Brasserie Olivia Review: The Chelsea Brasserie That’s Already One of London’s Most Coveted Tables
Looking for an honest Brasserie Olivia review? Here’s what to expect from Chelsea’s new French brasserie—from the food and cocktails to the open kitchen, warm service, people-watching and whether it’s worth booking after I visited during its opening month.
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When you think of Chelsea, French brasseries probably aren’t the first thing that come to mind.
Yet tucked just around the corner from Sloane Square is Brasserie Olivia, a restaurant that somehow feels as though it’s been lifted from a Parisian side street and gently placed in the middle of London.
Not in a gimmicky, postcard Paris way. And there’s little sense that they’re trying too hard. At least I didn’t feel it on my visit.
Instead, the Chelsea newcomer captures everything that makes a neighbourhood French bistro so appealing: warm service, timeless cooking and a dining room you’ll happily lose an afternoon in.
Shall we?
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P.S. – A meal at Brasserie Olivia pairs perfectly with a stay at Sloane Square Hotel, keeping you right in the middle of Chelsea and Belgravia.
As the first London opening from French hospitality group La Nouvelle Garde, Brasserie Olivia arrives with plenty of anticipation.
I visited during its first month, and judging by the packed dining room and steady queue of hopeful walk-ins, Chelsea had already embraced it.
We were seated by the front window, which quickly proved to be one of the best spots in the house. Between courses, there was no shortage of people-watching as locals drifted past towards Sloane Square, while inside my eyes kept wandering back to the open kitchen.
Before we’d even ordered, a basket of rustic sourdough arrived alongside butter piped into a chilled silver dish, keeping every curl perfectly cool instead of slowly melting into a puddle on the table.
Rather than overcomplicate things, we decided to see how Olivia handled the French classics.
My friend started with the seasonal crudités, crisp market vegetables served with a creamy dipping sauce that let the quality of the produce do the talking.
I couldn’t resist the escargots, arriving still sizzling in garlic and parsley butter with just enough richness to justify using every last piece of bread to mop up the sauce.
For mains, I ordered the steak frites. It’s one of those dishes that leaves nowhere to hide, and Olivia gets it exactly right.
A beautifully caramelised crust gave way to a perfectly pink centre, while the fries were everything they should be: crisp, golden and impossible to stop picking at.
Dessert came in the form of a crêpe Suzette prepared tableside, soaked up with a warm orange caramel—finishing the meal on a bright, very buttery note.
While we’re here, the cocktails deserve a mention, too.
I ordered both the Fraise and the Rhubarbe, each balanced and genuinely tasting of the fruit they’re named after rather than simply sweetness, while the classics are every bit as good.
If you’re a Negroni drinker, you won’t be disappointed.
But food and drink fanfare aside, perhaps what surprised me most was the service.
French brasseries can sometimes carry a reputation for formality, but Olivia swaps stiff uniforms for relaxed tan corduroy overshirts and polished hospitality delivered with genuine warmth.
From the moment we arrived, the team were welcoming, knowledgeable and effortlessly attentive without ever feeling rehearsed.
Chelsea has no shortage of beautiful restaurants, but Brasserie Olivia already feels like somewhere people will return to again and again. Judging by how busy it already is, the secret is very much out.
Don’t wait too long to book.
Practical Bits:
Address: 1–6 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9QX
Nearest Tube: Sloane Square (2-minute walk)
Price: ££
Perfect for: Long lunches, date nights and anyone craving a genuinely Parisian-style brasserie without leaving London.
Plan the Rest of Your Chelsea and Belgravia Day
Still planning your day out? Read my guides to discover the best things to do, cafés, brunches, walks and places to stay around Chelsea and Belgravia.
Chelsea Guides:
- The Best Things to Do in Chelsea, London
- The Best Cafés in Chelsea
- The Best Brunch in Chelsea
- Chelsea to Battersea Walk
Belgravia Guides:
Nearby London Guides:
Where to Stay:
A meal at Brasserie Olivia pairs perfectly with a stay at Sloane Square Hotel, keeping you right in the middle of Chelsea and Belgravia.
