Award-winning chef and author Maria Bradford brings the vibrant flavours of Sierra Leone to Sevenoaks with the opening of Shwen Shwen, her debut restaurant. Located in the historic market town, this independent, female-owned venture redefines fine dining through Afro-fusion cuisine, blending traditional Sierra Leonean ingredients with contemporary technique.
Named after the Krio word for ‘fancy,’ Shwen Shwen is more than a restaurant - it’s a celebration of heritage, storytelling and bold flavour. Tucked down a cobbled alleyway, guests enter via Cotton Tree Yard, a reimagined outdoor terrace, before stepping into a warm, elegant dining room. Rich terracotta and aubergine tones, hand-painted fabrics and wallpaper inspired by West African textiles create an intimate, cocooning atmosphere.
Bradford’s menus draws on her culinary roots in Freetown, shaped by family traditions and the diverse landscapes of Sierra Leone. Signature ingredients like moringa, fonio, tamarind, sesame, baobab and hibiscus feature prominently across a menu designed for sharing and discovery. There are a selection of menus to choose from, including a la carte, chef's choice, and vegan alternatives ensuring everyone is catered for.
Dishes on the menu at the time of writing include lamb belly with African five spice and palm oil, mackerel with mango and cassava flatbread, and king prawns with Salone Fire and lemongrass gel. A standout beef short-rib is paired with groundnut and coconut, while desserts showcase Bradford’s creativity - think hibiscus and fig leaf mille-feuille, benne cake, and sheep’s yoghurt ice cream. A curated cheese board features tamarind jelly and jellied hibiscus flower.
Shwen Shwen is a confident, culture-rich addition to Kent’s dining scene, offering a unique lens on Sierra Leonean cuisine with elegance and heart. Whether you’re visiting for a celebratory dinner or a relaxed lunch, Bradford’s debut promises a memorable culinary journey rooted in tradition and elevated by innovation.