Chelsea Area Guide

The sheer vibrancy and iconoclastic spirit of the King’s Road during the 60s and 70s made Chelsea famous. Well, more than famous, it made it cool. It was gritty, graffitied, and edgy.

Mods descended on this popular street in their droves to scour the many vintage shops for new threads or just hang out. Leather jackets and thigh-grazing skirts abounded. The King’s Road was one endless ode to youth culture. 

In general, Chelsea was considered to be unpredictable and wildly exciting. You might spot Christian the lion being walked down the street by his antique peddling owners, or catch Vivienne Westwood nipping into her World’s End boutique. It was home to beatniks, hippies, punks, rockers, and struggling artists. But the Chelsea today paints a completely different picture. The evolution of this South West neighbourhood is a showcase in development, prime real estate, and culture.

A stone’s throw from Kensington, Fulham, and Belgravia, and bordering the River Thames, this easily accessible area falls within the Zone 1 travelcard boundary. It is connected by the District and Circle lines (via Sloane Square station) as well as the District, Circle, and Piccadilly lines (via South Kensington station). There are good bus links and night buses serving north, south, east, west and central London. 

The King’s Road in Chelsea is still a hive of shopping activity, though these days you’re more likely to see high-end boutiques like L.K. Bennett and Armani in place of thrift shops. Sloane Street, which runs all the way to Knightsbridge, is a luxury retail hub with the likes of Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Dior rubbing shoulders on its leafy pavements. Chelsea is also an epicentre of art (The Saatchi Gallery), and the area also plays host to the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show every May. This is an aspirational place with a great deal to attract tourists and locals alike.

Restaurants to see and be seen

As one of London’s most picture-perfect neighbourhoods (think white-fronted houses, quaint back streets and lots of wisteria) it stands to reason there are beautiful restaurants, cafés and bars to match.

At the top end of the spectrum, the two-Michelin-starred Claude Bosi at Bibendum offers diners a masterclass in luxury. The light streaming through the iconic stained-glass windows gives the restaurant an ethereal feel, while the food itself is equally heavenly. Think rich fare with an incredible complementary wine list, and an oyster bar to boot.

Elsewhere, Bluebird Chelsea (preserve of the structured reality series Made in Chelsea) is a place to recover from the antics of the night before over big brunches – all the while taking in a spot of people-watching. Opt for the crushed avocado, salmon ceviche and eggs a million different ways.

The Ivy has a Chelsea outpost – The Ivy Chelsea Garden – which marries all-day dining with a sophisticated, yet relaxed atmosphere. Encompassing an electric mix of modern British comfort food and international dishes, there’s also a cocktail menu inspired by the local surroundings.

You’ll also find a swathe of Japanese eateries on – and off – the King’s Road, with the likes of Kurobuta, Benihana, and KIRU all to be found. Benihana is an art show, where the chefs combine teppanyaki cooking with a high-octane performance on a searing-hot grill in front of you; Kurobuta delivers izakaya-style street food, all by ex-Nobu chef Scott Hallsworth; finally, KIRU is contemporary fine-dining, with a signature tasting menu that includes pan fired poussin, with a truffle teriyaki sauce.

On the border of Chelsea and Knightsbridge, you’ll find Restaurant Ours – a long-lauded institution with a famous flower wall and an iconic 80-foot lit-up catwalk entrance. The menu boasts dishes with a steady stream of Asian, Mediterranean, and Latin-inspired themes, each perfect for sharing.

Millionaires and moguls

The average house price in Chelsea is approximately £1.4 million, with the local population consisting mainly of property developers, retirees, celebrities, and heirs and heiresses. This is a discerning crowd always eager for a new foodie pit-stop or swanky evening dining spot – there is plenty of opportunities here for footfall and loyal clientele.