Akoya

Akoya might be located on one of London's busiest streets, but this fun Lebanese spot rises above the bustle of Portobello Road, perched atop a vintage shop. Once we locate the entrance – an understated painted black doorway with ‘Akoya’ in gold letters tacked above the frame - and climb the stairs, we find ourselves in a vibey little dining room beneath a canopy of colourful faux flowers. It’s the sort of place that looks great on your Instagram feed: deep blue velvet banquettes, curved orange seating and bulbous hanging light fixtures that dangle between festoons of pretty florals.

We resist the urge to take a photo and continue out onto what’s undoubtedly Akoya’s USP, a long, bright terrace with emerald banquettes, a retractable roof and more festoons of colourful flowers. With the unrelenting crowds of Portobello Road below, nabbing a spot on this glass-fronted terrace is a clever move.

The menu focuses on traditional mezze dishes, and we order a selection of classics to share. Crunchy falafel with salty, pickled vegetables, smooth, tahini-rich houmous doused in olive oil, and a thick, smoky baba ghanoush sprinkled with juicy pomegranate seeds, which we scoop up with warm flatbreads. Next, chicken shish tawouk comes hot, tender and smoky from the oven, served with fluffy rice and more pickled vegetables. Portions are generous, and these dishes alone make for a decent spread, but the menu is packed with plenty more crowd-pleasing mezze if you’re dining with a large group.

The cooking is very good, while pretty garnishes and clever plating show the same attention to detail as the interiors. Akoya knows its audience, and while it certainly looks the part on camera, there’s real quality behind the lens.

Dining in Notting Hill doesn’t get more central than along its iconic Portobello Road. That’s where you’ll find Akoya, a Lebanese restaurant with a stunning rooftop garden terrace overlooking the famous stretch in West London. Serving a range of authentic mezze and grills alongside cocktails, wines, spirits and shisha, this trendy spot is the perfect place to relax, socialise and celebrate in style.

Akoya is something of a blueprint for the type of restaurants you see on Instagram. Its intimate roof garden is undoubtedly its hero space and is highly coveted during the summer months. Boasting emerald green booth seating, plus a retractable glass roof and heaters, guests are able to make use of this bright and airy terrace all year round. The dining room, meanwhile, is a cosy space with wraparound navy booths and pale pink chairs. A small bar area stocks an array of spirits, wines and freshly-made cakes, while a festoon of colourful flowers hangs from the ceiling above.

The menu features an extensive list of salads, mezze, grills and main courses designed to be shared friends. Start with the likes of halloumi fattoush, cheese rolls, lamb kibbeh and a selection of dips and flatbreads to whet your appetite. Elsewhere, discover hearty meat grills served with a spicy tomato sauce, as well as burgers, wraps and sides with lots of vegetarian options available. There’s also a tempting desserts list to round things off, including a layered honey cake, baklawa, and Lotus Biscoff cheesecake.

Its cocktail list features over 30 classic and contemporary creations, from a Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri to a Stargrita featuring Cointreau, Campari, tequila and lime juice. You can also find wines, Champagnes, spirits and mixers, mocktails, hot drinks and soft options on the menu, including several Lebanese drinks for those looking to enjoy a more authentic dining experience.