Eat Out London!Daphne's
Daphne's restaurant is a modern and relaxed Italian ‘local’ located in Brompton Cross between Chelsea and South Kensington with a private dining room for hire.
Daphne’s | Italian Restaurant South Kensington, Chelsea
Designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, neighbourhood favourite Daphne’s continues to shine like a beacon amid the Chelsea restaurant scene, nestling amongst the beautiful Brompton Cross shops including J Crew, Joseph, Chanel and the Conran Shop.
The Italian restaurant, bar and conservatory (private room) are vibrant and inviting and have been designed with the colour palettes of Italy firmly in mind.
General Manager Gabriele Esposito and his experienced team ensure that Mediterranean restaurant Daphne's appeal lies not only in its seasonal cooking, but also its natural warmth and effortless Italian charm, making it a favourite amongst the residents of Chelsea and visitors from further afield.
The elegant surroundings of the Daphne’s conservatory can accommodate up to 40 guests for a private lunch or dinner.
Since 2016, dogs have been warmly welcomed into the restaurant's conservatory to join their families on delicious lunch dates.
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Daphne's London
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About Daphne's London: After a recent refurbishment by celebrated designer Martin Brudnizki, neighbourhood favourite Daphne’s has risen like a phoenix, and continues to be a beacon of the Chelsea restaurant scene, nestling amongst the beautiful Brompton Cross shops including J Crew, Joseph and Chanel.
Daphne’s maintains its effortless charm and familiarity, which have made it such a favourite amongst the residents of Chelsea and further afield.
Daphne's appeal lies not only in its seasonal cooking, but also its natural warmth and effortless Italian charm.
The elegant surrounds of the Daphne’s conservatory can accommodate up to 40 guests for a private lunch or dinner and is licensed to host wedding or civil ceremonies.
The Natural History Museum, Science Museum, V&A, Royal Albert Hall, Cadogan Hall and Royal Court are also just around the corner.For more information on Daphne's London, please visit
Restaurant Review: Daphne's | The Soulmates Blog
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The work of interior designer Martin Brudnizki is a tasteful, subtle combination of modern and classic, from the marble-topped bar and vintage Italian chandeliers to the privately curated European modern art on the walls.
In truly Italian style, the friendly waiting staff first presented us with a basket of warm bread and olive oil along with the cocktail menu, which featured a selection of mouth-watering concoctions.
Focusing on high-quality produce and Mediterranean flavours, the a la carte menu offers a wide selection of Italian staple dishes served in refined yet satisfying portions.
The sommelier will be more than happy to suggest a suitable pairing from the impressive cellar, which is well-stocked with a variety of fine Italian wines.
Classically Italian, the tiramisu is a subtle balance of flavours and texture that will please anyone with a sweet tooth.
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Today's Kensington makes Daphne's seem tasteful | The Spectator
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Daphne’s serves Italian food in South Kensington.
It looks like an expensive jewellery shop, such as Graff, with its big yellow diamonds in the window, promising forgiveness like lumps of cheese: it has a pale gold façade with a rickety black gate and a delicate awning.
Daphne’s was founded in 1962, hosted the gruesome puddle of sociopathy called café society, and was bought by Mogens Tholstrup, a ‘society Scandinavian’, in 1993; after that, said Dai Llewellyn, who knew such things, ‘I see him at the most exclusive house parties in the south of France and the smartest boar shoots in Germany.’
This is fine for the clients, who are dining in the idealised past, where all seems headed these days because it is less grotesque than the present: silent blond mothers, large Arab families, men in good spectacles.
‘Daphne’s has been at the forefront of the party and society columns throughout its rich and colourful history,’ Caring has said.
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Moments like this cause me to invoke one of my top restaurant critic role models; the angry velociraptor from Jurassic Park who arrives during the Jell-O course and attempts to eat two children.
These included freshwater eel and pan-fried foie gras sushi roll, and four pieces of hay-seared toro tataki topped with dashi-flavoured foie gras mousse and kizami wasabi for a bargain £18.95.
We began with tar-tar chips (Japanese for tiny tasteless taco) topped with room-temperature toro fatty tuna and jalapeño mayonnaise, then two with native lobster, equally warm and bushtucker challenge-ish.
A langoustine had been halved and Josper grill-tormented until it had no discernable texture before plainly awful things arrived, like weird turds of seared Wagyu beef tataki with porcini ponzu, or annoyances of Scottish salmon ‘zuke style’ with onion soy jam.
We moved on to nasu miso grilled aubergine with sweet miso, which was half an aubergine so sweet my back teeth stung, slung on to a plate without fanfare, then bizarre chunks of inedible watery tofu in an uma-dashi sauce.
Daphne's | Restaurants in South Kensington, London
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The review below refers to Daphne's before the refurb.
Get a table in the overstated faux-Tuscan dining room instead and you may feel like distant relatives at an Italian wedding.
Summer minestrone loaded with seasonal beans and vegetables had the evocative tomato flavour of cucina povera, but the base was too delicate.
Caprese salad looked impressive but its tomatoes were wet and watery, and the mozzarella unequal to that served in many London competitors.
Still, it’s worth leaving room for the desserts: our yoghurt ice-cream with blueberries and peach crostata with elderflower ice-cream ended the meal on a reassuringly high note.