Listen up, Londoners. I come bearing yet another sparkly hidden gem to chuck in to your treasure trove of ‘I know a little place’ places. And look, I know that if you frequently find yourself over on this little corner of the internet, your box of twinkling London treasures will be full-to-bursting by this point. But we’d highly recommend you making room to precariously shove one more in there.
Tucked away within a quaint, quiet, and oh-so quintessential Chelsea square is The Campaner. Perched proudly in the centre of what used to be a British army barracks, this gorgeous restaurant brings the tastes and traditions of Catalonia to the heart of the capital city.
Taking its name from a long-standing Catalan tradition; ‘campaner’ means ‘bell-ringer’ – and refers to the person whose job it is to announce important information by ringing the bell of the local church. The grandparents of the family who own The Campaner in Chelsea were born in a farmhouse in Cabra del Camp in Tarragona. The grandfather of the family was, in fact, in charge of the local bell-ringing, and thus, the farmhouse became known as Cal Campaner.
The restaurant was named in honour of this familial link. And the fact that the restaurant is located right next to the recently-restored Grade II listed Garrison Chapel (the last remaining building from the original 1800s barracks) is another rather lovely nod towards the tradition.
The menu at The Campaner seamlessly blends the finest local produce with traditional Spanish flavours, with a variety of seasonal dishes that showcase the elevated simplicity of Spanish cuisine. Firm favourites on the jam-packed menu include crispy Iberian ham croquettes, patatas bravas, Andalusian-style baby squid and sizzling prawns al ajillo – just to name a few.
The building itself is pretty darn lovely, too. Designed by architect, Ben Pentreath, the restaurant is bathed in natural light and filled with exposed brickwork and gorgeous greenery. But as inviting as the inside may be, outside there’s a stunning al-fresco terrace. Offering the best seat in the house to gawp at the gorgeous and historic chapel; it really is the perfect spot for an afternoon sipping, snacking, and socialising in the sun.
đ Chelsea Barracks, 1 Garrison Square, SW1W 8BG.
đ Nearest stations are Sloane Square and Victoria.