Last Updated on January 7, 2026
Paddington’s Japanese-Peruvian Gem Ayllu Charms.
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Hidden away opposite illuminated party boats moored along Regent’s Canal, Ayllu is a Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant that feels deliberately off the beaten track. Prepare to arrive with a fully charged phone and Google Maps at the ready as you wind your way around the canal; even then, the app confidently delivers you to Smith’s Bar & Grill, at which point it seems you’ve either arrived at the wrong place or misunderstood the assignment entirely. That sense of mild disorientation was amplified by the timing of our visit. We were invited to review Ayllu in mid-December, when Paddington’s office crowd was deep in festive mode, made evident by the steady stream of beers and the occasional unsteady exit from the canal-side bars. It certainly added to the experience, nothing like a tipsy office party wandering past to set the scene.
Stepping inside Smith’s Bar & Grill, my lunch date and I were warmly welcomed before being guided to a discreet staircase tucked away at the back of the restaurant. As we made our way downstairs, the atmosphere shifted almost immediately: bright lighting softened, the noise level dropped, and the space took on a speakeasy-like feel. At the bottom, Ayllu revealed itself as a richly layered, forest green dining room full of character. Oversized floral murals lined the walls, while decorative lampshades added a playful flourish. A subtle hint at the high-energy live music nights the venue is known for on the weekend.
Pendant lights cast a warm glow over plush green leather booths and smaller, intimate tables for two, while a beautifully lit wooden bar anchored the space at the far end. We were seated in a cosy booth, an ideal nook for a romantic dinner or lingering lunch. We agreed the atmosphere had a nice buzz to it, with enough chatter and laughter to give the room energy without ever feeling too loud or distracting.
For first-time visitors like ourselves, Ayllu’s menu centres on Japanese-Peruvian sharing plates, from sushi, ceviche and tacos to heartier crowd pleasers such as slow-cooked beef short rib, miso-marinated black cod and Peruvian-style barbecued meats. The food is complemented by a thoughtfully curated drinks list, which, had it not been a Wednesday, I would have happily explored headfirst; the Pisco Sour in particular caught my eye and looked exceptional.
Spoilt for choice, we opted to order à la carte after spotting far too many dishes we wanted to try. That said, the tasting menus are a very sensible option – particularly the five-dish menu at £24 per person – as they remove any stress of navigating the extensive menu. I’m prone to restaurant decision fatigue at the best of times, but with Japanese–Peruvian being one of my favourites, the urge to order everything made choosing feel like a cruel game of culinary FOMO (yes, poor me).
We hadn’t planned on drinking, given it was a Wednesday lunchtime, but surrounded by giggling, merry groups, it felt almost rude not to. A glass of delightfully crisp, bubbly champagne quickly followed….there’s really nothing like it to put you in the festive spirit.
To kick things off, we started with the salted edamame. Don’t let the simplicity fool you; these were easily the best I’ve had. I understand why some people overlook edamame, but when they arrive slightly charred, warm and dusted with just the right amount of rock salt, they’re the perfect way to begin a meal.
Next came a plate of three beautifully presented tacos, filled with unbelievably fresh crab, avocado, chives and topped with a wonderful green tobiko. The quality of the ingredients really shone through here, setting a high bar for the rest of the meal and heightening our anticipation for the sushi to come.
We finished our starters with slow-cooked beef shin bao buns with salty, sweet teriyaki sauce, criolla salad, and a punchy aji rocoto mayo. The buns were warm, fluffy pillows of heaven, soft without being dry – pairing perfectly with the tender beef, the sharp, herby bite of the salad with just the right amount of sauce. Simply glorious.
Now for the sushi. We settled on the Ayllu Platter, a carefully curated selection of some of the kitchen’s best hits. At £60, it was excellent value, easily generous enough to have fed three. The spread included a spicy tuna roll, soft-shell crab futomaki, tuna maki, two pieces each of bluefin tuna and madai sashimi, and two pieces of bluefin tuna nigiri. We started with the tuna roll, and it was immediately clear: these weren’t just good ingredients, they were exceptional.
My friend loved the spicy tuna roll; we both agreed how fresh it was, with just the right level of heat, but personally, the soft shell crab futomaki was the winner. The crispy texture of the delicately fried crab alongside creamy avocado, bursts of orange tobiko, spring onion topped with a delicate drizzle of spicy mayo, all brought together with perfectly cooked and seasoned sushi rice…heaven. The bluefin tuna, whether sashimi or nigiri, was buttery and clean, the kind that just melts in your mouth. Honestly, there’s a reason they call it the Ayllu Platter; it’s exactly the kind of sushi I dream about.
Ayllu is genuinely a joy to dine at. I can only imagine how lively the atmosphere gets on weekends, and the food more than lives up to it. Beyond being delicious, it’s excellent value, a rare combination in London these days, making it the perfect spot for a reliably great meal without breaking the bank. The ingredients are top-notch, the flavours thoughtfully balanced, and the service attentive. I’d happily return, especially knowing there’s still a long list of dishes I didn’t get to try. Perhaps next time in a group, so I can sample even more of the menu.
Address:
Located beneath Smith’s Bar & Grill, Paddington Central,
Ayllu
25 Sheldon Square,
London W2 6EY
020 8054 0385
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