London Unzipped: Exploring Our Bags and Their Boroughs - Portobello
Pom Pom London's Guide to Portobello
The Portobello Bag is named after the famous Portobello Road, a vibrant and fun street located in the renowned Notting Hill area (think Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts), which is within the chic Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
If you're looking for a chic evening or occasion bag, then chances are the Portobello is the bag for you. Its quilted pattern adds an extra gorgeous level of texture to the bag, which is fastened by our signature gold hardware and matching chain. Available in our Black, Powder Blue and Stone colour-ways, there is a colour for every occasion!
We LOVE taking ours around Portobello Road market on a Saturday, but aside from the world-famous market, here are some of our other favourites for you to peruse in the area…
- Casa Cruz
If you want to see some celebs on your weekend in London, then head to Casa Cruz, an Argentinian restaurant in Notting Hill. Rumour has it that Taylor Swift is a huge fan of this local eatery, and it's no wonder with its beautiful terrace and small plates perfectly made to share. Time your visit with Taylor’s next tour stint in London? We know we will!
Address: 123 Clarendon Road, W11 4JG London
- Egg Break
Now for something a bit different – bear with us – a restaurant dedicated to eggs. Eggs all day, every day, any way, in their own words! You may have spotted Egg Break in the Netflix film Good Grief, starring Dan Levy, and it’s safe to say that this is where the locals go for brunch. They host supper clubs and special collaborations with chefs to keep the offerings varied and innovative. With £5 mimosas, it’s hard to come up with a reason not to go, so go soon!
Address: 30 Uxbridge St, London W8 7TA
- Dorian
As "a bistro for locals", Dorian is incredibly stylish, with a website that takes a minimalist approach, focusing more on the experience than flashy design. Run by chef Max Coen, formerly of Ikoyi, Dorian is quickly becoming a favourite among food enthusiasts. It’s definitely worth a visit for those seeking a top-notch culinary experience.
Address: 105 - 107 Talbot Rd, London W11 2AT
- Portobello Garden Arcade Caffe
The Portobello Garden Arcade Caffe is a real hidden gem of the area. The Italian menu, with ingredients sourced in Italy, features sandwiches, pasta, antipasti, and sweet snacks. There truly is something for everyone at a very reasonable price. The limoncello spritz is the ultimate antidote when you’ve had a busy day exploring.
5. Sunday in Brooklyn
Did someone say pancakes? Sunday in Brooklyn is a modern American restaurant in Notting Hill serving brunch and dinner plates with an American twist. They also have a branch in Brooklyn, NY. Their pancakes took them to Instagram fame when they opened a few years ago, and there is no sign of slowing down. With a focus on sustainability, their chef, Jamie Young, explains how "everything, from the menu’s format to the event's offering, fosters the idea of shared experiences and conversations around the dinner table."
Check out Sunday In Brooklyn here
Things to do in Portobello Road
- Electric Cinema
We can’t ever go to Portobello Road and not go see a film in the beautifully restored Electric Cinema. One of London’s oldest cinemas, it opened its doors in 1911, its survived two world wars and a huge fire which nearly saw it closed. Now run by the Soho House group, it’s a must-visit as far as we’re concerned.
- The Kyoto Garden in Holland Park
There is no doubt that the Portobello Road hustle and bustle can leave you feeling frazzled. So why not stop by the Kyoto Garden up the road in Holland Park? The garden was gifted to the UK from the city of Kyoto in honour of the special friendship between the UK and Japan. If you’re lucky you may also see the Holland Park roaming peacocks so be sure not to rush and enjoy this beautiful space.
- The Notting Hill Book Shop from the film Notting Hill
Check out the Notting Hill Bookshop
We just couldn’t complete this guide without mentioning this famous book shop. It’s most likely you’ll be in a small queue to get your photo in front of this legendary stop but we know that the Pom Pom London customers will love going here and standing in front of the book shop. The book shop was known as the Travel Book Shop in the film and has changed its same since.