8.3
Great
Restaurants

Hattie Lloyd 06/01/24


NOPI

NOPI | Ottolenghi’s Soho Restaurant

NOPI is named after its location.

Just NOrth of PIccadilly Circus.

Specifically it’s in Soho, which is 1) interesting because unlike NYC’s SoHo (which gets its name from SOuth of HOuston Street), it’s just called Soho; and 2) useful to know if you’d like to go there. You’re welcome.

NOPI’s a convivial home to Ottolenghi’s bold, unusual flavours, tucked on a quiet street between Piccadilly Circus and Carnaby Street. The place has a buzzier, more grown-up feel than the Ottolenghi delis scattered across London. White marble and gold fittings adorn the space, with pendant lights hanging like braziers from the ceiling, and a sleek counter dining bar stretching along the back of the room. It also – hallelujah! – has coat hooks for everyone. Downstairs, you’ll find larger, communal tables overlooking the open kitchen where head chef Dawid Nowosadzki has been interpreting Ottolenghi’s recipes for several years now.

nopi downstairs

The menu at NOPI changes seasonally and is in keeping with Ottolenghi’s broad, and undeniably successful, fusion of Mediterranean, Middle-Eastern, and Asian influences. Head along and you’ll find a selection of sharing plates split into vegetable, fish and meat dishes, served up alongside a collection of larger plates. The idea is that you can double down on the sharing, with about three smaller dishes and one main between two, or keep it old-school and order a main each, with one or two sides to share.

Amongst them you’ll find dishes like a glorious, whole burrata with coriander seeds and a tart fig leaf vinaigrette; sheer comfort food in the form of aubergine chraime (a little like a casserole); sea bass with some delicately spiced saag aloo; and proof that even Brussels sprouts can be delicious when roasted, and tossed over tahini and a handful of toasted pumpkin seeds. Don’t skip over the nibbles, either – the fried oyster mushrooms are an excellent way to kick off the evening.

dishes at nopi

The cocktails at NOPI come highly recommended – particularly the Lime Leaf Martini, a bright, zippy apéritif boosted with tequila and shochu. The wine list is also of note, as it contains an entire section dedicated to orange skin-contact wines – which are made from grapes whose skins are not removed (as usually happens in the production of white wine)…

… which is not only exceptionally interesting, but also useful to know if you’d like to go there.

 

NOTE: NOPI is open for lunch and dinner Monday – Saturday. You can find out more, and book a table, HERE.

NOPI | 21-22 Warwick Street, Soho, W1B 5NE


Since you’re in the area… swing by one of Soho’s best bars first


NOPI


21-22 Warwick Street, Soho, W1B 5NE

020 7494 9584

8.3 | Great