Where To Eat In Hammersmith, According To A Local Chef

The leafy neighbourhood of Hammersmith is somewhat underrated when it comes to culinary credentials. It might not be widely known as a foodie hotspot, but its riverside paths are in fact lined with many great restaurants – from long-standing favourites overlooking the Thames to friendly gastropubs, and of course the River Cafe, which is up there with the capital’s most esteemed (and star-studded) dining rooms. Below, local restaurateur and longtime Hammersmith resident Sam Harrison shares his top recommendations. 

Sam is the co-founder of Genuine Restaurants, which has been part of the West London hospitality scene for 21 years, starting with Sam’s Brasserie in Chiswick in 2005 and growing to four venues across Hammersmith and Brentford. 

Best Restaurants In Hammersmith: Sam Harrison’s Pick

Anglesea Arms

I love this pub, just a short walk from our house. They always look after us – including our two-year-old. It’s a proper pub that also does consistently great food. We normally go for an early supper as a family; I especially rate their Caesar salad, but we also often have a late Sunday lunch after I’ve worked in one of my own places. My daughter’s favourite is the croquettes.

35 Wingate Rd, London W6 0UR, angleseaarmspub.co.uk

Sam’s Riverside

This is where my day starts and ends – our flagship on the river in Hammersmith. We have an amazing customer base, and I like to think it’s the perfect spot for a quick drink at the bar, a long, lazy lunch or a really special occasion. We’ve currently got a pretty special lobster roll on offer, and right now is the perfect time of year for oysters too; we do an oyster happy hour every week day, 4pm to 7pm which tends to reel people in! 

1 Crisp Rd, London W6 9DN, samsriverside.co.uk

Burnt

For really great coffee and brunch, Burnt is inventive and fun – the kind of food I always want to eat. Great sourcing too, with fabulous produce. They normally do incredible buttermilk pancakes, plus a twist on kedgeree that’s utter heaven. They open a couple of evenings a week as well, and have one of the cutest little courtyards in West London.

163 Askew Rd, London W12 9AU, burntrestaurant.co.uk

Sam’s Kitchen

Our neighbourhood café – I’m a little biased of course but it’s the kind of place I want on my own doorstep. It’s casual, it’s for everyone, and it’s where a lot of the same faces come back week after week. Our bacon, egg and emmental roll is a real fan favourite.

17 Crisp Rd, London W6 9RL, samskitchenw6.co.uk

Richard Bryant

The River Cafe

You can’t talk about eating in Hammersmith without mentioning The River Cafe! It’s an institution, and it’s what inspired me to try and build one of my own on the same stretch of river. Simple, seasonal Italian cooking done better than almost anywhere else in London.

Thames Wharf, Rainville Rd, London W6 9HA, rivercafe.co.uk

Billy’s Smokehouse

The newest kid on the block – a proper live-fire American barbecue on Goldhawk Road, which is exactly what this pocket of Hammersmith needed. The brisket’s the thing to get, slow-smoked and no messing about. It’s unpretentious, generous, and the kind of independent opening I want to see more of around here.

100 Goldhawk Rd, London W12 8HD, billyssmokehouse.co.uk

The Hawthorn

Recently relaunched on Uxbridge Road and already a welcome addition – a proper, well-run neighbourhood pub with a good pint and a menu with simple classics done really well: beef dripping fish and fries, grilled mackerel or a really stunning steak. 

434 Uxbridge Rd, London W12 0NS, thehawthornpub.com

Sam’s Larder

And just a small nod to our deli, Sam’s Larder – all my favourite foodie treats under one roof, for anyone who wants to take a bit of what we do at the restaurants home with them.

4 Crisp Rd, London W6 9RL, samslarder.co.uk