West African restaurant Shakara to open in Marylebone
Set over two floors, the space will open up to the main restaurant before leading through to a cocktail bar, stage, and private dining area
Register to get 1 more free article
Reveal the article below by registering for our email newsletter.
Want unlimited access? View Plans
Already have an account? Sign in
Modern West African restaurant Shakara has announced its opening in Marylebone on 31 January 2024.
This first iteration of Shakara provides exclusive private dining with a thoughtfully curated menu of African cuisine and fine mixology.
Spanning 6,000 square feet, the space is designed by Red Deer. Inspired by the design of West Africa, Shakara’s earthy-coloured terracotta tiles are designed to resemble Nigeria’s red soil, while abstract artwork showcases artists from Red Door Gallery focused on African contemporary art.
Set over two floors, the space will open up to the main restaurant before leading through to a cocktail bar, stage, and private dining area.
Situated one level below will be two spacious private dining rooms; the larger space has an overall capacity of 110 standing and the smaller space accommodates 30 seated and 40 standing. The ground floor has a total of 76 covers whilst the lower ground floor has a total of 21 covers.
At the helm of Shakara’s kitchen is head chef Victor Okunowo, previously of West African restaurant Talking Drum and Semi-Finalist of BBC MasterChef: The Professionals 2020, paired with consultant executive chef Ayo Adeyemi, formerly of Michelin-starred West African restaurant Akoko.
Drawing inspiration from ingredients of Nigeria, Ghana and The Gambia, chef Adeyemi’s carefully crafted menu showcases authentic African dishes through a modern lens.
Alongside food and drinks, Shakara will have resident DJs on site and organise live performances of Afrohouse, Afrobeats, R&B and house music
Jolly Cole, founder of Shakara, said: “Shakara was born from a simple concept – to export the African palette to the world whilst maintaining international standards. Our aim is to simultaneously entice the five senses – taste, sound, smell, sight, and touch – to provide our guests with the most memorable experience. Shakara offers a twist on contemporary dining, with carefully curated ingredients, ambience, and entertainment from Afro culture.”
