Zuaya London Brings Fine Latin American Dining to Kensington
Next door to its sister company, Como Garden, Zuaya London is a vibrant Latin American restaurant and bar tucked neatly off of Kensington High Street. The restaurant is beyond Instagrammable with its immersive green foliage that helps to replicate a South American tropical jungle. It’s dimly lit with mood lighting that is perfect for a romantic date and boasts an array of booths and intimate corners for tables of two to have more private conversations.
Its tapas in style but there is also a set menu option, however, for those who prefer to go à la carte can still have a great tasting experience as there’re many different dishes on offer. The food fuses traditional Latin American cuisine with European and Asian influences, with a core focus on flavour and presentation.
Our favourite starter dishes were the guacamole & sweet potato chips and lamb tacos. The gauc & sweet potato fries are the perfect opening meal and come in a large portion that can be shared in groups. The lamb taco is filled with endless flavour, the shredded lamb sits exquisitely in a picturesque purple tortilla. The flavours will instantly teleport you to Mexico with one bite, as the lamb meshes with the various vegetables and zesty pineapple.
Whilst there are many great vegetable options, Zuaya is more suited for meat lovers and their Wagyu Beef Burger is the correct option for all carnivores. The patty, like the lamb taco, is shredded and sits between the softest brioche buns. Its flavours explode immediately and give off an almost fruity taste, giving it a very Peruvian flavour. Elsewhere, the marinated lemon chicken is a delectable treat. The lemon provides the perfect acidity to the sweetness of the chicken and we recommend you accompany it with more gauc & sweet potato chips. Other highlights were the patatas bravas that comes drizzled in a creamy mayo-like sauce that elevates the flavours of the hand-cut potatoes. Again, the portion size is generous and can be shared among a small group of hungry people.
For dessert, we had their cheesecake; the cheese is actually blue cheese, something I personally love but many might not be too enthused. Regardless, the blue cheeses’ sharp taste complements the biscuit and sweet flavours of the cake. We also had the chocolate tart that is accompanied by strawberries and pineapples the flavours mesh together to create the perfect palate cleanser after a hearty meal.
The restaurant has an array of creative cocktails that are rooted in Latin American flavour. Our favourite is their London to Lima cocktail that’s a mixture of Pisco, Falernum, Lime, Agave syrup and Egg white is sweet but has a punch to it. Helps to remind drinkers it’s very much an alcoholic drink. They also boast a strong wine, beer and champagne selection in case you wanted to move away from their signature wines.
All in all, Zuaya’s impressive decor and flavoursome food do a great job of creating an immersive Latin American experience. Their excellent service and use of space in the heart of Kensington make it an obvious choice for a date or an express lunch or even somewhere to bring a client. Make a booking quick!
Location
37B Kensington High St, London W8 5ED
When’s best go?
Evenings for dates, lunchtime and for client meetings
Price
£50pp for three meals (including dessert)
Find out more here.