Jikoni

What a lovely dinner! The food is inventive and fun - don’t miss the crispy kale chaat and their take on sticky toffee pudding. The service is superb - the whole staff but especially Mark was exceptional.

Jikoni offers a very pleasant dining experience overall. The food is good rather than outstanding - the signature pancakes were interesting and unique, though slightly lacking in flavour, while the rest of the dishes were well executed. Desserts stood out, especially the cheesecake, which was excellent. What really makes the place shine is the service: genuinely warm, attentive, and thoughtful, with a waiter who even treated us to a little extra. Quietly rated: worth stopping.

+2

Really enjoyed this experience to celebrate my birthday. Cosy relaxing atmosphere with great food. Mansur was an excellent host. Please bring back the okra fries onto the menu.

+2

Amazing food! The salad and scotch eggs were surprisingly good and the overall ambience of the place was great. The only thing I was surprised by were the portions, given the prices I’d have expected bigger portions.

Every dish we ordered was bursting with flavor, and the presentation was just as impressive. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed. The ambiance was perfect with soft lighting and comfortable seating. Highly recommend this place for anyone looking for top-rated restaurants near Marylebone London. As they mentioned..it’s a no border kitchen which serves food inspired by different cultures and flavours. We tried kale chat , vada pao bun , melon salad, green bean and cashew thoran, kuku paka with saffron rice which was a coconut based curry which we really enjoyed. Banana bread is a must try 😊 overall the best experience we had yesterday. Highly recommend this place to everyone…we will surely be back again to try rest of the menu 😊

+6

Had an amazing dinner at Jikoni. We sat in the sweetest corner spot which was perfect for sharing dishes and soaking up the cosy atmosphere. The lamb was cooked to perfection: juicy, deeply seasoned, with beautiful charred edges. The hassleback artichokes were such an interesting change, packed with flavour and texture. Each course kept getting better, especially dessert — divine banana bread, rich cheesecake with generous ginger chunks, and even the complimentary pavlova for our celebration was exceptional. A wonderful experience full of creative flavours and special service that truly elevate the meal. Thank you xx

Went there for a friends gathering. I was a little bit sceptical at the beginning but the food was amazing. Starters main meals and deserts were extremely tasty and aromas flavours well balanced. Definitely worth every penny. The atmosphere is causy and calm. Will be back again

Absolutely delicious banabread in miso butterscotch is otherworldly. Do not miss. Will return. Highly recommend.

+1

Fantastic atmosphere, the food was outstanding and at a reasonable price. Their take on a scotch egg really hit the spot (Prawn Toast Scotch Egg) I ordered more than one. Very attentive team but not overbearing which is nice to see in such a busy and vibing environment. Great wine selection. Also the banana cake with Miso and Butter scotch, what a dream!

+2

Fantastic, different cuisine. Delicately spiced. Absolutely delicious. We started with olives and pickled vegetables, then we both had a prawn toast scotch egg, followed by scallops then hake. We finished with desserts which were fantastic. The banana cake and pavlova were exceptional.

+1

I had a great time there ! The restaurant is near my appartement and I went there without knowing the menu. It was a total surprise and I had such an amazing time. The food was delicious ! The staff as well. We were sitting outside but had a great time anyway. You can share everything with the table. All the dish were great, so as the cocktails. I have to come back to try the rest of the menu ! I will definitely recommend this restaurant !

+4

It’s our second time visiting and we still thoroughly enjoyed our experience in this restaurant. The food was great, as expected, and still just as tasty as when we went over a year ago. Service was excellent for the whole evening as well, with great recommendations and adjustments for dietary requirements. This time I tried the kuku paka and I can see why this is the staple dish, it was so comforting and delicious. I also had the pistachio ice cream for dessert, it has to be the nicest pistachio ice cream I’ve ever had in the UK - almost on par with the ones I’ve had in Sicily! Definitely recommend you to visit at least once, it was an excellent experience.

+6

A wonderful experience for the taste buds and the staff is lovely! The eclectic decor is part of the charm, and is the reminder of the many influences of the cuisine: Middle east, African and British. We had mainly small plates and the grilled aubergine with rice (totally recommend!) as a big one + dessert. My favorite dish was the Burrata salad: fresh and delicious (burrata, endives, figs, walnuts, fresh cranberries and pomegranate) The trout was very good. The portion was really tiny on that one though... The chickpea chips were interesting and the portion was good, same with the crispy crushed potatoes. I'm not a fan of Scotch eggs but we thought that, in such a place, it could only be good. And it was moist and flavorful. The Banaa cake was soooo good! But if I was to have it again it would be without the sea of salted caramel it was served in: way too sugary and almost overwhelming the taste of the cake. Which also had a scoop of salted caramel ice-cream. I think the cake with the topping is enough. Just remember it's on the pricey side (given the location, I assume the walls aren't cheap) and you'll be fine. We interacted with different members of the staff and they were all super helpful and professional. We stayed until the last minute (hence the empty room shots haha) and no one made us feel like we were overstaying our welcome. Very gracious.

