Guides to restaurants serving African, Caribbean, Indian and other ethnic food across Europe.
Brixton Market in south London is a vibrant shopping locale, with food along with a host of other products from all over the world. London's multicultural residents create a flavor and flair that make the city one of the most diverse in Europe.
BY RENEE CAMPBELL
Overview
London offers a distinct multi-cultural flavor. Among its diverse inhabitants are people of Caribbean, African and Indian descent. You can enjoy many of these communities throughout the city. Here are a few spots to get you started.
Brick Lane
The subject of a best-selling book and movie, this east London street has traditionally been a business hub for the city’s Indian community. Among the many offerings - Indian restaurants that draw fans from across the country.
Brixton
Long a cultural center for people of African or Caribbean descent, the area has one of the most vibrant open air and indoor markets in the UK. It’s just as easy to pick up a piece of yam, a bunch of green banana, or a West African mango, as a Seville orange here. http://www.brixtonmarket.net/
Hackney
Visit this area for its diversity.
Food
(See our guides to Europe’s African, Caribbean and Indian restaurants for more listings)
African
Jollof Pot
Exmouth Market, EC1
Farringdon tube/rail. Broadway Market (London Fields end), E8, Hackney Central rail. Portobello Market, W10, Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill Gate, Westbourne Park tube
Tel: 0208 254 5333
Though a catering company you can sample its popular stews, kebabs and rice dishes from Akan, Ghana across the city on stalls in Exmouth, Broadway and Portobello markets.
Lalibela
137 Fortess Road, NW5 2HR
Kentish Town
Tel: 0207 284 0600
One of London’s older Ethiopian restaurants. Food - which includes standard and tasty fare like awaze tibs (sautéed lamb) and tsom bayentu (a mix of vegetarian food), on a sourdough base, and of course injerais - is served on traditional low tables surrounded by old photographs of Emperor Haile Selassie, and other national items.
The Gold Coast
224 Portland Rd, SE25
0208 676 1919
This pub-turned-restaurant offers Ghanaian staples such as kelewele (diced and fried plantain), and elements of Nigerian, French and north African cuisine. African beers include Star, Stones and Club.
Caribbean
Bamboula
12 Acre Lane, SW2 5SG
Brixton
Tel: 0207 737 6633
Caribbean style café painted green, yellow and orange. Located in the Lameth Town Hall it plays old school Reggae where the favorite is Curry Goat, rice and peas.
CAM at Centerprise
136-138 Kingland High Street, E8 2NS
Dalston
Tel: 0207 254 9632
Attached to the specialist Centerprise bookstore it serves the jerk favorites include chick with a tangy barbecue sauce, rice and peas and vegetable curry. Not too spicy, a buffet is offered on Sundays for £5.99 and then you can stop by the Rio cinema.
Cottons
55 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AN
Chalk Farm
Tel: 0207 485 8388
http://www.cottons-restaurant.co.uk/
This west-Indian style restaurant with plantation-style shutters serves over 150 types of rum. You can enjoy the traditional Caribbean dishes such as Jerk Chicken, fish curry, fried plantains and sweet potato and callaloo tart. If you like dine in the Rhum Jungle bar until 9p.m.
Indian
Chutney Mary
535 King's Road, SW10 0SZ
Chelsea
Tel: 020 7351 3113
Chutney Mary serves regional cooking from across India. Regular updates of the menu keep the dining experience fresh. Though not every dish has the same wow-factor, you’re guaranteed an excellent meal.
Curry Capital
204 Brick Lane, E1 6SA
Hackney
Tel: 0207 613 3456
Universally acknowledged as the best Indian restaurant in Brick Lane. A wide selection includes a Salmon Tikka which melts in your mouth. Friendly staff and reasonable prices make for repeat visits.
Veeraswamy
Mezzanine, Victory House, 99-101 Regent Street, W1B 4RS
Mayfair
Tel: 0207 734 1401
London’s oldest Indian restaurants (established in 1926) dishes from across the country fill this frequently changing menu. Also has one of the city’s best wine lists in an Indian eatery.
Night life
Clubs
Eve Club
3 New Burlington Street W1S 2JF
Mayfair
Tel: 0872 148 3548
Thursday – Saturday until 3:30a.m.
Fridge Bar
1 Town Hall Parade, Brixton Hill SW2 1RJ
Brixton Tel: 020 7326 5100
Monday 8:30p.m.-4a.m.
Friday-Saturday 8:30p.m.-5a.m.
Sunday 8:30a.m.-4a.m.
The Westbury
34 Kilburn High Road NW6 5UA
Kilburn
Tel: 0207 625 7500
Sunday – Wednesday 12 noon – 12 midnight
Thursday 12 noon-1a.m.
Friday and Saturday 12 noon – 3a.m.
Theaters
Check out the following theaters for shows.
Brockley Jack Theatre
410 Brockley Road, SE4 2DH
Brockley
Tel: Box office 0844 847 2454.
http://www.brockleyjack.co.uk/index.html
Hackney Empire Studio
291 M are Street E8 1EJ
Hackney
Tel: Box office: 0208 985 2424
Theatre Royal Stratford East
Gerry Raffles Square E15 1BN
Stratford
Tel: Box office O208 534 0310
