Shakara

I had an amazing experience at Shakara Restaurant on Baker Street, and it was the perfect place to celebrate my birthday. The food was absolutely delicious, full of flavour, beautifully presented, and authentically done. A special thank you to Abdi, who truly made my birthday feel special and memorable. His service was exceptional: attentive, friendly, and genuinely thoughtful. He went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. The atmosphere was vibrant yet welcoming, and the overall service matched the quality of the food. I left feeling celebrated and well taken care of. I’ll definitely be returning and recommending Shakara to friends and family, especially if you’re lucky enough to be served by Abdi!

I celebrated my birthday at Shakara this weekend and honestly, it was perfect from start to finish. Anthony made sure everything ran smoothly ensuring me and my friends were well looked after all night. He really went out of his way to make sure we had the best time. The food and vibes were 10/10. There was an abundance of food! Ricardo, our waiter, was also amazing , love him! This was my second time at Shakara and both experiences have been so fun. Defo one of my fav spots atm!

I was supposed to send this a month ago, but the fact that I randomly remembered today just shows how memorable the experience was. This place is top-notch! Off the top of my head, I thoroughly enjoyed the Ayamase — it was done in a way I’ve never had before and was incredibly tasty, went well with the fish. The suya was excellent, the lamb was amazing, and that lamb croquette? 😍😍😍. The jollof is a must-try. I didn’t order it initially because I had the “there’s jollof at home” mindset, but after tasting it when my friends ordered… big mistake on my part. The prawns you only get a few but goshhhhh Great atmosphere, and then the LIVE BAND? That took it to another level. Ken & Ade — invite me though this time. I’ve paid my dues. I need to be back. Overall, a fantastic experience!

Shakara totally surprised me. I wasn’t expecting much as their social media presence isn’t that good howeverrrrrrr this place must be on everyone’s bucket list. The atmosphere was electrifying, the food was veryyyy nice (hats off to the chef) but the service???? The service alone needs a round of applause. Our waiter Abdi needs accolades as he was truly superb. He wasn’t just our waiter, he was our photographer, laughing buddy and above all he was truly professional. I loved how the managers were attentive to their customers and went table by table asking if everything was okay and if we needed more drinks or anything else. Also for the content creators there’s plenty mirrors for selfies as each toilet cubicle had a floor length mirror for pictures.

+3

The atmosphere was subtle but chilled, the food was great. The black eyed peas hummus was decadent and the accompanying plantain chips provided some crunchy goodness. As a main, the Lamb chops were super moist and cooked to perfection whilst the Jollof Rice was a proper Naija party jollof with all the smoky goodness. I hope they keep the menu as great as I had it and their Michelin star is guaranteed. PS. The pictures doesn’t tell a complete story, visit them and if you don’t like the food, message me and I will take down this review 😎

I loved the food and service here so much that I had to come back and bring more friends with me. The beef suya is outstanding tender, melt-in-your-mouth, and packed with incredible flavour. The lamb chops are hands down the best I’ve ever had. I’ll definitely be returning.

Had a fantastic dinner with my girlfriends at Shakara London. The food was absolutely delicious — the lamb chops in particular were outstanding, perfectly cooked and full of flavour. The atmosphere was brilliant too, with a live band that really made the evening feel special. The only small downside was that the only sparkling wine option was champagne, starting around £200. It would be great to see a more reasonably priced sparkling option for a relaxed dinner out. Overall, though, we had a wonderful time and would definitely go back for the food, music, and great vibe.

The food was good! We had the moi moi, the jollof rice, plantain, the chinchin apple crumble and the tomahawk. I thought the tomahawk was overpriced though. Overall, The nigerian flavors were preserved despite the western twist which i loved. Ricardo’s service was also pleasant as he served our table.

