aLL YOU AVO WANTED?
REVIEW: LONDON AVOBAR
Is Avobar's food as tasty as it is Instagram-worthy?
By Sean Nevin
Many will think that an avocado restaurant is ‘peak’ London given the city’s growing obsession with the fruit. It comes as a bit of a surprise then to discover that Avobar is the city’s first totally avocado-based restaurant concept.
Based in the busy shopping district of Covent Garden, Avobar started off as a pop-up eatery in 2017 with an eclectic menu dedicated to the humble avocado. After months of searching throughout 2018, the founders eventually secured a permanent spot to bring a slice of California to the heart of central London.
Located on Henrietta Street alongside the likes of Flat Iron and Frenchie, Avobar certainly adds something different to the Covent Garden microcosm. Having opened in August, they have just celebrated six months in business.
Avobar's burgers are a great hit.
The décor inside their new venue has a natural look with wooden tables and chairs, oak lampshades and pine flooring. It’s all very fresh and bright, whisking you away to bask in the beauty of a modern Californian beach shack. It makes you feel comfortable and at ease.
The menu, though, takes on a more global feel. Featuring Mexican-style huevos ranchos, north African-inspired green shakshuka and Japanese tuna poké, the menu seems to be trying a little too hard to be all things to all people. Every diet is catered for, with vegan and vegetarian dishes sitting alongside more conventional meat and fish-based meals.
While the menu looks like a mish-mash of global cuisine, what every dish has in common is that avocado features in some way. In the majority, the mighty fruit takes centre stage, while in others, it is there to accompany the main protein; to add a twist to the dish.
However, in the dishes where avocado is not the main ingredient, it does feel as though it is shoehorned into the meal to make it fit the concept. The pulled pork sandwich, for instance, tasted good enough but the avocado, which was added as a topping, did not add anything to the dish. The flavour of the pork and the chipotle mayonnaise overpowered it so much that its presence was hardly noticeable. The avocado and chocolate brownie also lacked a kick.
Fortunately, not every drink involves ingesting more avocado. The juices allow you to blend three different fruits to create your own unique flavour, allowing you to put your own spin on a drink. A combination of orange, grapefruit and pineapple produced a sharp, clean taste, though you will certainly have to think about what fruits work together. Other drinks include various smoothies, artisan coffees and herbal teas. Be warned though, Avobar is not a licensed premise so there is nothing alcoholic on the menu.
When you do go for a dish where the avocado is the star of the show, the food truly shines. The avo burger is the signature dish of the restaurant. A smooth sweet potato red lentil patty sits topped with tomato, courgette and a vegan relish and it is all sandwiched together by avocado halves that act as a bun. Visually striking, it truly works as a dish and sums up exactly what Avobar should be about. It will probably incite food envy should you post a picture on social media of this delicate creation.
A selection of images from Avobar in London. Those green burgers look special.
Breakfast is clearly a strength for Avobar. Smashed avocado on toast may well be a millennial cliché by now but here, it is executed to perfection. Thick soughdough bread is topped with a peppery avocado paste – the kids would probably describe this as ‘basic’, but it is certainly delicious.
There is a major issue with Avobar. It is very pricy. A lunch or dinner for two with mains and desserts alongside a drink each will set you back around £50. The avo burger is a particularly dear option coming in at £14.40. For that, you get the burger alongside a little bit of coleslaw and salad – no sides. All told, it probably isn’t enough to fill you up unless you have a relatively small stomach.
The sides themselves are also on the expensive side. A pot of guacamole will set you back an eyewatering £5.60 while tortilla chips will only give you a small amount of change for a fiver.
The sides themselves are also on the expensive side. A pot of guacamole will set you back an eye watering £5.60 while tortilla chips will only give you a small amount of change for a fiver. peppery avocado paste – the kids would probably describe this as ‘basic’, but it is certainly delicious. h kick, you will certainly want a piece of Avobar. For some, it may be worth the expense.
Overall, the food tastes good and the plates are presented beautifully. The drinks are nice, and the ambience is relaxed in a good way. Despite all that, don’t expect to be blown away by Avobar, especially given the hefty price tag for the indulgence.
For millennials who go to sleep every night dreaming about avocado, this is the ultimate eatery for you.
For reservations and more information: https://www.avobar.co.uk
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