Situated right by the River Thames, Hammersmith is home to an excellent range of cafés and restaurants and offers leafy, picturesque walks along the riverside, a delightful weekly farmers market as well as some classy drinking spots.
Expect a wealth of cuisine and fresh food produce from Hammersmith’s Farmers Market every Thursday and Friday on Lyric Square. From flavoursome authentic Caribbean dishes to delicious handmade pasta, this weekly food market attracts hundreds of people from across the city looking to upgrade their lunch game.
If brunching is your thing, head over to independent cafe Truth for a diverse selection of delicious brunch options from avocado toast to their posh breakfast sandwich. Another popular weekend spot is wine bar La Cave, serving croque monsieur or three variations of poached eggs alongside the option of an espresso martini or two. Alternatively, if you need a sweet treat, Patisserie Saint-Anne is the go-to for all your French fancies, buttery pastries and moreish macaroons.
If you fancy hitting the shops for the day, Westfield’s Shepherds Bush is less than a 10-minute ride away. Book a car with Addison Lee for a spot of retail therapy. Struggling to find a Hammersmith taxi? Try booking a minicab with Addison Lee instead.
Where to drink
The Old Ship
Probably the best known of the larger pubs on Hammersmith’s riverside, The Old Ship has all the finesse and comfort that some of its rougher-and-readier counterparts lack. From the outdoor decking (that affords you some of the best views in the area) to the warm and inviting restaurant inside, this is a Gastropub with all the trimmings. They’re owned by London Brewery Young’s, so a lot of the beer on offer here comes from them directly (which is no bad thing) but they also offer a wide range of other drinks. Including craft ales, an extensive wine list. They also serve a rather delicious food menu.
25 Upper Mall, W6 9TD
www.oldshipw6.co.uk/
The Dove
On the other hand, if size isn’t so important to you, there’s The Dove. Another excellent riverside drinking parlour, this place is heralded more for its history than anything else. Reputedly a popular haunt of authors Graham Greene and Ernest Hemingway, The Dove dates back to the early 18th century. And while it lays claim to having – allegedly – the smallest bar room in the world, the rest of it holds plenty of seating space both indoors and out. Tucked away off the cobbled and picturesque road of Upper Mall, it’s another excellent choice if the sun’s out.
9 Upper Mall, W6 9TA
www.dovehammersmith.co.uk
Antipode
Without wishing to cast too many aspersions, it would appear that Australians – ostensibly – love their coffee. Which probably explains why so many of London’s best coffee houses are now either owned or helmed by enthusiastic antipodeans. Antipode is a cafe, bar and all round great spot for great lunch. It sneaks onto this list not just because of its amazing java, but also because it now offers some pretty phenomenal cocktails too. Anyway who says drinks have to be boozy? Although it does also boast a pretty decent Australian beer list to choose from as well. Fast becoming a local favourite.
28 Fulham Palace Road, W6 9PH
twitter.com/antipodelondon
Where to eat
Hampshire Hog
Slink past this Hammersmith gastropub and you’ll find yourself immediately drawn in by visions of happy diners, feasting enthusiastically over course after course of thoroughly decent fodder. Once inside you’ll see the whole place is decked out like a rural dream. Distressed oak, bright pastel colours and soft furnishings to collapse into after your meal. This is truly the apex of gastropubbery. They keep the food menu short but wildly inviting. Using seasonal British produce to tease, suggest and satisfy your tastebuds. And because they’re also a pub, you can just drop by for a drink if you’re not hungry. Probably the best place in Hammersmith for a cocktail. There we said it.
227 King St, W6 9JT
www.thehampshirehog.com/
Andover Arms
Potter along the edge of Ravenscourt Park up towards Shepherd’s Bush and Acton and you might just happen across Brackenbury Village. We’d say it’ll feel like a surprise but such is the charming nature of this part of London, you’ll most likely feel it absolutely belongs. The Andover Arms is one of the area’s mainstays. And while it looks from the outside like little more than a local pub, inside it reveals its charms more willingly. Drop by on a weekend and it will most likely be packed. Its long slender bar area bursting with thirsty patrons. But if you’re crafty enough to book ahead, you can get to one of the limited number of tables; and to its food. Trust us, this is somewhere worth eating.
57 Aldensley Road, W6 0DL
theandoverarms.com/
The Oak
From the moment you first see The Oak you ache to go inside. Its tall frontage and domineering windows invite you to peer in at its happy dwellers. And peer you inevitably do. That’s when you see them – the pizzas. Golden, delicious, slathered in toppings. These – we are here to tell you – are some of the best pizzas we’ve tried in London. Set against the modern but respectful setting of this renovated pub is a restaurant who ably provide a mix of Mediterranean style foods with a bit of west London panache. They welcome larger groups and kids, have a terrific wine list and even do a visit-worthy Sunday roast.
243 Goldhawk Road, W12 8EU
theoakw12.com/
What to do
Hammersmith Apollo
One of London’s best known and well loved venues, The Hammersmith Apollo has been at the heart of the city’s entertainment scene ever since it opened its doors in 1932. Having been through a host of different roles from cinema to music hall, it remains the go to place in west London for gigs, shows and comedy events. Having already seen the likes of The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and Bob Marley grace its famous stage, the Apollo continues to be inundated with the biggest names in music and comedy. Check their website to see what’s coming up soon.
45 Queen Caroline St, W6 9QH
www.eventimapollo.com/
Lyric Theatre
Like the theatre? You’re going to love the Lyric. Originally built in 1895 and then relocated, renovated and refreshed, this west London cultural mainstay has been the place to go for proper theatre for generations. They pride themselves on showing a wide range of theatre, including everything from crowd pleasing musicals to edgy, avant garde smaller productions. The Lyric also loves to nurture local talent, so if you happen to be a novice writer, actor or wannabe director, this could well be the place for you to get started. Check the website to see what’s coming up.
King St, Lyric Square, W6 0QL
www.lyric.co.uk/
The Thames
It feels a touch trite to say one of the things you need to do in Hammersmith is visit the Thames, but few places in London offer a better viewpoint of the city’s arterial waterway. The nice thing about visiting the river here is that you can get on and off wherever you please. Walking for long stretches then stopping for lunch or a drink somewhere. Hammersmith has always had a unique relationship with the water both socially and economically and there are still plenty of sites along the riverside that point to that history. It’s just a question of finding them. Feeling flighty? Why not cross the ever elegant Hammersmith Bridge down into picturesque Barnes? Really, it’s all up to you.
