Chakalaka

A hearty, backslapping barn of a venue, Chakalaka is devoted to the food & drink of South Africa. From the accents of the staff to the zebra stripes on the walls, the restaurant nails its colours to the mast, & yet it’s more of a tribute than a theme park. Gargantuan portions are served to a mix of nostalgic young expats & curious Londoners. Perhaps start with delicate kudu carpaccio: thinly sliced antelope fillet dressed with balsamic & punchy basil pesto. Next, there are various big-game steaks (ostrich, springbok), or herb-crusted kingklip fish, but also rich stews such as oxtail potjie. For a light conclusion, try roobios & vanilla cocktail, featuring jelly made from an infusion of the South African shrub. Unsurprisingly, the wine list is entirely from the home country. Prices are steep, but this doesn’t stop the crowds when the Springboks play at Twickenham.