How to spend a day in Chelsea

Renowned Australian restaurateur Bill Granger brought his signature blend of sunny Australian vibes, laid-back charm, and chic global cuisine to multiple locations in London, including in Chelsea. Granger & Co. This Aussie hotspot specialises in an all-day menu but is aparticularly famous for its tasty breakfast dishes, including breakfast bowls, sweetcorn fritters and gooey poached eggs.

Charlotte's Cloud on King's Road in Chelsea is an independent neighbourhood café which embraces a contemporary dining style in a friendly and vibrant atmosphere. Enjoy their all-day menu, which showcases beloved brunch and breakfast classics. Menu highlights are Charlotte's brekkie, featuring your choice of poached or fried egg, accompanied by smashed avocado on sourdough with the option to add either smoked salmon or a H.G. Walter sausage.

Haché offers a fusion of Parisian brasserie elegance with a delicious comfort food menu, including dishes like steak, chicken, and plant-based burgers, with French-inspired touches. In addition to their all-day brunch menu, Haché serves a variety of starters, salads, desserts, house cocktails, and more. With its sleek black-and-white theme, the Chelsea branch makes for a sophisticated spot to enjoy the first meal of the day.

What began as a small Chelsea store founded by John Sandoe and Félicité Gwynne has now evolved into an impressive institution occupying three adjacent shops, boasting an impressive collection of 30,000 titles. This independent bookshop, established in 1957, has become an iconic landmark in London's literary realm. With an extensive selection of books spanning fiction, non-fiction, and classics, it has become a haven for book enthusiasts all over the capital. The shop offers a curated selection of new books, accompanied by services such as quarterly catalogues, mail orders, subscriptions, and the option to create private libraries. 

Despite what the name suggests, Chelsea Farmers Market isn't your average farmers' market; it's actually a space where you'll find heaps of chalet-style stores stocking everything from jewellery and books to plants and homemade food. It's particularly special through the summer months when the courtyard transforms into a foodie heaven.

Renowned for its upscale boutiques and prestigious department stores, it's no surprise that Chelsea also has a plethora of premium charity shops filled with all kinds of high-end, pre-loved items. Amidst the glitz and glamour, the neighbourhood is celebrated for its collection of top-notch charity shops, where generous residents donate their designer labels, offering an opportunity to discover hidden treasures while supporting worthy causes.

The Saatchi Gallery is a must-visit for any contemporary art enthusiast. Established in 1985 by Charles Saatchi, it's at the epicentre of the cutting-edge arts scene in London, aiming to promote emerging artists whose work hasn't had much recognition yet in the UK. It's located on the buzzy King's Road, so it's a stone's throw from many of the area's top restaurants and bars.

This little London oasis is a serene sanctuary amid the hustle and bustle of the busy city. It spans four acres along the Thames and was initially founded by Apothecaries for medicinal plants. You'll find it's home to a vast collection of 4,000 diverse species, including a range of rare and endangered plants, which are nurtured by the venue's warm microclimate. Centuries-old glasshouses have enabled the cultivation of exotic flora for over 300 years. There's also a garden café with a covered terrace serving tasty light bites, lunches, cakes, and afternoon tea.

The Blue Plaques you'll find plastered out the front of buildings all over the city serve as a celebration of the diverse mix of the capital's famous residents and how they shaped the history of Britain, and it just so happens Chelsea is home to a huge selection of them. Past residents include Oscar Wilde, Alfred Hitchcock, Sylvia Pankhurst and George Eliot; see if you can find them - there are 173 scattered around Kensington and Chelsea.

The Good Life Eatery is a haven for nourishing and delicious food that promotes healthier eating habits. Their all-day menu features a wide range of options to suit various dietary needs, from wraps, salads, sweet waffles and their popular build-your-own avocado toast. Your meal is best paired with one of their cold-pressed juices or a superfood smoothie.

Phât Phúc Noodle Bar resides within a cosy courtyard in Chelsea, offering a range of tasty noodle dishes paired with lush outdoor seating. The menu features Vietnamese classics like laksa and pho, where the broth takes many hours to prepare in-house. It's the ideal spot for those who would rather enjoy a casual lunch than a lengthy sit-down affair. 