WOW, just WOW. We came here to celebrate a double birthday and literally from walking in the door being greeted by the amazing man on the front desk, to the atmosphere the amazing band MIC, the LAMB CHOPS 10/10, the food cannot be faulted, the service and the fact that we was not hurried for our table back which considering how popular the restaurant is and the size which could expand as the demand is there, literally cannot fault any of it. The only slight gripe is better lighting/lamp needed on the tables as its very difficult to see the menu, the food or whoever you are sitting with!. Overall Shakara was amazing and it made a special joint occasion even better. We will be back! Thank you

I love Shakara, I recommend this place so often!! I’m always excited to go here. The vibe, the food, and the scenery is all a 10/10. Big thanks to Anthony, Ade, Mahir and Rondell for their amazing service. The best service I’ve ever had anywhere. Kind, helpful and welcoming. Oh and the DJ, 10/10! I can’t wait for my next visit.

Our Table Server Ade was amazing! He was professional, attentive and suggested really delicious dishes on the menu. The food was off the charts so tasty. Our experience was the best because of Ade. Keep up the good work. We will be back as a group for my birthday 🎁 👏

Absolutely loved Shakara! Loved the music that was played by the live band. The jollof rice and and the wings were so so delicious! I recommend. Delicious food and good vibes. I can’t wait to be back!

I’d definitely recommend, the staff were amazing especially Anthony & Ricardo! We had a ladies brunch & they made sure we were happy many times through the night. The food & the cocktails never disappoint, the lamb was so tender & the music was on point!

Anthony wast The star of the show so was Ade. Their hospitality skills were 10 out of 10 felt like I was in a Michelin star restaurant (GET THEM THAT STAR ASAP) me and my partner enjoyed this thoroughly and will definitely be back.

Had the best time at Shakara! The vibe was so lively, the dancers were incredible seriously couldn’t stop smiling and don’t even get me started on the lamb skewers… unreal! Can’t wait for my next visit. 🥰

I took a business partner who doesn't live in the UK there for dinner on a Thursday, and it was perfect. The attention, right from when we walked through the door, almost made it look like I owned the place. We had crispy prawns and suya lamb skewers as starters. The crispy prawns came with a special dip made from egusi (a Nigerian delicacy). We ended up ordering the prawns more than once. We also ordered Lobster, market fish, and lamb chops. We really had a go at the menu, and it was worth every penny. The jollof rice was also bang on the money, and the fried plantain could not have been prepared better. Neither of us drinks alcohol, so it was just water and green tea later on. The great ambience, the excellent food, and very friendly waiters who were quite helpful in choosing from the menu made it a great experience. I was trying to impress the business partner, and he was certainly impressed. You guys should keep up the good service and excellent food

Shakara! Wow! Anthony Aajon. You really manage al expectation. need to stay correct you’ve really helped to celebrate my birthday in the right way. Thank you chef Abdi & Abdi well done to this great company

I celebrated my birthday at Shakara and had a great time. The atmosphere was lively, and Anthony even surprised me with a birthday shot, which was a nice touch and added to the fun of the night. A lovely spot for a celebration!

My friends took me here on a Thursday for my birthday and I absolutely loved it! Customer service was great and food was delicious! I was even given a complimentary mocktail on the house for my birthday by Anthony one of the managers . Anthony and a colleague attended to our table and took great care of us. Would highly recommend this place!

I did an event with Shakara yesterday, I was blown away by their professionalism. The team made it seamless from the security, chiefs, staff! A special mention to Anthony who helped managed the whole process of the event from the booking process, making sure he brought our vision to life, going above and beyond, paying attention to small details, keeping track on time allowing me to focus on my event! The food was amazing, the customer service was great. I cannot recommend doing enough for events, or eating with friends, family etc.. Thank you Shakara, it was a pleasure. Looking forward to coming back!

Warm atmosphere, beautifully balanced West African flavours, and a sense of intention in every detail. The food feels rooted yet refined. Calm. Considered. Special respect to Anthony Aajon — his service was effortless and genuine, particularly. You feel seen, welcomed, and cared for. Warm atmosphere, beautifully balanced West African flavours, and a sense of intention in every detail. The food feels rooted yet refined. Calm. Considered. Special respect to Anthony Aajon — his service is effortless and genuine. He doesn’t just host, he holds the space. You feel seen, welcomed, and cared for. Quiet excellence. Real hospitality. I’ll be back.

