World class tasting menu. The price is definitely for a VERY special occasion. We have recommended this place to many people. The experience was amazing and they helped my husband celebrate his birthday. If you want one of a kind world experience, this is the spot for you.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Yelp Reviews

It may be that fine dining communities have hyped it up too much so my expectations were quite high and while the meal was quite good I would say nearly every three star restaurant I've been to (and several 1 and 2s!) were better overall. Now, obviously a four star review is not bad by any means and Core tics off a lot of boxes you'd expect of such a highly rated establishment. The interior space is warm, tasteful, and pleasant. The staff are friendly, attentive, and tend to guests with the kind of professionalism you'd expect. And, the food is very good but and occasionally exceptional. But this is a thee star rated restaurant which means it's supposed to be the best of the best in the world, and during my visit I found too many moments not quite up to comparisons with other places. During our seasonal tasting menu some of our mains like the duck and sea bass to be pleasant but kind of boring without any wow factor in their taste or presentation. A circular spin on potato and leek soup with caviar on top was really underwhelming with the caviar feeling really out of place on the food which was mushy blend of vegetables that I had a hard time getting through. Sourdough served with the meal was also just kind of O.K. and not indicative of anything special given the attention paid to the age of the starter. There were some dishes that did feel up to par with other three stars. The best of these was the tomato "bouef" which was tomato served three ways - one as a faux tartare, a consume, and juice with a sweet roll - and it was spectacular in flavor and presentation. This along with the opening bites (including a jellied eel that I was afraid to try but defied all bad expectations) really gave the impression our meal was going to be a knock out. Sadly, it was all downhill from there. Deserts and wine were all right as well. The other meme about Core is the exceptional value for the money given its rating but our bill for two tasting menus and two wine pairings came to about 1400 USD which is not out of line with other similar establishments but I wouldn't consider it somehow inexpensive. So I came away from Core slightly disappointed and likely won't be back any time soon.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Yelp Reviews

Impossible to get a reservation. I’ve been trying to get a reservation at this restaurant for probably 18 months now. I’ve tried everything from waiting up past midnight to book a slot over months to being on the wait list. No joy. Who wants to eat at 21:30 onwards??? That’s all that’s ever come up. And yet “named”individuals have no issue getting a seat. Not sure why I’m bother to support such a business

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

And that's saying a lot. It was more than just the food. It was the combination of approachable hospitality, location, and absolutely amazing and evocative food. If you can get in, go. You won't regret it.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Yelp Reviews

This was a special evening to celebrate my husband's 60th birthday, and Core delivered on every level. The warmth of being greeted by the kitchen team as we arrived; the carefully informal formality; the energy (and knowledge) that everyone brought to our evening ... it goes on. The food was, of course, exceptional. A scallop tartare to start (with lovely sweetness and bite); potato and roe (genius); turnip dramatically drenched in nutmeg; lamb ... and two glorious desserts. (Not to mention the canapes where a roast-chicken dinner in one bite just makes you smile.) A great wine pairing with exactly the sort of introductions for each that you'd expect. Yes, expensive, and, yes, absolutely worth every penny. Awesome to meet Clare Smyth as we left. I cannot praise her, her team, and her restaurant highly enough.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

3 michelin star dining experience with a 6 course Classic menu (customised for my allergies) especially prepare all gluten-free and dairy-free that I will always remember! From the moment we arrived at Core by Clare Smyth, the experience felt super special. In a beautiful road in Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill, the restaurant itself looks like a townhouse, elegant, impeccably presented, welcoming, with a calm atmosphere that makes you instantly feel at ease. I had the honour of meeting Clare when I dined at Gordon R's The Restaurant on Hospital Road - Clare was the head chef there 10 years ago and I was able to do a meet and greet in the pristine kitchen with her team for my 40th. 10 years on, we celebrated for my 50th and whilst I didnt meet her this time as we went at lunchtime on a Saturday, she usually works evenings - I did have the pleasure of meeting Jonny and some of his team which was fab. The service was exceptional! The team work and the flawless service and highly highly trained people is what you are experiencing. About 10 staff always attending to your every need and course. They know what wine, what you might want to drink, what would be suitable foe your taste. Warm, funny, knowledgeable, and attentive. Every member of the team takes massive pride in what they do, and it shines through in how they guide you through the menu. The food, of course, is the true gem here. £255 for the Classic menu (wine pairing is extra) incredible British cuisine with Clare's twist and a nod to her Irish heritage too. Plus the story behind the brand, and each course was what fascinated me. The GF bread was incredible!! (And the normal bread that Jonny and team created from 20 year old sourdough is apparently insanely good. ) From the plates, who made them, where all the food and decor is sourced. I was immersed in the entire experience. Each course is a work of art – beautifully plated, imaginative, and perfectly balanced in flavour. I loved how every dish told a story, from the intricate starters through to the 3 stunning desserts. Highlights for me included scallop (love scallops! In a beautifully presented seafood piece of art) the lamb, which was cooked with such precision, the flower turnip, the roasted cod, and the potato and roe, and the cherry meringue which was as delicious as it was beautiful. The liquor jelly grapes and chocolate tart had a creative flourish that made them memorable and i devoured them all. What really stood out was the attention to detail from the fingerprint design on the plates (when you work in a michelin star restaurant you cant leave any finger marks on a plate when serving and so why not have yours embellished on it? I loved this concept. I loved the way the 'Core' was weaved through the wallpaper, the menus's ...the whole experience. The ingredients were presented in harmony with the seasons. It’s a place where fine dining feels thoughtful rather than fussy. I bought the Core by Clare Smyth book too. I doubt I'll make the dishes as they'd take me.a.year to make but I LOVED the story and learning about Core's background and Gordon's forward in the book. (I would have probably bought a cap too if she had one!) I have not stopped talking about it with everyone since dining here. I'll be going on my next decade for my 60th too ...maybe to her new restaurant (opening v soon in Covent Gdn I think)...seeing as I go wherever Clare Smyth does. Fyi, she also has opened Encore in Sydney. Without doubt, the best dining experience I’ve ever had in London, (and one I’d recommend to anyone looking for something truly special) we'll be returning again - its absolutely worth its weight in gold.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Our third visit in 8 years and every one has been memorable. The food and service are as good as it gets - the 3 stars are entirely deserved. Our experience today was very different to the negative reviews - never hurried at all. We had a 1.15pm booking and we left about 5.30pm, without being hurried along at all. It is very expensive, but it's also very good value for money. Definitely something for a special occasion, but we can't wait to find an excuse to go back. Fabulous!

