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akara
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Akara

92

Signal score

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

A stylish, buzzing West African spot in Borough Yards serving crispy black-eye bean fritters and sophisticated sharing plates in an industrial-chic setting.

Cuisine

West African

Price

££

Neighborhood

Southwark

Location

Arch 208, 18 Stoney St

Ordering Strategy

Order 1-2 akaras per person as starters (they are hard to share), then split the larger plates and sides. The counter offers the best view of the open kitchen.

What to order

Safe first

BBQ Tiger Prawn Akara

The namesake dish of the restaurant, described as 'plump, voluptuous' and 'best tackled with both hands.' It features a spongey black-eye bean fritter stuffed with sweet, spiced prawns.

Hungry

Lagos Chicken with Efik Rice

A 'glorious' spatchcocked poussin singing with habanero-heavy Senegalese hot sauce. It is best paired with the Efik rice, which is simmered in chicken broth and coconut for a 'hearty' meal.

Wildcard

Fried Plantain with Octopus

Cited as the 'standout dish' by Grace Dent, who described it as 'curiously delicate and deft' and made lively with a pepper relish.

Wildcard

Tamarind Date Cake

Regarded as the 'strongest dessert' on the menu, this sponge cake is served with tonka bean cream and a rich rum caramel sauce.

Wildcard

Scotch Bonnet Soda

A high-impact non-alcoholic drink for heat-seekers, offering the elegance of a long soda but with a Scoville rating of 200,000 units.

More in Southwark

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Signal Score

92
Strong SignalStrong, consistent praise across multiple sources.Agreement 86%2 Elite · 2 Editorial · 10 mentions

Signal score reflects how strong and consistent the review coverage is, not a star rating.

Top critic: Grace Dent (90%)

Editorial Weight 61 pts

Authority + depth + recency

Agreement 9 pts

How aligned the critics are

Coverage 10 pts

How many real review signals exist

Public Signal 12 pts

Google rating + volume

Boosts 0 pts

Manual boosts + hidden gem

Review signals

2 Elite · 2 Editorial · 7 total signals

Public signal

4.6★ (765 reviews)

Good to know

Located in the railway arches of Borough Yards; holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand for value. Private dining is available on the mezzanine.

Trust signals

  • Not yet visited
  • mediumConfidence level

More West African in London

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