Soul Mama Music Venue | Restaurant

Name: Soul Mama Music Venue | Restaurant
Address: Gantry Hotel, 40 Celebration Ave East Village, London, Greater London, United Kingdom, E20 1DB
Telephone: 020 4519 6262
Price range: £26 to £40
Rating: 3.7

3.7

11 Reviews

£26 to £40

Soul food

Make a booking

2 people

24 Dec 2024

8:30 pm

Booked 5 times today

Great for live music
Good for special occasions
Good for groups

Discover Soul Mama, an immersive dining & music experience blending the vibrant culinary traditions of Africa, the Caribbean and South America. Listed in the Evening Standard’s "Top Restaurants to Look Forward to in 2024,"

Launched by acclaimed musician and broadcaster YolanDa Brown OBE DL with music manager and creative entrepreneur Adetokunbo “T” Oyelola, Soul Mama is not just a restaurant but a celebration of music and food. Through a record-breaking crowdfunding campaign, Soul Mama became a Guinness World Record Holder as the largest Kickstarter-funded restaurant globally.

Under the inspired direction of Executive Chef Aleandro Brown, Soul Mama’s menu celebrates a rich fusion of flavours that transports diners on a culinary journey. His passion for cooking was cultivated in Jamaica, learning from Grandma's kitchen. He has honed his expertise across prestigious kitchens, from The Ritz to Gordon Ramsay's establishments.

Join us on a live music night or for an intimate dinner.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
£26 to £40
Cuisines
Soul food, Caribbean, African
Hours of Operation
Lunch Wed–Fri 11:30 am–5:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Fri 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat, Sun 6:00 pm–11:00 pm
Phone number
020 4519 6262
Website
http://www.soulmama.co.uk/
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive Chef
Aleandro Brown
Private party facilities
We are available for Private events. Please get in touch and let's help bring your celebration to life.

Location
Gantry Hotel, 40 Celebration Ave, East Village, London, Greater London E20 1DB
Area
Stratford
Cross Street
We are on Celebration Avenue on the ground floor of the Gantry Hotel
Parking details
Public Parking
Public transit
By Train: We are 2 minutes from Stratford International Train Station and Stratford International DLR 6 minutes from King's Cross via the Javelin High speed train Stratford train station is a 5 minute walk to easily connect with central London.By Car: Numerous multi storey car parks at both Stratford International and Westfield.Nearest Car Park - Stratford International Car Park
Additional
Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Soul Arepa Trio GBP 22.00
One of Each Soul Arepa
Jerk Oyster MushroomGBP 8.00
Spicy & savoury mushroom with a Caribbean salsa twist served on a warm Trini doubles (VG)
BBQ Grilled ChickenGBP 8.00
Smoky, tangy grilled chicken with a hint of sweet salsa, nestled in a fluffy Trini doubles
Braised BeefGBP 8.00
Tender Beef infused with African spices wrapped in soft Trini doubles topped with sweet corn salsa and suya seasoning

Jerk Wings Pit

All Wings are Marinated for 24 Hours

5 WingsGBP 8.50
- Mama’s Original Traditional - Smokey Barbeque with a Rich, Fruity & Tangy Glaze GBP 0.00
- Rum BBQ - A Sweet & Bold Twist with a Hint of RumGBP 0.00
- Scotch Bonnet & Mango Spicy Heat Balance with Tropical Mango SweetnessGBP 0.00
10 WingsGBP 13.50
- Mama’s Original Traditional - Smokey Barbeque with a Rich, Fruity & Tangy Glaze GBP 0.00
- Rum BBQ - A Sweet & Bold Twist with a Hint of RumGBP 0.00
- Scotch Bonnet & Mango Spicy Heat Balance with Tropical Mango SweetnessGBP 0.00

Large Plates

Brown Stew Cod Fillet with Red Pepper Sauce, Soul Rice & Sautéed Brussel Sprout GBP 24.00
Jerk Salmon Fillet with Chilli & Lemon Tenderstem Broccoli Rice & PeasGBP 24.00
Mango Jerk Cauliflower with Sautéed Oyster Mushroom, Pomegranate & Fried Plantain (VG)GBP 22.00

