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    Archipelago

    4.5 (33 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndSeafood, African, Australian
    Closed 12:00 pm - 2:30 PM, 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM

    Archipelago Photos

    ARCHIPELAGO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Archipelago

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    Reviews With Photos

    Michael L.

    A meal of two halves. 5 star starters followed by 3 star mains, but still a good solid 4 star overall experience. The obvious draw here was the unusual menu, but the experience was more than just that. The telephone call on the day of your reservation to inform you of the password for your booking which you need to provide upon arrival is a good indicator that it is going to be a less than ordinary restaurant meal. Our table was booked for 19:30 and upon arrival after checking our password we were seated. The decor really works, the tables are garnished with unusual trinkets which serve no purpose other than decoration and this really adds to the ambiance. I felt like I was surrounded by the artefacts collected by an explorer, it was very Tomb Raideresque I was torn with my choice of starters so I had two, the python and the zebra. Both were great, there was no reliance on the obscurity of the meat to make the dish interesting, both were presented well and were paired with other ingredients to make a dish which really worked. Even now looking back I couldn't pick between them, I'd order both again. For my main I had the alpaca. The waiter made a point of warning me it was super hot and spicy, for me this is like drawing a line in the sand. Don't promise me something will be super hot and spicy if you can't back that up with something super hot and spicy. It inevitably leads to disappointment, as it did here. When I called him out on this after my food had arrived he simply said it was the hottest thing they made, no offer to try and spice it up a bit more for me. Izy said her main was a bit cold, as though it had been sat around a few minutes before being served. Mine was nice apart from the spice issue but it seemed that as the place really filled up (20:30ish) the kitchen and/or the waiting staff started to feel the pressure a bit and the quality slid as a result. It was still a really good meal, I would go back for sure. A good place for those looking for something a bit less ordinary. 2 covers including service was £130, including £45 drinks bill.

    Worms
    Christie K.

    Eclectic is probably the best word to describe this restaurant. I was looking to book a place for a work social and this place was recommended. It's not easy trying to find a table for over 10 people in London! What was good about this place was that they had a £45 min spend but it could be with anything - including alcohol - and you don't have to send your menu choices ahead of time. You do chose from a smaller group menu but they feature the most interesting selections and also a couple of less adventurous ones for the faint hearts. It was really fun to get the drinks and food menu which were rolled up like a treasure map. While you wait, you get to look around at all the nick nacks on the walls and realise it is such an international collection of items. There's no clear genre for this cuisine. Just like the decor it really is just a mix of everything possible. We were given a password but they didn't really ask for it upon arrival! I ordered the zebra which was really good. It did remind me of beef jerky but much more tender and milder in flavour. For my main, I ordered the alpaca which was spicy and really good but at least for me it was something I couldn't eat too much of. I got a bit tired of it - even if you try and mix it up with the corn meal a bit - I felt it would've gone better if you had some rice or bread with it. Then it started to become a bit of a fear factor show and out came the bugs. The love bug salad was okay - the worms and locusts were a bit crunchy but definitely nothing I'd care to eat again. The chocolate covered locusts were interesting but thought the carmelised worms were actually really good... but would've been just as good or better without the worms! Then came the dessert with the bee. Looks relatively normal until one of my colleagues was bullied into eating the bee. By the look of his face it looks like something he would never want to repeat... just sayin. We ordered 2 visit from the Doctors... They are quite mysterious about it so I won't say much. It was very entertaining and would recommend ordering at least 1 or 2. So in summary, the food definitely a 3. It is quite expensive for something that taste just okay. The experience is a 5+. Such a fun and unique night out and really good for groups. This is a nice place to go at least once but at least for me not something I'd want to do regularly.

    Lauren S.

    We went to this restaurant for a friends 40th birthday as she wanted to go somewhere a bit different. As we had a large group booking on a Saturday night we had to pay a £10 deposit in advance. The decor is great - very quirky and makes you feel like you've gone to a foreign land. We were sat downstairs, which didn't get very busy, but it still suited us fine. We were choosing from a set menu which I think cost about £30-35. The whole point of the dining experience is to eat different meats and try something a bit bizarre. Think crocodile skewers, bison steaks, kangaroo meat etc. There are some chicken dishes for the faint hearted and vegetarian options too. I choose well, luckily. I ate crocodile for my starter and had a delicious main of slow cooked alpaca. It came with a buttermilk jelly and a chili strip which the waiter explained could be used to stir in to the meat if I wanted to make it creamier or spicier. Lots of the boys paid a little extra for the Bison steaks which they all ordered rare and came out as tough as old boots. A couple is them complained and were told this is how the meat naturally is. I think they should have been told this when ordering. A lot of the steaks were left after a mouthful or two, which is a shame what paying £35 for dinner. They had a great range of delicious cocktails, so we indulged in a couple. I think we ended up paying about £50 each, on top of the £10 deposit, so it wasn't cheap but you go knowing that you're paying for the strange meat dining experience. Oh, we also ordered some grubs and insects to try. Which made everyone giggle. A fun experience, but kind of pricey. I'd still recommend as a fun treat though,

    Crispy Zebra, boerewors, carrot and ginger gel and biltong soil
    Tori U.

