The creative charms of Golborne Road

Golborne Road runs east from the busy thoroughfare of the Portobello Road, towards the iconic Brutalist architecture of the Trellick Tower. Marking the border between Notting Hill and North Kensington, the road was once home to many members of the Windrush Generation. Later, it attracted numerous North Africans in London, earning the nickname ‘Little Morocco.’

That diverse and eclectic character remains to this day. Walk the length of Golborne Road and you will find a mix of Moroccan restaurants and antique shops selling accessories, bric-a-brac and spillover from the nearby market. But it’s increasingly the address of West London’s trendiest restaurants and shops, with artisans and creatives settling nearby.

The nearby neighbourhoods of North Kensington contain many of London’s Portuguese community. There are also two Portuguese cafes on the street, but Lisboa Patisserie is our favourite. It’s been a presence here for almost three decades and fans include the chef Yotam Ottolenghi. It’s also the perfect place to come for Portuguese pastries, with the café famous for its pastel de nata cakes. But bear in mind they often sell out at the weekend.

Caia is the Roman goddess of fire. This popular restaurant and bar centres on an open grill, which the chefs use to prepare a delicious menu of sharing plates and flavourful meats. Downstairs, the room is decorated with chandeliers, a disco ball, and a vintage record stand, while a DJ plays a mix of funk, disco and jazz. Owned by locals Tim Lang and Rishabh Vir, Caia is the perfect place to mix fine dining, music and fun.

Founded ten years ago, Goldfinger is a social enterprise with a difference. Crafting bespoke furniture out of reclaimed materials, they have a commitment to community and sustainability. The organisation is named after Ernö Goldfinger, the Hungarian-British architect who designed the celebrated Trellick Tower, and occupies a space at the base of this important building. From here they tackle social exclusion through woodworking courses, as well as training the next generation of artisans in their workshop.

One of the unique spaces on Golborne Road, this concept shop combines a café, a showroom and a roof terrace. Downstairs, visitors can enjoy the stylish bar, comfortable seating and autumnal colour scheme. On the first floor, they can explore the Sister Jane & Ghospell showroom and shop, a beloved London label that mixes contemporary tastes with romantic nostalgia. Finally, on the top floor, they can sit on the beautiful roof terrace and watch the passing pedestrians on the road below.

Golborne Road is famed for its antique shops and vintage boutiques. One of the best-known is Les Couilles du Chien, which was founded over twenty-five years ago. Inside you will find a delightful range of retro design items and curiosities of natural history. Meanwhile, Rellik Vintage has also been going for the last quarter century, with a curated selection of designer pieces from some of the most stylish names in fashion. The shop also has a long list of celebrity fans, with Kate Moss once a regular here.