Tucked away on a quiet corner of Westbourne Park Road in Notting Hill, Caractère is the brainchild of Emily Roux and her husband, Diego Ferrari. While Emily’s surname carries considerable weight—being the third generation of one of the world’s most famous culinary dynasties—she and Diego have shaped a restaurant that stands firmly on its own merit.
Since opening in 2018 and earning its first Michelin star in 2025, Caractère has steadily cultivated a unique identity in London’s thriving dining scene. Diego, formerly Head Chef at Le Gavroche, brings precision and polish; Emily adds both heritage and a fresh perspective. Together, they create food that draws from their French and Italian roots but is filtered through a modern, personal lens—one that speaks to the restaurant’s name: character.
Rather than the standard starters, mains, and desserts, the six-part à la carte menu is arranged by mood: Curious, Subtle, Delicate, Robust, Strong, and Greedy. It’s a structure that allows diners to order on instinct, picking their favourites without feeling like they’ve signed up for a themed concept. The format is fluid, but the food is tightly composed—which is no surprise considering the calibre of the kitchen.
After a couple of moreish canapés, our dinner started with the Bluefin tuna from the Curious section—a beautifully arranged flower-like plate of radish, yuzu-chilli condiment and homemade mandarin ponzu that looked delicate but delivered a flavour punch. Sweet, sharp, clean; the ideal vessel for showcasing the excellent cut and quality of fish.
Then came a pair from Subtle: a golden saffron risotto, glossy with veal jus and roast bone marrow, and cooked with just the right amount of bite. Next was the somewhat contensious yet very inventive celeriac “cacio e pepe”, which took a familiar Roman staple and turned it silky, savoury, and slightly crunchy, further elevated by a palate-awakening whack of extra-aged balsamic vinegar. Personally, we thoroughly enjoyed it and can understand why it’s become a beloved signature at Caractère.
From the Delicate section, steamed Cornish cod arrived with BBQ mussels and white asparagus. The fish was soft, the sauce light, and the mussels smoky enough to keep things interesting. The monkfish, meanwhile, leaned into more classic French territory: roasted and served with peas, smoked bacon, and a dark, velvety Matelote sauce.
Two meat courses followed—both from the Robust side of the menu. First, the stunning Volaille Albufera: a perfectly cooked piece of poultry with a morel-stuffed mushroom and a soft wave of wild garlic. It was rich, subtle, and deeply comforting. Then came the Cornish Lamb Rack—pink, tender, and paired with piquillo peppers, Jersey Royals, olive and capers. It ticked all the boxes: texture, acidity, and the textbook pairing of complementary flavours, all handled with a deft hand—making it one of the most memorable dishes of the night.
To finish, a duo of desserts from the Greedy section. The Strawberry Tart was surprisingly restrained—a crisp base, almond cream, and a layer of silky crème pâtissière, finished with fresh and sweet strawberries. Light and well-judged. The 75% Peruvian Dark Chocolate dish was a different story entirely: bold, luxurious, and balanced with salted caramel and gianduja. It wasn’t just decadent—it was smartly constructed, with each bite delivering a different nuance of sweetness, bitterness, and crunch.
The space—formerly a pub—is as elegant as the food: muted tones, velvet banquettes, laquered wood, marble-topped tables, serene artworks, exposed brick walls, and just enough brass to glisten under the warm Art Deco lights. A calming, welcome respite from the frenetic pace of West London just outside the door.
It’s clear that Caractère isn’t trying to break the mould. It’s not a tasting-menu temple or a social media spectacle. Instead, it’s a restaurant run by two people who genuinely care about what they’re doing—and have a real talent for it. The food is meticulous without being overly theatrical, the service warm and quietly efficient, and the experience—much like the name—full of character.
To find out more about Caractère and book, visit the links below:
Caractère
209 Westbourne Park Rd
London W11 1EA
United Kingdom
Web: caractererestaurant.com
Tel:020 8181 3850
Instagram: @caractere.restaurant
Images © Rebecca Dickson