    Eclectic, exotic, eccentric and not for the faint of heart, nor for the light of wallet. Have you ever had the unwavering urge to eat bees, mealworms, or python? No? Nor did I- especially given that I am too squeamish to even touch a worm. However, there is something about this South African safari inspired establishment which supplies you with the right blend of bravery and foolhardy courage. Or maybe it was the copious amounts of wine before they served our appetizer? The menu is texturally well thought out, with elements of crisp crunchiness, liquid/soft, and chewiness on each plate. Brilliant in its pairings such as the crispy plantains and buttermilk jelly accompanying the jerked alpaca as well as the vodka jelly and coconut cream along with peanut buttery meal worms makes for a taste experience that transcends mere shock value. There are several chicken and fish items for those with a less exploratory palate. Appetizers: Crispy zebra jerky; sweet-chili python carpaccio; crocodile in vine leaves with poached plums Mains: Marinated kangaroo skewers; jerked alpaca; Bison rump steak Dessert: brown butter and baby bee ice-cream; caramel mealworms with bilinis; chocolate covered locusts The staff at Archipegalo are helpful at giving you some information about what exactly you are ordering, as (unsurprisingly) not everything will be familiar. They do a wonderful job of introducing the various things they bring to your table. A wonderful experience to experience with friends though the bill can get impressive. And they make you book in advance and charge you the full amount if someone is unable to come. Also there was a minimum spend of 50 quid for our group which is a bit steep.

    Kangaroo meat skewers
    Meena R.

    Exotic food made to taste. My husband booked this place for my birthday and I was not very sure how this would be. I was quite apprehensive before going there, once I reached there, looking at the menu, ordering food. The apprehension disappeared when I ate what I ordered. This place is a classic example of 'it's all in the mind'. However, I should specially mention the chef who has taken the time to create a dish out of exotic meat. Unless the chef is exceptionally good, it would be impossible to handle such complex produce and create some thorn spectacular out of it. For people who want to try something new and different, this is your one stop. Everything here is different. I totally loved their ambience as well. The service is obviously great.

    My favorite the Zebra!
    AlterEg O.

    Unlike the expectation of a dare-devil meal the food and flavors are really excellent. If you didn't tell someone that they are eating exotic meats this place would have equally great reviews! Tried zebra, crocodile, python, kangaroo, ostrich and mealworms. They also offer food for the less adventurous or vegetarians. The entire menu is gluten free! Service was impeccable, getting a password with the reservation was fun. Really a dining adventure we will never forget!

    Adi A.

    Really great restaurant in London! If you're looking for an adventure and you're brave that's the place to go! The Zebra is AMAZING! The ostrich steak was great and loved the crocodile as well. We will return!

    Buddha
    Erlend B.

    We have the Zebra, crocodile and python as starters where the crocodile was the best. For a main course we have the ostrich and alpaca. Where are the ostrich was a clear winner. We finished off the whole thing eating scorpion. Services good atmosphere is amazing definitely recommend this place this is the second time I've been here thumbs up!

    Love bug salad

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    Amazing dishes and patient service! Loved the ostrich, camel and elk. Sides were amazing as well! Super lovely boho atmosphere

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    Review Highlights - Archipelago

    We shared the zebra jerky and alligator dishes for starter - the zebra is a must it was amazingly good!

    Mentioned in 14 reviews

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    Dickie Fitz - A lovely bright decor.

    Dickie Fitz

    3.8(9 reviews)
    0.2 miFitzrovia

    A new 'Austral-Asian' (yes, both) influenced place where the staff have a great sense of humour. A…read morebunch of us came in for a special whole suckling pig roast feast and had a thoroughly fun evening - mostly because of the amazing pig puns that ensued when our eccentric waiter told us we could name the pig before we ate it (most of which I can't really repeat here!) as he slightly bizarrely paraded it around the table for selfies... I liked the art deco dining room which has great lighting features and daffodil-yellow seating. I enjoyed the drinks included in the menu too, esp the flowery vodka and elderflower welcome cocktail to start and the tim tam martini at the very end (who knew a tim tam could double as a straw?!). These and the little service touches (like individual menu scrolls) helped it get a third star from me. The food was a bit of a disappointment though - I think I'd gotten overexcited by the feasting description. The pig was tough to get much meat from while the lamingtons for dessert didn't really have much flavour at all. There were some treats among the starters like the truffle macancini balls (so yum, please give us more than one each!) and the polenta side should also get a big thumbs up. It meant the £45 a head didn't feel as great value as I'd hoped, but perhaps the a la carte menu offers more substance (and flavour) rather than style (and sowfies)...

