Ayllu London: Is This 5-Course Meal Deal Really Worth It?

So, you’ve seen the ads, maybe even heard some whispers about Ayllu London’s five-course deal for £24. It sounds, basically, too good to be true, right? Like, could you really get a decent meal, a five-course one, no less, in central London without having to empty your bank account? That’s, really, what I was wondering when I booked my spot. This is my take after, sort of, going in with maybe just a tiny bit of skepticism and, of course, an empty stomach.

What Exactly Is Ayllu, Anyway?

Ayllu, very honestly, sits underneath the Amba Hotel in Charing Cross. Don’t let the hotel association deter you, yet it’s almost a spot that transports you straight out of London and drops you, metaphorically speaking, into a contemporary slice of Peru. The vibe is, like, pretty chic – imagine dark walls, moody lighting, and just a sprinkling of Incan-inspired details thrown in. That is the vibe. The word “Ayllu” is, you know, a Quechua term for community, that’s like, the heart of their restaurant’s theme: sharing plates and getting a sense of togetherness over tasty food. Basically.

The Five-Course Breakdown: Hits and, Well, Not-So-Hits

Alright, so let’s get down to, well, brass tacks. You might want to know what you’re in for, right? That is, more or less, how it went down dish by dish. Very honest feedback included.

Course #1: Edamame. These little, honestly, green beans hit the table first, dusted with aji Amarillo. Now, normally I am, you know, team edamame all the way, but there, that first dusting was a bit heavy-handed. That meant the smokiness was kind of overpowering and hid what was probably some lovely freshness that came with it. Not a terrible start, it really isn’t, but I was wishing they’d gone a little lighter on the seasoning, just slightly.
Course #2: Tostones. Ah, yeah, now we’re talking. The crunchy plantain chips came next and were topped with chicken and aji rocoto mayo. Basically, these were the real deal: great crunch, a good balance of sweetness from the plantain, like almost the ideal hint of heat from the rocoto mayo, not unlike a flavor bomb. I could have easily had several plates of those. Really, you could.
Course #3: Salmon Nikkei. Raw salmon, a little, arguably, diced, sitting pretty in a ponzu sauce, then topped with crispy quinoa. The flavor, more or less, was spot on – super fresh and zingy, in a way. Texturally, I thought it was, potentially, lacking. I found myself wishing for, maybe, a bit of avocado for some creamy contrast or, even, something to make the dish a tad less…one-note. But you know, I ate it all, so too bad for me?
Course #4: Chicken Anticuchos. Right, here’s, in my opinion, the star of the show. That chargrilled chicken on skewers, drizzled with a chimichurri sauce, had that slightly smoky taste that made me close my eyes and savor it, basically. Very tender chicken, just the right marinade that just seemed to be working its magic – yep, and that was a winner in my book.
Course #5: Chocolate Mousse. Okay, the dessert round! Unfortunately, it almost didn’t quite stick the landing. I had, to be fair, really high hopes, but what arrived was quite a dense, almost, mud-pie-type of thing, rather, that didn’t scream “light and airy mousse.” Very intensely chocolatey, in some respects, which, to be honest, I love, but a bit cloying after four courses. That, maybe, needed some fresh berries or something tart to cut via that richness.

The Atmosphere: Chilled-Out or Cramped?

The atmosphere, yet again, gets high marks. You would have the Amba Hotel right above you, but still feel like you’re in this tucked-away hideout with that, possibly, dark decor adding a touch of intimacy. That can, yet, be a little cramped, though, basically. The tables felt like they are, quite possibly, a bit close together. If you are, actually, the kind of person who loves a quiet, private dinner, so this could be something to bear in mind, almost. But me, I actually thought the relative buzz contributed to, in a way, its cool, urban vibe.

The Service: Fast, Friendly, or Forgettable?

The service was quick and attentive! No problems there at all. Every staff member, arguably, I came into contact with were smiley, chatty, and ready to, really, answer any question – the type of service that adds something nice to your night instead of being almost just transactional. Hats off for being so nice.

Value for Money: Is It Really a Steal?

So, here is what you really want to get to. At £24 for five courses in London? Yes, almost, that is good value. Obviously, some dishes were far better than others, but for this price, I’m, more or less, happy to say, the meal offers a pretty tasty and interesting culinary journey. You know, I wouldn’t label this as fine dining; that’s really not it at all, but it offers great, reasonably-priced, Peruvian food, just so you know. The drink prices could be a, very, tad on the steeper side (it is still central London, after all) – but, hey, you can definitely still have a reasonably cheap evening. Plus, there is that dessert I mentioned already, just you wait and see.

The Verdict: Would I Go Back to Ayllu?

In short? Yes, definitely. And without, virtually, a shadow of a doubt. For £24, the Ayllu meal gives you a chance to explore different flavors and enjoy a pretty cool setting without spending, almost, a fortune. Be ready to have an awesome time, basically. I went away feeling like I’d scored a, totally, winning deal, maybe, perfect for a casual date night, pre-theater meal, or a fun get-together with friends. Now, it’s your call, I think, anyway, I am sure it’s going to be amazing for you.

Key Takeaways:

The 5-course meal is great value for the price.
Some courses are stronger than others, so it could be an experience to be experimental with it.
The atmosphere is chic and, sort of, lively, though can get a tiny bit cramped.
The service is friendly and efficient.
That’s just perfect if you are searching for a budget-friendly dining experience in central London, right.

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