1 Michelin Star Chefs: Emily Roux, Caractère

Caractère is a modern classic from Emily Roux, fusing French elegance with Italian soul.

Located in the heart of Notting Hill, Caractère has established itself as one of London’s most distinctive culinary destinations.

Opened in 2018 by Emily Roux and her husband Diego Ferrari, formerly head chef at Le Gavroche, the restaurant reflects a seamless fusion of French and Italian influences.

About Emily

Emily Roux is the next generation of the UK’s most famous culinary dynasty. The daughter of Michel Roux Jr. and granddaughter of Albert Roux, she has carved out her own name in the world of fine dining.

She trained in France at the prestigious Institut Paul Bocuse and top kitchens like Le 39V and Akrame.

 In 2018, she and her husband, Diego Ferrari, opened Caractère.

Emily’s cooking is refined but approachable, focusing on deep flavours, seasonal produce, and beautifully balanced plates.

With her fresh take on tradition, she’s quickly become one of the brightest talents in London’s restaurant scene, bringing a new energy to the Roux family legacy.

The menu

At Caractère, the menu is crafted to offer a unique and highly personalised dining experience.

Rather than following the traditional format of starters, mains, and desserts, dishes are thoughtfully organised according to character traits: curious, subtle, delicate, robust, strong, and greedy.

The curious section offers lighter, innovative plates designed to awaken the palate, while subtle and delicate present dishes with refined, nuanced flavours. The robust and strong categories showcase bolder, richer preparations, often featuring hearty meats or intensely flavoured ingredients. Finally, greedy is dedicated to indulgent desserts, highlighting the restaurant’s playful yet sophisticated approach to the conclusion of the meal.

Accolades

Caractère currently holds one Michelin star, which it was awarded in the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2024.

The Michelin star recognises Caractère for its high-quality cooking, exceptional ingredients, and skillfully crafted dishes.

Michelin inspectors highlight the restaurant’s relaxed yet refined environment, noting that while the interiors are stylish, with soft, earthy tones and elegant finishes, the overall mood remains comfortable and unpretentious.

Written by Abi Kinsella