Donde Carlos Restaurant

The number of people I know who have traveled to Colombia, sampled the local delicacies, and spoken highly of it is not small. Think of that what you will. Unfortunately, I am not one of them. However, I recently had the chance to sample the country’s cuisine in my hometown.

Donde Carlos Restaurant on Goldhawk Road is a hub for local Colombians and other South Americans living in London. Not solely because of the customers, but also the music, vibe, background sports on the television, and service. Conversations in Spanish can be heard to my left and right, mildly differing in dialect and difficult to pick up on. You feel like you really could be in Sudamérica. I felt welcomed, charmed by the interior decor, joyful energy, and proud service.

I started with an ice-cold Colombian beer. The Club Colombia Dorada wrapped in a napkin. Much preferred over a brown paper bag and a traditional custom in many Latin American cultures. Orientated around absorbing condensation to keep your hands dry and hygienic. Plus it looks fucking cool. This premium Colombian beer is just how you want your lager. Smooth and thirst-quenching with a golden hue, mild sweetness, and balanced bitterness.

I started my meal with the beef empanada, for only £2.20, served with a sharp chili relish. Powerful hits of succulent beef are tied in with subtle undertones of spice, and a hint of freshness from the herbs. The golden, crispy shell is fried beautifully—irresistibly light but providing enough substance to enhance the rich beef. The relish is hot, don’t get me wrong, but a little dab works wonders on your palate. A great start to the meal. They also serve a selection of arepas (cornbread) dishes, which I will be sure to try next time. Another great start to the meal.

We then ordered two main dishes to share: Tamal Valluno and Arroz Marinero. The former consists of chicken and pork with potato and carrots wrapped in plantain leaves, served with rice and yellow plantain. The latter is simply a seafood fiesta, also served with plantain and salad. An abundance of generosity for what you’re paying for, married with no shortage of nuanced flavors. The texture of the chicken, pork, and potato mix is initially challenging, but when paired with the firmer and sweeter plantain, your senses quickly pick up on the nature of this complementary relationship. Tones of sweetness and savory.

The prawns and mussels were my favorite shellfish on the plate, with clear signs of good cookery and attention to detail. Once again, the plantain shows why it is the star of the show. Its sweetness balances out the salty profile of the dish. Well done, plantain.

My enthusiastic dialogue and facial expressions didn’t go unnoticed. A Colombian woman to my right recommended various traditional foods and drinks I must try to fully experience the cuisine. I always love a local giving me some tips or crumbs of insight, and pride in one’s own cuisine always brings a smile to my face. It’s moments like these that remind me why I started this blog, and I’m thrilled to say I’ve discovered yet another restaurant vibrantly celebrating their culture in this urban jungle.

143 Goldhawk Rd, London W12 8EN

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