21 Berners St, London W1T 3LP, United Kingdom
Akoko is committed to serving classic dishes from across West Africa as well as forward-thinking snacks and desserts with an emphasis on using high quality produce from African and British suppliers. Akoko reflects our creativity and imagination, inspired by the traditions, art and culture of West Africa.
Absolutely delicious food - fun, imaginative, and incredible combinations of flavour. We had the lunch menu and the extra caviar course, and it was superb. I also had the wine flight, and all three wines were exceptionally well chosen. My only gripe was that we would have liked to have the full tasting menu, but they would only allow this if we all had it - even my 11 year old son! A small thing but everything else was wonderful and we will be back another time for the full experience.
Fantastic meal at Akoko this Saturday gone. Service was excellent and the food was delicious. We had the short tasting menu with the wine pairing and it was the perfect amount for lunch. Will definitely be coming back!
One of our favourite meals in London. Definitely deserves its Michelin star. Everything was so flavourful and the rice was heavenly! The meal was also paced well and made for a very enjoyable experience overall.
This was my first time trying West African cuisine, and it was an amazing surprise! The food was absolutely delicious, with the spicy ice cream at the end being a standout. The staff were really friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even better. The prices were very reasonable too. I am so glad I chose this restaurant and would definitely recommend it to anyone!
This is one of the most extraordinary culinary experience I have ever had! Everything was perfect: food, drinks, staff. A true discovery trip into West African Cuisine Deluxe and I would definitely love to come again.
We had a truly delightful experience at Akoko. The dishes were exceptional—beautifully presented and packed with flavour—and the staff couldn't have been more friendly and attentive. One thought for consideration is around the wine service. When we sought advice on the best pairing for the tasting menu, the sommelier kindly inquired about our general wine preferences but didn’t go into detail with her recommendation. A bit more guidance here would have made the experience even more special. Additionally, while we appreciated the use of a decanter after the cork broke, we would have loved to see the bottle opened at our table for that added touch of reassurance and engagement.These points are minor and didn’t detract from what was a wonderful meal overall. Thank you to the team for a memorable afternoon — we look forward to returning!
Overall we had a good meal at Akoko. Our favourite dishes were the Tatale and the sesame fudge in the sweet section. The counter table was a nice experience and the chefs even made several jokes as they were preparing. We were disappointed that they didn’t have a non alcoholic pairing. The service lacked a personal touch.
This has to be the best meal we’ve had in London, ever! The ambience and service is exactly what you would expect from a fine dining, Michelin Star restaurant in central London. The staff were attentive, friendly and professional. The food was well presented, the flavours and spices were delectable! We thoroughly enjoyed every single plate we were served and now I think about this place every few days. We will have to come back!
I booked the tasting menu for lunch at the 1:30 slot. After we arrived and were seated, we were brought 2 menus, one for full tasting and one for a smaller set menu. I ordered the full set menu and was then told that this needed to be ordered before 1:15 and they were unable to do it and could only offer the small menu. I was extremely disappointed as I only booked this restaurant for their full set menu and the staff were totally unreasonable about it. It doesnt say anywhere on their website about a 1:15 order and I was at the table before 1:30 and it was only their service which meant they didnt take my order until 1:40. They should not accept any bookings after 1:15 if this is their rule. The website clearly states that the last set menu is at 1:30, which is the slot I booked. If they are going to impose such a rule, why not contact the customer first and ask what they would like? They only have 2 options. The food we had was nice and we were offered an extra dish & multiple glasses of wine to make up for the issue. However this was a special occasion and I would rather have had the food over the alcohol. They need to urgently fix their booking issue and no customer should be left with the experience we had.
Visited Akoko the second time but this time with my Ghanian husband, I was a bit anxious if hed like the food and he did! He said this place has done west African proud The food was very tasty, they have done well in elevating West African food to a fine dining level. Our favourite were the two fish dishes, the use of barbecue to give the food the smoky flavour was very clever. The jollof was nice and the shito sauce was a very nice complement to the beef, giving the dish a bit of fishy+salty flavour. The suya was very tasty as well. The desserts were interesting, not too sweet and creamy like the typical European dessert, still has the peppery taste running through them. And a shout out to Etiene (sorry if I spelt your name incorrectly), he was amazing and looked after us really well the whole evening, explained all the dishes to us and answered our questions patiently. Thank you!
I had my birthday dinner here and I confess I am not familiar with west african cuisine but was excited to be introduced by akoko. We opted for the lunch menu with the tatale. The food was wonderful, especially the tatale caviar, the jollof rice and the sesame fudge as people have previously described. I was however slightly underwhelmed by the service. We could not hear the explanations for the dishes which would have been really nice to know as we were unfamiliar with it. Also whilst I would not expect a big deal, the lack of acknowledgement that this was a birthday meal is a bit cold and lacked personability from the service, which I would have expected from a 1 star place.
Fantastic restaurant. Came here for a birthday meal, literally cant fault anything. The food was incredible, the staff were all lovely, drinks were inventive and tasty, ambience was perfect.
I had the £55 taster menu, absolutely loved the savoury dishes, clean balanced and interesting dishes. The desert was light as it was lunch and was craving something with a bit more oomph but overall loved it.
From the moment we walked in to Akoko we received warm, thoughtful and friendly attention. I had booked a seat for us at the counter (the restaurant has an open kitchen) and watched the chefs in action. This is not a frou-frou Michelin restaurant with plates filled with pretty but un-satisfying flowers that leave you hungry. Far from it! What Akoko does is take Western African spices and flavours and elevate them to the next level. It was a truly stunning use of ingredients and series of divinely beautiful dishes. I enjoyed the Pescatarian tasting menu while my cousin the original menu (with meat) and both ran for 9 courses. My cousin has great experience in Ghanian cuisine and a little in Nigerian cuisine and declared the recipes as authentic and representative of African cuisine but with a creative twist. For me it was as much an education as a culinary dining experience. The Yasser oyster was lightly cooked to perfection and enveloped in an exquisite foam. The Egusi was sumptuous and jollof rice was nostalgic and the desserts will be re-visiting me in my dreams. As will the Chapman cocktail an authentic Nigerian cocktail that is non-alcoholic and totally lush. Which brings me to my small quibble there were no non-alcohol wines on offer at Akoko. Come on guys there are so many awesome brands available now such as French Bloom, OddBird, Bolle Rose, Wild Idol that could be served alongside your European wines for us non-drinkers that like a little celebration. What was refreshing is that there was no fast turn-around on tables and so we spent 3+ happy hours relaxing into the experience. Another appreciated aspect is that the dishes were a little hot but the majority had an intensity of flavour without the burn-your-mouth-off-heat of previous occasions of African cooking (speaking as someone raised on French cuisine of wines and creams). Thanks to everyone at Akoko for a meal that was out of this world.
Such a great experience enjoying delicious african inspired food. Jollof rice 10/10. Big shout out to Faiz who was an amazing server and made the experience 100x better
A fantastic evening, with superlative and surprising food, and warm service. Every single dish was new and unexpected, with different and unusual flavours, but always consistent and enjoyable. The menu as a whole is an ever-growing symphony, worthily accompanied by precise, attentive and warm service. Thanks to all the staff for a fantastic evening!