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Goodness, what an experience! Smiles at the front door. Smiles and waves from the team in the glass-front kitchen as we walked by (it was the very start of service, not busy yet). Smiles from the servers. Grins from all the diners. I don't think I've ever been to such a happy restaurant. We had a whale of a time. All the servers had time to stop and chat, tell us about their life. It turned out that we'd met one before when she served us at Restaurant Gordon Ramsey! Twice a junior chef came out to talk about the cooking. Everyone seemed to be enjoying their work and having a good time. Plenty of staff - about 12 servers for about 30 diners. The classic tasting menu is all gluten free, including the best gluten free bread my wife has ever tasted. We had one classic menu and one seasons, plus wine flights. Every morsel was eaten, every plate wiped clean. (Every course comes with a spoon to slurp up the last of the sauce.) Packed full of flavour. Magic with the veg, turning a turnip into fine dining. As we were leaving, a server asked the head chef to come out and meet us. We thanked him and then my wife gave him a big hug, grins all round. It was that good. (Clare Smyth visits every day, but it was lunch, she'd be there later, we were told.) Two tasting menus, two wine flights, champagne, water, coffee, service came to £1050. If that sounds a lot for lunch, set it aside. Our food and wine was as good as the best we have ever eaten and the atmosphere, the welcome, was our new best. We utterly loved it and we'll save up and go again one year. We had to book 3 months in advance, which is the big downside. It takes a lot of planning.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Had the pleasure of dining at this fantastic restaurant for a second time and was thinking, was my last visit viewed through rose tinted specs and was it really that good?, well I can now confirm it was that good! We chose the classics menu again as 3 dishes had been changed and were equally as good as the previous dishes. The quality of food is superb and fully matched by the quality of the staff who are both professional and on point but are so personable and friendly you are put at ease as soon as you enter the establishment. The little touches such as introducing you to the kitchen staff on entry (lucky enough to have Clare Smyth there today) and noticing my wife ate left handed so every different member who laid the next course set her cutlery correctly. If I can give any advice to diners thinking should I go as it is not cheap, I would forgo a couple of months bang average meals save your pennies and go! You won’t regret it, just got home with a full belly and already planning our next visit!

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

My wife and I celebrated a special evening at Core by Clare Smyth. Among the excellent dishes, the Roasted Cod and the Core-tese dessert truly stood out. The atmosphere was elegant yet relaxed, making it perfect for a special evening. Attentive service completed a memorable experience.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

From the moment you enter the building, you are welcomed into a warm and friendly atmosphere. My wife and I visited for our 20th anniversary and we couldn't have chosen a better restaurant. The staff are super attentive and made us feel comfortable and ready for the culinary journey we would be going on. The food was simply sublime. Clare and her team of wizards have created a menu that took us to another world. We felt like giggling kids eating dishes that we so flavoursome made us want to lick the plates clean Stand out dishes were the tomate, turbot, and duck. The desert called Core Teaser was one of the best deserts I've ever had and was a wonderful way to finish this experience. To top it all, as we were leaving, we were asked if we would like to say hi to Clare, which was a lovely touch. She was talking to a member of her team. However, as soon as she saw us, she walked over, shook our hands, and thanked us for choosing her restaurant to celebrate our special occasion. We had the meal of our lives, and I can't recommend this place enough.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Andrea and I had the absolute best lunch of our lives here. We waited many years to be able to secure a reservation and it was well worth the wait! The food is beyond compare. I’ve never had a better meal anywhere in the world. The best part of the restaurant are the staff!!! They made our entire experience so phenomenal with their kindness and knowledge. We are so grateful to have been able to experience Core! Thank you!!

