Kapara is a new Mediterranean restaurant nestled in a quaint courtyard in Soho. So tucked away in fact, it feels a little like stepping through to a realm completely unlike the one on Greek St you’ve left behind. A little pocket of calm in the middle of one of London’s most visited areas, it offers a spot to meet, eat, drink and relax.
We headed recently to try out this Mediterranean restaurant (which is situated in good company – the Little Scarlet Door is just metres away for a post-dinner cocktail or night out) and found Kapara to be the ideal destination for a meal anytime of day. With a beautiful interior and outside patio seating, it’s a stylistic Soho restaurant dedicated to indulgent eating and drinking and that’s exactly what you get. It’s elegant and stylish, luxurious and aesthetic yet in no way pompous. You walk in and feel instantly comfortable yet know you’re somewhere undeniably fabulous.
Kapara Soho’s interiors blend contemporary chic with a cosy, welcoming atmosphere. Expect a mix of industrial elements such as exposed brick walls and steel accents, softened by plush furnishings in neutral tones and low-level lighting. Large windows allow for natural light to flood in, highlighting modern art pieces and sleek, minimalist décor. Plants are scattered throughout, adding a touch of nature and vibrancy to the modern design, making Kapara Soho both stylish and inviting each time you visit.
Chef Eran Tibi has used a myriad of international milestones in his life to influence his cooking and this is evident in the careful marriage of flavours that each dish presents. The interiors take inspiration from the cultures of Far East Asia, Western Africa, Thailand and Japan and his adventurous travels can be felt interwoven throughout.
With a sharing menu designed to encourage family-style dining, it’s made for indulgence and an exploration of flavours. Decadent and inviting, you’re recommended to choose around 3 dishes per person which you can share between you. We selected a delicios salad sprinkled with feta to start as well as wood fired leeks – a beautiful plate accompanied by sweet potato gnocchi, harissa butter and hazlenut & pumpkin dukkah.
We also select heritage tomatoes with dip and a stunning mustard vinaigrette, za’atar pita and rosemary as well as jerusalem artichoke with a shawarma rub, labneh, harissa and rose. Meat wise we select crispy chicken with a harissa glaze, orange kimchi and burnt chilli aioli as well as a short rib with Kapara XO and kafir burnt edge rice. The incredible tapestry of inspiration shines through in each and every plate that’s brought out. Presentation is elegant, portion sizes just right and each dish is cooked to perfection. We finish the mains feeling comfortably full and just about able to peruse the dessert menu, not wanting to miss out on a sweet course knowing just how high the standard has been set.
We share Gramps’ cigar, a nod towards Chef Eran Tibi’s grandfather, a cigar crafted from brick pastry and accompanied by gianduja marquise and kumquat. We also ordered a broken trifle, a delicious creation of pistachio sponge topped with rose malabi and pomegranate. It’s fresh, light and the ideal way to round off the meal. These desserts are sweet, light and flavoursome and the perfect way to round off a meal. We accompany these with a round of cocktails, which are again, beautifully presented and perfectly balanced.
Kapara is a restaurant that defies expectation and provides a place that you know won’t let you down. It’s stylish, the food is absolutely fantastic and the interiors beautiful. You can head anytime of day, from breakfast or brunch through to dinner or drinks and know you’ll get something impressive, delicious and an atmosphere to match. The prices are reasonable particularly for the level of quality you get and the location and it’s ideal to dine as part of a larger night out or just as a standalone destination in itself. It’s special yet not pretentious and you’re taken care of from the moment you make your booking until the moment you leave, wondering just when you can come back. For a taste of the Med in the middle of London, Kapara Soho is an effortless choice.
14 Greek St, James Court, London W1D 4AL, United Kingdom
