Eel Sushi Bar is a tiny, wood-panelled hot spot from the team behind Michelin-starred Dorian, just across the street. Slip onto a bar stool under the warm glow of the lamps and watch chef Nick “Noodle” Xie (of Dinings fame) at work behind the counter. The people-watching on Talbot Road is top-tier, the margarita is smooth and dangerously moreish, and the menu – a concise ode to sushi – is totally faultless. Expect pristine sashimi, melt-in-the-mouth nigiri, and the odd tempura bite. It’s all over in an hour (the turnover is tight – which explains why it's so hard to get a reservation), but that’s part of the charm. Finish at The Walmer Castle or The Pelican nearby for the full Notting Hill crawl.