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

I’d give Core 4.5/5 with the half a point deducted for the food quality. Our last Michelin dining experience was at a 2 star and on balance I’d say the food then was better. Don’t get me wrong, Core is fabulous in its own right, a perfect dining room and most definitely delivers 3 star service ( if a little too efficient at times!). As someone else noted, the first few sauces on the Classics menu are heavily butter based - too much so in our humble opinion. The Cod also seemed too citrus heavy, diminishing the subtle taste of the fish itself. We thought the lamb however was amongst the best meat dishes we’ve ever had, and both deserts were also spectacular. Key question is would we return - in all honesty, probably not. (Whereas we did indeed return to the 2 star establishment). Then again we have no regrets in visiting and highly recommend you Core a try.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Dining at Core by Clare Smyth is everything you would expect from a three Michelin star restaurant featuring a diverse, creative, and flavorful tasting menu. There are two options for the tasting menu: the Core Classics and the Core Seasons. I ordered the Seasons featuring in season local ingredients and my wife had the Classics. I included the wine pairing with my dinner, and it was a nice touch that elevated each dish. The meal started with a tasing of "Beginning" Bites: Lobster Roll, Roast Chicken, Pea and Mint Gougere, and Jellied Eel and Toasted Seaweed. I loved the Lobster Roll! This bite sized version of one of my favorite sandwiches had a soft brioche bun filled with tender aromatic lobster. The Roast Chicken was also phenomenal. A bit sized crisp taco-like shell was filled with jellies that exploded with rich meaty flavor and tasted just like a perfectly roasted chicken. The Gougere and Jellied Eel were also very flavorful. Next came the Langoustine with English Saffron. This was my favorite dish of the evening. Super tender and briny Langoustine meat literally melts in your mouth and was paired with a rich jelly and crisp veggies that were soooo flavorful it was like eating a garden. The Leek and Potato was also phenomenal (my second favorite dish of the evening)! The combination of fresh local potatoes and leeks were formed into a tender lightly crisp airy patty which was heavenly on its own. But then it was paired with a creamy buttermilk sauce and a heaping portion of juicy Osietra caviar. The next dish was the Cornish Turbot. The fish was fresh, flakey and tender and paired with flavorful smoked mussels. Crispy Veal Sweetbread was next. A soft potato like bread was paired with a rich sauce. A Merrifield Farm Duck finished the meat portion of the dinner. The duck was rich, juicy, and tender and paired with a rich flavorful sauce. The Raspberry Fool was the first dessert. I am not a big raspberry fan but this was delicious with a creamy rich raspberry flavor. The Core-Teser was a rich creamy chocolate mousse. Finally, the dinner ended with flavorful dessert bites of Chocolate Tart and Jellies.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Yelp Reviews

Overall, I enjoyed my experience here, but I felt like it was more of a one time thing. There were some dishes that I really enjoyed, but some that were just OK. I really liked the crab dish that was presented in 3 ways and also highly enjoyed the duck. The other folks in my party all got the Core Classics menu that included the lamb and were disappointed by the fact that it was not actually lamb. The plating and presentation of all the dishes were what I expected of a 3* Michelin establishment. Service wise, we were quite confused by how many different wait staff appeared at our tables for different reasons. It felt like there was no communication between them as we were often asked for our drink orders twice and had to repeat other asks as well. We were sat right in front of the kitchen and while it was a joy to watch the chefs at work initially, it quickly felt like it was really noisy and there were a lot of people passing through. The other thing I remember is that all the turnip dishes seem to be tart and I was wondering if there was maybe another flavor profile that could have been represented with that. If I were to go again, I'd probably order from the ala carte menu instead of trying the tasting menus. Overall, good experience, thank you!

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Yelp Reviews

My wife and I chase celebrity chefs like other folks chase rock stars. So when we finally had the chance to hop across the pond for a visit to London, a collection of Michelin Star Chefs were on the shopping list. Clare Smyth was on the top of our list and, despite having 6 months advance notice to get reservations, we were unable to book anything at Core before we landed at Heathrow. I wrote Clare an email, and her staff replied that while they had nothing available (as we'd expected), but they would keep us on a waiting list and call if anything opened up. I figured they were just being polite, and so when my phone rang at about 6pm that night, I nearly jumped out of my skin. We were in the underground on our way to another restaurant for dinner when they phoned, and my mobile dropped the call! I called back at least 5 times with no answer. When we got above ground, my phone rang again and we connected - 9:00 dinner? Heck yeah! we canceled our other reservation and hot-footed it for Core. Despite the last-minute nature of our booking, the staff treated us like we were guests in their home. If you've never dined in a 3-star Michelin restaurant, this is exactly what you should expect. First off, we were escorted to the lounge area, where a hyper-enthusiastic gentleman offered us a drink menu. I don't think I've ever met a happier person anywhere, much less in Britain. Our cocktails were fabulous and, when the time came, we were escorted to our table in the dining room. Every member of the team stopped what they were doing to greet us as we passed by... some of them by name, which was impressive by itself, especially considering we didn't have a reservation 3 hours earlier. Once seated, we opted for the simple 4-course meal. Four courses? Try seven. Little surprises around every corner. Everything from an amuse bouche, to a palate cleanser, to a second, special dessert on top of the already fancy first offering. I was starting to wonder if they were ever going to stop bringing us plates. But then I pondered that eating one self to death on some of the most delectible, creative, artistic, and scrumptuous food in the world might not be a bad way to go, really. As we left, we were invited to meet the chef (regrettably, Clare was not cooking that night, but the head chef du jour was wonderfully cordial, taking a moment to let us thank him for the meal). The walk back to our hotel was a touch longer than we'd planned in the crisp, evening air. But we needed to burn off a few of the calories those housemade wine gums, deconstructed malteser, and petit fours had deposited on our waist. No better night could be had by a pair of foodies our age. And we can't wait to return another day to see what other creative dishes Clare and her team have concocted.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Yelp Reviews

Wow this restaurant is beautiful & the food is phenomenal! I came with my family and it is easy to see why they have 3 Michelin stars. The staff is so attentive/aware, constantly moving, and they don't miss a thing. They are a smooth running machine- even setting down the plates is an art and has to be done at the same time. Each course of the meal is a piece of art, tells a story, and has so much flavor! I was very impressed by the Lamb Carrot course- having a vegetable be the main feature of the dish. The duck was so soft and deliciously prepared with the flavor profile & the cod was moist and flakey. The potato and roe course was savory and even had little potato chips on top too. All of the desserts were a perfect finish to the meal. I love how the core apple is designed like an apple on the outside and has the flavor on the inside. We had such a lovely experience here and can't wait to dine here again!

