The Pelican

The story

The Pelican, London: A Modern British Corner Pub with Good Food Guide Recognition

The kitchen and its produce

The Pelican operates as a neighbourhood hub in Notting Hill, London, focusing heavily on modern British cooking built on rigorous provenance. Its commitment to quality earned a well-deserved Good Food Guide rating, validating a menu that trusts simple pairings like chicken with girolles or mullet with mussels. Head grower Thomas manages a market garden at Bruern Farms to supply vegetables using holistic soil methods. The kitchen pairs these ingredients with regeneratively farmed meats from Paddock Farm and Whittington Lodge.

Signature plates and seasonal shifts

Greaseless battered cod cheeks arrive with a luminous curry sauce that cuts through the crisp exterior. Diners often share a bone-in sirloin accompanied by a fresh salad of cucumber and sorrel. The British kitchen rotates concise offerings like venison with beetroot or pork collar with cabbage throughout the week. Handwritten specials appear directly on the paper menus to reflect daily market availability, while winter finishes lean toward parkin and custard.

The room and the pour

This strikingly converted corner pub balances big solid proportions with a glamorous interior layout that welcomes neighbourhood regulars. A carefully curated wine list spans sparkling options like Tim Wildman’s Frolic Pet Nat to deep reds such as Philippe le Hardi’s Mercurey. Head sommelier Serena occasionally highlights women-led estates through special monthly collections available by the glass. The bar also stocks cask ales ranging from Portobello Pilsner to experimental sours, keeping the Modern British drinking experience closely tied to the food.