Harden's says
Replacing Spuntino (RIP) is a Sri Lankan restaurant from Dom Fernando, with chef Charith Priyadarshana at the stoves; Paradise has been popping up around London recently, so has a ready-made fan club.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“The powerful flavours of Sri Lankan cuisine” are “tweaked and twisted by an inventive kitchen” at London-born Dom Fernando’s Soho venture, combining British ingredients with flavours from his family heritage. “Last visit they seem to have departed even further from Sri Lankan classics with their creations, but still never taking their foot off the flavour pedal”.
Summary
The “fantastic Sri Lankan food” served at this brutalist-style Soho venue (formerly Spuntino, RIP) is part of the new wave of Asian restaurants, combining inspiration, spices and ancient-grain rice from Sri Lanka with high-quality British ingredients and natural wines from organic producers. Manager Sam Jones used to play rugby for Wasps.
Summary
“Top-quality Sri Lankan food” – full of “interesting flavours” – draws an appreciative crowd to this modern venue “in the heart of Soho”, where the kitchen combines carefully sourced British produce with South Asian spicing. It’s run by former Wasps rugby player Sam Jones, with consultant Zeren Wilson advising on the low-intervention wine list.
Summary
“Classic Sri Lankan flavours, with a perfect balance of spices and some really deft twists” win a thumbs-up for this contemporary Soho two-year-old – on the site of Spuntino (RIP) and with an interior by the designer behind Thai star Kiln. “I’m not one for drinking top wines with spicy foods, but if you wanted to, this is the place to go, with an excellent list of high-quality wines”. “The restaurant is run by ex-Wasps rugby player Sam Jones – an added bonus if you’re a rugby nut”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Paradise?
61 Rupert Street, London, W1D 7PW
Restaurant details
Paradise Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Nicely presented small plates in tiny space. Amazing flavours - the dhal delicious and surprisingly spicy, fabulous grilled prawns and chicken meatballs. Good cocktails and nice short wine list. Great staff who are happy to see you. Don’t expect to linger all evening though, service is quite quick - although by no means rushed. "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £35.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
61 Rupert Street, London, W1D 7PW
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12:30 pm‑4 pm, 5:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 12:30 pm‑4 pm, 5:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 12:30 pm‑4 pm, 5:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12:30 pm‑4 pm, 5:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12:30 pm‑4 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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