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Yelp Reviews

I feel compelled to write an updated review for Core by Clare Smyth since when I first visited in February 2020 it only had two Michelin stars. Well, it has three Michelin stars now! I had to come back to see what the difference was. Ironically, I didn't realize that I ordered the Core Seasons menu last time (perhaps I should have checked my own review!), but I did end up ordering the Core Seasons menu again. I could tell very clearly that Core has increased its level since the last time I was here. The presentation was tighter, the creativity was on par if not slightly better, and of course the food was still amazing. There were no misses at all on this menu, although if I had to pick a favorite it would probably have to be the Langoustine and Wasabi Pea. But honestly, everything is fantastic as you would expect from a three Michelin star restaurant. As usual, Core has impeccable service. Even though they are now at three stars, you never feel like they think they're too good for you to be here. Everyone here was super friendly! Every dish explained after its brought out. Table cleaned after every dish. Hell, they wouldn't even let me pour my own water. I have been spoiled to have been to multiple three star restaurants, but at least I know what the standard is and they meet that standard. Since I have been here before, I was already familiar with the ambience. Like i I said before, Core prides itself on being "an elegant and informal fine dining restaurant." You never feel uncomfortable in here at all despite it being a three star restaurant. Luckily this time, I was able to be seated at a table at the edge of the room rather than the middle of the room. This really allowed me to observe all the details of the ambience. Really felt super comfortable here, as I did last time. I also wanted to thank the reservations folks for allowing me to book a two person reservation, then changing it to a one person reservation since OpenTable didn't allow for a one person reservation. A lot of fine dining establishments don't do this, so I am grateful that they allowed for this. Core by Clare Smyth is firmly one of my favorite restaurants in the world. I was impressed by it in in 2020 and even more impressed after 2024. And since I still haven't ordered from the Core Classics menu, I still have incentive to come back!

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Yelp Reviews

I'm a little tardy in writing this review since we were in London late March to celebrate my wife's birthday. We had the pleasure of dining at Core on her birthday thanks to AMEX Concierge securing a reservation for us. We received a warm welcome from the host and were escorted through the beautiful bar area and past the open kitchen where we were greeted by the staff. We walked up a few stairs to a lovely dining room of 15 or so tables and got the best table IMO. Every detail is considered at Core, from the decor to the tasteful table setting. Service was on point, pleasant and timely with water and cocktails to start. Everyone on staff were impeccably dressed. We decided to go with the Classic and a Seasons menu. It's been over three months since we were at Core and we still talk about how this was top level cooking and for us, the best we have enjoyed. Every dish was excuted perfectly in taste, texture and temperate . After dinner, we had a cocktail and more after dinner deserts while we waited for our driver. We left full and happy! An exceptional experience and again; the best fine dining we have tried over the years, can't wait to return. Cheers!

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Yelp Reviews

This was the third visit to Core for my wife and I. As usual it was perfect. Pricey, yes. But with everyone operating at the top of their game it was money well spent. A wonderful experience from start to finish.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

I would start by saying that I write this review objectively and based on my experience of many Michelin Star restaurants around the world (this is my 7th 3* restaurant and I have dined at many 1* and 2* restaurants too). The restaurant is a short walk from the tube station and relatively easy to find. On arrival we were warmly greeted. As we entered we were shown a bar area to the left (which was empty), and had assumed that having arrived well in advance of our reservation time that we would have been given the option to take our aperitif there. We were however shown immediately to our table. First impressions is the restaurant was very light and airy, but the tables seemed to be very close to each other. Due to this fact it was very difficult to have a conversation without being overheard and without overhearing others. Whilst I am aware that at this standard a restaurant calculates the number of staff prorata to the number of guests, it almost felt that the waiting staff were outnumbering the diners and their way of moving around the small dining space made it feel very busy. There just seemed to be a lot of activity which was very distracting. We took the tasting menu, and I won’t go into details of each dish, but I would say that for the first time after dining in a 3* restaurant I didn’t come away with one dish that gave me the wow factor. That said the food was executed and presented perfectly, it just didn’t inspire me. I noticed after the first few dishes that the plates were taken away literally as soon as the cutlery was put down, and the next dish followed extremely quickly thereafter. It felt uncomfortably rushed to the point where it actually began to annoy me. Whilst it is nice to have an attentive waiting service it felt as though they were standing waiting for the dish to be finished, and as soon as it was it was whisked away. I understand to get the timing between courses right is one of the hardest elements to manage, however we were not given time to savour one course until the next arrived. At the end of the meal (literally 5 minutes after finishing the final dessert) we were presented with the bill (without us asking for it). Again this felt really rushed, we were not allowed the time to sit and reflect upon experience, nor were we asked if we would like at digestive, it was simply assumed that as we had no plate in front of us we were finished and duly presented with the bill and card machine!! Clare Smyth you really need to work on the timings, our tasting menu only lasted a mere 2 hours from arrival time to departure time! Considering the £700 price tag, maybe you could afford your guests a little more time to savour not only the food but also the environment. On leaving the restaurant I was handed my jacket, again a first for me. Even at home if I have guests I hold their coats for them to put them on when they are leaving! Overall, food good, service very hurried! Would I visit again? - I doubt it unless they relax the speed and allow guests the time to enjoy the experience.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Hard to ever say a meal or restaurant is the best I have ever experienced but I can say I have never had better. Not a thing I could suggest to improve. Bravo!