Disappointed. We came here after a lovely dinner at their sister restaurant in Borough Market so I was really looking forward to lunch here as a special birthday celebration. Beautiful decor, loved the music if a bit too loud - we struggled to hear the waiters introduce the dishes, but thats a minor point. Interesting flavours combinations, very well executed, I enjoyed the spices and smokiness and I certainly was challenged by the flavour combinations. And that was expected. Overall it just wasnt for me though , I never felt wowed by the dishes. I did like the red mullet and the guinea fowl dishes though. But its not a cuisine Im familiar with and so maybe its just not my thing. The service was very efficient but not particularly warm. Not a huge deal. But our waiter did a hard sale on the caviar dish which was not very professional and condescending. Saying no once politely should be enough. In the end it wasnt the experience we hoped for sadly.
Great food, friendly attentive service. Mecalito cocktail was amazing.
Delicious innovative food; well spaced, attractive dining room; exceptional staff. The signed birthday card was a thoughtful gesture and the entire experience very enjoyable. Thank you.
Fantastic experience. Excellent food Dietary restrictions: Let them know Food : 5/5 |
Exceptional service and experience. Highly recommend the chefs counter to see all the precise and intricate details
Ugh! Delicious food, elegant ambiance and great service. Def coming back
Novel cuisine - loved it. No non -sweet alternative to dessert so the glycemically challenged may struggle. Jollof Rice amazing. Food
10/10/10 across the board- Food! Service! Ambience! Aesthetic! Overall Atmosphere!!!!!! The staff is extremely attentive, warm and accommodating. Literally felt like love on a plate and in the air.
Incredible, unique and delicious meal, in a wonderful environment with great service. A well earned Michelin star, and I absolutely will visit again the next time Im in London!
Food was very good until the desserts - I just can t wrap my head around a peppery / savoury pudding. Just not for me. We were a table of 8 and were asked to keep the noise down - restaurant itself wasn t quiet. There was music playing and a degree of background noise. I don t think we were being v loud - just trying to hear each other. At the end of the night we asked to see the drinks menu, which we were given, but there was no more service. I think they d had enough of us by then. Overall, I d recommend you try it but I wouldn t return.
I ve never been to an African restaurant, let alone one with a star, and I was totally blown away. Starting with an unexpected accommodation, even though there were no bookings available online, ending with flawless service. The food was phenomenal. I wouldn t be able to choose my favorite course to save my life.
Sadly no amount of tasty dishes could make up for vomiting up like crazy at home after the meal. I don t have allergies or intolerances and I say this to every restaurant I go to, so it s likely something that has to do w/ the freshness of the ingredients. I suspect it was the mackerel as mine was basically raw (prob not sashimi grade?) or the oyster, when asked I was told it s meant to be like that as it s slightly grilled. It could also be the drink as I was the only person at our table who ordered a drink. Regardless the reason, it s safe to say I ll not be returning. I felt extremely unwell after the meal and basically puked the entire tasting menu out and had to clean myself then my family rushed me to UCL hospital That s £140 down the drain, right after the meal, plus my now ruined digestive system which will likely take weeks to recover. P.s We noted that this was a birthday celebration dinner and yet no gesture or whatsoever for this, was gonna let this slip but then came the food poisoning. I honestly do not know how this restaurant got its Michelin star.
An incredible experience the food was delicious, well presented and with depth of flavour. Every dish left me wanting more, in the best way possible. The service from Ettiene was impeccable (and all the other staff also) it really made a night to remember.
Amazing time at Akoko, the flavours and portions were 10/10 and bonus points for the alcohol pairing! Highly recommend if you are looking for a different take on gastronomy.
The world is finally opening up to the fine-dining West African scene! The food was amazing. Get a counter table and watch them smoke the rice. The most impressive offering I rarely see at these places was the beverage pairing offering both alcoholic and non alcoholic options. Most places dont even have a non-alcoholic beverage pairing. And those that do force you to choose between the alcoholic or non alcoholic one. This place allowed a mix and match. Hope more restaurants featuring African cuisine open.
I wish I could rate Akoko higher. The best dinner I ve had from start to finish. The staff was friendly and helpful. The food was absolutely incredible. We did the full dinner menu. The portions were a good size and each course was a delight. It s been a few weeks and I m still dreaming about the jollof rice!
We had a lunch and it was fantastic, the Tatale supplement was incredible. Our server, I believe his name was Tychus? Was amazing and attentive. We definitely will come back when the menu is updated! Vegetarian options: Tasting menu is offered in vegetarian and vegan, as stated on the menu.
Id say its pretty good but no where near as good as all the reviews make you expect it to be. For 120, there were some elements missing, if it were 90 I probably wouldnt complain at all and also provide 5/5. Price is a factor when comparing to other restaurants. Firstly, there are zero amuse bouche dishes, no bread/bread-equivalent offering. They serve you the first 2 pieces together and say it is a welcome dish but its actually the first 2 courses. This is very unusual for a Michelin star restaurant. There were zero palate cleansers or anything extra at all. My dishes were: Plantain donut with beef tartare (v good) Fried Oyster with sauce (good) Mackerel (v v average, no special taste or wow factor) Monkfish (good but no wow factor, tastes Ive tried before) Sirloin with Joloff rice (tiniest sirloin piece in the world, but good dish overall) beef tongue (i would have preffered a different cut of meat, the glaze was nice but quite similar to texas bbq) desserts unmemorable. The ambience is good and the service is friendly, but what is the hype with all these 5/5 reviews?
Truly one of the best dining experiences Ive ever had. The food was exceptional with particular stand outs being the monkfish and the beef and jollof rice. I also was blown away by the black sesame fudge which was unreal and Im not the biggest fan of fudge. They have a vast array of drink options and I like the fact they do a mixed drink pairing and non alcoholic pairing as well as Im not much for wine. I Would recommend it to anyone and will be looking to come back again. Do yourself a favour and go.
Amazing experience! Food were impressive, staff were fun and engaging, definitely one of the best dining experiences I had for a long time
Fabulous fabulous fabulous restaurant. A friend and I had the taster menu. We enjoyed every single bite. The food kept coming and coming and everything was delicious even the soft drinks. 100% recommend! Great experience.
What a meal! Flavours are so unique, all the food was expertly cooked and some incredible sauces. Every dish was brilliant. We went for the pescatarian set menu. Also caters for vegetarian as well.
Everything was amazing. They deserve two Michelin stars
Delicious food with very creative interpretations. The dishes were memorable and exciting. I loved the moimoi, the use of monkfish, the use of mackerel, and the use of beef tongue! Everything worked well together. The only complaint was that the red wine did not feel like it really enhanced the jollof rice. I feel like the body too light while the taste was too tart and astringent for the jollof rice. I would ve liked a sweeter Riesling or a more velvety red instead. Still, I enjoyed the mixed drinks and the beer as part of the Akoko pairing. That was really fun.
This restaurant is extraordinary. It is an experience, from start to finish and it is unlike any other Michelin-star restaurant I have been to. It is unpretentious and fiercely stands proud in its appreciation for West African cuisine, culture and art. Unlike most of these reviews, we didnt opt for the pairing menu due to time, so we took the reduced lunch menu rather than the full tasting menu. Every single dish we ate was well-balanced, with unique and bold flavours - scotch bonnets, red bell peppers, white chocolate. Stand-out dishes for me were the Tatale (ripe plantain pancakes) with goat cashew cream and caviar, the plantain mosa, the short rib, the black sesame sweet and of course, the jollof rice bowl. Without a shadow of a doubt, the best jollof I have tried - with a rich, deep flavour and texture. We didnt have to ask for a single thing, the staff were friendly, attentive, clearly explained every dish and even recommended how to eat certain dishes. I really just implore you all to go and experience this food and ambience for yourself, you wont be disappointed. Dietary restrictions: Vegetarian, pescetarian options were available
Fantastic atmosphere. The tasting menu
Fantastic!
