It's hard to overstate the impact that Ottolenghi has had on the way London — and indeed the world — thinks about food. What began in 2002 as a small shop in Notting Hill has blossomed into a culinary empire spanning multiple restaurants, bestselling cookbooks, a thriving catering operation, and a philosophy of eating that has fundamentally shifted how we approach vegetables, spices, and the joy of communal dining.
From Notting Hill to a Culinary Movement
Yotam Ottolenghi, the Israeli-British chef behind the brand, opened his first deli-restaurant on Ledbury Road in Notting Hill with a simple but revolutionary idea: that vegetables could be the stars of the plate, not an afterthought. Drawing on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean traditions while incorporating diverse influences from around the globe, Ottolenghi created a style of cooking so distinctive that food writers coined the term "the Ottolenghi effect" to describe its influence.
Today, Ottolenghi operates restaurants across London — in Islington, Spitalfields, Chelsea, Marylebone, Hampstead, Richmond, and the original Notting Hill location — along with NOPI on Warwick Street and ROVI on Wells Street. The group has also expanded internationally, with locations in Amsterdam and Geneva, plus a shop in Bicester Village.
A Feast for Every Occasion
What makes an Ottolenghi restaurant special is the experience of abundance. Display counters overflow with vibrant salads, rich roasted vegetables, fragrant grain dishes, and impossibly beautiful cakes and pastries. Every dish is designed to be shared, encouraging the kind of communal, generous eating that transforms a meal into an event.
The menus champion unusual ingredients and bold flavour combinations — za'atar and sumac mingle with pomegranate molasses, tahini, and preserved lemons. Aubergines are roasted to caramelised perfection. Cauliflower becomes the centrepiece of a meal. It's food that surprises and delights, even for the most seasoned diners.
Beyond the Restaurant
Ottolenghi's influence extends far beyond the dining table. The brand's bestselling cookbooks — including Plenty, Jerusalem, Simple, and most recently Comfort — have sold millions of copies worldwide and introduced home cooks to ingredients and techniques they'd never considered before. The Ottolenghi Pantry collection makes it easy for anyone to bring the restaurant's signature flavours into their own kitchen.
The catering arm of the business has become a go-to for London events, from intimate dinner parties to corporate gatherings and weddings. The team offers everything from canape receptions to full sit-down meals, with bespoke menus that can be tailored to any dietary requirement.
Private Dining and Events
For those seeking something truly special, Ottolenghi offers private dining experiences where one of their chefs will prepare a feast in the comfort of your own home. It's the ultimate expression of the Ottolenghi philosophy: that food is the cornerstone of our social lives, the thing that brings people together and creates memories worth sharing.
A London Institution
More than two decades after that first small shop opened its doors, Ottolenghi remains one of London's most beloved and influential food destinations. For anyone visiting the city — or for Londoners rediscovering their own backyard — a meal at Ottolenghi is a reminder of why this city's food scene is among the best in the world.