Shaka Zulu Restaurant, London Review
Shaka Zulu
London
Reviewed by Christine Charlesworth
On 2 July we went to Africa. We were surrounded by Zulu warriors, ate Springbock, Roast Crocodile and Zebra while we drank superb wines but, surprisingly, we were only a few steps from Camden Lock in London.
We took the tube to Camden, turned right and followed the road to Camden Lock, over the bridge and into Stables Market. Sited next to Regent’s Canal this used to be the main Horse Hospital, devoted to working horses in Victorian times. Now the whole place was a vibrant buzz of activity this warm evening in July. Food vendors called out to us to try their foods from all over the world, stall holders tried to entice us into their small shops to buy exotic items and we loved the architecture of the Dickensian warehouses, the narrow winding streets and huge bronze sculptures of the strong horses that used to pull the barges.
Directed down one of these streets and almost hidden behind street stalls, we found the Shaka Zulu entrance beside a sculpture of a Zulu Warrior. The restaurant and night club is Europe’s largest African restaurant and occupies 27,000 sq ft on two floors, underneath the market area. Descending on the escalator, between walls and ceilings clad with original carved relief sculptures, we felt we were entering another kingdom and our evening of experiences began.
The area is vast and the interior is breathtaking. Almost every inch is clad in amazing carved relief sculptures with other large sculpted figures of Zulu warriors, some over 20ft tall, positioned around the room. Seating is either on hand embroidered sofas or club-type chairs, or hand carved upright chairs. Lighting is low. Along one wall is a vast champagne and cocktail bar area. The bar made from various African marbles, inset into each other to form animal stripes, finished to a smooth polished surface. We were invited to choose cocktails and decided on two from the ‘Happy Hour’ menu. ‘Happy Hour’ lasts all day until 7pm Monday to Saturday and all day on a Sunday. We chose Lemongrass-chili-Martini and Vanilla Margarita from the menu but were also shown the main menu where more exotic cocktails are on offer, such as ‘Manadela’s’ for 2-3 to share or ‘The Monkey Brothers’ which, at a cost of £150, is made to share between 8-10 people.
Obi is very proud to be the general manager and he came over to introduce himself and tell us more about this amazing place. Obi could almost be a Zulu Warrior. Shaka Zulu was opened in August 2010 and is the only place of its kind in the world. The Zulu King, HRH Goodwill Zwelithini, came with his family and entourage to give the restaurant his blessing and since then his daughter has made sure she visits Shaka Zulu at least once each year. When we expressed our enthusiasm for the wonderful interior, Obi told us that everything is authentic, specially designed for the Shaka Zulu and it cost £5.5million to build and make the interior. We were suitably impressed.
Finishing our delicious cocktails we were taken to our table, set in the hub of the dining area with good views of the restaurant, bar and down into the area below. The table was circular with comfortable, padded semi-circular bench seating. Our server was Kade, who was from South Africa of Scottish decent and as soon as we were seated he brought us a jug of iced water and took time to explain the menus, pointing out the most authentic meals to choose.
The menu seemed to cater for every taste, from every continent, with a number of old favourites, but we chose to concentrate on just the South African dishes of which there were a large selection.
To start we chose Crocodile Cigars (lightly marinated crocodile fillet in spring roll pastry with harrissa mayonnaise) and Springbok Carpaccio (wafer thin loin, marinated in olive oil & black pepper with parmesan crisp). Kade asked us to have a glass of Springfield Estate Wild Yeast Chardonnay with this course.
For our main course we chose Zebra Fillet (cooked medium rare on straw potatoes with red wine jus) and Crocodile Steak (this has to be well cooked, served with harissa & lemongrass). Creamy spinach and Peri-peri fries were our side dishes. Kade chose the Springfield Wholeberry Cabernet Sauvignon to have with our second course, although he did point out that it should be a white wine with the crocodile.
We finished with a trio of South African puddings and a selection of 6 ice creams in their own 6 little cones.
We could not fault the meal in any way. The Zebra was so tender that my knife cut it with no effort, the starters were mouth watering, the Crocodile was moist, with a flavour almost mixed equally between chicken and fish and the wine was some of the best we have tasted.
The Nightclub area downstairs is reached by a long central escalator joining the two floors. To get to the toilets, which are downstairs, you pass in front of another large bar area, vast carved Zulu statues and wonderful high-relief wall panels. The spacious ladies toilet area is clean and well designed.
Access is not only via the escalators, there is also a lift to all floors and wheelchair access in the whole area is excellent.
The staff were all extremely helpful, have a good sense of humour and an obvious pride in working at Shaka Zulu.
Shaka Zulu is a hidden gem and a ‘must visit’ venue, but be prepared to pay high prices, which are matched by very high quality.
Rating: 5/5 
For more information, to view menus or to make a booking visit www.shaka-zulu.com or call 0203 376 9911.
Shaka Zulu, Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, Camden, London, NW1 8AB | 0203 376 9911
