Akoko

"This fancy West African restaurant in Fitzrovia is serious about flavour. Akoko’s takes on boli and epa (plantain and groundnut) and shito XO jollof rice will have you wistfully blinking into the middle distance and wondering if tomorrow is too soon to come again. It isn’t. Atmosphere-wise it’s cool and comfortable, while still being serious about food and explanations." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, sinead cranna, rianne shlebak

"Akoko’s serene central London restaurant provides a multi-sensory experience and fine dining expedition of West Africa in Fitzrovia, via its tasting menus. Each dish, be it an adaptation of a stew, salad, or baked treat comes with a story. The jollof rice, topped with shredded smoked goat and accompanied with sumptuous, soft goat belly, even comes with a physical printed story. The menu changes with the seasons, but you can always expect vivid flavours that wow. Any thoughts that a tasting menu may mean a stuffy experience are immediately put to ease by the relaxed and calming pastel interiors, and charming staff." - riaz phillips

"Akoko’s serene central London restaurant provides a multi-sensory experience and fine dining expedition of West Africa in Fitzrovia, via its tasting menus. Each dish, be it an adaptation of a stew, salad, or baked treat comes with a story. The jollof rice, topped with shredded smoked goat and accompanied with sumptuous, soft goat belly, even comes with a physical printed story. The menu changes with the seasons, but you can always expect vivid flavours that wow. Any thoughts that a tasting menu may mean a stuffy experience are immediately put to ease by the relaxed and calming pastel interiors, and charming staff." - riaz phillips

"The one-star category, as usual, saw the greatest number of new entrants. The 18 additions include the izakaya tasting counter Humble Chicken and West African spot Akoko, both in London, and The Bishop’s Buttery, serving upscale Irish fare in the town of Cashel." - ByLi Goldstein

"“We aim to prove that West African cuisine deserves its place in fine dining by highlighting its unique flavours and culinary traditions on its own terms,” says founder Aji Akokomi. With the help of Executive Chef Ayo Adeyemi, they are achieving that goal and then some. The tasting menu format allows the chefs to take diners on a culinary journey, with refined, beautifully balanced dishes underpinned by quality ingredients – many of them cooked over fire. It’s hard to pick a stand-out from the precise, technically impressive selection, but the jollof rice is truly knock-out." - Michelin Inspector