Yaya’s Kitchen

About Yaya’s Kitchen

Yaya’s Kitchen is a fine dining restaurant located in London's Old East Village on Ridout Street North. It serves guests seeking a curated culinary experience that celebrates the rich flavors and traditions of West African cuisine, specifically focusing on the Sahel and the global Black diaspora. The restaurant offers a sensory experience where every detail, including the music, plates, and tablecloths, is intentionally crafted. The establishment provides a reservation-only tasting menu experience on specific nights. On Fridays, guests can enjoy a 5-course vegan tasting menu rooted in African and diasporic culinary traditions. Saturdays feature a 7–9 course tasting menu that bridges past and present through a rotating selection of dishes. Additionally, the restaurant offers private events, celebrations, and curated gatherings during the week, as well as outdoor catering and door delivery services. The business also operates a shop featuring items such as embroidered bomber jackets, unisex hoodies, organic tote bags, and posters. Founded in 2017 by Maryam and Malvin Wright, the business began as backyard gatherings and intimate pop-ups featuring dishes from Northern Nigeria and the Sahel. The owners describe their philosophy as a blend of traditional African, Black, and Caribbean culinary arts with contemporary techniques. They aim to honor ancestral knowledge while imagining bold, sustainable futures through an Afrofuturist vision. The restaurant is designed to be an educational experience where the background of each ingredient and spice is explained to the guests.