This pub has been voted by our readers as one of the best in Notting Hill. See the full list of winners here.
Tucked up within the sound of the Westway, and distant from the market and its footfall, The Cow isn't among the more famous pubs in the area, at least not with the tourist crowd down the road. However, those who know about it swear by it. The emphasis is on dining, with the catchphrase 'East heartily and give the house a good name'. That name, incidentally, is rumoured to stem from a previous landlady, who was 'a bit of a cow', though other theories are posited. Today, the bar staff are polite and efficient, if a little saturnine at times. The place is ran by Tom Conran, scion of that famous family, and owner of half the street judging by some of the neighbouring businesses.
An Irish pub at heart, the Cow is often listed as a top spot for drinking Guinness. It's also well known for its seafood, particularly the oysters, which perch on ice above the bar. Otherwise, you'll find a relatively small selection of ales and lagers, but an impressive wine list. The long, narrow bar area is a pleasure to sit in, with its idiosyncratic wall furniture (surreal murals, pictures of cows, signed Chelsea photos), and there's a small space out front for when the sun is shining. A more formal dining area can be found upstairs.
On Twitter as @TheCowLondon
Last updated May 2015.