Emily Roux is the chef-patron of Caractère, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Notting Hill, London. She is a prominent member of the renowned Roux culinary dynasty, known for her modern French and European culinary...
Insights
Local ModernItalianFine diningLunchDinnerFine Dining
Last updated: 7/3/2026, 5:32:10 AM
Key Information
Caractère is an independent fine dining restaurant located in the heart of Notting Hill, London. It is known for its convivial and stylish ambiance, offering sophisticated cooking combined with efficient and unstuffy service. The restaurant aims to provide an aura of grandeur while maintaining a modest, modern feel.
Customer Perception
Customers perceive Caractère as a convivial and stylish restaurant with sophisticated cooking and efficient, unstuffy service. The atmosphere is described as having an aura of grandeur yet feeling modern and modest.
Additional Details
Caractère is situated in Notting Hill, a vibrant area of London, and is recognized by the MICHELIN Guide.
Everything you want in casual but classy Michelin dining! (With a strong emphasis on “value”)
Loved the Fathers Day lunch menu after our plans to dine A La Carte were thrown awry with scheduling.
Caractere is an outstanding modest, classy, Michelin star restaurant.
Tucked away in Notting Hill you are met with friendly but exemplary service and a standard of cuisine that is high quality, beautifully presented but with an emphasis on taste.
Each bite from pre meal hors d'oeuvres thru the menu made taste buds ‘dance’ with enthusiasm for the next bite.
Wonderful lunch experience and eager to return!
Thank you Caractere 🙏
I visited in 2022 before it won its first Star. However, after dinner I felt a strong sense that it would win sooner, not just for its reputation but for the exquisite flavours in everything.
The display is classic, a harmonious blend of ingredients and flavours. The service team is also professional. The tasting menu offers two options per course and we were delighted to try them all.
It’s a quiet place so you can enjoy your leisure time in privacy.
5
We ate at this restaurant a few years ago before they got their Michelin star and were keen to return. They offer a Christmas lunch so we booked as a treat. The food was outstanding, beautifully presented and very tasty. There’s an extensive wine list with a large selection of French and Italian wines. The service was excellent and it was great to have the opportunity to chat with Emily. Highly recommended, we look forward to returning!
5
Overall:
Food: Modern Michelin Star
When looking at reviews I always look at the most negative first. It's clear from here the main gripe is the cancellation policy so the reviews don't reflect the food and what work goes into it.
This is high level, sophisticated dining with incredible attention to detail. Overall a really good restaurant. When presented with such a stunning array of food it is only fitting that the real creatives from the kitchen should meet their guests.
The food was faultless and every bite delicious. A real treat and privilege to be able to enjoy such fine food.
We need places like this. They give joy. Plus it an independent so all the more reason to go.
What I liked:
• Incredibly well presented plates
• Small, precise menu but with something for everyone
• Very fair price point
• All the little extras are typical of a Michelin starred restaurant and clearly each aspect was meticulously crafted.
What I didn’t like:
• At this level I think meeting the chefs would have been a nice touch.
• The room is extremely quiet and lacks ambience
• Perhaps a slightly more flexible approach to cancellations and reviewing each one on their own individual merits?
Do I recommend going? YES
Will I go again? YES
Was it good value? YES
Price Point: $$$
5
Absolutely amazing, been looking forward to this for about six months. The food visually is incredible to look at which then is only enhanced when you eat it. My only small criticism would’ve been our waiter, he could’ve been a little more friendly and maybe a smile. Apart from that couldn’t fault. 10 stars to the Somalia, could not of been nicer.
