🌉✨London Bridge’s Perfect Date Spot for West African Cuisine ✨🌉

I’ve always been curious about West African food, but Ikoyi is a bit pricey, and I haven’t found the right time to go yet. Next month, I’m planning to try Akoko, but before that, I stopped by 📍Akara, opened by the same team! It’s right next to Borough Market, and the dining environment is fantastic—minimalist, spacious, and with a lovely wooden decor. Perfect for a date night! 🍽️💕 Food Review: 3.5/5 No major disappointments, but the flavors felt a bit one-note, with a base of African chili sauce that’s slightly sour and spicy. The menu is short—you could try everything in two visits. It’s rich, so you might not want to go back too soon. Dishes: 🍘 Prawn / Crab Akara | £10 / £11 👋🏻 I ordered two, thinking the namesake dish would be amazing, but it was a bit underwhelming. The bread underneath was like a fried bun—a bit dry and heavy. Each one is fist-sized, so I’d recommend sharing one if you’re curious. 🐷 Grilled Pork | £20 👍🏻 Didn’t expect Africans to cook pork so well! 👀 The meat was tender and well-marbled, with a bit of chili oil and yam cream sauce. So flavorful! The only downside was a slight porky smell that affected the taste. 🐮 Beef Suya | £12 🫶🏻 Apparently, this used to be a main dish, but now it’s an appetizer. The portion was small, but it was delicious! The beef was juicy and tender, and the onion and bell pepper sauce complemented it perfectly. 🐔 Lagos Chicken | £22 👌🏻 A whole roasted spring chicken with a generous amount of spicy sauce (the same orange sauce that dominated the meal). It was crispy outside and tender inside, but since I’m not a huge chicken fan, it didn’t wow me. Chicken lovers might enjoy it more! 🐟 Cod Collar | £16 👍🏻 Such a tender fish collar! The fat was rich, and the moqueca sauce, also tangy and spicy, balanced out the oiliness. 🍛 Efik Rice | £12 👌🏻 African rice with a subtle salty, sour, and spicy flavor from the African sauce. 🥃 Kojo | £10 👌🏻 Super sweet at first, but after the ice melted, it became much better. The almond flavor added a unique twist. 💰 Price: £50-70 per person #Foodie #LondonLife #GlobalEats #CreativeCuisine #HiddenGemRestaurants #FoodVibes #DateNightSpot #WestAfricanFood #BoroughMarketEats