Out of Focus | Our Location Guide to the King's Road
We opened our King's Road store nearly five years ago, and it remains one of our favourite places to spend a day. This street has history in its bones — dating back to the 17th century when access was only granted to those carrying a special token bearing the King's initials. By the 1800s the area had become a magnet for artists, creatives and bohemians, and in the 1960s it became the beating heart of Swinging London after Mary Quant opened her boutique Bazaar here. Today it still carries all that glamour and free-spirited energy, with a brilliant mix of contemporary fashion, great food, and independent spirit.
Here's everything we love about the neighbourhood — from our go-to coffee spots to the restaurants we keep booking again and again.
Getting Here
Parking on the King's Road is limited and expensive, so we'd genuinely recommend leaving the car at home. Sloane Square and South Kensington are the closest tube stations — both around a 10-minute walk from the shop — and there are regular bus routes with stops right nearby. If you do need to drive, JustPark has spaces on local roads for up to 2 hours.
Coffee & Breakfast
Morning Coffee
Hagen, King's Road — two doors down from us, which we consider a stroke of luck. They claim to serve the best coffee in London and, honestly, we're not going to argue. The team are lovely and the vibe is always friendly. Seating is limited so it's best for a quick drink or a casual meeting, but as a morning pit stop it's unbeatable.
Amar Café, Chelsea Green — a 5-minute walk and well worth it, especially for the oat cookies (Andrew will personally vouch for these). Delicious coffee and a genuinely lovely spot. While you're there, Chelsea Green itself is a great little enclave of independent shops — notable greengrocer, butcher, and the brilliant Birley Bakery all within a few steps.
Breakfast & Brunch
Charlotte's Cloud, King's Road — an independent spot with a generous all-day menu covering everything from breakfast classics to a solid deli bar. Try the chicken wrap from the deli selection with their daily salads — a proper lunch move disguised as breakfast.
Café Linea, Duke of York Square — newly opened and already one of our favourites. Set in the heart of Chelsea, it's doing beautiful seasonal dishes and sweet treats. The cinnamon bun is not optional.
Lunch
Where to Eat
Vardo, Duke of York Square — a bit of a treat, and absolutely worth it. Small and large plates, grain and salad bowls, and sourdough pizzas that are genuinely delicious. About a 10-minute walk from the shop and ideal for a substantial but efficient lunch.
Charlotte's Cloud — yes, we're recommending it twice. The lunch menu covers everything from eggs and salad bowls to burgers and steaks, with an affordable deli bar that's great for a quick turnaround. A reliable local favourite.
Phat Phuc Noodle Bar — 2 minutes from the shop and not trying to be anything other than what it is: easy, affordable, no-fuss Vietnamese food done well. Laksa, stir fry, noodle soup — exactly what you want when you need lunch sorted quickly.
Bakeries, Delis & Treats
Gails — a 5–10 minute walk and a reliable stop for great coffee, sourdough loaves, sandwiches and a solid selection of baked goods. Perfect for a quick snack or stocking up.
Whole Foods — 5 minutes away and, in the team's words, "objectively yummy." Head straight for the deli counter (meats, cheeses, crackers), the cold salad bar, the hot food bar, and the freshly baked cookies. If you're building a picnic, this is your first stop.
Best Picnic Spots
Battersea Park — a 15-minute walk from the shop over the beautiful Albert Bridge. Loads of green space, walking paths along the Thames, and the Pear Tree Café on site if you need a top-up. One of London's most underrated parks.
Hyde Park — 30 minutes on foot or a quick hop on the bus. Huge green space, great walking, plenty of spots to set up for the afternoon, and the Serpentine if you're feeling brave enough for a swim.
Dinner
Our Favourite Restaurants
La Famiglia, New King's Road — a 20-minute walk or 10 minutes on the bus, and a genuinely beloved Chelsea institution. Great service, warm atmosphere, affordable and consistently delicious Italian. Order the spaghetti carbonara. No booking needed, which makes it ideal for a spontaneous evening out.
Alley Cats Pizza, King's Road — New York-style thin base pizzas done properly. The pepperoni with hot honey is the move. Book ahead — they're always busy — but the relaxed atmosphere makes it perfect for a date night or a casual dinner with friends.
Kutir, Lincoln Street — tucked inside a Chelsea townhouse, so it has the feel of a secret spot even though the food is anything but under the radar. Exceptional Indian cuisine with outstanding service. Book well in advance — this is a special occasion restaurant that delivers on every front.
Mestizo, King's Road — buzzy, colourful, and packed with authentic Mexican energy. The taco selection is the star of the show, and the cocktails — particularly the spicy margaritas — are excellent. No booking needed, great for groups and celebrations.
Drinks & Pubs
The Pig's Ear, Old Church Street — a proper Chelsea gastropub, 10 minutes from the shop. The food is brasserie-standard in the best possible way. Go on a Tuesday for pie night, or on a Sunday for a roast in a genuinely cosy atmosphere.
The Surprise — 5 minutes away and hidden just off the main road, which gives it a great locals-pub feel despite being in the middle of Chelsea. Buzzy but civilised, with good food and drinks. Ideal for a casual pint or a Sunday roast.
Views & Photo Spots
Albert Bridge — 10 minutes from the shop and one of London's most photogenic spots. The view down the Thames towards the City, with the Shard in the distance, is spectacular at any time of day. Even better at golden hour.
Walks & Outdoor Activities
Our Favourite Walk
The Embankment walk to Hammersmith along the Thames is a brilliant way to spend a couple of hours. Head over Albert Bridge and follow the river — you get changing views of the city, a real sense of London's scale, and it never feels like hard work.
Swimming & Outdoor Dips
London has more open-water swimming than most people realise. Hampstead Heath has the famous swimming ponds if you're willing to make the trip north. Closer by, Brockwell Lido is a great summer spot (unheated, so not quite a Devon cove in January). And the Serpentine has a designated swimming area open all year round for the truly dedicated.
Cycling
Join the pros doing laps at Richmond Park — 15 miles of roads through one of London's most beautiful royal parks, with deer for company. A proper weekend activity.
Markets
Duke of York Food Market runs every Saturday from 10am to 4pm and is one of the best food markets in London. Paella, bao buns, gyros, sweet treats — every cuisine, every format. Get there at opening if you want to beat the crowds.
Culture & Things to Do
Saatchi Gallery — free entry and one of the best contemporary art spaces in the country. Always something thought-provoking on, with a strong focus on emerging artists. Right on the King's Road and genuinely unmissable.
V&A Museum — one of the world's great museums, always with brilliant exhibitions on. Check what's showing before you go — recent highlights have included Marie Antoinette and Wallace & Gromit (an inspired pairing, in our view).
Buckingham Palace — an iconic London landmark worth seeing properly at least once. Time your visit to catch the Changing of the Guard — 11am on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Annual Events
Chelsea Flower Show / Chelsea in Bloom — if you're visiting in May, the whole neighbourhood transforms. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is world-famous, and Chelsea in Bloom — the floral art installations along the King's Road — is free and absolutely spectacular.
Dogs Welcome
The King's Road is one of London's most dog-friendly streets — almost every shop along it welcomes dogs, including ours. Come as you are.
Our team is always discovering new spots around the King's Road — we'll keep this guide updated as we do. If you have a recommendation, we'd love to hear it. Find us in store or drop us a message.
— The Jam Industries Team
