The Traditional English Restaurants of London

This unique restaurant is tucked away in a little one-way street by Kensington Fire Station; close to the popular retailing area of Kensington High Street and the antique shops of Kensington Church Street.

It is reputed to have been named after Princess Margaret, who, when she got married, became Margaret Armstrong-Jones - geddit; in fact they used to go out there for dinner when they were courting. She lived just round the corner in Kensington Palace, which is more famed for being the last home of Princess Diana.

Maggie Jones’s has been a Kensington stalwart for many a year, and lots of people find that it is their kind of English restaurant, warm and comfortable in atmosphere; though others think that it could do with a little bit of updating, but then that is possibly the secret of its charm.

They tend to keep the lights slightly at a twilight level, though it can’t be to prevent you seeing what you are eating, as its generous portions, from a very British menu, normally impress.

Their devotees, many of whom have been dining there for years, including visitors from all over the globe, particularly America, find it fun and go back in droves.

Lunch represents excellent value for the area, with a starter and salad or main course likely to only set you back only £12, amazing considering you could begin with venison terrine or haddock mousse and follow with breast of chicken in tarragon sauce or wild boar sausage with mash, accompanied by vegetables of the day.

In the evening the prices go up a notch and they offer either a three course set dinner at £25 or a very full a la carte menu featuring some real English favourites, from Cornish smoked mackerel with gooseberry mayonnaise to potted shrimps, and mains like steak and kidney pie to poached or grilled salmon with Hollandaise sauce with vegetables or salads as extras.

House wine comes in a magnum and they charge you for the amount that you have drunk.

Whatever you do, don’t try to be clever and go in asking if Maggie is there, it has been done before! They have a £1 cover charge and add on a discretionary 12.5 per cent service charge.