Low-Lit, Vibrant, and Remarkably Tasty- Kin Restaurant Conquers Plant-Based Dining
Despite initial scepticism, the plant-based prevalence has proven itself indestructable. Whilst various news outlets have recently been branding the diet as “dead”, the stats say otherwise, with 6.4% of UK adults planning to get on board in 2025. Of course, there still remain many avid meat-eaters, but even those partial to a steak-house cannot deny a golden crunch of falafel, or a creamy dollop of hummus. The vegan diet has come a long way since ultra-processed faux meats and now, you can expect menus powered by plants, and dishes bursting with vibrancy and taste. One such eatery offering all of this and more in a cozy, modern setting is Kin London a fresh-on-the-scene gem in the heart of Fitzrovia.
An airy café by day, fuelling the post-Pilates and work from home crowd with açaí bowls, agave-drizzled waffles and freshly roasted coffee. By night, the adjacent doors open to welcome eager diners into its low-lit, vibey environment.
The elegant facade sits on the corner of a quiet side-street, with tables sheltered by canopies outside. Upon seeing the quaint al fresco setting, it’s difficult not to dream of summer, lounging in the sun-drenched corner sipping, savouring, and people-watching. However, being in the depth of winter, we were forced to push the thought to the back of our minds, stepping out of the cold and into the snug, warm interiors.
Kin’s restaurant may be relatively new on the scene, but in London, word spreads quick, and this restaurant is worth talking about. We arrived on a Wednesday evening, the cozy setting already bustling with a buzz of city-slickers catching up over a glass of wine and spreads of generously-portioned “small” plates. At the back of the room is a mirrored bar lined with shelves of vibrant liqueurs- the key components to the classic cocktail list. Down the spiral stairwell, polaroid snapshots of beaming staff and visitors embellish the brick walls and lead you to a private dining space for six- an idyllic intimate spot to celebrate a special occasion. As we perused the menu, the mouth-watering aromas of seared, roasted, and chargrilled dishes being served around us were enough to instantly trigger our appetites. The Executive Chef, Shayan Shams, has created a unique and vibrant selection of dishes to choose from. With descriptions so enticing, it proved quite a task to select one over the other, so we opted for four small plates to share, as well as two main courses.
One by one, our dishes were presented, the first being the fried aubergine. It arrived drenched in a creamy signature sauce and sprinkled with crispy garlic- a burst of flavours and textures that perfectly complemented one another. The hummus followed, a carrot and chickpea dip with truffle oil drizzled on top and a side of gluten free bread upon request. Next were the broadbean croquettes, a personal favourite of ours. Sat on a butter bean and dill cream bedding, the crunchy, golden coating broke into a soft yet dense interior- a true delight to the tastebuds. Our final small plate was the cabbage, charred to perfection with a light ponzu glaze, a creamy base and a pickled red onion topping. Needless to say, this was another stand-out dish for us.
Something unique to Kin restaurant is its incredibly generous servings. Being accustomed to typical London-sized portions, we could hardly believe the hefty plates of food that were presented to us, with our main courses, the falafel and the spaghetti, yet to come. The falafel was crisp, delicious, with a fluffy centre and served on a bed of fresh salad, with mini pita and a mango dip. The pasta was paired with a luxurious courgette-pistachio sauce and topped with burrata and heirloom tomatoes.
After finalising our over-indulgence with a pistachio cheesecake to share, we swayed back down the quiet street with our hearts and stomachs full to the brim. Vegetarian, vegan, and meat-eaters alike: If you’re looking for a remarkable meal of wholesome, tasty food in one of London’s latest slickest settings, secure a table and in turn, an evening of pure bliss at Kin London.