An excellent tasting menu that tastefully threads the needle between gastronomical skill and accuracy to the flavors of west african home cooking. Definitely warrants a return visit in my opinion. Food
The sesame sweet at the end is extraordinary other food is ok. Service is good.
Every dish was a hit and service was amazing.
We had the best meal of our lives. The food was so creative, delicious and beautifully presented and Barney (our waiter) and the wonderful sommelier (who s name I can t remember) were so fantastic. I have already recommended it to all my friends- thank you SO much!
Amazing experience. A top high end place to try a michelin star. Totally recommend it.
What a treat! Eight course tasting menu with paired wine possible. Fabulous flavours and service. Staff also clearly enjoy their work, and there was a sense of joy on the restaurant floor (this probably sounds strange, but I cant think of a better way to describe it!). Booking essential, and in advance. Specify if you want to sit at the counter next to the open kitchen. Vegetarian options: Vegetarian tasting menu available Wheelchair accessibility: You might need help with the front door and door to the toilets. Seating is reasonably spacious so shouldnt be a problem. I just cant remember if there was an accessible toilet.
Sensational lunch. We had the long lunch menu. Both the meat and vegetarian menus were really fantastic. Great vibes, the whole place doesnt take itself too seriously like a lot of starred spots. Curated wine list and killer cocktails. The whole team signed a card for my partners birthday, which was a sweet touch.
Amazing experience at Akoko! The flavours and food were excellent and a brilliant new experience on what can we done with West African flavours.
Food - divine. Service - sublime. We had a great time on our anniversary. We were a tad bit disappointed that we couldn t get the full tasting menu, and had to settle for the shorter lunch menu, but it was a good little sneak peek on what to look forward to when we come back next time. Note: if you want to have the full tasting menu for lunch, you need to book for a slot before 1:30pm. Every bight was a delight, packed with flavour and great texture. Whatever they do to their mackerel shito they serve with the jollof rice - I want a can of it and take it home. If licking off the plate was appropriate etiquette, I would be doing that for every plate served. The sauces are out of this world. The cherry on top was the beautiful gesture received in form of a card with signature from all the staff. I will be framing this! Thank you and we will be back for more, and will be coming back with more :D
Hands down my favorite restaurant in London. I cant wait to go back this fall.
What an experience! The food is stellar, the service impeccable and the atmosphere casual & cool. Loved every second of it. The Jollof is to die for!
The experience was absolutely amazing. Every dish we tasted was exquisite and like a piece of culinary art!! Must dine again when possible!!
We experienced the tasting menu for our Wedding Anniversary yesterday evening and boy were we in for a treat! It was like rediscovering West African cuisine all over again, all the flavour profiles you d expect but executed in an expertly crafted way. We ll certainly be back.
Delicious food and a beautiful venue. Visited last night for the tasting menu, accompanied by the Akoko drinks pairing. Each course was fantastic and most thoughtfully complemented with drink. Could not recommend enough
Unsurprisingly, another 5 star review. This was the most unusual Michelin restaurant I ve ever done, definitely worth trying if you like to spice it up. The akoko pairing is nothing like I have experienced before, with a mix of wines, beer and cocktails to accompany each dish. I preferred the wine pairing but it is absolutely worth trying both, especially if you are coming with a partner who is happy to share!
Absolutely incredible food and service. Everything was so delicious, and the staff were so attentive. The attention to detail here is obscene!!
4.8 Fabulous food, beautifully presented and full of flavour. I have often heard the phrase layers of spice and that is certainly applicable here, everything is beautifully spiced and the flavour builds with each mouthful. We had the full taster menu which had a whole array of wonderful dishes with ingredients we had never tried before. The oyster was crisp and complemented nicely by the lightly spiced pepper sauce. The Waini, chicken mousse with Yassa and leeks was a triumph, we all wanted more of that. The mackerel was slightly less successful, strangely tough and the moi moi has a texture which we found a bit challenging. The Wagyu beef was well cooked and had great flavour but the star of the show was the jollof rice which was absolutely delicious, slightly crisp and with an amazing depth of flavour- we would have taken a pot of that home if it was possible. The service was good but our server spoke very softly and we were not always able to hear his descriptions of the dishes being presented which was a shame with so many interesting and unusual dishes but in no way did it spoil our enjoyment of the delicious food. Busy, buzzy and fabulous we will be back.
food was exceptional with great service! definitely have to add 35 pounds for Tatale, best caviar I ve ever had! We also love the sweets, fudge was unbelievably yummy! Food
Such a delightful meal for a culinary rollercoaster to enjoy amazing dessert and ceramic masterpieces. Definitely choose chef counter to enjoy bit of watching plating process and cleaning up
First time trying African cuisine and I was blown away by the variety of flavours that we have tasted in these dishes. We went with the Akoko pairing which was on point and certainly not one to miss. Everything here is a bit spicy with a bit of a kick even with the dessert and I personally don t mind it as it s expérimental and interesting for my palate. The deep fried oyster was still fresh inside as I could still taste the sea and with a hint of sweetness. The only issue is you should have two oysters for each. It s so yummy! All dishes came with a special made sauce and they were all really good! The highlight for me would be the beef with rice and ox tongue that cooked to perfection and melted in my mouth. All the dishes had such great balance with different ingredient and the drink - the most surprising would be the chocolate, caramel beer to go with the ox tongue - best chemistry ever and I don t normally like beers! The service was great and I enjoy the chilled vibe in this Michelin star restaurant together with the decor and backdrop. Very lovely experience and would definitely love to come back again!
The meal at Akoko was splendid with creatively curated dishes. The monkfish and jollof rice were one of my favourites. I booked this place for my partner s birthday as we ve always wanted to try. However, I felt that there could be more attention to detail and consistency we did not receive the birthday card service for our table and felt it was a slight miss in the overall experience especially at this price point.
This was our second visit to Akoko, this time we went for lunch and it didn t disappoint. The food was incredible: colours, textures, flavours, aromas every delicious dish creating an expectation for what the next one would be. Our guide through the menu, Tychus and his lovely colleague Rispa (as well as the rest of the very polished team) were just amazing, giving extraordinary and yet relaxed service, explaining the dishes with humour and care and anticipating our needs. The food was so delicious that I forgot to take photos of some of the most extraordinary dishes I love it when that happens! Can t wait to go back and see the next evolution of the menu!
Food here was deeeevine! Worth the money you pay for Food, experience, service Though for people with intolerances, they need to ensure they keep note and ensure the whole serving team and servers know as each course we were asking about gluten. But they were very nice about it and for some courses made something different for our friend. We all left content and not half empty like how some tasting menus make you still have space for food. I would come again!
My very first West African Michelin experience! Good services, cute decorations, and lovely food, but it was a bit noisy tbh. Really appreciate the smoky idea throughout the meal, especially the smoked purple carrot was such a highlight of the meal! Tried the short menu this time and it was already pretty full for me lol. Will return for sure:)
Great food! loved the whole vibe of this place!
Amazing Restaurant!
Incredible food and vibe
One of my favourite restaurants I ve been to in London if not the best. The service was impeccable, every single dish was as good as the previous, the Akoko pairing was also really very good. The ox tongue was my personal favourite however I could ve eaten 5 of everything I was served! The restaurant atmosphere was very nice, it s always nice to see the kitchen and it made the experience feel more intimate. My only minor complaint would be the group next to us were being rather noisy and were slightly disturbing but you can t blame the restaurant for this. Dinner here has really inspired me to explore eating more west African food and I hope to come back again soon, thank you so much to everyone that made the evening so special!