The Cadogan Arms exudes elegance with its contemporary refurbishments, featuring polished wood and crystal chandeliers reminiscent of a luxurious countryside manor. They serve dishes crafted from locally-sourced produce and seasonal ingredients, focusing on sustainability and blending traditional British dishes with comforting pub fare. The drinks menu is equally impressive, boasting a carefully curated wine selection, cocktails, and a vast assortment of twelve draft beers.

At Bottles, their commitment lies in offering a curated wine selection that showcases independent producers and small farms, shining a spotlight on regional and indigenous varieties as well as lesser-known grapes. While their foundation is primarily Italian, they also draw inspiration from international wines, resulting in a thoughtfully crafted collection of around 180 bottles. To complement the wine, head Chef Edoardo has prepared a tasty selection of seasonal snacks. 

Barts, brought to you by the creators of renowned bars like Mr Fogg's and Control Room B, is a glam speakeasy based on the prohibition era. With its slightly outrageous and eclectic decor, this hip hideout can be found in the lobby of the Chelsea Cloisters apartment building and you can only enter by catching the doorman's attention through the peephole. Barts offers a tasty selection of cocktails, fine wines, and more. You can also satisfy your cravings with delicious snacks provided by the neighbouring Gaucho.

Get set for a countryside-inspired dining experience at Rabbit in the heart of Chelsea on King's Road. As part of Local & Wild's farm-to-fork restaurants, Rabbit serves quintessentially British cuisine with a special emphasis on game and English wine. Their seasonal menu showcases the finest British produce from their family farm in the countryside, while their commitment to zero-waste cooking and sustainability lies at the core of their culinary philosophy.

Unlike traditional restaurants, this laid-back spot embraces a no-menu policy. All you have to do is inform your server about your preferences, dislikes, and desired spice level, then sit back and let the talented chefs work their culinary magic. The outcome is a personalised 12-18 course menu tailored exclusively for you. From fried chicken and clams to poached fish and dumplings, the menu is chock full of tasty Chinese dishes. 

The baby blue exterior of No. Fifty Cheyne, adorned with pretty florals, may catch your eye at first, but the real allure lies inside. The menu showcases the very best of traditional British cuisine with innovative touches, curated by esteemed head chef Iain Smith. Each dish is crafted using the freshest seasonal ingredients sourced from premium British suppliers. For wine aficionados, the establishment boasts the expertise of an on-site sommelier, ensuring the perfect bottle to complement your plate of food.

Maggie's, on Fulham Road in Chelsea, is a nostalgic club that pays homage to the 80s. Step through the doors, and you'll be met with a world overflowing with retro tributes, funky decor, and a lively atmosphere. Every corner is adorned with iconic relics and artefacts from the era, where Rubik's cubes and cassette tapes are used to form the tables and edgy animal print seating rounds it all off. There's also a magnificent retro fish tank. Maggie's hosts a range of events throughout the week, such as themed parties and lively 80s music nights.

By day, Tonteria begins as a lively taqueria, enticing guests with a range of Mexican dishes and carefully crafted cocktails while a live DJ set sets the mood. As night falls, the vibe transforms into a buzzy nightclub that thumps well into the early morning. This Mexican hotspot has even hosted gatherings for the elite, including notable figures like Prince Harry and Leonardo Di Caprio.

With a history spanning close to five decades, 606 Club is a hub for jazz lovers and is one of the busiest jazz clubs in Europe, with the title of being the largest employer of British-based jazz musicians in the entire country. This intimate basement speakeasy hosts live music every day of the week and, throughout its existence, has seen witness to the rise of various budding stars. To navigate licensing restrictions, they pair serving alcohol with food. Therefore, it is highly recommended to arrive with an appetite; they serve European favourites and fish specials.

The Cross Keys is a classic British pub with a laidback and cosy atmosphere. Its seasonal menus are a testament to the finest British produce, where they take great pride in using produce sourced responsibly. From contemporary creative dishes to beloved pub favourites and comforting Sunday roasts, they cater to all palates, complemented by a well-curated selection of real ales, craft beer, wine, and cocktails. Inside, the pub has a stylish and contemporary style with rustic-style scenery and offers ample space for guests to unwind and enjoy their food and drinks.