A polished, dog-friendly Notting Hill pub with genuinely good roast dinners, broad menu appeal, and a lively local feel, though service can swing from excellent to frustratingly slow.
The Prince Bonaparte delivers solid food quality anchored by reliably tasty roasts, steaks, and fish and chips, but inconsistent execution across dishes prevents a higher grade. Warm, attentive service and a polished Notting Hill setting with strong local appeal support the experience, though occasional slowness on busy nights and uneven cooking temper overall reliability.
The Prince Bonaparte feels like a proper neighborhood pub that got a tasteful glow-up: bright windows, a cosier-than-expected dining room, and a steady stream of people showing up for roasts, drinks, quiz nights, and the sort of evening that turns into “let’s stay for one more.” Recent reviews are especially affectionate about the atmosphere and the team, with one guest saying it felt “warm, cosy and welcoming” from the second they walked in. It’s the kind of place that aims for relaxed polish rather than stiff formality, and when it’s on, it really lands. On the food side, the menu is classic pub comfort with a modern Notting Hill accent: roast dinners, fish and chips, burgers, schnitzel, steaks, and a few contemporary touches like tempura kimchi, Malabar curry, miso, and gochujang. That means it suits people who want familiar dishes with a slightly smarter twist, not conservative comfort food purists looking for a purely traditional spread. The best reports are genuinely enthusiastic about the roasts and the fish and chips, while a few older and recent complaints flag uneven cooking, small portions on some mains, and the occasional miss on value. For families, it’s a good fit overall: reviewers mention kids being welcome, the venue being dog-friendly, and plenty of familiar menu options like burgers, fish and chips, roast dinners, and chips. There doesn’t appear to be a dedicated kids’ menu, so picky eaters will probably do fine off the main menu, but this is still a grown-up pub first rather than a children’s restaurant. If you’re bringing younger diners, the safest bets are the roast, burger, fish and chips, or simple sides; the more adventurous plates are better left to the adults.
Area vibe: Upscale, leafy West London district popular with shoppers and diners.
Safety: Generally safe with good evening footfall on main streets; quieter residential streets can be subdued at night.
What's nearby: Near Portobello Road, Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill Gate station, boutiques, cafés and several gastropubs.
Dress casually but expect slow service at busy times, limited parking, and potential Sunday waits of 15–50 minutes.
A polished, cosy neighborhood pub vibe with sunny windows and a friendly, local atmosphere.