This is a restaurant with tremendous promise and potential. Unlike Ikoyi, which totally gave up on its African origins and has become yet another generic modern european restaurant, Akoko says true to its roots. The ideas are wonderful. The food is super tasty. And the staff are very nice. And yet it falls flat for vegans/vegetarians. The issue is this -- for vegans/vegetarians, the portion sizes are far far too small and without anything substantial in most of them. Its as if they took the meat out of the dishes but there is no adequate replacement and hence you have very small portions of food with little to nothing in them. A spoon of tasty tomato and spinach cant count as a full course! You end up leaving the place feeling hungry and going home and eating another meal! The only thing Id change is to figure out how to fill vegans/vegetarians with their incredible cooking. Then it lands safely into a five star place.
Exceptional lunch tasting experience. I did the long menu and I was absolutely blown away. The moimoi and the mackerel were stand out dishes. As a self proclaimed previously never consumed mackerel hater I am in awe.
Thoroughly enjoyed this whole experience. Well worth the money for a special occasion. The service was excellent and welcoming. The food was to die for. Drinks were also superb. Highly recommend!
Akoko was another quick foodie adventure on my layover in London. I heard about this new West African restaurant and had to try it while I was in town. The food and ambiance were befitting of a michelin star. I was quickly greeted at the door and sat at a table facing the open kitchen. It was fun watching all the hustle and bustle of the kitchen between each dish. It is a set menu, and I decided to upgrade my meal. I would recommend it as it adds some extra flair to the already very diverse menu. I have never had West African food, and now that I have tried, I want to search for more. I really enjoyed the lamb with jollof rice and the suya- ox tongue and bone marrow. Im also a huge dessert fan, and the blood orange was delicious. I highly recommend checking out Akoko if you, too, havent had the opportunity to try West African food. You wont regret it.
Absolutely delicious food and also different to what one is usually accustomed to. Most of the time I didn t know what the ingredients were but oh my it was stunning food. I would love to go back but it s very pricey so it is one of those places for special occasions only.
Superb, sublime, stunning, splendid - all the sssss Dietary restrictions: My dining partner could not eat nuts. Food : 5/5 |
Akoko delivers a stunning counterpoint to British/European fine dining. It s West African cuisine parsed through a modern kitchen. I now know that cow s tongue cooked in bone marrow is absolutely delicious.
There were some really good things: the monkfish with an amazing sauce of green capsicum, the wagyu beef with rice, the cocoa infused Negroni and the rum -based cocktail. But thats not enough for this level. First of all its very loud. Its just about fine to talk to each other but we could barely understand the waiters, so we had to ask lots of questions to understand the explanations of what we were being served. Our main waiter also seemed to have a bad day, not seeming very enthusiastic. He kept it professional but he didnt exactly make us feel welcomed. Maybe it was because we didnt understand each other, Ill give him the benefit of the doubt. He also told us there was one more order of the Kaviar course available, but when we then wanted to order it, he told us it was not available. The first two courses came at the same time and are really more like an amuse bouche than real courses. It felt sneaky to call them two courses, where other restaurants wouldnt even list them on the menu. And in fact I thought I left a little hungry still. The first drink from the Akoko pairing only arrived after the third course which is poor timing. The Akoko pairing is 95 GBP for 2 wines (I looked them up, 23 and 30 GBP each for a bottle), a beer (3 GBP) and two cocktails. One of the cocktails I really enjoyed. The wines were also nice, but given the price class of the pairing I expected something else (ofc Im factoring in usual restaurant wine markups, still its very bad value. And also cocktails from the menu were around 15 GBP, wines by the glass were all under 20, so I dont understand the math here) The crab with the bisque-like foam (I forgot the correct name, apologies) was pleasant but lacked the wow. The dessert came with ice cream that was partially melted and slid off the side as the plate was put on the table. It was nice to eat but also lacked interesting things. I came with high hopes. I love the concept. I read lots of other reviews that sounded great. The hints of that greatness we experienced were truly great. But the experience as a whole just left me unsatisfied.
Absolutely delicious food and also different to what one is usually accustomed to. Most of the time I didn t know what the ingredients were but oh my it was stunning food. I would love to go back but it s very pricey so it is one of those places for special occasions only.Clean and crisp white tablecloth. Fresh and good portion of food with fresh spices . Very impressed. I have not been dined in this area for 20 years. They did not disappoint me.
Incredible explosion of flavours, each dish was absolutely amazing. The service was incredible, every staff member we encountered was lovely, especially Mihai. One of the best dining experiences I ve had!
Good but forgettable food, same as other 100s of 1 star Michelin restaurants. I wish the chef was bolder with his food. Dont fall for the hype, much better (and cheaper) places in London.
I had my 30th birthday dinner here, the experience was incredible and also emotional as a Nigerian myself. The food was amazing, there aren t any words to properly describe it really. The pairing with the wines were very fitting. The flavours were robust and authentic whilst the experience being an exemplary true fine dining experience. Our waiter Dumebi was helpful, knowledgeable and charming. Not to mention, a hand signed card from all the staff, made it quite special. We will absolutely be back again!
Great food, very delicious West African specialities and great service. The restaurant is well decorated and the staffs were friendly. My biggest disappointment though is I specifically mentioned in my online booking and also over the phone that it is my 24 years anniversary evening. Unfortunately, nothing, absolutely nothing was done to make our evening speciale like all other restaurants at a fraction of the price did for us. Yes it was quite a disappointment in this regards. Weve been completely overlooked to mark this celebration. We were not expecting anything fancy or grandiose but at least a little gesture. Thanks for the food anyway. Kind Regards
My mom and I had a wonderful time at Akoko! We sat at the chef s counter and it was exciting watching the process of creating our dishes. The food was all incredible. Every dish was new to us (in one way or another), so it was like a surprise every bite. It is rare for me to like all the courses of a tasting menu, but they managed to do so and I applaud them for that. Though it is tough to choose my favorites, the jollof rice and sinasir supplement (highly recommend adding it) were exceptional. I will remember this meal forever, and I hope to return on my next visit to London.
Everything was delicious and the service very friendly / casual! Open fire grill is amazing - love that every dish had a bit of a spicy kick. Would love to go back
Came here on a weekday late evening - around 9PM, had the 8+3 course tasting menu. Food was very interesting and amazing, almost all of the dishes had chilli and / or pepper in them, but in a way that was not overpowering, somehow the taste of the seafood and other ingredients were still very visible. The only small feedback I would give to the restaurant is that having wagyu beef as one of the main courses just feels very out of place, I am not against wagyu beef but there must be other ways to be inspired by West African cuisine than taking a dish almost completely from Japan. Highly recommend this, will revisit Im sure.
Excellent lunch. Solid 1 star Michelin level food, will come back for full tasting menu
Exceptional. Very well-balanced preparations. Authentic, generous, and refined.
Jollof was exceptional. Overall, good quality with helpful staff. Enjoyed the lunch set menu and the wine pairing.
I came here super excited for the food and experience and the service brought my rating down. We flew in from NYC and had the LONGEST dining experience ever at 4+ hours. Our plates were extremely delayed. Now I do generally like a slower paced dining experience as I m a slow eater but it was exceptionally long. We ordered a bottle of wine for the table that we wanted to enjoy w the food but finished the bottle before our first plate of food even arrived. By the end of the night my party of 3 was just over it as we were all sleepy. Our reservation was for 19:30 and we were the last table to leave. For what you pay for the service was so bad. I ve been to many tasting menu experiences around London and this was by far the worst given service. The food was delicious but for severe delays I wouldn t return or recommend. Best to go to a more affordable place.