    Bye bye to Newman Tavern and happy welcome to Dickie Fitz, a new Australian restaurant with a…read morefusion of Japanese flavours. A beautiful transformation from the classic bar look to a more fancy modern theme composed of yellow comfortable lounge chairs, dimmed light and big spherical balls of fairy lights. A nice relaxing atmosphere. Truffle 'macancini' This was highly recommended to us the moment we were handed over the menu and after devouring them I can understand the excitement. Thin crispy coating of tasty truffles making away for a lovely filling of al dente macaroni and cheese. The combination of texture and flavour were perfect. Forget all those generic fried mac and cheese as this is an obvious winner. Beef tartare A fine example of the classic dish. Fresh silky beef, full of bounce and flavour. The seasoning was balanced without being overwhelming, allowing the sweetness of the beef to shine through. The egg yolk was dotted around adding colour as well as binding everything together. Garnished with the addition of radishes and rocket for a more complex bite and flavour. Tuna tataki The texture was mouth melting, bathing in a lovely citrusy ponzu with added avocado purée for extra creaminess and flavour. The simple garnishes of daikon and salad leaves added a nice contrast of texture. Oysters kilpatrick. A new creative take on preparing oysters using bacon to season it and adding a whole new depth to the flavour, finished off with breadcrumb for a nice opposing texture. Seabass carpaccio Fresh and thick, incredibly silky and tender, uplifting the flavour with an orange marinate. It was creative of them to season it with fresh bush lime and tempura batter at your table, adding a nice zest to it and the batter adding some crispiness to the softer texture that slowly melts in your mouth so it doesn't steal the show. Grass fed 28 day aged rib eye steak This was locally sourced from Cumbria. A very sweet juicy cut with a lovely bone marrow sauce mashed with herbs to add another level of flavour. Sadly it was very chewy and tough being full of fibrous tissues making it very hard to fully enjoy. Rib burger A great composition for a burger. Brioche bun fluffy yet held well, patty thick, juicy, packed full of flavour and pink, packed with melted jack cheese giving depth, sweet onions for more flavour and gherkins adding a punch of tang and crunch throughout the whole burger. Delicious!! Fries, chicken salt These were amazing. Just adding a bit of chicken powder gave it umami depth, flavour and not just salty. They were fried perfectly, crispy and fluffy. Wet mash Sounds enticing already. Made with butter and cream made it incredibly creamy. It was full of flavour and depth. Just give me a bowl of this any day as I can just have it comfort food. Kaffir lime Panna cotta Never imagined ever tasting eucalyptus and especially not in panna cotta. I can be honest and say it felt like eating hand cream at first especially with the gelatinous creamy texture and aroma. But as soon I adjusted to the taste I really enjoyed it along with the elderflower sorbet giving it a floral zesty finish. Creative and brave composition but it works. Chocolate fondant, salted peanut, burnt marshmallow. The fondant itself was incredibly thick that it was hard to differentiate the thin layer around it from the rich molten dark chocolate from the inside. It was very smooth, high quality chocolate being able to appreciate the taste of the cocoa. The sweetness and the nuttiness of the peanut brittle added a nice contrast to the bitterness along with the melted coconut marshmallow that added the creaminess to it without the sharp coldness that ice cream gives. Dickie Fitz is definitely not a cheap option with mains ranging from £11 to £32 and that's not including sides. It seems quite hidden being a small restaurant in a pretty dead area. But if you do stumble across this restaurant, maybe working in the area, or after shopping through Oxford Street, then the selection of dishes definitely won't disappoint. Each dish like you never had it before, paired with unusual ingredients, full of creativity with a lot of Japanese influences. Makes everything seem new and exciting. A nice refreshing change. Glad to have discovered it.

    Photos
    Dickie Fitz - Outside view of the restaurant

    Outside view of the restaurant

    Dickie Fitz - From the food stall.... Blackened truffle mac n cheese... Drooooooooll

    From the food stall.... Blackened truffle mac n cheese... Drooooooooll

    Dickie Fitz - Exterior

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    Exterior

    Arancini Brothers

    Arancini Brothers

    4.2(13 reviews)
    3.2 miDalston
    £

    I'm still very confused when I see such new and exciting offerings in Dalston. Growing up here, my…read moreperception of the area was so fixed as grim and scary, that I seem to be stuck in that, despite being part and parcel of the gentrification myself! I was starvin like Marvin on the day in question when I tried this spot. After dithering around the new places for ages, I picked this one as it looked heathy and speedy (2 of my fail-safe concerns for food ordering these days ;) The new-ish staff were very kind when I got confused about what the mushroom option entailed and the care they took over creating my order was touching. I do hope that the enterprise succeeds as the salad in particular was super-fresh and of good quality :D

    Arancini! So good when done right....and these guys get it right again and again…read more The set up inside is relaxed and the staff, always super friendly. There's several booths where you can eat in but they also do takeaway. But whether eating in or taking out, I love the food here. The salad boxes are £3.50 for any combination of apple slaw, bean salad, jalapeños and other freshly made veggie delights. And of course, the arancini. Crunchy on the outside soft and creamy on the inside. These little morsels are perfect with the garlic and tomato sauces that accompany them. Once you start you won't stop. Luckily they're sold in snack boxes of three, five and if you're feeling up for a challenge (or sharing), twelve. I keep coming back to this place and they never fail to fill my luchtimes with arancini perfection. Yay arancini!

    Photos
    Arancini Brothers

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    Archipelago - seafood - Updated May 2026

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