Very good if you want a homely atmosphere with good quality food! I devoured those lamb chops. Plus they have live drums after 10pm worked quite well for my friend's 30th birthday! Ade was very friendly and accommodating, he actually got us 🤣 man deserves a raise 👏

Staff team are very kind and attentive with customers, very well trained. ABDI served us and was really respectful and on the ball with his work. Drummer very friendly, lovely set and way of engaging the customers. It is a very sweet vibe. We attended for a birthday and would definitely recommend, DJ is spot on too. Immaculate service!

What a lovely way to celebrate and enjoy a birthday meal. The food is amazing, everything is well seasoned and the desserts are banging! The staff are next level, very professional and want to enjoy and have the best time. Huge shout out to our waiter Ricardo and our host Anthony 5 star all the way.

Good interior decor Food was good Cocktails are nice Service was A1. Kaylan did well Good to be there when there's a dj performing

+6

Very very nice ambience especially at about 10pm when the disco lights came on, DJ played nice Afrobeats and there was a drummer too. The food was a nice twist to your typical Nigerian dishes. The akara bao buns was nice and different. The suya wasn't your typical but good. Lamb was fatty but we were pre-warned. The lamb chops and ribs were very succulent and absolutely delicious. The jollof rice wasn't what I expected but ok. The drinks weren't all that but ok I guess. We had Chapman and Pina colada. The place is quite cosy, I expected a bigger restaurant. I would recommend but book in advance!

+3

Great music, bit of old RnB and Afrobeat. Lamb chop and was nice, rice had too much tomatoes, so too sweet in a tangy way. Drunken Chapman wasn't great but the pina colada was ok. Suya lamb was delicious, but too fatty for me, needs more meat. Music could be louder since the restaurant also promotes music and entertainment.

Dinner at Shakara, I really liked the cozy and stylish atmosphere. The staff were warm, friendly, and very quick. The food was great, portions were just right and filling. A big plus was how fast the food came within 10-15 minutes, which is impressive for an African restaurant. For snacks, we tried four items. The Jerk Chicken Sando was delicious, flavoured- we loved it .. I wasn’t a fan of the hummus while plantain chips should be left on their own. The Moi Moi sauce was very tasty. For mains, we had the Market Fish and Monkfish both well-cooked but wasn’t a hit for me . The Shakara chili sauce lacked shakara. The plantain bread was a highlight, divine with the brown butter ice cream , definitely a winner. Overall, I’d give it a 7.5/10. The menu needs some improvement, particularly for vegans and vegetarians, as there were no main dish options for them.

Great food the shrimp starter was amazing! Also really good service from Abdi and the restaurant is quiet on a Sunday 👌🏼😋

Gorgeous interior and good customer service. Although when it got busy, it was difficult to get a waiters’ attention. The food was pretty decent. The chicken is great compared to the fish (sea bream). The sea bream was very bland!! No salt, lemon Or balsamic notes, just pure fish. And the vegetables that sat underneath the sea bream were equally as bland which was a shame. Jollof rice was nice, the right level of smoky and seasoned, though it would have been nice to have a bit more tomatoey and bell pepper highlights (key features of the traditional Jollof rice) Drinks were okay, just very bitter base notes so it was hard to enjoy - probably too accustomed to sweet mocktails and cocktails to appreciate the drink. The moi moi is overrated for the price of it. The garnish on top added nothing to the taste and actually took away from the texture of moi moi. The sauce accompanied with the moi moi was wonderful though. Overrall a nice experience but not entirely worth the money.

+2

I had high expectations for Shakara but unfortunately left feeling underwhelmed. The venue lacked decor and atmosphere, which was surprising for a Friday night booking. The entire experience felt rushed—we weren’t given enough time to enjoy our meal, and I didn’t even get the chance to order dessert before they asked for the table back. While the Suya Sour and Lagos Layover cocktails were lovely, and the lamb chops stood out, the dining experience itself was disappointing. All the food arrived at once rather than in courses, adding to the rushed feeling, and we had to send some dishes back as they were served cold. For the high price point, I expected better execution. By the time I got home, I was hungry again, which says a lot. I enjoy fine dining, and I'm happy to pay for quality but this experience didn’t match the price tag.

