Tendril

International, Vegetarian·
££££
·
Silver Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Tendril

Silver Award

Tendril’s (mostly) vegan cookery accepts no substitutes. Using first-rate ingredients prepared with the right technique is, according to chef Rishim Sachdeva, a better way to cut down on animal products than creating imitations. Leaving Tendril’s now permanent, highly inconspicuous and earthen-interiored Mayfair address, it’s hard to disagree.

There are three menus: set (‘discovery’), a la carte (Monday to Wednesdays) and brunch (weekends). We had the £45 per person discovery dinner. It’s labelled as following a snack, starter, main, dessert format but is best viewed as four (five with the optional course) windows into what’s possible with plants.

Cauliflower parfait was the pick of the opening savoury round, the accompanying farm sourdough the perfect vessel for its subtle heat and velvety smoothness. A further two dishes completed this section: a smoky, slightly bashed aubergine finished with kalamatas and tahini and a deep fried potato cube and sharp fennel remoulade.

Next was a choice: smoked beetroot with a spicy hoisin sauce or a slice of courgette stuffed with a rice pilaf and (this is why the menu isn’t fully vegan) feta. The courgette was cooked enough to hold firm without tasting raw and covered in a harissa sauce. Beetroot’s natural flavour marries well with hoisin, its sesame cracker and spring onion companions adding crunch and freshness. The optional course was a leek fritter dotted with a superb curry leaf aioli.

Tendril’s anti-fake meat stance was best felt in the last savoury course. Chipotle-smoked oyster mushrooms piled on a pair of skewers played the role of lamb; crushed capers provided sharp salinity; white beans pureed to the consistency of double cream and artichoke crisps gave texture. Baby pak choi and corn ‘ribs’ were the sharing accompaniments, the former gently wilted and vibrant, the latter earthy and dusted in wakame.

‘Dessert of the day’ was almond frangipane with an oat milk custard that tasted just as good as anything made with egg. Tendril’s inventive, multi-cuisine and extremely well-executed menu is a welcome reminder that, ingredients permitting, our best route away from meat could well be to just eat more vegetables.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
International, Vegetarian
Ambience
Cool, Cosy, Fun, Quirky
Awards
SquareMeal London Top 100
Food Occasions
Brunch, Dinner, Lunch
Special Features
Vegan options, Vegetarian options
Perfect for
Celebrations, Group dining [8+], Special occasions

About

Tendril is a (mostly) vegan restaurant in Soho belonging to award-winning chef Rishim Sachdeva, who presents an innovative menu of largely vegan and plant-based dishes. Having worked at high profile restaurants like Chiltern Firehouse and The Fat Duck, Sachdeva isn’t afraid of a little invention, but this isn’t a place where gimmicks are at the expense of flavour. His is a kitchen that puts top-quality produce at the heart of every plate.

A long-time popup, Tendril has now secured a permanent bricks-and-mortar site right in the north east corner of Mayfair. Warm terracotta tones meet sleek blue tiling and midnight blue banquettes, punctuating a smart, fairly minimal space where Sachdeva's food does the talking.

Tendril offers a range of menus, and whilst you can order a la carte if you wish, most who visit the restaurant plump for the 'Discovery' menu, which features around seven courses including snacks and a dessert. Sachdeva's cooking takes inspiration from far and wide - at the time of writing the menu features dishes such as grilled mushroom parfait with chipotle chilli, pak choi with massaman dressing and coconut, a leek fritter with radish and curry leaf aioli, and an aubergine pitta with potato terrine. Dessert changes regularly, but Tendril's entirely vegan tiramisu already has already amassed a legion of fans.

Deliberately non-conformist, the food at Tendril doesn’t prescribe to one cuisine but instead is a focus on what chef Sachdeva himself loves to eat – a culmination of his time in both London and India and an output that he says he hopes is both imaginative and approachable. Likewise, it is not pigeon-holed by the need to be entirely vegan, though vegans are well-catered for and the team can tweak the menu to be suitable for vegans if necessary. 

The drinks menu features a short but sweet list of cocktails and house aperitifs, as well as kombuchas and a compact wine list.


FAQs

Who is the head chef at the restaurant?

Rishim Sachdeva heads up the kitchen. He has experience at restaurants like Chiltern Firehouse and The Fat Duck

Helpful? 0

Are there vegan options on the menu?

Most of the menu is vegan, with a few non-vegan additions.

Helpful? 0

Tendril is featured in

Location

5 Princes Street, Mayfair, London, W1B 2LQ

07842 797541 07842 797541

Website

Opening Times

Lunch
Mon Closed
Tue 12:00-15:30
Wed 12:00-15:30
Thu 12:00-15:30
Fri 12:00-15:30
Sat Closed
Sun 12:30-17:30
Dinner
Mon 17:00-23:00
Tue 17:00-23:00
Wed 17:00-23:00
Thu 17:00-23:00
Fri 17:00-23:30
Sat Closed
Sun Closed
All day
Mon Closed
Tue Closed
Wed Closed
Thu Closed
Fri Closed
Sat 12:30-23:30
Sun Closed

Reviews

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4 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Charlie C

04 October 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 4
Value 5

James W

16 January 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 4
Atmosphere 3.5
Value 5
A vegan tiramisu for the ages

Fantastic food, delicious and inventive. The celeriac terrine and nduja cauliflower were highlights and the tiramisu has to be eaten to be believed. I would go back there just for that. Really decently priced and though service was a bit slow and the room slightly cramped, the staff were delightful and the whole experience superb. Will return. 

Mark W

14 January 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Great find

It was my first visit to Tendril and was not disappointed the food is excellent and good value for money.

Things are a little tired in places walls could do with painting and the dessert menu was a bit worn, but will certainly be going back.

Great Vegan restaurant that didn't disappoint. Would suggest stocking Lyres non alcoholic drinks.

Really looking forward to going back and trying the other options

Alison B

28 October 2022   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Wonderful lunch

Fantastic food, great value and the best tiramisu we have ever eaten.

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