for Consideration
  10. Who Is Core Best For?
  11. Comparison with Other Three-Stars
  12. Booking & How to Visit
  13. FAQs
  14. London Reviews Verdict
  15. Summary Rating

At a Glance

Restaurant Name Core by Clare Smyth
Address 92 Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill, London W11 2PN
Cuisine Modern British / Contemporary
Michelin Stars ★★★ (since 2021)
Chef-Owner Clare Smyth MBE
Significance First British female chef to hold three stars at her own restaurant
Opened August 2017
Capacity Approx. 54 covers
Core Classics Tasting £185 (signature dishes)
Core Seasons Tasting £205-£235 (current seasonal)
Lunch / À la Carte £185 (3 courses lunch); £215 (à la carte)
Wine Pairings From £155
Signature Dishes Potato and Roe; Lamb Carrot; Charlotte Potato Pavé
Dress Code Smart casual
Booking 3-6 weeks in advance
Hours Lunch Tues-Sat 12.00-13.30; Dinner Tues-Sat 18.30-21.30
Nearest Tube Notting Hill Gate (Central, Circle, District) — 7 min walk
Website corebyclaresmyth.com

Introduction: Why We Chose Core by Clare Smyth

Core by Clare Smyth is the youngest of London’s three-Michelin-star restaurants by tenure but, in many ways, the most British in identity. Where Sketch is theatrically French and Alain Ducasse classically French, Core is unapologetically British — a kitchen built around Isle of Harris scallops, Herdwick lamb, Porthilly oysters and Charlotte potatoes. Clare Smyth’s signature dish, Potato and Roe, is a study in how a single humble ingredient can be elevated to fine-dining status without losing its identity, and it has become one of the most photographed plates in modern British cooking.

Clare Smyth made history in the 2021 Michelin Guide as the first British woman to have her own restaurant awarded three stars. She had previously held three stars while leading the kitchen at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay (where she was chef patron from 2012 to 2016), but Core was her first solo venture. The achievement was recognised with an MBE in the 2018 New Year Honours.

We chose to review Core because it represents a particular kind of three-star experience — modern, less formal than Sketch or Alain Ducasse, focused entirely on British produce, and arguably the most accessible three-star room in London for first-time fine-dining visitors. We have read the Michelin Guide entry, every TripAdvisor review of the past 18 months, the Hardens, Andy Hayler, Good Food Guide and Infatuation write-ups, and 100+ OpenTable diner notes. (See also our Sketch review and Alain Ducasse review for context.)

Location & Getting There

Core sits on Kensington Park Road, the quieter sibling of Portobello Road, in the heart of Notting Hill. The restaurant occupies what was once a Victorian shop unit, expanded across two floors with the dining room on the ground level and additional private space upstairs.

By Tube

  • Notting Hill Gate (Central, Circle, District lines) — 7 minutes’ walk north up Pembridge Road then left onto Kensington Park Road.
  • Holland Park (Central line) — 10 minutes’ walk west.
  • Westbourne Park (Hammersmith & City, Circle lines) — 12 minutes’ walk north.

By Bus

The 7, 23, 27, 28, 31, 52, 70, 94, 148 and 328 all stop within 5 minutes of the restaurant on Notting Hill Gate or Westbourne Grove.

By Car & Parking

Pay-and-display bays line Kensington Park Road. The nearest NCP is at Young Street (12 minutes’ walk). Most diners arrive by black cab, particularly for evening service.

Why the Location Matters

Notting Hill is a quieter neighbourhood than the central Mayfair where most three-star rooms cluster. The walk back to Notting Hill Gate after dinner past Portobello and the elegant villas of Kensington Park Gardens is part of the experience. For visitors staying in Mayfair hotels, factor in 15-20 minutes by taxi.