I cannot say enough about how wonderful this restaurant is the service, the food. I saw it on Saturday Kitchen and I thought that recipe looks good. My partner kindly humoured me and we went on Saturday. We were greeted as soon as we walked in shown to our table asked if we had been there before, I explained about see Saturday Kitchen. We chatted and asked for recommendations, he went over the menu and explained everything. The food was fresh and flavourful. Several staff stopped by our table to check on us, everyone was friendly and conscientious of the customers needs. They knew the menu well. I think whatever you select from the menu will be good, but I highly suggest you try the banana cake. That was the best desert that we can ever recall having. We will definitely be back.

Went for the brunch menu on a weekend. It was superb! All the dishes were excellent and then topped off with some pinacolada pancakes for dessert. Really recommend this place

One of the best lunchtime experiences I have had in London. With the tagline ‘no borders kitchen’, Jikoni extends its Indian-Kenyan influence, taking inspirations from the Far East, the Malay kitchen, to craft food that is not only flavourful and delightful to eat, but also each of the plates is a work of art. Decoration is Earthy and quirky, which had a huge vibe of playfulness. The service is also really well done, the server saw just how much we were loving our meal that he added a free dessert. That was literally the icing on the cake. And the fascinating thing - their lunch menu is completely vegetarian. Here was what we had: Soy Keema Bun Lovely soft bun with a nice curried pea filling with pink pickled onions. Crisp Kale Chaat (MUST ORDER) Crispy savoury kale mellowed by the amalgamation of yoghurt, tangy date and tamarind chutney and crunchy freshness of pomegranate and onions Tomatoes and Burrata Lovely tomatoes that is drenched with spiced oil and creamy burrata. Simple but lovely. That spiced oil though, I think it’s made of lime leaves and it takes you to Southeast Asia. Spiced Cauliflower Mac & Cheese (MUST ORDER) If you’re a Mac n cheese fan, this takes it to the next level. The base of the béchamel is made with saffron, creating a voyage in a classic dish. The Mac and cheese itself is creamy and perfectly cooked without any heaviness that often is correlated with a good one. Crispy Aubergine (MUST ORDER) How can fried aubergine be this good? It’s like an enhanced version of teriyaki chicken rice bowl. The fritters are coated with Sichuan pepper, which was an explosion of taste and texture. Served on a bed of fragrant garlic rice. Butternut Squash Pakoras Lovely turmeric rice to scoop up a hearty crispy pakoras and a silky curry that is seasoned with coconut chutney. Banana Cake with Miso Butterscotch (MUST ORDER) The server told us that people often come to the restaurant just for this. Yes yes, it is worth it. The moist, profound banana cake is coated in a bold miso butterscotch. On top of it, a crunchy, nutty brittle adds a wonderful texture. The Ovaltine kulfi is reminiscent of breakfasts in Southeast Asia. The result of all these individual aspects was pure joy. Vegan Pear & Saffron Cake A nice cake that has subtle sweetness from pear and the depth from saffron. It is drenched with a smooth oat cream. Nothing in the menu failed, really. Recommending this place for those occasions when you want a dining experience to be spiritual.

Excellent asian restaurant for a modern take on some classic Indian / African flavours. Chef was born in Kenya with Indian heritage and showcases an incredible fusion of flavours and influences at the highest level. Aloo Chat was mindblowing. And the kenyan chicken curry is a blast. Really recommended if you are around Marylebone area. Excellent service.

Wonderfully cozy and delicious food! Came for the Valentine's day brunch and especially to try Meleks famous baklava. Prepaid and booked online. Service was great and the food was delightful both to look at and eat! The Mac and cauliflower was my favorite asking with the saffron bread. The rhubarb mocktail was refreshing and beautiful to look at. The dessert was everything I had hoped and more!

Exceptional experience. Amazing restaurant. The staff here were incredible and made the experience one to remember. The food was on another level. Every thing we had was outstanding. I highly recommend the celeriac, the lobster, the fish pie and the rhubarb roulade. Fabulous cocktails and wine selection. The decor is also really beautiful and kitsch.

We absolutely loved the food, wine and atmosphere ( we were outside on a balmy London evening) .. - thank you to our waiter who we let choose our dishes and who did so brilliantly so that we had a wide variety of thé menu offerings. Thé innovative use/pairing of often unusual ingredients is really a knock-out when done like this. It has been our stand-out meal so far in the UK and we’ve been eating out for 2.5 weeks! Don’t change anything is our firm wish.

