AOK Kitchen

Don’t be put off by the silly name: this all-day Marylebone restaurant is one of the best-looking dining rooms we’ve come across in some time. Chocolate brown wallpaper covered in floral prints forms a focal wall, there are mirrored surfaces galore in which to admire it all and, most eye-catching of all, a faux tree festooned in white blossom which stretches its branches across the ceiling.

The chic interiors are matched by a refined menu, much of it gluten- and dairy-free and all of it free from refined sugar. We kicked off our dinner with a starter of burratina: a wobbly dome of creamy mozzarella finished off with a handful of diced heritage tomatoes. Elsewhere, we loved fleshy wild tiger prawns dusted with lightly spicy chermoula, while a standout side of blended sweet potato ‘mash’ (more like a purée) was a moreish delight.

For dessert, expect novel twists on classic puds, including a pumpkin sticky toffee pudding served with ginger ice cream, and an ‘almost cheesecake’ which swaps out cream cheese for a set coconut yoghurt – cheesecake often feels heavy, but this version is both refreshing and light, and is all the better for it.

Staff are sweet and friendly, while there’s a decent selection of wine and cocktails. Our only gripe with A.O.K is its pricing. True, it’s slap-bang in the middle of Marylebone village, but with several of the mains around the £30 mark, the bill won’t end up being much shy of what you’d end up paying at some of the area’s long-established big names nearby.

Breakfast and brunch (lots of egg-based dishes, gluten-free pancakes drizzled with organic maple syrup) are available if you want to try A.O.K. without committing to a three-course blow-out, while we've already earmarked the chic terrace as the place to lounge on sunnier days.     

Found on a charming corner street in Marylebone, AOK Kitchen is a stylish restaurant with a Mediterranean-inspired menu innovatively designed and expertly executed. It’s a chic setting, featuring marble floors and hand-painted silk wallpaper along with faux magnolia trees and an art deco bar. Both casual and sophisticated, it’s a welcoming spot complete with seamless service and a romantic atmosphere.

Designed by executive chef Konstantinos Rampias, the AOK Kitchen menu is free of refined sugar and intentionally limits dairy and gluten to include guests with dietary requirements. Rampias’ Michelin-starred pedigree informs the dishes, with attention to innovative combinations and traditional culinary techniques. Actively going against the trend of limited menus, AOK Kitchen offers a variety of dishes with plenty of choices for nutritious salads, fish dishes, and pasta plates all informed by high-quality seasonal ingredients and artisanal produce.

Starters have included a grilled peach salad with Manouri cheese baby spinach and a honey vinaigrette; puy lentils with roasted carrots, feta, and Sicilian lemon; and, beef tartare with Scottish dry-aged beef, onsen quail eff and olive bread melba toast. As for the mains, think pearled spelt ‘risotto’ with chanterelles and chargrilled corn, and lamb saddle with smoked aubergine and chimichurri, along with other elevated Mediterranean staples. As for dessert, expect classic puddings such as a Madagascan vanilla creme brulee, Valrhona chocolate mousse, and a signature AOK apple crumble with toffee sauce.

Alternatively, if you’re on the hunt for a more casual meal, consider the AOK brunch menu. Begin with a selection of sharing starters before delving into brunch classics; shakshuka, rumbled free-range eggs with smoked salmon, or a gloriously fluffy stack of AOK pancakes with fresh berries and coconut Chantilly cream. And if you’re looking to add a little booze to your brunch, you’ll find a top selection of signature cocktails.