This weekend, our feature writer visited London’s best kept secret, Kapara in Soho. Spending a Christmassy Saturday evening tasting her way around the Middle East with exotic tapas style dishes and signature cocktails, all designed by the iconic chef Eran Tibi.
Tucked within the lively heartbeat of Soho, one of Londonโs most enchanting districts, lies a vibrant al fresco dining experience that redefines outdoor indulgence. This isnโt just another quirky bar or trendy restaurant; itโs a sensory escapade where flavors captivate your palate and the atmosphere dazzles your eyes.
Londonโs dining scene is no stranger to eccentricity, boasting a wealth of iconic venues that are world-renowned. Yet, this particular spot sets itself apart with its risquรฉ sophistication. From the moment you step inside, youโre enveloped by an allure that is magnetic.
What was the food like?
The restaurant is a tapas style, so we tried something from each section of the menu, and that was a lot to get through. Kapara caters well for all allergies and dietaries which is increasingly important. We began with the Damask olives to share, and then went straight in with the prawn tacos with harissa, mango, lime aioli, radicchio and yemeni pancake. This was light an airy, but pleasantly spicy. We paired the tacos and vemeni with a mushroom and aubergine pate served with plum ketchup, pistachio, babka.
Tapas dishes at Kapara
More delicious dishes followed such as a traditional braised lamb and hummus served with saffron apricots, ras el hanout almonds and pita. This was a perfect dish that was complimentary to every plate.
Then, the absolute star of the show was the ribs and rice, a short rib, Kapara XO, served with kafir burnt edge rice. The short rib melted in the mouth, and was so decadent. It would be a dish that I’d order time and time again. Another show stopper was the crispy chicken, with oyster thigh, harissa glaze, orange kimchi, burnt chilli aioli. This was as crispy as can be, and the aioli with the hazelnuts gave it a creamy finish. I would definitely order this again.
It was time to finish our meal with a pudding but to be honest, after the variety of tapas courses we could have skipped it altogether. We decided to share the vegan sticky treat, which truly was sticky and rich from the dates. Our joint verdict of is was simply that it was super delicious.
Restaurant experience at Kapara
Overall, the meal was a delightโeach bite as exquisite as the setting itself. The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between quirky charm and elegant luxury, elevating the experience with thoughtful details like dainty wine glasses, gleaming gold cutlery, sparkling chandeliers, and even whimsically designed bathrooms. Itโs a feast for the senses and the ideal way to spend a festive evening in Soho, surrounded by the hum of buzzing bars and just a short nine-minute stroll from the magical Trafalgar Square Christmas markets.
For those looking to indulge further, the restaurant offers curated sharing menus priced at ยฃ64 per person. With seven beautifully crafted dishes, this option delivers exceptional value, ensuring your evening feels both indulgent and worth every penny.
Intriguing cocktails
I tried the ‘naughty gazes’, cherry and rosemary flavour with a base of tequila. Inspired by Eran’s home town, a refreshing beverage made with our own small batch syrups, fresh, seasonal fruit, herbs, spices and flowers. This was delicious, and very refreshing. We also tried the Tibi Tipple, with very surprisingly very floral. All of the cocktails were very distinctive, and were made using carefully sourced ingredients from the icon Eran.
Book your visit to Kapara here.
For more restaurant and hotel reviews, check out our PA Life Reviews Section here.