Had high expectations of this place when I made the reservation. It’s more of a lounge than a restaurant in my opinion. I found the menu extremely underwhelming as I was expecting Afro fusion but what I got was overpriced ordinary Nigerian food. Paying £12 for Agege bread and butter is quite ridiculous. We had the lamb chops and steak which cost £35 each and came with no sides. Thankful I quickly realised what it was and didn’t bother investing further. I would not recommend for the price point.

My friend and I visited for the Sunday Brunch experience. The host was incredibly welcoming, and the decor, particularly the colour scheme, was beautiful. Unfortunately, service was slow and inconsistent (we didn’t even get given the menus for 30 minutes) and our mains (we both ordered jerk poussin) were burnt and disappointing. On the bright side, the lamb suya starter was delicious and the plantain pudding dessert was enjoyable. There was also a complete mess up of our bill as they had failed to give us the bottomless cocktail menu, or explain it to us, even after we asked two of the staff to advise which cocktails come with the bottomless option. This was rectified eventually, but could have been avoided with basic customer service. Overall, I wouldn’t return or recommend it to my friends.

This was the first time going as I saw so many good reviews and videos over Tiktok and was really excited to go and Im a big fan of African cuisine. When we arrived our table wasn't ready as still had a large party seated and waited 10 minutes before we were seated. We ordered food but I recently had abdominal surgery so advised I get full eaily and asked if what I don't eat can I have in a take out pot, so decided to only order mains, rice and okra... Took nearly 2 hours for someone to say no, we don't have pots but can put rice in foil!!! Anyways some of the mains come out for our table, however food came out cold and the sides arrived nearly an hour after their mains and my mains (chops) never come out at all!!! Also had to keep asking for drinks or where the ordered drinks were, whilst our host was good, the service was inconsistent and at one point our table handed our own rice out on table after it was left on tray on serving side table. I wasted £12 on 3 mouthfuls of Jolloff - wasnt Jollof Im used to eating and had to leave it behind, even though I paid for the food!!! Such a shame really, as if the cooks cannot manage to cater for big parties, maybe only serve starters or small plates as they seem to come out quick. Im sorry to leave a negative review and its very rare I do this, but for the price of food and drinks and the location of resturant you expect much better food & service. My experience maybe not be the experience you have here, however I wanted to write how my evening went and how disappointed myself and my friends were that evening. Expect to pay a minimum of £80+ per person if you are having drinks, starters, mains or any sides. (The manager on shift, younger tall guy was doing the most to rectify the poor service, but didnt get much support from the other manager on shift)

Check your bill very carefully. Food was very average. Akoko and Akara are both far superior. I also found it overpriced very for what you get. We ordered the Seabream which was well cooked but the sauce is a reconstituted powder mixed with water. I found this out when I bit into a massive chunk of MSG that had not been properly dissolved. I couldn't spit it out so I had to wash down with a lot of water. It really ruined the whole dish. The lamb skewers were lacking in flavour with a lot of fibrous sheets that we had to pick out. The onions didn't add much to the dish. Service was alright. It took us a while to get our bill. When the bill arrived, they charged us for an item we didn't order that didn't even seem to be on the menu - prawn spring rolls for £18. It came across very deliberate. The waiter apologised very quickly and awkwardly, barely checking the receipt. I've eaten in a lot of restaurants in London and the only time this has happened is at hot pot restaurants when you order 20 things and they forget to bring out one or two items but still charge you for it. And it's a genuine mistake where the staff debate about it amongst themselves and check with the kitchen. I've never experienced being charged for something I didn't order that's not even on the menu. Also they don't take bookings from third party websites. Don't go the through the Fork. Your booking will not be valid.

