8 great restaurants near Olympia Horse Show
Whether it’s showjumping or the Shetland Grand National, watching the action at Olympia (16-22 December 2013) is sure to leave you feeling exhausted, gasping for a drink and desperate for some supper (…despite not moving from your seat).
If you can’t face the fast food options on offer at the show or just want to escape the hall to make the most of your trip to London, take a look at our tried and tested pick of foody hot spots in the area.
Restaurants near Olympia Horse Show
1. Bird & Hand
With mood lighting and some cosy, corner tables, book into the Bird & Hand if you’re looking for a romantic end to your Olympia visit. Pizzas are big, thin and crispy (the Parma ham and rocket option is a winner) and mains include familiar gastro pub fodder including lamb rump and butternut squash ravioli.
£ Mains from £13. Pizzas from £9
Where? 88 Masbro Road, Brook Green
Visit: thebirdinhandlondon.com
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2. Il Portico
A family-run restaurant spanning 6 decades and 3 generations, with an emphasis on simple, authentic Italian food.
£ Pasta from £10.50
Where? 277 Kensington High Street
Visit: ilportico.co.uk
3. Popeseye Steakhouse
Looking to have a blow out? Popeseye boasts the “biggest and best steak in London”, offering only 100% grass-fed Aberdeen Angus beef delivered from a family butcher in the Highlands.
£ £21.95 for a 12oz rump steak
Where? 108 Blythe Road, Kensington Olympia
Visit: www.popeseye.com
4. Havelock Tavern
The Havelock is an original, scrubbed-down table type gastro pub. The menu changes daily, with a wide range of fish, meat and vegetarian dishes.
£ Main courses from around £10
Where? 57 Masbro Road, Brook Green
Visit: www.havelocktavern.com
5. Chez Marcelle
Don’t be put off by the dated exterior. This unlikely looking favourite offers Middle Eastern dishes — from tabbouleh to fattoush and lamb dishes — cooked by Marcelle herself and served with warm flat bread. Portions are big so go steady on your order…
£ From £10 per person for a selection of dishes. Cash only.
Where? 34 Blythe Rd, Kensington Olympia
Tel: 020 7603 3241
6. The Scarsdale Tavern
Head to The Scarsdale — hidden down a pretty street just off Kensington High Street — for good pub grub. Portions are generous and there’s an impressive selection of beers on offer.
£ £10.50 for the pie of the day
Where? 23a Edwardes Square
Visit: www.scarsdaletavern.co.uk
7. Hare and Tortoise
Spice up your trip with a visit to the Hare and Tortoise noodle bar, offering a range of good value Japanese dishes. Ideal if you’ve splashed all your cash at the Olympia stands.
£ Noodles start at £5.80
Where? 373 Kensington High Street
Visit: www.hareandtortoise.co.uk/kensington
8. Pizza Express
…And if you’re too weighed down by all your shopping collapse in Pizza Express located slap bang next door to the show. You can’t go wrong with a Margherita and a glass of wine.
£ Pizzas from £7.60
Where? The Addison Rooms, Olympia Exhibition Centre
Visit: www.pizzaexpress.com
Map of restaurants near Olympia Horse Show
Have you got a favourite restaurant that you go to when you’re at Olympia? Let us know below…
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A graduate from Durham University, Madeleine joined H&H in 2011 and became Features Editor — producing content across the magazine and website, including the popular inside back cover article ‘The horse that made me’ and the weekly ‘The best of my fun…’ interview. She has written on topics as diverse as hay making and headcams, to hot totty in the horse world and circus horses. Madeleine now works as a freelance feature writer for Country Life, The Telegraph, Horse & Hound, cntraveller.com, The Spectator and The Field, as well as writing obituaries for The Times.