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Wow ! We had a picture with Clare………wow wow wow ! She signed a menu… This was my wife’s 50th Birthday present. She has always loves Clare Smyth since seeing her on TV and following her. Myself wife and son had the original tasting menu. From entrance you are greeted professionally but not arrogantly , so important when dinning in prestigious places and most get this bit wrong in my opinion. The staff are all lovely and extremely attentive, but not over the top. We had the wine pairing and for the first time ever we were topped up where needed which was a revelation….at hestons last month they skimped on this part which was extremely annoying. Well done on the pairing side , really lovely to see. It felt like your experience was more important than just profit! The food was beautiful, of course it was, delicious and incredible , again of course it was. Toilets delightfully clean , always a must and staff polite , professional and not arrogant. We stayed at the hari hotel , 15 minutes taxi so not to bad and from reviews the local one isn’t great. Hari is an excellent 5 star. Clare and team we cannot thank you enough for taking time out at the end of the night to say a brief happy birthday to my wife it made her night and year very special. It was not expected and totally appreciated. My wife was a star struck by it and shed a few happy tears. So very very special and kind of you.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Early evening Saturday visit, very welcoming staff, super chatty & friendly! Across from the main dining space is a big glass screen separating the kitchen from the restaurant, so you can admire the chefs attention to detail! Food was sublime, my wife had the Core Classics & I had the Core Seasons tasting menus. Core Seasons stand out dishes - langoustine starter, herdwick lamb, carrot sorbet & their take on a malteser was epic! Core Classics - Potato & Roe, ‘Lambs Carrot’ & the Merrifield Duck with beetroot was next level delicious! They also serve little treats at the start & end, the last of which was kinda like a chocolate fondant in a tart, a strong contender to rival the malteser for best desert!! Their cocktail bar is also well worth a visit, Lucy in the Sky is lovely & the bar staff clearly know their stuff! And once again very chatty, friendly, happy people! Top marks & maybe we’ll make this our annual anniversary treat!

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Core by Clare Smyth On Saturday we enjoyed another delightful visit to Core where we would once again experience food and service of the highest level. This was however the first time we’d been since they underwent a major refurbishment so we were very excited to see all the changes. On arrival we received a fabulous welcome from Alina before being escorted via looking at the new bar where we would later enjoy a digestive to our table. We stopped at the kitchen to chat with Jonny , Millie and our old friend Antonio. We didn’t have to go far to our table as we were given the honour of being seated at the Chef’s Table which can become quite noisy with a constant flow of guests wanting to say hello and have pictures taken with the team. It also meant we wouldn’t get to see the changes made in the dining room. A complimentary glass of bubbles got us underway nicely before an array of snacks arrived including a Lobster Roll , pea and mint gougere and the Core fried chicken. There is a choice of two tasting menu’s and an a la carte. My wife chose the Core Classic while I opted for the Core Seasons. Sommelier Gareth recommended an absolutely stunning wine to pair with the majority of both menu’s in the form of a Naude 2010 from South Africa. The Core Classics menu featured all the favourites and included a fabulous new main course of Merrifield Farm Duck with cherry , almond , beetroot and timut pepper. My Core Seasons menu included one of the best asparagus dishes ever with morels , wild garlic and duck egg yolk. I did swap my dessert so that I could enjoy the delicious Irish Coffee with milk chocolate , hazelnut and whiskey that was simply heaven. We then moved to the bar and was looked after by Vincenzo who had returned to be the new bar manager. Here we were to finish with the amazing Irish Coffee Cocktail where you choose your own whiskey , essence and topping. This along with petit fours brought an end to a fabulous afternoon. It was great to see some old faces as well as some new ones especially Molly and Nathan who looked after us superbly. Thank You Clare , Jonny , Millie , Gareth and all the team and look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Everything about our dinner experience at Core was first class. From the courteous and friendly staff to the beautiful and delicious food, we had an evening and meal we will never forget.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

This was simply perfect. The food and service were faultless. The room is elegant and beautifully done. From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave you are spoilt. It is done with almost a relaxed but professional elegance. Food descriptions aren't done to make you feel as though they are doing you a favour or talking down to you, as is the case in some equivalent restaurants, but to inform and tell the story. The wine pairing was great and we had two different menus and different wines to match. Attention to detail is superb and everyone is there to make sure you enjoy your evening to the max. The food on the plate looks quite simple at times but is complex and each ingredient is there for a purpose. Every plate is elegant and beautifully presented without forgetting that flavour and taste are the number one priority. We spoke to Clare Smyth at the end and she was very relaxed and truly charming. Everyone of the staff were professional, informative and added to the experience. Expensive but when you see the quality of the room, the number of staff and the elegance of the food you can understand why. Would I come back, the answer is obviously yes as this is the best meal I have ever had.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Honestly, this is one of my most memorable and amazing meals that I've had. A 3 star Michelin restaurant with a chef whom is consistently present with her staff and has the passion and empathy to say hi to her guests while making her menu financially accessible to more people considering the status of her food. It was a genuine pleasure to be serviced by the waiting staff and chefs. Clare Smyth is a major reason to visit, but her staff and their warmth and professionalism is on another level of service. Genuinely, it broke my mind the way we were treated. I ordered the classic menu while my date had the seasonal spring menu. We also ordered a bottle of wine! Overall, cannot say enough amazing things about my experience here.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Yelp Reviews

