Last Updated on December 21, 2025
Perfect for people-watching: a classy, comfortable new pub in Chelsea.
3.8 out of 5.0 stars
The Trafalgar Public House, recently opened on Chelsea’s King’s Road, brings a proper pub back to a stretch of London that has not seen a new one in over 100 years. Set inside a Grade II listed former bank opposite Chelsea Town Hall, the pub has been carefully restored following a £2.4 million refurbishment. High ceilings, large arched windows overlooking the King’s Road, and original architectural details give the space a magnificent scale, while the overall feel is still relaxed and welcoming. Run by Three Cheers Pub Co., The Trafalgar aims to be a place people can drop into easily, whether for a quick drink, lunch, or a longer meal.
We were curious and went along to find out more. It’s a welcome kind of place – large enough to host bigger groups without a challenge, but with small rooms if you want something a little cosier. Staff are helpful and friendly – there’s table service for food and drinks, and a large bar if you are looking for a beer or a glass of wine. The Trafalgar pub could have been there for a hundred years or more, yet everything is pristine. It’s a great place to people-watch, too, as the glitterati of Chelsea make their way from one iconic boutique to another or wedding guests emerge from the Old Town Hall, opposite.
Prices at the Trafalgar pub are respectable for a central London venue, particularly so for one in chi-chi Chelsea. You can enjoy a glass of Henners English sparkling wine for just £8.50, or a Clos de la Cure, St Emilion Grand Cru for £14.30. There’s a set lunch on offer at £22 for two courses or £27 for three, but even if you indulge in the à la carte, the prices are affordable. Perfect for a group of friends or a big family get-together, it works just as well if you have been shopping on the King’s Road and need a break.
We started with a welcome glass of Henners English Sparkling, a light and vibrant fizz with distinct apple notes.
My Dingley Dell ham hock terrine came with generous helpings of piccalilli and cornichons and with ample sourdough toast. A generous portion, it’s the kind of starter that has me wondering whether I’d be better off ordering two from this section rather than indulging in a main course too.
My companion had a warming bowl of earthy, rich wild mushroom and chestnut soup, served with focaccia – the perfect option for a chilly winter’s lunchtime – and one that came from the set lunch menu too.
The chicken schnitzel with Caesar salad was light and easy to eat, though it would have benefited from more dressing, perhaps served on the side. I was trying to be ‘healthy’, but honestly, I regretted not ordering a side of chips, too.
But perhaps I just had food envy – my companion’s roasted stone bass with rainbow chard sitting atop a mound of crushed new potatoes and served with a fragrant lemon and caper burnt butter looked the better option and was swiftly tucked away. There ARE plenty of other options on the menu at the Trafalgar pub, from eggs hollandaise through to Chateaubriand for two. This is probably a place where trying to be healthy isn’t the best idea!
We were both too full for a dessert each, but agreed to share the spiced rum treacle tart with clotted cream. And then both regretted not ordering one each. It was very moreish – the perfect comfort food.
There’s nothing too complicated about this place, and what makes The Trafalgar work is its balance. It feels like a local pub, but one built to last, with thoughtful interiors, a strong food and drink offering, and different spaces suited to different occasions. You can sit at the bar with a pint, book the dining room for supper, or head downstairs for live music in the evening. On a road better known these days for shopping and restaurants, The Trafalgar pub feels like a welcome return to something more familiar.
The Trafalgar Public House
224–226 King’s Road, Chelsea, London SW3 5UA
Phone: 020 4631 7162
Looking for an alternative? We loved Rabbit Bistro, just a stone’s throw away on the King’s Road.
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