The Good Front Room

In Dalston, The Good Front Room sets a welcoming tone alongside Chef Dom Taylor with a menu that reads like a love letter to Caribbean flavours. The opening act favours conviviality, with sharing plates that encourage conversation: jackfruit tempura, light and crisp, and an ackee and saltfish cake that nods to island tradition. What follows is cooking that prizes generosity and rhythm, where sweetness, savour and spice meet with easy confidence.

Mains bring the swagger. A rum and raisin-glazed pork belly leans into sticky-savoury pleasures, while a bountiful seafood boil piles on lobster tail, king prawns and soft-shell crab, joined by diver-caught scallop and goat sausage. Everything bathes in Caribbean garlic butter, with sweetcorn and island sweet potato in tow. For the table, fresh coconut rice with peas and baked mac and cheese keep spirits lifted and plates happily crowded.

Puddings play the nostalgia card with finesse. Nana’s apple crumble arrives with demerara stewed apples, shortbread crumbs, vanilla bean ice cream and custard, while sweet potato sticky toffee pudding drapes itself in sea-salted toffee sauce. It is honest comfort with a polished finish.

Gather your favourite people and settle in; The Good Front Room invites slow conversations, shared spoons and second helpings. Make a date, take your time, and let the good times simmer.