Excellent service and food ruined by being asked to move We were very much looking forward to our lunch at Core having stayed up several nights to book a table due their difficult booking procedure. (They release tables around 6 weeks before booking dates and they seem to go in seconds). Once we had secured our table we very much look forward to the day and we weren’t disappointed. A huge array of staff welcomed us to the restaurant. Nothing was too much trouble and the food and service was impeccable. I loved the fact that a lot of thought had gone into the UK provenance of the dishes. The clams from Scotland, the potted shrimp from Morecambe, etc. The creativity of the dishes was exemplary. We went for the tasting menu combined with the wine tasting and looked forward to a leisurely afternoon of culinary excellence which was forthcoming. Unfortunately the lunch came to an abrupt end after 2.5 hours when we were asked to move to the bar before even finishing out tasting menu. We ate our dessert in the bar. No-one else was asked to do this. In fact the table next to us left 45 minutes later. And the table who arrived first left after another hour. While the impeccable service, food and drink continued at the bar, the whole ambience had changed. And the lunch ended very differently to how it began. If we’d ordered a la carte it would have made more sense for us to be moved on. But the fact that we were moved was inexcusable and completely changed our perception of the day. I implore Core not to take customers for granted, to allocate at least three hours for tables with tasting menus. Please look at your competitors and make it special for your customers. Recommended. But order a la carte unless you don’t mind being moved.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Absolute cream of the Michelin crop! Beautiful experience, food looked stunning, full of texture and flavours. For special occassions!

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

We finally managed to book dinner at Core by Clare Smyth for last night and it was well worth waiting for. The bar area was beautiful and so was the dining area. We were taken through by friendly staff and even got a wave from Johnny Bone, the Head Chef, as we passed by the busy kitchen. As soon as we were seated Alessandro took care of us and was very helpful in explaining the options. We chose Core Classics -7 courses of the dishes for which Core is most well known. Afterwards we were so pleased with our choice because every dish was a winner. We particularly liked the potato and roe but in fact each dish was a surprise and a delight. We chose to select our own choice of wine rather than the wine pairing and Hubert, the Head Sommelier, was very helpful when we perused the extensive wine list. We were all extremely happy and felt that the whole team deserved congratulations in creating such beautiful dishes as well as such a great ambience in which to enjoy them. Five stars all round for the fantastic experience! I cannot end without mentioning the one area at Core which clearly needs attention. That is the ability of a patron to make contact - either to make a reservation or to confirm a reservation already made. A restaurant as superb as this must surely be able to set up a system where phone calls can be answered by a human being. I found it impossible to make contact with anyone in order to answer questions which were not dealt with on the website, or to make a booking. Eventually I used the Centurion service at Amex , as they were prepared to keep trying on my behalf and they succeeded. Then during the week prior to my reservation date I called personally at least 6 times over several days. The reply always asked me to call back as no one was available to take the call. On 3 occasions I left a message reconfirming- with my number and email address - and asked someone to call back or email to say the message had been received. Nothing! No contact. When we arrived at Core last night I had no idea whether or not our reservation had been cancelled or confirmed. Please Clare, can you arrange for a human being to answer all incoming calls? It would make such a big difference. Thanks in advance and for a lovely experience. Michael

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

We have been trying to book this restaurant for ages and finally got lucky at short notice. The experience was excellent from the hearty welcome we received right through to the chefs waving us farewell. Every little detail was covered. We chose the seasons menu which seemed to feature every one of my wife's favourites from crab through turbot to venison. However, we agreed that the Jerusalem artichoke and crispy sweetbreads were the highlights. Service was excellent, as you would expect. It was a little fussy to start with, with our food being served immediately after our gin and tonic, but this seemed a small mistake. Chef herself was present to greet customers, which is always a good sign. We will return - assuming we can get a booking!

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Located at short walk from Nottingham hill gate tube stop. Entrance rather confusing as one sort to apartment block and other to restaurant. Number of people have been standing trying the wrong door. Warm welcome with nice view of the kitchen as you came it. Very cramped setting, tables felt very close together compared to other three Michelin stars and really felt the cramp/ over crowding when the restaurant was full at 7.30pm onwards. Also could overhear conversations - not that we wanted to but due to proximity of tables especially with some louder clientals. Bread was good- standard stuff as well as butter. Amouse bouch was good but started in the wrong order. Chicken skin should be first as least interesting and lobster roll last as best. The crab claw dish with consommé was good- the intensity of the consommé was amazing. The crab claw was average as was the sabayon. Jerusalem artichoke was nice with a rather sweet artichoke Veloute. The turbot was again average - cucumber salad was nice with potato and nice sauce, couldn’t identify the oyster in the dish. Pork Cheeks was below average- fatty pork portion which we both felt was overly fatty - was a bit gamey with an overpowering sauce Mains of venison- sauce was too intense, metallic venison with an ok haggis Palate cleaner of carrots was nicer than the main desert Desert was ok - the honey comb was nice. The ball mimicking the Maltese was average. Service was good but here was so many staff , it should be-They added to feel on overcrowding and didn’t help when the restaurant was full. £700 for a core season menu for two a bottle of champagne was overpriced for the experience. Cloak room had some issues at the end- wrong scarf with jacket and manage to initial lose the correct scarf as fallen on the floor which is a real downer after the meal with staff franticly trying to find items. Should be more organised as there are atleast two staff at the cloak room!

