Midrange
Kensington Creperie
A small, cute, often crowded cafe and authentic French creperie, popular with the local French and various other South Ken expats. Given its location near the tube, it is a fine place to sit outside and watch the fashionable young people pass by.
Top end
Gordon Ramsay
The original, flagship branch of the Ramsay empire. You are highly unlikely to find the man himself behind the stove these days, but this triple Michelin-starred eatery deserves its reputation as one of the finest on the planet. The lunch menu is just about affordable, but getting a reservation is problematic. Dress code applies.
Tom's Kitchen
Populist spot for Tom Aikens's aptly named restaurant, albeit certainly in the "Splurge" category, the fish and chips make it certainly worth the difficulty getting reservations and the rather high cost.
Chelsea Brasserie and Bar
Modern restaurant/bar at the Sloan Square hotel serving French cuisine. Popular lunch place for people working in the area.
Aubergine
Although it still tries to cash in on its association with Gordon Ramsay who was famously the original head chef before branching out on his own - see below, Chef William Drabble creates a menu of modern French cuisine and has one Michelin star.