Opening its doors on one of Notting Hill’s busiest corners, Permit Room Portobello arrives as the first London outpost of Dishoom’s all-day drinking and dining concept. Inspired by the original permit rooms and post-independence bars of Bombay, the venue channels both spirit and nostalgia; offering morning coffee and bacon naan rolls, late-night cocktails, and all manner of other in between.
Set across three floors, the space has been designed by Macaulay Sinclair with a clear reverence for the address’s past. From its days as the Colville Hotel in the 1860s to its decades as an Irish and West Indian pub, this building has seen plenty of city life, and Permit Room Portobello aims to add to that history with its own blend of charm and character. The ground floor houses a bright Breakfast Room and Bar, the First-Floor Dining Room nods to the beloved former institution ‘First Floor,’ and from this month, the top level will host The Lodgings: a two-bedroom residence with five-star hospitality and Dishoom’s flair for detail.
On the menu, breakfast brings two exclusive new dishes: the indulgent Permit Room French Toast, where cinnamon-spiced brioche meets melted cheese and spicy honey, and the ‘Crumpety Eggs Kejriwal’ is topped with chilli cheese, streaky bacon, and two fried eggs. Daytime dishes feature a mix of craveable bar snacks, South Indian curries, and Dishoom favourites black daal, mattar paneer, and tandoori chicken all making a welcome appearance.
Drinks take a front seat, with a bar programme crafted uniquely for Permit Room. Expect bold, balanced signatures like the Blushing Dawn Paloma (kumquat juice, chilli tequila, and mezcal) or the Thums Up Sazerac, giving the classic a sweet, fizzy twist.
Music plays a defining role, with DJ and DAYTIMERS mainstay Rohan Rakhit curating a programme focused on underrepresented voices and global sound. Expect vinyl sets on Thursdays, and weekend DJs spanning jazz, funk, soul and more.
Permit Room Portobello is open now. Whether you’re coming for breakfast, a drink, a dance, or staying the night and scoffing a selection of Dishoom, this is an exciting new proposition for London’s hospitality scene.
@dishoompermitroom
@macaulaysinclair
Dishoom Permit Room Portobello Photography, Taran Wilkhu.
