Canal is West London’s hottest waterside table
📍Westbourne Park, London
Expect locals unwinding on the terrace with a glass in hand alongside food lovers chasing the next great bistro experience…
Neighbourhood: Westbourne Park has a new waterside neighbour in Canal, the latest project from the team behind Crispin and Bistro Freddie. Overlooking the Grand Union Canal, it spills out onto a generous south-facing terrace that feels made for lingering afternoons. Inside, the mood is communal and convivial, with long tables, soft light, and the hum of conversation.
“Snacks set the tone — crab doughnuts are best enjoyed with a cocktail in hand ”
The Story: This is the debut of Quality Projects, a new venture from Dominic Hamdy (of the HAM Restaurant Group). Designed to be more than just a restaurant, Canal sits within Mason & Fifth’s Taxi House — once the headquarters of the London Taxi Drivers’ Association — and is part of a broader lifestyle concept combining food, wellness, and culture.
Chef Adrian Hernandez Farina leads the kitchen, bringing experience from The French Laundry, Humo and ASKA in New York, while General Manager Sean Cooper (ex–Fat Duck and Quality Chop House) steers the front of house. Together, they have created a modern bistro with a distinctly West London rhythm.
Setting: The interiors by A-nrd Studio (the design team behind KOL and Akara) are a balancing act of raw and refined. Concrete columns and exposed surfaces recall the building’s history, while walnut wood, hammered glass, and warm brown upholstery add texture and depth.
Outside, the terrace is an urban Riviera of canal-side tables, complete with a lounge area that invites a sundown spritz. Even the uniforms, designed by Nicholas Daley in Italian denim, nod to Canal’s playful blend of hospitality, culture, and style.
On the menu: Chef Hernandez Farina’s menu is rooted in bistro spirit but with a cosmopolitan twist. Snacks set the tone — crab doughnuts (already a house favourite) are best enjoyed with a cocktail in hand. Starters range from bream crudo with cherry and chilli to trombetta courgette with stracciatella and pangrattato.
Mains are hearty yet elegant: ricotta tortelli with lemon and parmesan sings, while monkfish with datterini tomatoes and capers channels Mediterranean warmth. The table cheeseburger is a staple.
Desserts are less formal but no less enticing; Amalfi lemon tart, with yoghurt ice cream, classic Tiramisu or vanilla soft serve. The drinks list is a highlight in its own right: cocktails are in collaboration with A Bar with Shapes for a Name (think brown butter old fashioned or rhubarb gimlet), and the wine list is considered, with classic regions sitting alongside progressive natural producers.
Crowd: West Londoners are already embracing Canal as a neighbourhood hub. Expect locals unwinding on the terrace with a glass in hand, food lovers chasing the next great bistro experience, and a sociable crowd staying late. It is relaxed enough for a midweek lunch, but with just enough buzz to feel like an occasion after dark.
Neighbourhood note: Time your visit for golden hour — the terrace glows as the sun drops over the canal, and it is the best seat in the house. If you are a group, the feasting plates are the way to go: the brill and ribeye showcase the kitchen’s strengths in scale and generosity.
Book a table: mason-fifth.com/canal-restaurant.
INTERVIEW