Apadana is an Iranian and Persian restaurant in Kensington serving traditional Middle Eastern cuisine in a vibrant setting. The restaurant is available for venue hire and can host up to 55 guests seated or 60 standing, making it well suited to a range of events, from birthday parties and anniversary celebrations to corporate gatherings and drinks receptions.
Established in 1967, Apadana is one of the UK’s earliest Iranian restaurants and has built a reputation for authentic Persian cooking, with a strong focus on halal-certified ingredients. The menu is well suited to food-led events, with a variety of dishes designed to be shared across the table.
The space feels warm and full of personality, with wooden floors, banquet-style seating and a mix of wooden tables and chairs bringing guests together in one sociable room. Rich terracotta tones sit alongside a deep green feature wall, decorated with gold embossed artwork and framed prints inspired by Iran. Patterned textiles and soft lighting add to the atmosphere, while mirrors help reflect light across the space. Outside, a small on-street terrace with trailing plants and flowers offers an additional option in warmer weather.
Starters include chicken wings marinated with saffron, seasonal vegetables served with Persian curd cheese and salad Shirazi with cucumber, tomato and red onion. Mixed platters featuring hummus, pickles, olives and breads provide a good option for groups. Mains include grilled skewers of lamb or chicken with saffron, king prawns with garlic and saffron, and traditional stews such as lamb with fried potatoes and tomato, alongside vegetarian options including aubergine and tomato stew with yellow split peas.
Desserts include Persian ice cream with saffron and pistachios and faloodeh, a sweet frozen sorbet made of vermicelli noodles.