BOTTEGA 35: THE NEW RUSTIC ITALIAN RESTAURANT INSPIRED BT A COSY TUSCAN HOME
December 2026
Image credit: Jack Hardy
It’s the time of year when the lights are twinkling brighter, the nights a little colder, and we are all looking for some celebratory cheer. When good food and company are the order of the day, look no further than the corner of High Street Kensington and Kensington Court, where, in a Victorian cobbled courtyard, the new Bottega 35 has recently launched.
Founded by entrepreneurs and twin brothers Arian and Alberto Zandi, they enjoy creating eateries with a welcoming and lively space where guests can gather and connect. This new rustic luxury Italian restaurant, inspired by a cosy Tuscan home, has been thoughtfully created with tables neatly placed and spaced apart (no eavesdropping on other conversations here).
The lighting is designed to feel warm and glowing, making it feel like you are in an Italian family home, albeit an expertly designed one, with glass chandeliers and vintage sconces adorning the walls.
Image credit: Jack Hardy
Ultimate Tuscan style means ultimate Italian spirit, and for that they are true to their core; hearty homemade pasta, fresh meat and fish as well as grilled dishes for the lighter appetite are all featured on their carefully curated menu. They do all the classics; papparedelle ragu, seafood tagliolini, carbonara, meatballs and chicken milanese. They also have some more quirky pieces: fried seafood, tuna tartare, lamb cutlets and tomato chicken.
For a starter, I chose the delectable burrata, which was a creamy mix paired with tomatoes and basil, displayed so perfectly that it felt almost too good to eat! For mains, I opted for the seafood tagliolini, and it arrived with all the mussels, prawns and clams perfectly cooked in a light, delicate garlic sauce. My guest decided on the pappardelle Ragu, of which I stole a bite, and the mouthwatering slow-cooked beef tasted like it had been left to marinate for hours, as should all Italian ragus.
With the colder season upon us, a glass of wine will never go amiss in the midst of the dark, frosty nights. Luckily, Bottega 35 boasts a vast wine menu featuring celebratory champagnes such as Bollinger and Ferghettina Brut as well as classic crisp whites, rosés and bold full-bodied reds. Although typically not the pairing for seafood, I went for the Borgo Selene Red, with ripe berry notes, to keep in with the cosy winter warmer theme.
Seafood Tagliolini at Bottega 35 | Image credit: Bottega 35
No detail is spared, from the glassware to the tablescape setting, to the books displayed on rustic wooden bookshelves to the rear of the restaurant. Although we went at an earlier dinner sitting, with not too many other diners, the atmosphere was friendly and a buzz with chatter.
The waiters were alert and attentive, and it is not so large that you get lost in a sea of customers, therefore giving it that home away from home feel. At weekends they have a live singer, and while this restaurant is perfect for a loving date night with its elegant interior, we also think it would work well for a family do or celebration.
Italy’s favourite pastime and staple ritual is to eat, drink and talk for hours upon hours; indeed, being half Italian, I have enjoyed many a meal that is followed by laughing, chatting, and stories going well into the night.
Image credit: Bottega 35
This is something that Bottega 35 is well-equipped to do, like a catch-up with an old friend, or the low hum of chatter that brings comfort; it’s rare to find a spot that’s gloriously confident in its history and style.
As we finished eating and left the restaurant, back into the wintry cold night, we were reminded of how gathering together, smiling and eating for a couple of hours is the ultimate tonic…all year round.
Bottega 35, 35 Kensington High Street, London W8 5BA
Book online here.
