Akoko offers a structured and contemporary interpretation of West African cuisine, presenting bold flavours through the lens of precise execution and modern technique. Mentioned in the Michelin Guide, the Fitzrovia-based restaurant takes inspiration from the culinary heritage of Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal, refined through a menu built on rhythm, fire and balance.The kitchen draws from deeply rooted traditions — smoking, fermenting, grilling — using them not as motifs, but as foundational processes that guide the entire meal. Dishes are structured, not deconstructed; the focus is on intensifying flavour while preserving the character of the original ingredient. Key elements such as jollof rice, groundnut, and scotch bonnet are present, but used with restraint and control, often in unexpected formats that demonstrate the kitchen’s confidence and perspective.Flavour development is central. Spices are used to layer, not overwhelm, and each dish reveals itself in stages — heat tempered by richness, acidity brightening earthier tones. Meats are charred or braised to retain their depth, and vegetables carry a central role in both form and flavour. This is a style of cooking that relies not on nostalgia, but on clarity of intention.Plating is structured and elegant, avoiding over-stylisation while maintaining precision. Textures are used purposefully, with softness, crispness and heat layered into compositions that feel complete. Each plate contributes to a broader narrative that speaks not just to regional influence, but to a unified culinary identity.Located at 21 Berners Street, London, W1T 3LP, United Kingdom, in the borough of Greater London, Akoko sits just north of Oxford Street, yet maintains a composed and focused atmosphere. The dining room mirrors the tone of the kitchen: minimal, warm, and designed to foreground the experience of the food.Its mention in the Michelin Guide affirms Akoko’s commitment to consistency, originality, and craft. This is not a reinterpretation of West African cuisine; it is a refinement of its core elements through method, balance, and a clearly articulated vision. At Akoko, tradition is neither borrowed nor broken — it is distilled, studied, and expressed with remarkable control.
