5 /5 K K: After spending the afternoon around King’s Road and Duke of York Square in Chelsea, I stopped at Polpo Duke of York Square, and it was exactly what I needed.
The location is ideal — right in Duke of York Square, just moments from the Saatchi Gallery and surrounded by boutiques. Even though you’re in the heart of Chelsea, the terrace feels calm and intimate, especially in the evening when the lights around the square start to glow. Sitting outside under the umbrellas with a spritz in hand felt relaxed yet elegant.
The food was genuinely impressive. The Venetian-style cicchetti are perfect for sharing, and everything tasted fresh and carefully prepared. The seafood was light and flavourful, the pasta rich but balanced, and even the simplest dishes — like the olives and small plates — were elevated by the quality of ingredients. The tiramisu at the end was creamy, delicate, and not overly sweet — the perfect finish.
The service was equally strong. The staff were attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable without being intrusive. They made thoughtful recommendations and paced the meal beautifully, which made the whole experience feel unhurried and comfortable.
After shopping around Chelsea or visiting the galleries, POLPO at Duke of York Square is the perfect place to sit back, unwind, and enjoy genuinely good Italian food with warm, professional service. I’ll definitely be returning.