One Pot

Served with Rice and Peas or Soul Rice, Mixed Leaves Salad & House Dressing

Butter Bean Curry with Roasted Sweet Potato & Pumpkin, Trini Roti Skin and Cucumber Chutney (VG)GBP 22.00
Rich & Creamy Coconut Curry Chicken with Carrot and Potato CubesGBP 25.00

Sides

Plantain is my Love LanguageGBP 5.00
Rice and PeasGBP 5.00
Sweet Corn SalsaGBP 5.00
Soul RiceGBP 5.00
Trini Roti SkinGBP 5.00

Desserts

Chocolate Fudge CakeGBP 8.00
Carrot & Orange CakeGBP 8.00

What 11 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

3.7

3.7 based on recent ratings

3.8Food
4.1Service
3.9Ambience
3.5Value

Noise • Energetic

11 Reviews

S
Sheila
London
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Ok staff Good food I’d recommend skipping the cocktails or sticking to simpler drink options
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S
Samantha Nurse
Liverpool
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 1
When did paying the bill before any food passes your lips become a thing ? It took half a hour just to place & pay for the order ! Was really excited to be dining at this restaurant but very disappointed on all counts and to top it off we were told we could not place our coats & bags on a empty chair as they were fully booked (which they were clearly NOT). Not a great experience. I will not be returning or recommending unfortunately. Such a shame
Soul Mama Music Venue | RestaurantResponded 2 days ago
Dear Samantha, We're truly sorry to hear that your visit did not meet your expectations and left you feeling disappointed. Regarding the payment process, we understand that this may have felt unusual. Our approach is designed to streamline service, especially on gig nights, but we take your feedback and will review this process. We sincerely apologise for the delay in placing your order, we’ll be addressing this with our team to improve efficiency. We’re sorry for the misunderstanding regarding your coats and bag. We aim to maximise comfort and accommodate everyone, it’s clear that the communication fell short in this instance. Your experience is not reflective of the standard we hold ourselves to, and we’d love the opportunity to welcome you back in the future. Best, Team Soul Mama
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F
Folu
VIP
London
51 reviews
1.0
51 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 2
We reserved a table for brunch and were surprised to be presented with a Christmas menu upon arrival, which differed from the menu displayed on OpenTable. When I asked the waiter if there was another menu, he said no. The Christmas menu was quite expensive—£55 for two dishes and £65 for three—without the added value of live entertainment, unlike other nearby restaurants I've visited in the area. With no alternative offered, we reluctantly ordered two dishes each, though I was already feeling uneasy. Upon checking the OpenTable reservation, I noticed the menu on the app was different, so I approached the manager. The manager apologized and provided another menu. Feeling misled, we decided to cancel the two dishes and order only one dish each instead. Unfortunately, the experience went further downhill. My dish was served quickly, but my companion's order was significantly delayed. After waiting, I ended up eating my meal alone, and the other dish still had not arrived. Frustrated, we decided to cut our losses and asked for the bill, which incorrectly listed two dishes despite only one being served. Based on TikTok reviews, my expectations were high, but this visit fell far short. The service was poor, and the high prices were unjustified. Management needs to better understand pricing, customer service, and the overall dining experience—elements they failed to deliver on this occasion.
Soul Mama Music Venue | RestaurantResponded 2 days ago
Dear Folu, Thank you for sharing your experience. We sincerely apologise for the disappointment caused during your visit. We understand your frustration regarding the Christmas menu differing from the one on OpenTable and are reviewing our processes to ensure accuracy across all platforms. The delays in service and billing error are unacceptable and fall short of our standards. We’ve addressed these concerns with our team to prevent future issues. Your feedback on pricing and overall value is appreciated, and we’ll consider it as we refine our offerings. We hope for the opportunity to welcome you back and provide the exceptional experience you deserve. Best, Team Soul Mama
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B
Basil
Spain
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
As a party of 30, we had anticipated there might be a logistical issue or two. Pleasantly surprised that any issue was rectified instantly. Staff were low key, unintrusive and efficient. Food flavorful and imaginative, experience was excellent. My guests thoroughly enjoyed the evening. If you don't know ......... get to know !!
Soul Mama Music Venue | RestaurantResponded 2 days ago
Hi Basil, Thank you so much for your fantastic feedback! We’re delighted to hear that your group had such an enjoyable evening with us. Thanks for choosing us to celebrate life. It’s great to know that any challenges were resolved swiftly and that our team provided efficient and unobtrusive service. We're so pleased your guests loved the flavourful and imaginative food—it’s exactly the kind of experience we aim to deliver. We look forward to welcoming you back soon. If you don’t know… now you know! Love that! 😊
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L
Leonore
London
4 reviews
1.0
4 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 1