Amazing food and service. My favorite was the Ox tongue, jollof rice and the dessert with the Madagascar chocolate towards the end. Thank you for an amazing evening in London.
Excellent tasting menu. Literally blown away by the perfection. The Akoko pairing (a combination of wine, beer and cocktails) was also a big hit. Hats off to the whole team. Absolute class!
After dining at Ikoyi, this is my second encounter with an unfamiliar African cuisine todays impression can be described as exciting with plenty of new ingredients, spices, and preparation methods! I tried the complete tasting menu with the following impressions: 1. Waina - rice cake with chicken liver parfait, ronuded experience 7/10 2. Gambian stew - oyster with tatase relish - a surprising combination of oyster with chopped red pepper salsa, 8/10 3. Moimoi - spicy bean pudding with onions and peppers served with trout on vatapa sauce made of coconut milk, cashew and shrimp - rich in spices and flavors, umami 10/10 4. Ayamase - monkfish fillet with two arranged sauces ayamase (green pepper sauce) and sosu kaani sauce (Senegalese hot sauce) with stuffed morel mushroom unusual and enticing, 9/10 5. Tatale - Ghanaian plantain pancakes with goat milk cream and cashew, accompanied by Exmoor caviar intense yet delicate flavor, 9/10 6. Jollof rice with lamb and sweetbread, eggplant sauce, and spicy shito sauce made of peppers, ginger, dried fish, and shrimp served with an excellent narrative about the dishs origin and preparation method before serving, 9/10 7. Suya - skewered ox tongue with bone marrow sauce, seasoned with kuli-kuli spice made of ground peanuts, garlic, and chili pepper extraordinary, tender, intense, 10/10 8. Dessert of blood orange and tigermilk sauce with African sea almond emulsion (ehuru) a decent pre-dessert, 7/10 9. Cafe Touba coffee tart with white chocolate, ice cream with uda pepper perfectly balanced ice cream distinguishing the taste! 9/10 10. Black sessame jelly - sci-fi! 10/10 The entire ambiance is accompanied by excellent modern African music. The restaurant staff is well informed about the origin of dishes and ingredients, very courteous! One of those restaurants where you want to return with every menu change and continue exploring!
Had the tasting menu over a year ago upon the recommendation of a coworker whose taste I trust greatly. 100% did not disappoint. I would say that surprisingly (or maybe not) the dish that stuck with me even now was the jollof rice. I did not succeed in taking too many photos despite the exquisite presentation of the food because the smell got to my stomach first before my brain went to the camera.
When I asked for the £50 service charge to be removed, I was asked an uncomfortable question if was there a problem with the service . Then, I had to wait ~10 min for the manager to take it off the bill. Pressuring your customers into paying service charge isn t okay. Make it easier to refuse if it s discretionary. Pay your staff fair wages, I think it should be easy with the prices you re charging? Personally I think the food was okay but nothing extraordinary.
Came to Akoko for a lunch being strangers to West African cuisine and boy did the restaurant deliver. The dishes that made up the (shorter) lunch set menu were all really spectacular, bursting with flavour. The Jollof rice in particular was a real showstopper. Though the set menus are on the more expensive end we felt that the menu was very good value for money. We could also tell a lot of care and thinking had gone into the design of the restaurant, the choice of tableware, etc and the service was excellent to boot. Definitely deserving of that Michelin star!
Great atmosphere, tasting menu was delicious, every dish was carefully explained (Google will be working later to find out more about many of the spices in the dishes), well presented and a pleasure to eat. I finally discovered high end West African food and very happy to have done so. Highly recommend.
Great experience well worth a visit
Really amazing experience, food was truly unique and so so flavourful. Our waiter Etien made myself and my partners experience super individual, happy and exciting. He really talked us through our dishes origins and flavours. Whole thing was a bit on the pricey-side for sure, but as a treat it was great. I had the veggie lunch menu and my partner had the meat and I didnt feel like I was left out on flavour at all. It was for my partners birthday too and the waiters and chefs all signed her card which was super lovely! Vegetarian options: I had the veggie lunch menu, and my partner had the meat, and I didnt feel like I was left out on flavour at all. All options matched each other (veggie to meat) in portion and essence. Very well curated.
def will visit again
A special and dreamy experience, such spectacularly executed cuisine. Would recommend to anyone.
3/5 Stars: Delicious West African Cuisine, but Room for Improvement (especially concerning for those with allergies) I had the pleasure of dining at Akoko, a West African restaurant in London, and I must say that the food was absolutely divine. From the starters to the jollof rice, every dish was a delightful introduction to the flavors of West Africa. The open kitchen concept allowed us to witness the chefs in action, adding to the overall dining experience. **5/5 for the food.** However, I feel compelled to deduct one star due to the atmosphere in the open kitchen. While I appreciate the transparency that an open kitchen provides, its crucial to be mindful of what diners can see and hear. It appeared that the chefs were working under a certain level of fear and pressure from the head chef. Although I understand the head chefs desire to maintain high standards in food quality and timely service, his criticism of staff and body language had a noticeable impact on his team. The chefs looked terrified, which was evident from their actions and facial expressions. Im deducting another star for the lack of attention to food allergies and intolerances, as well as the defensive approach taken when mistakes were made. Before visiting the restaurant, I had stressed my gluten intolerance three times: during the booking process (via email), at check-in, and when seated with our server while ordering. We clearly communicated that soy and cross-contamination were acceptable, but anything wheat-based (e.g., crub coating, bread, biscuits) was not. Everything was fine until dessert, when we were served a wafer that appeared to contain gluten. We sought clarification from the pastry chef server, who bluntly stated, It definitely contains gluten, everything youve consumed at the restaurant has contained gluten. He repeated this statement with what seemed like a smirk, Everything you ate has gluten. We were taken aback by his carefree attitude and lack of concern. We politely mentioned that we had informed our server and the check-in desk about my gluten intolerance, to which he responded defensively, Nope - none of us has been informed about the gluten intolerance. Nope, none of us have been. We found his defensive tone puzzling, especially since we had approached the situation with a friendly demeanor and no agitation. The dessert server took away the desserts and left without an apology, never returning to our table. A replacement dessert was served by someone else. Concerned about the potential consumption of gluten, we inquired if any other dishes had accidentally used gluten as a main ingredient, emphasizing that soy and cross-contamination were acceptable. However, no one ever provided us with an answer. When settling the bill, I asked our main server once more if I might have accidentally consumed anything containing gluten. His response was extremely defensive, stating, You said you could eat soy. I clarified that soy and wheat are very different things. At that point, I gave up trying to determine if I would experience stomach discomfort from the accidental consumption of gluten, as the staff simply did not seem to care. I d note that no staff ever apologized for serving the dessert made with wafers containing gluten. In conclusion, while Akoko offers a fantastic culinary experience for someone wanting to experience West African cuisine, there is room for improvement in terms of the kitchen environment and the handling of food allergies and intolerances. I hope the management takes these concerns into consideration to ensure a more enjoyable dining experience for all guests. Dietary restrictions: They have a very carefree attitude to allergies and intolerances
Its one of the best places Ive ever been all across the world. The food was otherworldly good and the service is perfect. I highly, highly recommend it!
This place deserves 10 stars not 5. Its phenomenal in all aspects. Starting with the food - all courses were full of flavour, diverse, interesting and super delicious. What a feast! The food was plenty and was just absolutely gorgeous. The atmosphere is fun, the service is impeccable from start to finish you feel super special and being taken care of. What a super, super special place! Cant wait to come back one day. It will leave a very lasting memory as ee had such a brilliant time and such exquisite food!