Really interesting menu lots of combination of different cuisines and flavours in indivual dishes and across the menu. Very tasty for brunch and great service had a slight mishap but they made up for it with an extra side. The prawn toast scotch egg particularly good with the banana ketchup and pickle, and Achari Mary (bloody Mary with lime pickle) worked surprisingly well as a more refreshing Bloody Mary riff.

Excellent address. We go to Jikoni once a year and it never disappoints. Special mention to the tiger prawn moilee and the piña colada pancakes, they're always on the menu and a must. Also really enjoyed the caramelized moorish aubergine dish and the delicious corn frittata.

Some of the most creative and delicious food I have eaten in a long time (pandemic aside). Beautiful and different ingredient combinations. And definitely reminded me of eating when on holiday. Friendly and helpful service. And ensured we had an outside table as booked - by moving a table outside for us!! Loved it and I want to go back again. Delicious.

Just wonderful in every way. Delicious, interesting food beautifully presented. Exceptional, warm service. Comfortable seating, discreet but lovely music and elegant styling creating a perfect atmosphere. We loved every moment and every mouthful. This is always the first London resturant I recommend.

Such a lovely dining experience- The staff, atmosphere and the food! well where do I start absolutely delicious. Each dish was awesome There was 4 of us for dinner and we all had an amazing experience- The food melted in our mouths-Thank you

Absolutely delicious! Unusual and interesting combinations that are hugely successful. Set lunch menu is great value for the quality. Delightful setting (filled with global textiles and homely touches) and fantastic, friendly and highly efficient service. I can’t wait to return.

Delicious, creative and unique food made even more special by the wonderful hospitality. The small plates sharing concept is done very well with dishes that complement each other and divide easily into two. I particularly appreciate the fact that such a busy, popular restaurant hasn’t given in to the temptation to cram too many tables into the space. The design is beautiful and the acoustics are good. Already looking forward to our next visit

Delicious food! One of my favorite places in london for food and environment. I had the pleasure of introducing my friends to Jikoni - they all loved it!

A wonderful dining experience at Jikoni! Dinner at Jikoni was a real treat — the whole “no-borders” concept shines through beautifully in the flavours and presentation. Every dish felt creative yet comforting. We were a party of 6 and treated it as a tasting experience as we ordered all the dishes to share. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with thoughtful service and a homely but elegant vibe. You can tell the team really cares about what they do, from the menu design to the little details on the table. Prices are on the higher side, but for the quality, creativity, and overall experience, it’s well worth it. Highly recommend booking ahead — it gets busy for good reason!

🥰great service. That kale chaat was 👌🏽 the crab croquettes were lovely but a bit too fishy for my friend. They lovingly brought us the Vada Pao Bun - complimentary 🙀😻 - which was super sweet and unexpected. Mormor cocktail, was strong! Interesting flavour. Wouldn't get again tho, couldn't put my finger on what wasnt agreeing with me. However their red wine selection was deffinitely a perfect accompaniment to the Cornish Lamb dish I ordered. Which was absolutely delicious. Saffron flavour and pistachios. Wouldn't definitely come again.

Fusion of Asian and southeast Asian flavours with a twist. Love the dedication bringing you flavour combinations to the pallet and relaxed convivial atmosphere. Not all dishes worked mainly, under seasoned cous cous and quail was dry but The Hake with Mussels spectacular!! Equally the desserts varied with the almond and bitter orange tart non descript however the banana bread dessert could have eaten all Over again. Definitely going back and would recommend. The no borders approach is admirable and the flavour experiments not always hitting home forgivable. Look forward to the day these independent concerns are profitable enough to show the chains you can avoid all Ultra processed food in the kitchen.

+4

Lovely, intimate space with considered decorations throughout. I especially loved the black and white photo of the chef and her grandfather. We visited for Father's Day and were delighted by the complimentary bottle of Toast. The ambience was relaxed, which was lovely, and was also reflected in the time it took to take our orders and prepare our dishes. The food was well worth the wait. We all tried each other's choices and were impressed with them all. The flavours were inspired and the quality exceptional. The waiters and waitress were also excellent.

+4

Searching for a Restaurant to celebrate my wife's birthday. Found Jikoni on CN Traveller review as one of the most romantic restaurants in London. Homely and relaxing feel and decor. Excellent Fusion food of African Indian taste reflecting the owner's Kenyan roots, I believe. Service stuff was efficient and good delivery was timely. Busy place cosy restaurant.The Venison samosa with Beetroot chutney was very tasty. The Chickpea Panisse that my wife had was delicious. She had the Hake and Moules with saffron rice was very tasty and inventive. I had the Scrag End pie (pulled lamb cottage pie) which was nicely flavoured , I think there should be more to accompany it like a salad, etc..looks bare. The paan Madeleine was made to order, warm and crispy with a touch of fennel seed. They give us a complimentary Banana cake for my wife's birthday was excellent. It was a lovely experience but mared by a freshly printed till recipe nonchalantly put on the table. Was expecting the bill to be put on a small tray or receipt holder/presenter. Feels careless. The nice gesture but afterthought of offering us complimentary fudge whilst we were putting on our coats feels out of sink. Tasty inventive fusion food but expensive price point for the Mains Courses and seafood items.