Disappointing Experience at Soul Momma Stratford My friend and I had eagerly anticipated our dinner at Soul Momma, booked well in advance to celebrate Christmas. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted and directed to our table, but unfortunately, the rest of our experience fell short of expectations. The cocktail I ordered tasted off, almost chemical-like, as though the glass hadn’t been properly cleaned. The wine was overpriced, and the food was equally underwhelming. The rice and peas were dry, and the jerk-smoked salmon, though nicely coated, lacked flavor. What made the experience even more frustrating was being asked to pay for our meal halfway through dining, without prior explanation. While I understand that it is a music venue and payment at each stage may be their policy, this detail would have been helpful to know when placing our order. Additionally, as there was no live music that evening and the restaurant was sparsely attended, the interruption felt unnecessary and disrupted our dining experience. It left us feeling undervalued as customers. Sadly, this will be our last visit to Soul Momma. The ambiance and service didn’t match the anticipation, and I would not recommend this restaurant for a special occasion
Soul Mama Music Venue | RestaurantResponded 2 days ago
Dear Leonore, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry your visit didn’t meet expectations, especially for such a special occasion. We apologise for the cocktail tasting off and the food not meeting our usual standards—your comments on the rice and peas and jerk salmon have been shared with our kitchen team for immediate review. We also regret the miscommunication regarding our payment process. While it is a policy tailored to our venue setup, it should not have ben implemented on a dining only sitting, disrupting your experience and was an error by the member of staff. Please know we take your feedback seriously, we are new and still tweaking our offering. We’d appreciate the chance to welcome you back and provide a better experience in the future. Warm regards, Soul Mama Team
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D
Deborah
London
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great venue which is easy to access. Went at lunch time so was not too busy. Staff very attentive. Food selection tasty. Portions were generous. Great to see my name on the list of donaters. Will definitely return to experience live music. Thank you.
Soul Mama Music Venue | RestaurantResponded 2 days ago
Dear Deborah, Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed your visit... It’s wonderful that you noticed your name on our list of donators – your support means so much to us! We look forward to welcoming you back soon to experience the live music atmosphere we’re so proud of. Thank you again for your kind words!
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C
Carol
London
2 reviews
1.0
2 reviews
Dined on 14 December 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Great disappointment. Arrived to be put in a corner table near entrance booking right next to staff, table was for 2 when there was 3 of us so our drinks and food could not properly fit on it. £13 a drink which tasted like juice,when I told a waiter the answer was to buy another shot to add to it. My partner is vegetarian so only offer for mains was a Mushroom mixed with pure black pepper & veg which is £23 tasted horrid so he was hungry.By the way when Soul Mama advertised food wise it looks like there is lots on offer as an option, so we were looking forward to trying prawns & other stuff .Handed a different menu with 3 options one was wings. My choice was lambsneck,I was brought oxtail like I don't know the difference at this point I was so hungry I just ate it.The starter literally the only thing called a trio full of salt cost £22 .I was talking in a normal voice when a member of stuff asked me to talk quieter when band was playing so,I saw her do the same to someone else.And to top it all something they don't advertise YOU PAY AS YOU GO WITH FOOD & DRINK! So as your sitting there trying to eat you have to be paying for each thing Madness,not get a bill at end.Young waiters stretching over your food & grabbing your plate before you finish. Imagine I paid £27 to get a cab to what I thought would be Beautiful food & good seating.Our bill for 3 was nearly £150 the only good thing was Jazz playing. Believe me save your money another over priced place with hardly a good portion, no manners only offering an ambience. I wish I could recommend but I do not, we didn't even stay the 2 hours.
Soul Mama Music Venue | RestaurantResponded 2 days ago
Dear Carol, Thank you for your feedback, and we’re deeply sorry for your disappointing experience. It’s clear we fell short of the standard we strive for. Your comments about the "pay-as-you-go" policy, unclear communication, and staff interactions have been noted, and we are addressing these concerns with our team. We regret that your partner's meal and the overall portions were unsatisfactory, and your drinks did not meet expectations. Additionally, your feedback about the rushed service and the atmosphere being disrupted has been shared for immediate improvement. We appreciate your honesty and apologise for not delivering the experience you anticipated. If you’d like to discuss this further, please reach out to us directly. Warm regards, Soul Mama Team
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J
Jenny
Hertfordshire
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on 13 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We were a party of 20+ for a christmas lunch. The service was friendly, flexible and fast. Everyone enjoyed the food and ambiance. Between us we tried everything on the menu and there wasn't one complaint. Shout out to Nathaniel and the two young female waitresses who all made it seamless. Great venue that I would highly recommend, we will be back. They do veggie food as flavour packed as the meat dishes too.
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C
Chinelo
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 7 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
A* Food and A* live music, super impressed we were!
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J
Jeremy
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 6 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great quality, friendly and professional. Good venue to have a birthday or a special occasion. The Jazz/blus music was on point, especially when the young lady sang few Billie Holiday classics.
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FAQs