Shakara is a truly a beautiful and aesthetically pleasing restaurant, I've been about 5 times now and what's really disappointing is how I've witnessed the restaurant's demise. The first time I came here, I was so excited and loved everything I ate. I could tell that the food was perfectly curated and I thought tnis would be a real foodie's joint. However, each subsequent time I've been here, it has just gotten worse. Then menu change was truly disappointing. My advice to the owners is to keep the things that set you apart from your competition and put the food first. For the price point you're going for, the original way you served your smokey jollof rice made sense, what you have now is mediocre at best and at worse a soggy mess. Your service also leaves a lot to be desired, some staff don't know their left from right, on one visit, I was served beef suya instead of lamb - theres wasn't even any beef on the menu. At this level, my expectations and initial experience were so high but now I'm left with nothing but disappointment. I'd love to continue to support you as a business but these issues need to be addressed

Terrible terrible terrible service. Staff walking around confused and don’t even know the menus or who they are serving?? I had to ask 3 times for water, wait 1 hour for drinks and almost 2 hours for food. A disgrace to black-owned businesses unfortunately. You must learn to do better especially for such extortionate prices. ALSO THEIR HYGIENE RATING IS A 3. Very concerning. Seems all the money has been spent on interior design as opposed to food and adequate service.

I would NEVER recommend Shakara. Waited over an hour for a cocktail that came in a less than quarter-filled wine glass because they “didn’t have the right glass.” Food took 2+ hours, arrived in parts, plantain never showed up, and water I asked for never came. To make it worse, they messed up my bill and tried to charge me twice. Food and drinks are not worth the price. Only good thing was the music, staff were polite but service was terrible.

Having seen Shakara promoted on social media for months, I decided to take my nephew there for his birthday. As a fan of African fusion cuisine, I thought it would be a safe choice. Unfortunately, the experience fell far short of expectations. Upon arrival, the restaurant wasn’t busy, and we were seated promptly. However, there was a clear lack of coordination among the staff. Within minutes, three different servers asked if we wanted water—despite us already requesting it. We placed our food order, but no one checked if we wanted additional drinks. We started with small bites: the wakkey hummus and agege bread. The hummus was served cold, though the rest of the food was passable. I ordered two Chapman cocktails, but it took four requests to different staff members before they arrived—frustrating, to say the least. For mains, we had the chicken and lamb cutlets. The portion sizes were inconsistent—the chicken was generous, but the lamb was measly. The chicken was unevenly cooked (well-done on one side, underdone on the other), while the lamb was better prepared. The sides were small, though the jollof rice stood out as the tastiest dish. Once we finished eating and our plates were cleared, multiple servers asked if we wanted dessert—ignoring the spills on the table. In any decent restaurant, the table would have been wiped down first. The staff seemed fixated on taking orders but clueless about proper table service or customer care. This was further proven when I asked for the bill. It took several requests, and when it finally arrived, I asked for the service charge to be removed due to the poor experience. This caused confusion, and eventually, a manager came over to ask why. After explaining the subpar service, he apologised, removed the charge, and processed the payment. As we were about to leave, we were told to wait for a birthday dessert. After a 15-minute delay, a plate arrived with ice cream, a candle, and drizzled chocolate—a nice gesture, until we spotted an insect on it. This was the final straw in a night of regret at Shakara.

I celebrated my birthday at Shakara London, and honestly, it couldn’t have been more perfect. From the moment I stepped in, the vibe was warm, stylish, and full of energy the kind of place that instantly makes you feel like you’re in for something special. I ordered the Suya skewers and the lamb roast, and both dishes were absolutely incredible. The suya had the perfect amount of spice and that smoky, authentic flavor that’s so hard to find done right. The lamb roast was tender, juicy, and seasoned to perfection every bite melted in my mouth. It was clear that everything was prepared with care and attention to tradition. The team at Shakara really made my birthday feel special. The service was friendly and genuine, and you could tell they were passionate about creating not just great food, but a memorable experience. The ambiance, music, and overall energy made the whole night feel celebratory and meaningful. If you’re looking for bold, beautifully made West African food in a setting that feels modern yet deeply rooted in culture — Shakara London is it. I’m already looking forward to going back, and next time, I’m bringing more people to share in the experience.

We had a group booking for 10pm and was made go wait in the lobby with the curtains drawn for over 39 minutes before our table was ready. Majority of the options we wanted to eat was sold out. The chapman tasted like canned chapman which is outrageous for a £16 cocktail. The DJ was good. The music is great. The place has a lot of potential but the service level for that price is simply not matching other restaurants we have been to in the past central london area. Also one of us found hair in his food and was indirectly accused of putting it there himself. Which added insult to injury Shakara has the potential to be our bagatelle for us Africans living in london. But not yet from our experience