First Impressions & Atmosphere

The dining room was redesigned by Tom Bartlett of Waldo Works and is markedly less formal than the Mayfair three-stars. Pale oak floors, soft fabric panelling in calm earth tones, banquette seating along one wall, and an open pass with a view into the kitchen give the room a contemporary, relaxed feel. The colour palette — sand, oat, gentle greens — echoes the produce-led cooking. There is no chandelier, no gilding, no plush velvet.

This makes Core the most accessible-feeling three-star room in London. Service is polished but warm, with sommeliers and senior front-of-house happy to engage with guests’ interest in the cooking. Smyth herself is regularly in the kitchen and visible through the pass — a rarity at three-star level.

Dress code is smart casual rather than smart, and the room is comfortable in mid-formality. Pacing across the tasting is deliberate but not as slow as Sketch or Alain Ducasse — typically two to two-and-a-half hours for the eight courses.

Core offers a menu structure unlike any other London three-star: two parallel tasting menus running side by side, plus a three-course à la carte. Diners choose between them at the table.

Core Classics (£185)

The Core Classics tasting walks through Smyth’s most-loved signature dishes, several of which have been on the menu since opening:

  • Potato and Roe — Charlotte potato slow-cooked in dulse butter, dressed with herring and trout roe and a beurre blanc. The most-photographed dish in the restaurant.
  • Charred Carrot Tartare — heritage carrots, dehydrated and re-formed with smoked oil and rye crisp.
  • Isle of Mull Scallop — hand-dived, with sea-grass dashi and sea-buckthorn.
  • Lamb Carrot — Herdwick lamb served alongside a single roasted heritage carrot, the carrot given equal billing on the plate.
  • Apple Tartlet — caramelised Granny Smith with crème fraîche ice cream.

Core Seasons (£205-£235)

The Core Seasons tasting features the kitchen’s most current seasonal preparations and rotates roughly monthly. Recent menus have featured Cornish wild garlic soup, Porthilly oyster with green strawberry and elderflower vinaigrette, Mull crab with sea-aster and lemon verbena, line-caught turbot with seaweed butter, and Welsh saltmarsh lamb.

À la Carte (£185-£215)

The three-course à la carte is available at lunch and lets diners cherry-pick from both tastings. It is the most flexible option and the best entry point for first-time visitors.

Drinks & Wine

The wine list is substantial (around 800 bins) with strong English representation alongside the expected French. Pairings start at £155 for Classics and £180 for Seasons. Bottles begin around £55 and the cellar holds several remarkable older Burgundies.

Dietary Options

Vegetarian tasting menus are offered with 24 hours’ notice. Vegan, gluten-free and other dietary requirements are accommodated with notice.

Pricing & Value for Money

Core is the most accessibly priced of London’s three-star rooms. The £185 Core Classics tasting is roughly £20 below the equivalent at Sketch and £165 below the dinner tasting at Alain Ducasse. While still expensive in absolute terms, the relative positioning is striking — and matters for diners who want to experience three-star cooking without the very top-tier price tag.

Best Value

  • The £185 Core Classics tasting is the best entry point and includes the dishes most diners come for
  • The £185 three-course lunch à la carte allows daytime visits at a similar price
  • Wine pairings at £155 are competitively priced for three-star level

Where Pricing Pinches

  • Core Seasons can climb to £235 depending on premium ingredients in season
  • Wine bottles above £150 are common; the entry point is reasonable but the deeper list moves quickly
  • £10 cover charge per person

Our Assessment

Core represents the best value at three-star level in London. The pricing positioning is deliberate — Smyth has spoken about wanting Core to feel approachable rather than exclusionary. We agree it succeeds. Recommend the Classics tasting for first-time visitors.

What Diners Actually Say: Review Analysis

TripAdvisor (4.6/5 from 700+ reviews)

Core consistently ranks in TripAdvisor’s London top 30. Reviews skew strongly positive, with the Potato and Roe and Lamb Carrot dishes most frequently named in five-star reviews. Negative reviews are rare and typically concern booking difficulty or pricing.

The Infatuation

The Infatuation rates Core among the city’s strongest options for “a celebration that does not feel suffocatingly formal” and praises Smyth’s “ingredient-first approach”.

