The Rum Kitchen Soho

Like its elder sibling in Notting Hill, the Carnaby branch of Rum Kitchen is a colourful venue evoking the sights, sounds and flavours of the Caribbean. Cross the threshold and you’ll hear sunny reggae beats blaring from the stereo, smell sizzling meats and see West Indian patois slogans painted on the bright red, yellow and green-striped walls. The dimly lit dining room is dominated by a lively beach-shack bar, while the open-fronted kitchen serves refined versions of Caribbean classics ranging from jerk chicken wings, saltfish fritters and curried mutton to seafood gumbo and pan-fried sea bass with butternut squash and pepper ‘frenzy’ salsa. To finish, go for the caramelised banana pudding or boozy chocolate cake. Spicy snacks go well with the mighty line-up of over 100 different rums, and there are plenty of calypso cocktails too.