Modern West African restaurant, Shakara, is the latest addition to London’s vibrant dining scene. Nestled in the heart of Marylebone, this first iteration of Shakara serves to provide a thoughtfully curated menu of exceptional African cuisine paired with fine mixology. Rooted in rich cultural traditions and designed to ignite all the senses, Shakara offers a sanctuary of sophisticated indulgence with exclusive private dining.
What are the interiors of Shakara Restaurant like?
Designed by award-winning architect, Red Deer, the space is adorned with earthy-coloured terracotta tiles inspired by Nigeria’s red soil and abstract artwork that showcases artists from leading gallery focused on African contemporary art, Red Door Gallery. From the brand’s logo reflecting a culturally-inspired ‘K’ and talking drum graphic elegantly stamped into wax, the launch of Shakara honours Africa’s culture of homely hospitality while simultaneously incorporating a sense of timeless sophistication and exclusivity.
What food and drink can you expect at Shakara London?
At the helm of Shakara’s kitchen is Head Chef Victor Okunowo, previously of West African restaurant Talking Drum and Semi-Finalist of BBC MasterChef: The Professionals 2020. Consultant Executive Chef Ayo Adeyemi, formerly of Michelin-starred West African restaurant Akoko, was involved with curating the menu. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant ingredients of Nigeria, Ghana and The Gambia, Shakara’s carefully crafted menu showcases authentic African dishes through a modern lens.
Dive into a culinary adventure at Shakara, with the menu offering a selection of small plates and sides such as Jollof rice and grilled prawns with Ogbono relish & grilled lime. Mains include dry-aged Hereford beef, Cornish hake, and native blue lobster with peppersoup bisque & tagliatelle, while dessert options span plantain bread with vanilla ice cream & corn custard and coconut pannacotta with papaya & honeycomb. Each dish is perfectly complemented by Shakara’s fine selection of beverages, including the Jollof Mary (infused with gin, apple juice & grape soju) and the Suya Sour (with chilli infused tequila, FAIR Kumquat & pineapple puree).
Anything else to note?
The launch of Shakara invites diners to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of vibrant ambience, with resident DJs and a variety of live performances spanning Afrohouse, Afrobeats, R&B and house music for an electric late-night dining experience.
Set over two floors, the space will open up to the main restaurant before leading through to a cocktail bar, stage, and private dining area. Situated one level below will be two spacious private dining rooms; the ground floor has 65 covers whilst the lower ground floor has 30 covers.
Jolly Cole, Founder of Shakara, states, “Shakara was born from a simple concept – to export the African palette to the world whilst maintaining international standards. Our aim is to simultaneously entice the five senses – taste, sound, smell, sight, and touch – to provide our guests with the most memorable experience. Shakara offers a twist on contemporary dining, with carefully curated ingredients, ambience, and entertainment from Afro culture.”
Shakara is open from 31st January 2025
Address
66 Baker Street, London, W1D 7DJ
Opening Times
Monday–Friday: 17:00–00:00 Saturday–Sunday (Lunch): 12:00–15:00 Saturday–Sunday (Dinner): 18:00–00:00