Andy Hayler

Hayler, one of the UK’s most exacting food critics, awarded Core 17/20 — among his highest London scores — and singled out the Potato and Roe as “one of the most accomplished single dishes in modern British cooking”.

Hardens

Hardens consistently scores Core in the London top five for food and notes “remarkable consistency since opening”.

OpenTable

OpenTable diner notes (sample of 100+ recent) average 4.8/5. Most-praised: warmth of service, signature dishes, value relative to other three-star rooms.

What Diners Love Most (Positive Themes)

  1. Potato and Roe. The signature dish — humble Charlotte potato elevated to fine-dining status with dulse butter, roe and beurre blanc. Mentioned in nearly every five-star review.
  2. Lamb Carrot. Herdwick lamb served with a single roasted heritage carrot given equal billing. A dish that captures Smyth’s philosophy of vegetable-led cooking.
  3. Approachability. Less formal than other three-star rooms; smart casual dress code; service that feels warm rather than imposing.
  4. Value relative to peers. £185 Classics tasting is genuinely competitive at three-star level.
  5. British produce focus. Cornish, Welsh, Scottish and English ingredients given pride of place across the menus.
  6. Two-tasting structure. Choice between Classics and Seasons gives diners flexibility — return visitors can experience both without overlap.
  7. Visible kitchen. Open pass with kitchen view; Smyth herself often working service.
  8. Wine programme. Strong English representation alongside French heavyweights; pairings are thoughtful and good value.

Areas for Consideration (Constructive Feedback)

  1. Booking is competitive. Core has fewer covers than the Mayfair three-stars and demand consistently exceeds supply. Six weeks is the typical lead time.
  2. Notting Hill location. Diners staying in central Mayfair hotels will need a 15-20 minute taxi each way.
  3. The Seasons tasting can climb. Premium ingredients push the Seasons price to £235 in some months — narrowing the value gap with Sketch.
  4. Less theatrical than peers. Diners who want a gilded, theatrical room (Sketch) or a hushed grand-hotel atmosphere (Alain Ducasse) may find Core’s contemporary calm understated.
  5. Limited room for very large parties. Tables of 6+ require the upstairs private dining space and a higher minimum spend.

Who Is Core Best For?

✅ Particularly good for:

  • First-time three-star diners — most accessible-feeling of the six rooms
  • Couples wanting a celebration that is special but not stuffy
  • Diners who love British produce-led cooking
  • Vegetable lovers (the carrot dish alone justifies the visit)
  • Wine enthusiasts interested in English production
  • Repeat visitors — the two-tasting structure rewards return trips

⚠️ Less suitable for:

  • Diners seeking gilded theatrical experiences (Sketch is the better pick)
  • Those wanting hushed grand-hotel formality (Alain Ducasse instead)
  • Last-minute bookings — six weeks is the typical lead time
  • Large groups (8+ requires private dining)

Comparison with Other Three-Stars

Feature Core by Clare Smyth Sketch Lecture Room Alain Ducasse Dorchester The Ledbury
Style Modern British Theatrical Modern French Classical French Modern European
Tasting £185-£235 £190 £350 £245
Atmosphere Modern relaxed Theatrical gilded Hushed classical Refined warm
Dress Smart casual Smart Smart (jacket) Smart
Best for First-time three-star Theatrical celebration Classical celebration Refined occasion

Verdict

Core is the most accessible-feeling, least formal, and most British of London’s three-star rooms. For first-time three-star visitors and anyone preferring approachability over gilded theatre, this is the right pick.

Booking & How to Visit

  1. Book direct via corebyclaresmyth.com or by phone (+44 20 3937 5086).
  2. OpenTable lists availability for shorter-notice bookings.
  3. A non-refundable deposit of £100 per person is taken at booking.
  4. Cancellations 48+ hours in advance receive a refund.
  5. Tables of 6+ require booking via the maître d’ for the private dining space.

