Review of Bottega 35 in Kensington

A new chapter has begun on Kensington High Street. After eight successful years, local favourite Zuaya closed its doors in August 2025. In its place, Bottega 35 opened on 1st September, bringing a fresh Tuscan spirit to W8. To celebrate the launch, guests can enjoy 30% off food and drinks throughout September.

My guest and I visited midweek and were warmly welcomed by Lena, our waitress for the evening. Her service was a excellent: attentive, friendly, and genuinely passionate about the menu. She struck the perfect balance between professionalism and warmth, making us feel well looked after throughout the evening.

We began with cocktails: the Bottega Fizz (rum, blue curaçao, Passoa) and the Anguria Cooler (vodka, fresh watermelon, lemon). Both were generously poured and reasonably priced for London at £15 and £14 respectively, an ideal way to ease into the evening while browsing the menu..    

The starters arrived promptly. I opted for the Taleggio Arancini with Mushroom, crispy on the outside, and full of sumptuous flavour. My guest chose the Bruschetta Pesto with Stracciatella and Pistachio, which looked stunning and was quite tasty, but very filling and leaned a little too heavily on the creamy side. Definitely a dish better suited for sharing.

For mains, I opted for the Fried Mixed Seafood with tagliatelle, parsley aioli, a generous portion of seafood tossed with tagliatelle with parsley aioli. While the presentation was inviting, the flavour fell a little flat for me.

My guest, however, struck gold with the Seabass Bottega, a generous sized portion, served sitting on top of a tomato and caper sauce. It was a standout dish: fresh, beautifully cooked, and full of Mediterranean character.

We shared two sides, Tomato Green Beans and Oven-Roasted Potatoes, both of which were well seasoned and satisfying. The house white and blush wines complemented the meal nicely, light, crisp, and of good quality. I recommend the blush.

Dessert brought a touch of theatre with the Bottega Tiramisu, assembled tableside with a flourish. We also tried the classic canniloni, which had a sweet vanilla cream filling and a favourite for both of us.

Bottega 35 is a beautifully styled restaurant that captures the warmth and convivial spirit of Tuscany. With its inviting ambiance, standout service—especially from Lena—and some memorable dishes, it’s a welcome addition to Kensington’s dining scene. The overall experience is charming, wellpriced, and worth a visit..

For more info and to book click here.

Address: 35 Kensington High Street, London, W8

Written by Lorna Bryn