So we just ate there... we arrived and the place is cosy and super nice. Staff are friendly and professional, instantly felt welcomed. Then course one came and it was so delicious I was like , no way they can top that , but then course two came and boy I was I in for a surprise. The entire meal was a journey through tastebud haven, spicy ,smoky , sweet,sour, haven. And then came the desert at which point we were considering moving in the kitchen and living there so we can be fed this Food foe the Gods by the Chefs !
Stunning ! What a culinary journey! Impeccable service, a somelier like no other and an absolute ecstasy for your taste buds
Delicious dining experience. Definitely recommend Akoko to anyone looking for something different yet familiar, bold bright flavors. Enjoyed my time and will be back when i m in London again.
Unreal. From the moment you step in the door there are big smiles and warm welcomes. The restaurant is stunning, amazing rich decor and a really authentic vibe that just suits the food so well! We sat at the counter (highly recommend) where you can see everything in motion. Chefs doing some amazing West African food - explaining details throughout. We had the tasting menu, no alchohol but the pineapple tonic is to die for. The food was balanced, unique, flavoursome, boundary pushing and a wonderful introduction to West African cuisine. The Jollof rice and beef was very very lovely! Respect! Thank you
Honestly fantastic experience. While quite relaxed overall, the service is impeccable and the food is amazing. The sauces are definitely the highlight for each course.
What a wonderful experience. Amazingly flavourful food. Lots of character in every dish. Really nice people. Highly recommend this Michelin Star restaurant. We will be back. Thanks!
We had an exceptional dinner at Akoko. Food was incredible, perfectly matched wine pairings and warm and attentive staff. One of our best ever dining experiences from start to finish - we can t wait to come back
Outstanding flavours, great service. Highly recommend. Great with allergens too. It is just a matter of time before it gets a second star. Vegetarian options: Vegetarian and vegan menus available if you request in advance Dietary restrictions: Flexible with dietary requirements
Lost for words. A magical experience from start to finish. The food, the drinks, the service, the atmosphere, all of it was simply fantastic. I will be dreaming about this meal for weeks to come. Highly recommend the Fig and Mango 75, and I wish Id had the space to try the cacao and date cocktail. Go for the Akoko drinks pairing and be treated to some delicious and unique drinks.
This was my third time dining at Akoko and all three of the best meals of my life have all been here. The jollof rice is my most favourite thing on the planet! The food, wine, atmosphere, and excellent service just makes this place an easy 10/10 for me. Couldn t recommend it enough.
Great set menu and value for a Michelin star restaurant. The dishes were all very creative and I loved the spicy kick the sauces had (perhaps some Asian influences). Service was friendly and top notch. Jollof rice and ox tongue was a table favorite but the The black sesame fudge at the end of the meal was mind blowing!! Would definitely recommend for a special night out!
Had the best time ever! Really enjoyed the food and drinks, and the service was impeccable - really lovely and warm and friendly Can t recommend enough if you want to have a really special meal in a really special atmosphere!
Came here for a birthday meal and it was incredible. The food was very impressive and had a great range of flavours, some familiar and others brand new but all were delicious. Service was great, very friendly and professional. Akoko drinks pairing worked really well with the food also, a good mix of wines, cocktails and porter. Favourites were the rice, skewer and dessert. Cant wait to return!
One of the most enjoyable dining experiences I ve had in London. The food is excellent (nicely balanced flavours with strong breadth), and the service really makes it stand out from other Michelin star restaurants. We had messed up our lunch booking and were too late to make the table; the team went out of their way to accommodate us at dinner instead. Couldn t recommend highly enough.
Simply fabulous. Deserves 2* from Michelin not just 1*. Service faultless, I know 3* that could dream of such service.
This was close to 5 stars but I have to call out that if youre running a counter, then youd better be aware that your customers can hear everything in the kitchen. While there were apologies heard later (to at least one of the persons told off), it isnt really ideal for paying guests to have to hear staff being called out, sometimes rudely (not that this would be better behind closed doors). The floor staff made up for this with their great attitude but it did taint the experience for us slightly, given that it was a special occasion and we had saved up for this promising experience. Back to the main event: the food. The sauces for all the dishes were spectacular - each with different qualities and while most were spicy, there was enough variety and notes to enjoy each individually. Equally the presentation and textures were lovely and left us with plenty to exclaim about. The only let down was that the lamb was chewy - a bit of sinew had maybe eluded the prep, and both cuts that my partner and I had was such. It was also maybe the weakest element of any dish, the lamb not being particularly flavourful. Cocktails were good, but maybe could be a little bit more voluminous. Wine selection seemed good - Im biased but would love to see even more South African wines on show. Service as mentioned was otherwise great, our server, Frank, was brilliant, conversing over each dish, and giving us a little extra background to the already-interesting dishes with the chefs personal touch. Overall I would recommend this restaurant but at over £200 each for the set menu plus a few drinks each, I would look elsewhere for a once-in-a-lifetime experience next time.
Best meal I have ever had, brilliant, amazing, delightful. We thought we were a bit bonkers coming down from York to London with the main purpose of eating here, but my word, it was worth it.
Waiter didnt know anything about the wines by the glass. Service was haphazard. Explanations of dishes were difficult to follow due to background noise and waiter standing away from us, each course I asked for bits to be repeated but nonetheless it occured again on the next course. Food was okay, but portions were small. Lamb was of poor quality. Overall very disappointed. We eat out regularly across London and internationally, and for the price point and hype it was not up to standard. We wont return. The 15% charge is silly, and unwarranted. To end on a positive note - the pineapple tonic was very nice.
Phenomenal food, loved trying lots of different flavours and combinations I d never had before. I d never order Ox tongue if it was left to me but it was great, full of flavour and very tender. Service was equally good and there was a real buzz about the place. Faultless experience and one of the best meals I ve had in London.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Akoko, where exceptional service seamlessly complemented the exquisite and flavorfull cuisine. It truly ranks among the best dining experiences Ive had in quite some time.
Run, dont walk to Akoko. Delicious all around.
My husband and I went to London on vacation and I had heard about this restaurant through a podcast. The person spoke so highly about Akoko that I had to try it for myself. We were not dissapointed! OMG this was the best food I have ever had in my life!!! The presentation, the pairings, the detailed explanation we received on each dish and drink exceeded our expectations by a landslide. Its a must if youre in London and dont mind dishing out the cash. Its expensive but its worth every cent. Cant wait to go back!
The first time ever I went to an African Cusine - Michelin Star Restaurant. The experience was great! The food was interesting and delicious, and the service was great as well as the atmosphere. We sat at the chefs counter and was quite enjoying to watch there plating. The golden two questions: What I go again? No, I would like to try other ones. What I recommend the Restaurant: Yes, definitely!
Incredible food and definitely worth the visit and spend!!
My sister and I had a great time at Akoko last night. The food was absolutely delicious was so awesome to enjoy childhood/family favourites with a unique twist and we both opted for the inventive soft pairing, which added to the experience. The service was excellent, including the staff reducing the price on the soft pairing for us because one of the drinks had sold out, but still making a small portion of one for us to be able to try it, and the ambience of the restaurant was great too. All in all, a wonderful experience and a special shoutout to Frank, Yusif, and Mantas for elevating our evening with their attentiveness and conversation!
The food is just yummy, even in comparison with other Michelin-starred restaurants (or even with many 3-star restaurants). I loved having a drink pairing that isnt only wine, though the wines that were part of it were very nice.
We went all out for Akoko and the food, drinks and service were great. In total, including service charge we spent about £280 a person. Definitely worthy of its Michelin star it gained in February this year!
What a treat! Amazing. Thank you chef!