+1

It's a nice place, I liked the interior and design. The colorful tablecloths create a cozy atmosphere. I didn't like the food; the presentation left much to be desired. The cocktails weren't impressive either; I had a Mimosa

Excellent service and very pleasantly decorated restaurant. The fusion style menu brings together a refreshing mix of flavours and cultures. Our group of 5 ordered all the veggie small plates and enjoyed all (with the exception of the blood peach/tofu dish which wasn’t to our taste). The kale chaat was our favourite 👌🏽. Both the crispy aubergine and squash pakora dishes were delicious. Plates are definitely on the pricier side given the portion size but worth visiting for a special meal and to experience a different menu.

+1

Ordered the 3 course menu for Lunch at £38: Starter: Crisp Kale Chaat Main: Crispy Aubergine with Sichuan Caramel Dessert: Banana cake with Miso Butterscotch Drink: Kenya Chai (£6) Service Charge (13.5%) Review: - The Chaat had a nice mix of flavour with the yoghurt and tamarind chutney combination. The crisp Kale doesn't have any kale flavour to it as all the other flavours take over within the chaat, it would taste the same with or without it. - The crispy aubergine was a nice surprise and packed a very nice punch with the sichuan caramel. A very simple dish with rice which delivers. - The banana cake with miso butterscotch topped with a kulfi was a very interesting combination of flavours. When tasting it make to have the miso sparingly with each bite otherwise it becomes overpoweringly sweet. Having a bit of kulfi with each bite makes it quite refreshing. - The Kenya Chai was decent, was expecting more masala flavour to come through however it seemed on the weaker side. Also quite pricy for 1 cup of tea. Overall you get a very nice fusion of flavours across Asia with the menu and a lot of interesting flavours. If you are going for lunch, then the set menu allows you to try a variety of dishes which I would recommend. It is on the pricier side of places in my opinion so expect to pay at least £40 - 50 per person for lunch and more if you are going for dinner.

This place truly stands out for its exceptional atmosphere, delicious food, and outstanding service. I visited with a group of eight for a pre-wedding celebration, and the experience exceeded our expectations. The staff were incredibly welcoming and attentive, making us feel right at home. The three-course meal was an absolute delight, with each dish beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. A special shout-out to Jordan, who went above and beyond to cater to our needs and ensure everything ran smoothly. We genuinely appreciated the personal touch. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience.

Good but not great. Very mixed feelings around the table for place. Some dishes were amazing and others were pretty meh. 10/10 - broccoli salad, prawn scotch egg, prawns. Ordered extra garlic rice and the presentation was so poor, looked mushy but actually tasted nice. Eggplant dish was also good.

+4

I was so excited to come here after falling in love with the Comfort & Joy cookbook but unfortunately it didn’t live up to expectations. I loved the prawn toast scotch egg which was a stand out dish by far but I found the kale chaat, served cold, lost some of its crispiness. I couldn’t taste the crab in the crab croquetas (although the flavour was otherwise nice, it was expensive for not tasting of any crab). I loved the saffron sheermal, but didn’t realise it would come with an overpowering nori-dusted labneh that did not balance with the saffron at all. The mussel broth was nicer and I really liked the salt and vinegar Jerusalem artichokes even though I didn’t get much vinegar from them, they were delicious. In terms of service, I do acknowledge we went on a Valentine’s Saturday which can be busy, but they weren’t booked out. We waited half an hour at one point, without food, to get a top up of our wine or water, and we were told after that they thought we’d finished our wine (but no one had come to offer us anything else or the bill). We then sat waiting for ages, asked for the bill, only to wait a further 20 minutes while all 4 staff dealt or watched with a customer asking who had given her a free meal. We were ignored the entire time. The bill included an item we hadn’t ordered, and when I tried to pay the price was still incorrectly charging me for the original higher price on the old bill. I would have appreciated something free given we had spent 3 hours just having five starters and a side served to us but I didn’t even get the Valentine’s rose with the bill that everyone else seemed to be receiving! Overall so so disappointed and won’t be back.

Nothing extravagant but super expensive! My 330ml lager arrived flat and in a simple glass (not a bottle) and it cost almost £7! How do I know they didn't bought it from Aldi for £1 and sold it to me? Also, a chicken dish (that I had to ask for the translation) and rice with a slop of sauce £26? If it wasn't for the location, what will the price be, please?