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Overall, we had the most incredible experience at Core last night! Walking into the dining room where all the kitchen team, including Clare Smyth, greeted us warmly with a wave was a very special moment. The restaurant director Rob, head sommelier Hubert and the entire floor team were so welcoming, and looked after us exceptionally well throughout the night. We chose the Core Seasons tasting menu (with the addition of the black truffle linguine) plus the associated wine pairings. Every single course from canapés to the petit fours was utter heaven. The black truffle linguine was absolutely stand out, as was the veal sweetbread, venison and of course the signature Core-teser. The wine pairings were well chosen by the expert sommeliers. Watching the kitchen in action throughout the experience was such a treat. Everyone worked with such professionalism, meticulous attention to detail when plating and the clean down process was so impressive to observe! The playlist in the bathroom was so much fun with some perfectly chosen anthems! Sadly our experience did not start as well as hoped with my husband arriving early for a pre dinner drink in the bar, only to be quite rudely turned away by a member of the front of house team and told to return at the time of table reservation. I entirely understand that the bar was full, but a more polite approach would’ve been appreciated, perhaps with a suggestion of where else to get a drink nearby. I do feel that the whole experience should begin from the time you walk in (as with other 3 stars we have visited) and sadly this wasn’t the case for us. However we did not let this detract from the phenomenal experience that was to come from a team that should be very proud of how they look after their diners. Clare Smyth is a total icon and we felt privileged to enjoy her hospitality last night.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

An amazing experience. Excellent dishes, quite original flavours, presented at perfection with the perfect service. It feels cosy, home feel, the staff is so friendly. Absolutely love the turbo with kelp and oyster sauce, the jerusalem artichoke with malt and black truffle and finally the poire williams (aka Clare Smyth ‘s take on Eton Mess). The Venison with haggis was interesting - an acquired taste A well deserved 3 Michelin stars. Well done 👏

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

I’ve been to Core by Clare Smyth twice now, and on both occasions the experience has been sublime. The kitchen and floor staff go above and beyond. In regards to the ‘potato and roe’ dish, how they have managed to make the humble potato taste the way it does will make you appreciate how hard they work in the kitchen to achieve that level of perfection. As for the Rhug Estate Venison, it is one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. Enough said. Obviously reviews are a matter of opinion, but based on my experiences I choose to believe that Core by Clare Smyth is not only one of the best restaurants in London but possibly in the world. I will be back as soon as I can get a reservation, which is fairly difficult for obvious reasons.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

One of the best experiences I have had in London in the recent years. The food is meticulously creative and tasty. Great selection, atmosphere and staff. Looking forward to visiting again

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

An absolute stunner! Wonderful neighbourhood, beautiful restaurant, excellent wines and some of the best dishes I've ever tried - the level of the food is absolutely outstanding, worldclass, phenomenal, especially the scallops, potato and roe, lamb carrot, main coure with fish and mussels, pear dessert have fascinated me. The service is very approachable, friendly and professional. It's been the perfect evening for us and we'll come back as soon as we can.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Took my wife here to celebrate our first big trip since the pandemic. From start to finish the experience was extraordinary. Clare Smyth's cuisine and service embody excellence across the board, and truly she is one of England's greatest chefs. Booking was by the numbers. While you have to be ready to get a table when released, thankfully, it was not impossible. We took the tube to Notting Hill, and it was a pleasant walk to the restaurant through some lovely neighborhoods. Upon checking in we were greeted warmly and taken to our table. Two tasting menus were offered - the classic tasting menu and the "Core Seasons." We got one of each, why not try each dish? We also got a wine pairing. We prepared our palates with some champagne and cocktails, and sat back to enjoy the experience. Each dish was a breathtaking melange of color, expertly arranged and plated. The flavors and how all the ingredients were sublime. The wait staff were very knowledgeable about all the wines served and we enjoyed their stories of the provenances of each vintage. On the way out we got to meet Clare and thanked her for a wonderful evening we would not forget.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Yelp Reviews

My bf and I have a few shows we watch together, Top Chef being one of them. So when I saw a reservation for lunch open for this restaurant while we were on vacation, I knew I had to book it. We traveled by metro to the restaurant and got there a little early. The hostess was very gracious and let us store our bags in the front closet. We had the earliest reservation, so there we were quite outnumbered by the wait staff. Once the restaurant filled up a bit more, I watched in wonder at a well-oiled machine. Everything from the escort to the restroom, to pulling out chairs, to describing every single dish was impeccable. Now, the food, every single dish, was delicious, well balanced, and presented like an absolute work of art. We started with 3 pieces of amuse bouche to get our palates ready, and my palate was still not ready! The scallop tartare has probably ruined me. I don't know how, if or why I would ever eat scallops after this. To say they were fresh would be an understatement. Potato and Roe, every time I go to a fine dining restaurant, I am always amazed by all of the flavors they can put into a modest food such as a potato. The roasted cod was delicious. The lamb carrot was quite a surprise as the carrot was magically stuffed with roasted lamb. The venison was very tender and juicy. The Core Apple was magical, as it looks like a fuji apple but is a delicious stuffed mousse. The Wild Strawberry is also a beautiful optical illusion as it represents a caprese salad but is a refreshing dessert. Just when I thought I couldn't fit in another morsel, here comes the Petit Fours. With my second stomach that's usually reserved for desserts, I managed to devour a chocolate tart that was reminiscent of a fresh baked cookie and their wonderful jellied wine. This reminded me of a super potent wine jello shot but way more refined. I can not recommend trying to secure a reservation to this restaurant if you're on vacation and want to splurge on a Three Michelin Star meal.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Yelp Reviews

45pm, my plane was delayed by over an hour to return to London, so I asked the restaurant and asked the attendant if I could change my booking or come half an hour late. She said she could change my booking but will charge me a cancellation fee or keep my booking for half an hour. I received an email prior to half an hour to say I will be charged $300GPD cancellation fee and they stoped picking up my calls. It's disgusting!

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Yelp Reviews

This review is a bit late as we were there in October 22'.. You walk in and immediately you are transported. We were lucky to snag an afternoon lunch resv. Which was absolutely perfect time. The sun coming through the restaurant.. the food was just so beautiful .... next couple of hours were pure joy ...all the senses engaged. Can't wait to come back to see what's next..

