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Speedboat Bar Portobello

restaurants•
London
London

Speedboat Bar Portobello

191 Portobello Rd, London W11 2ED

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Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

When a restaurant installs an actual Thai speedboat engine as its centrepiece, you know you're in for something special. Speedboat Bar has transformed a corner of historic Electric House into a sensory assault of Bangkok Chinatown energy, complete with chili vapors and whirring fans that'll transport you straight to the streets of Thailand.

Speedboat Bar Portobello: Bangkok Street Food Meets Notting Hill Theatre

Luke Farrell's high-octane Thai canteen brings authentic chaos to W11

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

This isn't your typical Notting Hill dining room. Luke Farrell has created an immersive experience that scores a whopping 9.5/10 for energy levels, and you'll feel it the moment you step inside. The real Thai speedboat engine dominates the space like a mechanical altar, surrounded by Thai family portraits and booth seating retained from the previous Electric Diner incarnation. Whirring fans circulate aromatic chili vapors throughout the room, creating an almost theatrical atmosphere that spills onto the Portobello Road pavement. There's a casual bar area upfront for walk-ins and a shuffleboard table at the back, giving the space multiple personalities within one venue. The sophistication level hits 7.5/10 - it's polished enough for a date night splurge but maintains that authentic street food edge that makes it feel genuinely transportive rather than contrived.

Food & Drink

Farrell's approach combines authentic Thai techniques with quality British sourcing - Thai imports paired with Dorset greenhouse herbs create dishes that range from £9-40. The menu reads like a Bangkok street food greatest hits: crunchy chicken salad with green mango, minced beef with holy basil, whole sea bream curry, and purple aubergine with chili. The wok-fired stir fries deliver the kind of dramatic sizzle and char you'd expect from a kitchen that takes its Bangkok Chinatown inspiration seriously. Finishing touches like pineapple pie with taro ice cream show there's proper thought behind the dessert programme too. The venue's 4.8/5 rating suggests the kitchen is delivering on its ambitious promises, though some diners have raised eyebrows at the pricing for what's essentially elevated street food.

Service & Experience

The staff bring genuine enthusiasm and passion to their roles, which aligns perfectly with the venue's high-energy concept. They're clearly briefed on the Thai-inspired cocktails and beers, and seem comfortable navigating the spicy dishes with diners who might not be prepared for authentic heat levels. The team handles both reservations (up to 6 people) and walk-ins, suggesting they're adaptable to different service styles depending on demand. Given the lively atmosphere and 8.0/10 conversation-friendly score, the service style appears to match the energetic vibe rather than formal fine dining expectations.

Value for Money

Here's where things get complicated. At £9-40 per dish, Speedboat Bar sits firmly in premium territory for Thai food, which some punters find hard to swallow for street food-style cuisine. The pricing reflects its Notting Hill postcode and the quality sourcing, but it does mean this isn't your casual weeknight Thai spot. However, the venue offers significant savings during soft launch periods, and the overall experience - with that Instagram-worthy speedboat engine and immersive atmosphere - arguably justifies the premium for special occasions. It's positioned as a 'date night splurge' rather than everyday dining, which seems honest about its market positioning.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Tuesday through Thursday offers the most relaxed experience with service until 10pm, while Friday-Saturday extends to 11pm but expect higher energy levels. The venue is closed Mondays, and Sunday service ends at 9pm. Book for 5:30pm if you want optimal lighting around that speedboat engine centerpiece.

What to Focus On

Don't miss the signature crunchy chicken salad with green mango or the minced beef with holy basil. The whole sea bream curry showcases the kitchen's technical skills, while the purple aubergine with chili offers a solid vegetarian option. Finish with the pineapple pie and taro ice cream for the full experience.

Christoff's Insider Tips

Watch for soft launch promotions offering 50% off food - it's the perfect time to experience the full menu without the sticker shock. Reservations are recommended for groups, but the casual bar area welcomes walk-ins. The shuffleboard table at the back is a nice touch if you want to extend your evening.

The Final Verdict

Speedboat Bar succeeds as dinner theatre disguised as a restaurant. The 9.0/10 uniqueness score isn't hyperbole - this is genuinely unlike anywhere else in London. Farrell has created something that's part authentic Thai canteen, part Notting Hill showpiece, and entirely committed to its vision. Yes, the pricing raises eyebrows, but the combination of quality cooking, theatrical atmosphere, and that magnificent speedboat engine creates an experience that transcends typical restaurant metrics. It's not perfect for everyone, but for those seeking something genuinely different on Portobello Road, it delivers spectacularly.

Christoff's Rating:
8.2/10

Perfect For:

couples seeking a memorable date night experienceThai food enthusiasts wanting authentic flavours with premium presentationgroups looking for Instagram-worthy dining with genuine substance

Quick Details

1

Speedboat Bar Portobello

⭐️ Bangkok chinatown energy
⭐️ Wok fired drama
⭐️ Instagram worthy
💕 Date night splurge

That actual speedboat engine centerpiece isn't just for show - it sets the tone for Luke Farrell's high-octane recreation of Bangkok Chinatown chaos. The wok-fired drama happens right in front of you, with chili vapors creating an immersive sensory assault that transports you straight to a late-night Thai canteen. Signature dishes like the crunchy chicken salad with green mango and minced beef with holy basil showcase authentic techniques using Thai imports and Dorset greenhouse herbs. The space retains booth seating from its Electric Diner days, but the Thai family portraits and whirring fans complete the transformation. This isn't fusion - it's cultural transplantation done with surgical precision and theatrical flair.

What's Great

✓ Authentic Bangkok Chinatown atmosphere with theatrical presentation

✓ Luke Farrell's exceptional Thai techniques using quality British ingredients

Keep in Mind

× Premium pricing £9-40 per dish feels steep for street food style cuisine

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Hit the soft launch period for 50% off food, then book 5:30pm for optimal lighting around that speedboat engine centerpiece

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Mon: Closed\nTue-Thu: 12pm-3pm, 5pm-10pm\nFri-Sat: 12pm-11pm, Sun: 12pm-9pm"
📍191 Portobello Rd, London W11 2ED
💷£££
📞+44 20 3833 4400
🌐Website

Featured In My Guides

Speedboat Bar Portobello has been featured in 1 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

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