Despite misreading our booking and being an hour late, Akoko found space for us and dished up an incredible lunch. Barney was friendly and funny, and the food was outstanding. Will be back!
It was a special birthday for my wife and we had the most wonderful time! Every dish on the menu was superb, the service attentive and the drinks menu was cleverly put together to complement the strong spicy flavours. A real treat.
Amazing restaurant with one of the best service I have ever experienced.
Everything was absolutely exquisite
Incredible food, great and attentive service without being overbearing or pretentious. Nice cocktails. Proper vegetarian and vegan menu without you feeling like youre missing out Vegetarian options: Vegetarian and vegan set menu
I cant recommend more, its my top restaurant experience so far in the UK. Very interesting assembly or known and unknown ingredients from Africa especially Nigeria. Long lunch menu shows you balanced, spicy, smoky, textured dishes, all more interesting than others. We couldnt choose our favourite, go, run, fly there ! Also we enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere with warm decoration and music playlist. Congrats and big thanks to the team Vegetarian options: Vegetarian and vegan option for all dishes Dietary restrictions: They really care about your dietary requirement
By far the best restaurant I have discovered in London. A warm atmosphere but with a rare elegance. A radiant staff, with just enough presence to not be intrusive and enjoy the moment. The tasting menu is a true exhibition of flavors, real taste discoveries. The food and wine pairing is essential, with wines from around the world to delicately accompany the dishes. We had a pure time of pleasure. We will come back without hesitation.
Oh the beef tongue here was melting in my mouth! This is really a great restaurant when visiting London from Canada!
10/10 tasting menu. Perfectly balanced and harmonious flavour combos, we really couldn t fault the food. The Ox tongue and Monkfish courses were magic. The only constructive criticism we could offer is to focus a little more effort on the dining experience. Service was lacking at times - and at over £150 per head (excluding drinks and service) - there s deffo some attention to detail missing. Would happily recommend though based on the food alone.
Outstanding meal and service! Can t wait to go back
Absolutely fantastic! Had the lunch menu. Really clever food, lovely atmosphere and terrific service. Etienne, our waiter, looked after us so well. Would highly recommend!
Great selection of dishes and intriguing wine pairing with Nigerian brewed guinessbeer. Friendly and attentive service. It was great to sit at the counter to watch all the chefs at work
Amazing food, a true window into the cuisine of Africa. Above that, a truly warm and caring group of staff (Ethan and Hermaini in particular), who made our evening so memorable and relaxing. A rarity in today s age that they had so much pride in displaying their food and culture to us. Would highly recommend! Instagram: @the_globetrottingfoodie Vegetarian options: Outstanding food for vegetarians Kid-friendliness: The staff was so lovely they held our little 3 month old while we dined!
Incredible experience tasting flavors of West Africa. All the sauces were done with perfect balance and hints of spices. Beautifully presented dish as well. Highly comparable to Ikoyi and much more reasonable price. Though I do think the Jollof rice at Ikoyi is better ;)
This was a memorable experience. I cant wait to go back! The food was amazing and the soft drinks pairing was spectacular! And I cant wait to have their coconut G&T again! Loved everything about the place!
As you d expect from a tasting menu, the food is incredibly tasty - bold west African flavours bring every dish to life, often leaving a little heat lingering on the tongue. As you maybe wouldn t expect, many of these dishes feel like comfort food. Absolutely love this place and will be going again.
Wonderfully warm and inviting restaurant, great staff and amazing tasty food. Wondrous flavours mixed with great ingrain and friendly service. The last bite in particular, sesame fudge, was out of this world - topping off an amazing tasting menu! Food
Amazing multi course tasting menu! Fantastic service and overall incredible experience. Celebrated my birthday here and got a little signed card! Beautiful little spot in Fitzrovia
Amazing food. Impeccible service - attentive, warm and not stuffy / overly formal. Highly recommend Food
Excellent meal, incredible mixed pairing. The Nigerian Guinness is a true highlight! Incredible sauces with unique flavours and great wood fired cookery.
The first appetiser sets the tone: a bite-sized yam croquette served, fittingly, on a clay pedestal, fully the equal of its luxurious truffle garnish (watch Netflix s High on the Hog to see how important yam is in West Africa). Smoked pumpkin miyan taushe with crab is warming and comforting, more smoke than spice; one s head is at no risk of being blown off here.
I really appreciated the extra effort made to accommodate a last minute addition to our party. The food and drink was fabulous as was the service. Will definitely be recommending to friends.
Sublime
Ive been to a lot of places in London. Dont go to any of those places. If youre thinking about a night out, go to Akoko. I cant stress this enough: dont go anywhere else. Go to Akoko. The food is some of the best Ive ever had and the service is incredible.
wish i could rate this place higher. what a gem!
OUT OF THIS WORLD. Me and my wifes first go at fine dining, and boy, it was spectacular! Akoko operates so well, with a friendly atmosphere, chefs not under pressure, and the layout is perfect! Frank was our server and made us feel welcome and part of the family Now on to the food. It was immaculate. We always bashed fine dining because of the portion size, but we were stuffed afterwards. The mix of flavours that brought to life west African cuisine made us feel like we were transported there. Finished with a lovely letter and a box of sweets for valentines day A lovely place with lovely people
Absolutely amazing meal. Had the Akoko drinks pairing which was also faultless. Big shout out to all the staff, especially Barney, attentive and informative. Would highly recommend. Food : 5/5
One of the best meals I have ever had in my entire life. Booked the place couple of weeks ago and then found out that they received a Michelin star last week so that was exciting, well deserved given what we had last night! All the flavours were so tightly packed and bursting in your mouth. Each course became the new favourite when it came out replacing the previous till we couldn t really pick one! The service was impeccable and love how you could see the chefs making the dishes too. Super nice that the headchef came out and said hello to my husband and I before we left! Can t recommend Akoko enough!
Located in Fitzrovia,short walk from Goodge Street or Tottenham court tube stop a modern minimalistic deco in the restaurant with a fantastic chef table Welcoming service staff with wonderful views of the kitchen with ability to interact with the chef, Aji Akokomi. The short lunch menu which was four courses and good value for money the first course a chicken parfait top with truffles on a fried dumpling- beautiful dish with great amalgamation of flavours. The next course was blow Tocrched mackerel with moi moi with a vatapa concentrated sauce- another amazing dish. The main of lamb with Jollof rice was interesting. The rice is a combination of cooked rice with crispy rice and some greens on the top. The lamb was unfortunately a tad bit dry. I had an extra dish to the short menu which was an addition which was the ox tongue skewer with bone marrow sauce, which was again another excellent dish. The dessert of Uda ice cream which is a pod, rather smoky with a coffee mouse and chocolate base was again excellent. The petite four of the sesame seed triangle was amazing. The 15% service was deserving as service was very attentive and interactive and sitting sitting at the chef table made a wonderful experience. The Negroni with a twist, and the highball whiskey were both very good. The interior was very lovely, was quite peaceful with good interaction of the chefs at different stations, creating their courses which is highly entertaining and very insightful to most proving provided. Highly recommended and certainly will be returning and I hear there will be a menu change in March, so perhaps then.
We sat at the chef s table and had great interaction with chef Ayo who looked after us well. The food was very good (and expensive), but not quite spectacular. Having lived in West Africa for many years, I wanted Akoko to run riot with the flavours of the region but instead it was understated - as if almost lacking confidence in its own concept. Maybe London isn t ready. Bring on the African gourmet revolution!
