Kudu's South African Braai Cuisine Thrives in Marylebone's Upscale Setting
Dinner at Kudu comes with a friendly warning: 'Pace yourself,' advises the vivacious host, as she encourages ordering a third starter – a trio of grilled tiger prawns drizzled in a vibrant ochre peri peri sauce. This South African restaurant, specializing in braai cooking, has relocated from its original Peckham location to the posh neighborhood of Marylebone, bringing its beloved dishes and homey charm to a new, flashier clientele.
A Stylish and Theatrical Dining Experience
The front of Kudu is centered around a buzzing open kitchen, where great flames roar from the grill, filling the air with a smoky aroma that underscores the seriousness of their barbecuing. In the back, the atmosphere turns more glamorous with art deco chandeliers, a wall of mirrors, and textiles adorning the walls, all hued in warm reds, burgundies, and browns, making Kudu a very pretty restaurant indeed.
Signature Dishes and Hearty Mains
Beyond the aesthetic, Kudu is renowned for its famous bread and butter, featuring malay butter – a vat of liquid gold with aromatic curry leaves and sweet pickled shallots. Diners dunk pillowy brioche into it with abandon. Starters include oysters with a savoury tomato dashi dressing and salty scorched mackerel with kohlrabi and apple, accompanied by peppery biltong, humorously dubbed 'table meat' for grazing throughout the meal.
Mains from the braai are a hearty affair, such as a slab of tender sirloin with a perfect mahogany crust and pink center, served on a bed of rich peppercorn sauce. Cape Malay monkfish swims in a warming coconut curry sauce with pickled fennel and samphire. Sides include fried fingerling potatoes sprinkled with sea salt and charred baby carrots drizzled with tangy goat's curd.
Theatrical Touches and Dessert Delights
Kudu adds theatre to the dining experience with skewers of grilled quail delivered on their own personal barbecue. For dessert, the Kudu KitKat – a bowl of hearty chocolate mousse topped with ice cream, sliced kumquat, and airy marshmallow – is kissed with a lump of charcoal from the barbecue right at the table, offering a unique twist reminiscent of a baked Alaska.
The vibe is a stylish and welcoming slice of South Africa, with European dishes infused with South African flavors and lots of open-fire cooking. The drink menu features an extensive list of South African wines, plus some French options and classic cocktails enhanced with South African flavors. Upstairs, Smokey Kudu serves as a cosy drinking den open until midnight.
Located at 7 Moxon Street, Marylebone, London W1U 4EP, Kudu continues to impress with its blend of hearty braai cuisine and elegant surroundings, making it a must-visit for food enthusiasts seeking a taste of South Africa in the heart of London.
