August 28, 2026
Idalia restaurant in London is not short of drama. It sits inside Olympia’s restored Pillar Hall, a Victorian room with Corinthian columns, a glowing central bar and the faint feeling that dinner might be followed by a fashion show, a jazz set or a minor civic ceremony.
The cooking is Modern British with European and Asian turns. That means steak tartare and wild salmon, but also miso black cod, Sri Lankan chicken curry and Korean fried gochujang chicken.
It is grand, generous and occasionally a little over-dressed. Still, as a first act in Olympia’s new dining chapter, it knows how to make an entrance.
At a Glance
Best for: Pre-show dinners, business lunches, afternoon tea and big West London occasions
Cuisine: Modern British with European and Asian influences
Location: Pillar Hall, Olympia
Price: Around £60–£110 per person with drinks
Signature dishes: Kombu-brined sea bream, lobster linguine, miso black cod, Sri Lankan chicken curry and whole spice-flamed turbot
Atmosphere: Grand, theatrical and softly country-house eccentric
Nearest station: Kensington Olympia
Booking tip: Book around an Olympia event, or come for lunch when the room has more space to breathe
What Is Idalia Restaurant in London?
Idalia is the ground-floor restaurant and bar inside Pillar Hall, part of Olympia’s wider redevelopment. It comes from D3 Collective, led by restaurateur Des Gunewardena, formerly of D&D London.
The name refers to Aphrodite, which explains some of the beauty-and-pleasure language around the restaurant. In practice, Idalia is an all-day dining room: lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, cocktails and Sunday roast under one rather impressive roof.
The kitchen is led by Samantha Williams, with Lorena Tommasi overseeing pastry. The result is hotel-adjacent in polish, but less rigid in personality.
The Atmosphere and Design
The room is the selling point. Pillar Hall has scale, history and enough height to make most London restaurants feel like cupboards.
Designer Robert Angell has treated the space as a kind of rebellious country house. There are climbing plants, patterned ceilings, bold fabrics, a large fireplace and an oval bar glowing at the centre of the room.
It could have become pompous. Instead, it feels theatrical in a knowingly modern way. The best tables are near the central bar if you want energy, or closer to the fireplace if you want the full grand-room effect.
The Menu
The menu reads like modern British dining after several holidays. There is nettle, spinach and wild garlic soup, Wye Valley asparagus with poached hen’s egg and hollandaise, burrata with lovage pesto, and kombu-brined sea bream with pomegranate, blood orange and lovage oil.
Mains travel further. Lobster linguine comes with datterini tomatoes, chilli, garlic and basil. Wild salmon is paired with saffron, pale ale, bacon, lettuce and peas. Miso-crusted black cod arrives with bok choi, chilli and spring onion, while Sri Lankan chicken curry brings cardamom basmati rice and sambals.
The most theatrical order is whole spice-flamed turbot with shichimi togarashi butter, tatsoi and pickled daikon, designed for two or three. There are also steaks from the coal-fired section, including rib-eye, beef fillet and porterhouse.
Snacks keep things more relaxed: a beef sausage roll with kimchi ketchup, Korean fried gochujang chicken and Idalia’s bread basket with salted butter. The food is at its best when it accepts the room’s appetite for fun.
Drinks & Wine
The drinks list suits the setting. Cocktails include classics such as a Negroni and Paloma, while the sparkling section gives English wine proper attention. Idalia also offers afternoon tea, which makes sense in a room this grand. Some restaurants add afternoon tea as an afterthought. Here, it feels architecturally inevitable.
Who Is Idalia Best For?
Idalia is best for diners who want a grand setting without a completely formal meal. It works for pre-show dinners, Olympia event days, business lunches, afternoon tea, birthdays and West London catch-ups that need more polish than a pub.
It is less suited to anyone seeking a small, intimate restaurant. Idalia has scale. That is the point.
Is Idalia Worth Booking?
Yes, particularly if you want to see what Olympia’s new hospitality era is trying to become. Idalia has the room, the bar and the sense of occasion.
The menu can feel broad, moving from British greens to Sri Lankan curry and Japanese-accented turbot. But the best dishes fit the building’s theatrical energy. Book for the setting, order boldly, and let the room do some of the work.
Practical Information
Address: Pillar Hall, 5 Olympia Way, London W14 0EY
Area: Olympia / West Kensington
Nearest station: Kensington Olympia
Cuisine: Modern British with European and Asian influences
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 12pm–11pm; Sunday, 12pm–3.30pm
Dress code: Casual elegant
Accessibility: Fully accessible, with lift access and guide dogs welcome
Afternoon tea: Available
Best for: Olympia events, business lunches, afternoon tea, cocktails and celebratory dinners
FAQs
What type of food does Idalia serve?
Idalia serves Modern British food with European and Asian influences. The menu includes seasonal British produce, seafood, pasta, steaks, curry, black cod, turbot and lighter bar snacks.
Where is Idalia at Pillar Hall?
Idalia is inside Pillar Hall at 5 Olympia Way, London W14 0EY, within the Olympia redevelopment in West London.
Who is the chef at Idalia?
Idalia is led by executive chef Samantha Williams and executive pastry chef Lorena Tommasi. Williams has worked with Angela Hartnett, while Tommasi has experience in respected London pastry kitchens.
What should I order at Idalia?
Order the kombu-brined sea bream, Korean fried gochujang chicken, lobster linguine, miso black cod or whole spice-flamed turbot. For a daytime visit, afternoon tea is also a strong fit for the room.
Is Idalia expensive?
Yes, though it varies by occasion. OpenTable lists Idalia as £41 and over. The set menu is more accessible, while à la carte dishes such as lobster linguine, black cod, steak and whole turbot push the bill higher.
Is Idalia good before an Olympia event?
Yes. Idalia is one of the most convenient restaurants for Olympia, and its all-day format makes it useful before exhibitions, shows, concerts and events.
Does Idalia serve afternoon tea?
Yes. Idalia offers afternoon tea from executive pastry chef Lorena Tommasi, with seasonal savouries, patisserie, scones and tea.
Idalia Restaurant London Bookings
Capital A List members can make bookings for Idalia below.
