Guanabana Restaurant — Restaurant in London

I recently dined at Guanabana and had a generally enjoyable experience, though there are areas that could use some attention.

Food: I ordered the half jerk chicken, which was a generous portion. I even had enough to take home for lunch the next day. The flavors were rich and well-seasoned, just as you’d hope for. However, the presentation was a bit overwhelming; the plate was quite busy, with plantain, cabbage, and potatoes stacked under the chicken, creating a mountain of food. Additionally, there was an excess of gravy. I would recommend serving the gravy on the side and using larger plates to allow diners to control the amount and better appreciate each component.

My partner had the sea bass, which came with two well-seasoned fillets a generous portion. While the seasoning on top was flavorful, it seemed more surface-level. Marinating the fish could help the flavors penetrate deeper. Despite this, the taste was delicious.

Dessert: I tried the sponge cake, which was a bit disappointing. The cake was dry and only became somewhat spongy when torn apart. The custard did help to moisten it, but it resembled more of a school dinner sponge cake than a traditional Caribbean one. Hopefully, the dessert offerings will improve over time.

Ambiance and Service: The seating is a bit cozy; you’re quite close to your neighbors, which can make conversations less private. However, the atmosphere is charming, making it suitable for both date nights and group gatherings. The toilets were clean, and I appreciated the visible kitchen area as you head downstairs, which also appeared well-maintained.

The staff were helpful and attentive which I appreciated.

Additional Notes: BYOB Policy: They don’t serve alcohol, but you can bring your own. Be aware there’s a charge—£3 for a small can and £15 for a bottle, with other prices in between.

Parking: Parking can be challenging. The single yellow lines directly outside are often occupied, and unless you’re visiting on a Sunday, the area is mostly permit holders only. Planning ahead is advisable, as you might need to walk a bit.

Overall: A lovely experience with flavorful dishes and a warm atmosphere. I look forward to returning to try the boneless jerk chicken, as we were both torn between that and the roast. With a few tweaks, particularly regarding presentation and dessert quality, Guanabana could elevate the dining experience...

Title: A Pleasant Dining Experience with Great Service and Delicious Food

Rating: 4 stars

I recently revisited this restaurant after a long absence and was pleasantly surprised by the overall experience. The service provided was top-notch, and the staff went above and beyond to ensure our satisfaction. Even though it had been a while since my last visit, they made us feel welcome and attended to our needs promptly.

While I was initially disappointed by the changes made to the menu, with a reduction in options and a stronger emphasis on Caribbean cuisine, I must say that the food itself was excellent. Each dish we ordered was flavorful and well-prepared, leaving us thoroughly satisfied. The lady serving us also provided recommendations, ensuring that our choices were complemented with a few extra bits that enhanced the overall dining experience. The kitchen staff deserves praise for their attention to detail, as there were no mistakes made with our order.

Moreover, I would like to commend the restaurant's willingness to accommodate our request for desserts from another shop owned by the same owners. It was a kind gesture that added a touch of variety to our meal, and we truly appreciated their flexibility and customer-focused approach.

On a constructive note, I feel it's important to address the issue of hygiene. The cleanliness of the bathroom left something to be desired, and there were noticeable body odor smells that were slightly off-putting. I believe that maintaining clean facilities is crucial for any establishment and would recommend that the management pay closer attention to this aspect.

The only dish that fell short of expectations was the prawn dish. Unfortunately, it lacked flavor and seasoning, resulting in the prawns seemingly swimming in plain water and the virgin drinks don’t bother at all. However, this minor disappointment did not overshadow the overall amazing dining experience we had with the other dishes.

In conclusion, my recent visit to this restaurant left me with a positive impression. The excellent service, delicious food, and the staff's willingness to accommodate our requests made for a memorable dining experience. While there is room for improvement in terms of menu selection and hygiene, I would still highly recommend this restaurant to others seeking a satisfying meal with...

Good vibes all round! I recently visited Guanabana with 9 colleagues for our end of year team meal and the atmosphere was just incredible.

We had to secure our places with a deposit and pre-orders from the festive menu prior to the date we visited (15 Dec). The person we spoke to was very friendly and accommodating and took in to account all our preferences and dietary needs.

On the day, we arrived at 2pm to find a busy restaurant with many other office parties taking place so already it felt very festive. We were seated and the waitress provided water, mocktails and steaming hot garlic bread rolls made fresh on site which were delicious.

I pre-ordered the following items - Starter - Jerk Adobo Wings Mains - Jerk Baby Chicken - Pepper and Spice flavour Dessert - Churros

The wings were delicious and literally finger-licking good, pretty much all of us selected this and did not regret it. The few people who had the beef carpaccio starter tried some of the wings and agreed they were succulent and well seasoned. The Jerk baby chicken came with jollof rice, plantain and seasonal veg. Because the chicken was so big, I couldn't finish my sides and that jollof was the best rice I'd tasted before. I was saving the rice for last but by the time i finished the chicken and veg, I was stuffed. I would come back for a whole plate of the rice!! After such a heavy mains, it was lovely to have the light cinnamon sugar churros, which were made fresh, with vanilla ice cream to end the meal.

The wait in between courses did take long but this was understandable as the place was heaving, every corner had a team of people. I have been to Guanabana before when it's quieter and not during the festive season and it has been a pleasant experience. We passed the time by getting up to dance in between meals and having our Secret Santa so all in all, we all had a fantastic time.

Hats off to the people in charge of the music, it was loud but you just couldn't help dancing in your seat (or wherever there was free floorspace) and singing along!

We all had a fantastic time and I look forward to coming back...