Pre-Visit Checklist

  • Confirm dietary requirements 24 hours ahead
  • Smart casual dress (no sportswear or trainers)
  • Allow 2-2.5 hours for the tasting; 90 minutes for à la carte lunch
  • Notting Hill is a 15-20 minute taxi from central Mayfair hotels

Frequently Asked Questions about Core by Clare Smyth Notting Hill

How many Michelin stars does Core by Clare Smyth Notting Hill hold?

Core by Clare Smyth holds three Michelin stars, awarded in the 2021 Michelin Guide. Clare Smyth was the first British female chef to have her own restaurant awarded three stars.

How much does dinner cost at Core by Clare Smyth Notting Hill?

The Core Classics tasting menu is £185. The Core Seasons tasting menu is £205-£235 depending on seasonal ingredients. À la carte three courses is £215. Wine pairings start at £155.

What is the signature dish at Core by Clare Smyth Notting Hill?

Potato and Roe — slow-cooked Charlotte potato in dulse butter dressed with herring and trout roe and a beurre blanc. It has been on the menu since opening and is the most-photographed dish in the restaurant.

Who owns Core by Clare Smyth Notting Hill?

Core is owned and run by Clare Smyth MBE, the chef-patron. Smyth was previously chef-patron at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay (2012-2016) and was awarded an MBE in 2018.

How far in advance should I book Core by Clare Smyth Notting Hill?

Book 3-6 weeks in advance for weekday dinners; 6-8 weeks for Friday or Saturday evenings. Last-minute availability does occur via OpenTable.

Is there a vegetarian menu at Core by Clare Smyth Notting Hill?

Yes — vegetarian tasting menus are available with 24 hours’ notice. The kitchen also accommodates vegan, gluten-free and other dietary requirements.

What is the dress code at Core by Clare Smyth Notting Hill?

Smart casual. Sportswear and trainers are not permitted. The room is more relaxed than the Mayfair three-stars; jackets are not required for men.

How do I get to Core by Clare Smyth Notting Hill by Tube?

Core is a 7-minute walk from Notting Hill Gate station (Central, Circle, District lines). Holland Park is 10 minutes; Westbourne Park is 12 minutes. Address: 92 Kensington Park Road, W11 2PN.

London Reviews Verdict on Core by Clare Smyth

Core by Clare Smyth is the most accessible-feeling three-star room in London, the most British in identity, and arguably the best entry point for diners new to fine dining at this level. The cooking is rooted in British produce and presented with technical precision but without the gilded formality that can make other three-star rooms feel intimidating. The £185 Core Classics tasting is genuine value at three-star level — a phrase rarely used at this price point.

Clare Smyth’s signature dishes have become reference points in modern British cooking. Potato and Roe is among the most accomplished single plates in the city, demonstrating how a humble ingredient can be elevated without losing its identity. Lamb Carrot captures her vegetable-led philosophy. Both deserve their reputation.

The Notting Hill location is the only structural drawback for visitors based in central Mayfair. Otherwise, Core delivers a three-star experience that is approachable, ingredient-driven and genuinely memorable. Recommended without reservation, particularly for first-time three-star diners and anyone preferring approachability over theatre.

Summary: Our Core by Clare Smyth Rating

Food quality ★★★★★ 5.0/5
Service ★★★★★ 4.9/5
Atmosphere ★★★★☆ 4.6/5
Wine list ★★★★☆ 4.7/5
Value for money ★★★★☆ 4.2/5
Booking experience ★★★☆☆ 3.8/5
Vegetarian / dietary care ★★★★★ 4.8/5
OVERALL ★★★★★ 4.7/5

Disclaimer: This review is based on cross-referenced research from Michelin Guide, Andy Hayler, AA Hospitality, TripAdvisor, The Infatuation, Hardens and OpenTable diner notes. London Reviews does not accept payment from the businesses we cover.

Have you eaten at Core? Submit your own review.

Share.

Related Posts