I enjoy west African food regularly in the United States and I was interested in akokos elevated experience of the dishes. I was blown away. All dishes delivered. Ive been to multiple 3 star Michelin restaurants and this one easily trumps all of them. I highly recommend akoko if you ever visit London.
Phenomenal dining experience here! I highly recommend. Don t walk, run to Akoko if you can. This is a review for a lunch visit from June 2023. The suya dish was top tier! The service was also fantastic
Whilst it is on the expensive side, Akoko should be on your London restaurant bucket list. The tasting menu was authentic, creative and full of flavour. The drinks pairing was also very good and was diverse (not just wine).
Truly a wonderful evening at Akoko. From the moment you walk into the restaurant there is a warm and inviting atmosphere. The team was really warm and friendly, giving clear descriptions of the dishes and always available to fill you water before you know to ask for it. The food was delicious and the perfect amount that you dont feel too full or left wanting more. I would highly recommend Akoko for anyone who loves a tasting menu and anyone looking for something for special evening out. They even gave me a card as my partner had mentioned in the booking that it was my birthday in the booking which was a lovely end to the night.
Excellent. Fresh flavours, excellent cocktails and impeccable service. Stunning presentation and a relaxed, yet chic environment. It s a tasting menu so I can t recommend one particular dish - they were all great.
The softly spoken Hermione was our waitress & she was fabulous, knowledgeable & very helpful..Food was flavour heaven, music, decor & ambience was great.. My only complaint is that when sitting near the door you get a very cold blast of air hitting you which wasn t very nice.. You might need a second door..
Perfectly balanced, delicious food! Just amazing experience! Would highly recommend!
Very much enjoyed the series of creative dishes and kind/informative service. Had the most sophisticated Jollof rice (Nigerian style) in my life!
If I could give this place 10 stars I would. The food was unique and amazing. The flavors were incredible, and each dish was so well balanced. Our servers a ND the bartender were very attentive but also gave us space to enjoy. They were knowledgeable about the dishes. Although pricey, it was worth it as a special night.
Easy 5* and one of the best restaurants in London. Fantastic service from Etienne and the food was exceptional. Worthy recipient of a Michelin star
Akoko is top tier! Superb staff, delicious food within a cosy setting and beautiful story. Vegetarian option also was on par with meat option.. Will definitely come back again!
The food is good - service attentive - surroundings fine - let down badly in my view by being eye-wateringly expensive. The experience definitely didn t add up to the £270 per person price tag
Amazing food. As good as I have had in London. Akoko pairing (non wine) was different but great. Lots of variety.
What a meal! Akoko has climbed its way to be in my top 5 restaurants in London. The food and service were incredible and I would highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates bold flavours and a unique dining experience with ingredients you don t commonly find in the UK. The staff were also kind, attentive and you could tell they cared about the meal. I will definitely be back! Highlights: -Foie gras amuse bouche -green pepper fish -tatale -jollof rice -suya (ox tongue) And the petit fours were to die for
This was our first visit to Aloko and it was an outstanding experience. The staff were friendly and warm and we were made to feel very welcome. We had lunchtime taster menu and it was an entirely unique and delicious experience. I would strongly recommend a visit and we look forward to returning.
This was an exceptional tasting menu. Akoko is on par or far passes the handful of Michelin restaurants Ive been to. I was pleasantly surprised by many of the dishes and consistently impressed with the texture (weird as it may sound). Highly recommend.
Akoko is incredible! I had the short menu for lunch with the akoko pairing and not a single dish or drink disappointed even remotely. The Lamb with Jollof rice was one of the best dishes I have probably eaten this year, I literally held the bowl up to my nose every 15 seconds or so to smell the spices wafting from the bowl after every bite. The drinks perfectly paired with the dishes they were served with and the attention of the staff was very good. I sat right at the counter and watched the cooks most of the meal time. Afterwards I talked to Ayo, who was incredibly friendly. Thank you Ayo and the rest of the kitchen! I will be back soon! Dietary restrictions: They were able to accommodate for my egg allergy and lactose intolerance. They can also accommodate vegetarians
Akoko is such a beautiful dining experience. From the moment we walked in the staff were attentive and friendly and the interior design is captivating. The meal tells such a wonderful story about modern west African cuisine. I ve never had mussels that were so delightful and full of flavour. The lamb main was a highlight, succulent and well-seasoned, along with the Jollof and shito, which was such a nice addition that we asked for more. The granita was a delicious pallet cleanser and it look me on a taste journey. Every dish was well thought through - and this was lunch! I ll definitely be coming for dinner.
Beautiful meal. Each dish was delicious, unique and so well considered. The restaurant s aesthetic was spot on. Staff were attentive, friendly, knowledgable and passionate about the menu - thank you Etienne for looking after us. Akoko is a must visit.
The service is excellent with staff that are passionate and well informed about the food and drinks they are serving. Atmosphere is also quite nice, it s a nice little place with an open plan and you can see the food being made. The food however was quite disappointing, there is a 10 course tasting menu which was mostly quite disappointing with a few nice dishes. Overall all the authentic flavours seemed to either be missing or were very subtle. For me it does not compare to other competing fine dining African restaurants.
One of best restaurant in London
Wonderful experience - outstanding service, ambience and attention to detail. The dishes were delightful and tasty, would definitely recommend and will be back to visit again. We received a personalised card from the staff at the restaurant and that truly made my day, thank you Akoko. Wheelchair accessibility: The restaurant is very well spaced out so would be great for wheelchair accessibility
Food is pretty pretty good I must say. Wonderful timing too so you didnt wait forever. We had the full menu and its delicious, Servicebis nice, very friendly, decor is cool. Good location. Only thing is service is pretty high at 15% . So keep this mind. 2 full menus, 1 glass of wine, 1 soft drink. 370 pounds.
Absolutely incredible and fully deserving of the hype it gets. The food needs no introduction but the staff were all so attentive and knowledgeable it was such a delight! They even signed a card for my boyfriend and I on our anniversary. Really special place.
Really lovely setting with excellent service. The food was truly unique and the jollof rice was like nothing Id ever tasted
too expansive
Best meal in London! Prices are not cheap, but definitely would come back again on a special occasion. Food is awesome and service is similarly good! There was really no dish that was even average and everything was superb!
Truly amazing food. Absolutely delightful personnel across the board. Could not fault it one bit. Amazing evening spent here celebrating my birthday. Thank you Akoko!
I came here with a friend and fully enjoyed the tasting menu. While the most menu was quite enjoyable, the desserts, especially the palate cleanser which I believe was a hibiscus sorbet, were quite memorable Mains wise - the moi moi was my favourite and surorised me. They managed to both maintain the authenticity of moi moi while putting a modern twist on this. I am sure this is making no sense lol but I was pleasantly surprised. It definitely set perhaps too high expectations for the rest of the menu. Consequently, I ended up being underwhelmed by the jollof rice. I should say that it is impossible to satisfy the average Nigerians expectation of jollof rice. That being said, I expected a flavour punch that was missing. Similarly, the toasted rice puffs, which seemed to mimick the crunchiness of the bottom of the pot rice didnt quite hit the mark for me. Overall, amazing experience and will be keen to return once the menu has been refreshed. Service wise, sometimes it was tricky getting the waiters attention as it was very busy not the biggest issue
I recently got back from Barcelona, feeling depressed at the lack of good food options in London. The food her completely smashed it, best dining experience I ve had in a while. Would 100% recommend!
I love to eat and Akoko is waaaay up there with the best dining experiences I ve had in London. It s fine dining for sure but it s laid back and approachable. The decor is a vibe and the service was faultless. The food was a perfect mix of fun, flavour and authenticity. I wish Akoko every success!