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Yelp Reviews

Outstanding food, impeccable staff. We had two of the core classics tasting menus and found everything to be sublime. It was a wonderful experience from start to finish - the food was served by friendly and knowledgable staff, and the sommelier was wonderful. Because the environment is quite pared back and relaxed, the entire experience felt like such a special and memorable event where we could enjoy each others company and focus on the excellent food!

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Exquisite food, beautifully presented in wonderful surroundings all come together perfectly to provide one of the best fine dining experiences you could possibly hope to enjoy. Absolutely stunning. Impeccable service from professional and knowledgeable staff who couldn't do enough to make your evening perfect. Food was cookery at it's confident best and everything from amuses bouches, to the final petit fours was stunning- the delicate combination of flavours and the creativity in their presentation is breathtaking. Yes it is expensive but the best always is, this is why it is also good value for money- the sum of all parts in providing the perfect evening has to be worth every penny.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Ok, so when you eat at a 3 michelin star restaurant you know for sure that the food is going to taste good. It tastes better than good! It’s sublime! Great ambience! Great service! The taster menu was a tad one note and whilst I absolutely loved it, I couldn’t help feel that the whole experience ever so slightly bordered on pretentiousness. In view of the cost, I thought the service charge was unnecessary. Having said all that, it was still a joy!

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

I had been frantically and endlessly searching the reservation system for months to nab a spot here, having been told at other restaurants (SOLA, A Wong, Ynyshir) that it was possibly one of the UK's best, as well as having 3 Michelin stars and the beautiful food presentation. Finally, I was in luck when I found a time last minute at the end of January; I grabbed it in a nanosecond. I came here for dinner and words cannot express how stunned I was. The canapés were fabulous, especially that chicken with a slightly sweet, crispy skin - worth dying for. The classic combination of cheese and truffle was used for a gougère that was delightfully rich and in my opinion, should get anyone feeling excited about the whole meal. Pity it ended in a single bite. The crab starter was excellent; a gorgeous creamy but light crab mousse was enhanced by the delicate flavour of the caviar. Along with that was one of the most intense crab soups I've ever tasted - an exquisite trio. The signature 'potato and roe' whilst sounding deceptively simple, was a real work of art, you have a perfectly cooked creamy potato complemented by a gorgeous buttery sauce, that was enhanced even further by that delicate, salty flavour of the roe. The Jerusalem artichoke was one of a few dishes in my time that demonstrated that it was possible to produce a spectacular flavour without the help of meat or fish. A perfectly cooked piece of artichoke with a rich, earthy sauce; combined with the distinctive flavour of malt, voila! you have a vegetarian dish at its best. The meat dishes, especially that venison were astonishing. Considering I wasn't a big fan of venison up until now, this dish completely changed that. The faultlessly tender and succulent piece of meat accompanied by haggis and a chestnut cream tasted as good as it looked. The desserts were among the most artistically presented I've ever seen. The pear and verbena dessert - a true example of a masterpiece that simply looked too beautiful to eat! The crunch from the meringue, the soft texture from the jelly and the natural fruity, herbal flavours meant you had a dessert that was refined, elegant, refreshing and above all delicious. The 'Core-Teaser' (play on Malteaser) was as original as a dessert could get. A sumptuous chocolate and hazelnut mousse-like base was topped with a white mousse and sugar clouds that melted the second they enter your mouth - divine. This honestly was one of the best meals I've ever had. There genuinely is no room for improvement. It's a 3 Michelin star restaurant for a good reason but not only that, it really is at the top of the top. Get yourself down here and try for yourself, you'll be thinking about it for days! It was also such a delight to receive such a warm, friendly welcome and farewell from Clare Smyth and her team, an already outstanding evening was just made even better.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Superb Saturday evening to celebrate a 60th Birthday. We chose the Classic Tasting menu, also available were the Core Seasons menu and A La Carte menu, so catered for all (well, all able to and prepared to dig reasonably deep. We were first to sit so were a captive audience for both front of house and the kitchen brigade when we arrived and received an enthusiastic welcome from all, Clare was stood by the pass commanding the troops like a general! The four different amuse bouche were lovely, particularly the jellied eel (well this is London after all). The menu was lovely, particularly the "potato & roe" and the "venison with haggis" the sauce was fantastic. The meal was topped off with petit fours, or as the menu said "The End" of warm chocolate tart and wine gums, made with actual wine, brilliant. On the subject of wine, we didn't have the pairing, I'm a bit of a lightweight, so we had three individual glasses chosen by the sommelier who made some excellent decisions in conjunction with us. All in all a fantastic experience from a team of exceptional kitchen and front of house staff moulded together by the general. Yes it's pricey, but if it's your thing easily worth the money, some people spend huge amounts on following football teams or buying clothes, if that's your thing great, spend your money as you see fit,....for us it's the best quality food, keep up the good work.

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Oh my what a wonderful experience… had lunch at Core on Saturday and from start to finish the experience was exceptional! The service was first class but not over the top, and the food produced was just of the scale. By far the best restaurant I have been too, I will be back very soon. But to all the team a big THANK YOU….

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

Second visit to Core, and even better than the first! The welcome by all the staff, including Clare as you enter the plush dining area with a view of the glass fronted kitchen, is a the first sign of the excellence that awaits the diner. Pre dinner amuse bouche are a wonderful way to start the meal. Then the seasons tasting menu, with every course bursting with flavour and superbly presented by the excellent staff. There's a very comprehensive wine list, or there are wine pairings available. Certainly deserving of its 3 Michelin stars !

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews

I'll describe this place as being beautifully presented and having wonderful style. Their wine pairing is incredible, and the atmosphere is stunning!

Read More in Core by Clare Smyth London Tripadvisor Reviews