Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has revealed that his favourite restaurant in the United Kingdom is Caractère, a London establishment he describes as one of the "best kept secrets" in the country. The restaurant, located on Westbourne Park Road in Notting Hill, is run by the husband-and-wife team Diego Ferrari and Emily Roux.
A Michelin-Starred Gem
Caractère recently received its first Michelin star, with inspectors praising its "top notch ingredients" and "strong classical techniques." The restaurant's name means "personality" in French, a concept the couple says they enjoy expressing through their culinary creations. The venue was originally a pub before being converted into a stylish dining space.
Gordon Ramsay shared his admiration for the restaurant in an interview with YouTuber Harrison Webb. "There's this little hotspot in Notting Hill and it's run by this incredible husband and wife team, which you don't see today. It's called Caractère," Ramsay said.
Ramsay's Personal Connection
Ramsay also highlighted his personal connection to Emily Roux, noting that she is the daughter of Michel Roux Jr. "She just won her first Michelin star, she is the daughter to Michel Roux Jr, and I remember being in the kitchen at Le Gavroche when Michel and Giselle [Roux] were pregnant with her," he recalled. "A young incredible female and an incredible duo."
Ramsay emphasised the restaurant's unique position in the competitive London dining scene. "Caractère in Notting Hill, it's one of the best-kept secrets because they're sandwiched between two three-star Michelin [restaurants]," he explained. "They've just started and within 400 metres there's two three-stars and then Caractère sandwiched in between, it's really cool."
YouTuber's Experience
Inspired by Ramsay's endorsement, Harrison Webb visited Caractère to sample its offerings. He was particularly impressed by the accessible lunchtime service, priced at £65 per person, compared to £125 for the evening sitting. "This is the thing, if you want to try a Michelin-star restaurant, you see the dinner and think, 'Oh, I'm looking at £100, £150 sometimes per person, it's not really that accessible'," Harrison explained in a video. "Lunch time, it's a little bit more accessible than £100 per person. So if you do want to try a Michelin-star restaurant, opt for a lunch sitting."
Upon arrival, Harrison was presented with canapés that he described as "light and airy" and "banging." He found the atmosphere "super relaxed." His meal included celeriac fettuccine, which he noted would suit those with gluten intolerance, alongside a risotto. He remarked that the food looked "like a piece of art" and said, "I feel like I'm in the Garden of Eden eating that. All of the produce is just ridiculous."
Harrison concluded that the venue was a "great shout" from Gordon Ramsay and joked that he would message the chef to praise his recommendation. "I can understand why this is Gordon Ramsay's favourite restaurant. It's laid back, it's relaxing, the level of food is outstanding," he said.
