From the Partridges-curated Fine Food market every Saturday to the contemporary Saatchi Gallery, the fabulous Duke of York Square has been a Chelsea restaurant favourite for years. Backed by the team at expert coffee roasters and all-day-dining purveyors, Caravan, VARDO is a new nomadic concept that recently opened its doors on the square this autumn. The word “vardo” refers to the traditional horse-drawn wagon used by the British Romani to traverse from place to place, gathering spices and learning about different flavours wherever they went.
VARDO promises a dining experience without any boundaries. Located inside a three-storey stone and glass pavilion, the design provides a smooth indoor-to-outdoor experience so that guests can enjoy the sights and sounds of the neighbourhood. Open every day of the week until 10:30 pm, VARDO will no doubt become the go-to spot for West London locals.
The menu reflects the “well-travelled” spirit that is alive and kicking throughout all Caravan sites. Breakfast and brunch plates include peanut butter and jam brioche French toast, vanilla mascarpone, and maple; The Veggie Vardo with smashed avocado, London “halloumi”, slow-roasted tomato, thyme-roasted field mushrooms on toasted sourdough. And all-day options include the steamed mussels with nduja, fennel, and oloroso; seasoned brown rice with hot-smoked salmon, avocado, pickled ginger, miso mayonnaise, and furikake; and spiced pulled lamb shoulder with pinenuts, pomegranate mint pesto, and tahini. A wide variety of pressed juices, coffees, and cocktails are also on offer.
VARDO
Address: 9 Duke of York Square, Chelsea, London SW3 4LY
Phone: 020 7101 1199
Website: https://vardorestaurant.co.uk/