Soul Mama Music Venue | Restaurant is rated 3.7 stars by 11 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

24 Dec 2024

8:30 pm

Booked 5 times today

Google Map for Soul Mama Music Venue | Restaurant

Gantry Hotel, 40 Celebration Ave, East Village, London, Greater London E20 1DB

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
We are on Celebration Avenue on the ground floor of the Gantry Hotel
Area
Stratford
Hours of Operation
Lunch Wed–Fri 11:30 am–5:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Fri 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat, Sun 6:00 pm–11:00 pm
Price
£26 to £40
Cuisines
Soul food, Caribbean, African
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Public Parking
Public transit
By Train: We are 2 minutes from Stratford International Train Station and Stratford International DLR 6 minutes from King's Cross via the Javelin High speed train Stratford train station is a 5 minute walk to easily connect with central London.By Car: Numerous multi storey car parks at both Stratford International and Westfield.Nearest Car Park - Stratford International Car Park
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Aleandro Brown
Additional
Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.soulmama.co.uk/
Phone number
020 4519 6262
Private party facilities
We are available for Private events. Please get in touch and let's help bring your celebration to life.

Soul Mama Music Venue | Restaurant

Make a booking

Dining areas

Additional information

Menu

Soul Arepas

Soul Arepa Trio GBP 22.00

Jerk Oyster MushroomGBP 8.00

BBQ Grilled ChickenGBP 8.00

Braised BeefGBP 8.00

Jerk Wings Pit

5 WingsGBP 8.50

10 WingsGBP 13.50

Large Plates

Brown Stew Cod Fillet with Red Pepper Sauce, Soul Rice & Sautéed Brussel Sprout GBP 24.00

Jerk Salmon Fillet with Chilli & Lemon Tenderstem Broccoli Rice & PeasGBP 24.00

Mango Jerk Cauliflower with Sautéed Oyster Mushroom, Pomegranate & Fried Plantain (VG)GBP 22.00

One Pot

Butter Bean Curry with Roasted Sweet Potato & Pumpkin, Trini Roti Skin and Cucumber Chutney (VG)GBP 22.00

Rich & Creamy Coconut Curry Chicken with Carrot and Potato CubesGBP 25.00

Sides

Plantain is my Love LanguageGBP 5.00

Rice and PeasGBP 5.00

Sweet Corn SalsaGBP 5.00

Soul RiceGBP 5.00

Trini Roti SkinGBP 5.00

Desserts

Chocolate Fudge CakeGBP 8.00

Carrot & Orange CakeGBP 8.00

What 11 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

FAQs

How is Soul Mama Music Venue | Restaurant restaurant rated?

Is Soul Mama Music Venue | Restaurant currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Dining areas

Additional information