Have you got a special birthday coming up? Or perhaps a significant anniversary, or a fiercely fun hen-do to plan? Well, I recommend adding the new Mayfair restaurant Piraña to your list, pronto.
The premium party and dining destination opened its doors in July 2024, serving Nikkei cuisine (a fusion of Peruvian and Japanese elements) in a luxury setting. This is high-end dining, but is it worthy of its price tag? I headed over to Mayfair to visit Piraña and find out; read on for my review.
The venue
Piraña’s decor is striking. It’s like entering a new world, as it is so much bigger than it first appears. There’s a real commitment to the piranha theme, with an ‘under the sea’ colour palette of blues, golds, and greys. Along the right side of the restaurant, there is a show-stopping, avante-garde wall that I adored on my visit. Above the main dining area is a ‘floating’ private dining room overlooking the restaurant – very chic.
Piraña was brought to life by internationally acclaimed nightlife group, Strongarm Hospitality, which influences the decor too: the club-style strobe lighting punctuates the later evenings, as does music from a live DJ. The staff even have a little dance past a certain point in the evening. We were advised that there are plans for a piranha tank between the male and female bathrooms, which gives me major 1996 Romeo and Juliet vibes…
The food and drink at Piraña
From the moment I laid eyes on the tableware, I knew I was in for a treat – a weird thing to say, I know. Everything was monogrammed, from the napkins to the plates, the menus to the tables. My thinking was that if they put this level of detail into these elements, they’d do the same for the food…
The vibrant colours, the meticulous presentation, the perfect portion sizes; everything was just right. The jewel in the kitchen’s crown was the seasoning. Everything we ate had flavour, and it was clear that a lot of care had been taken to balance a complex combination of seasonings. Even the simple edamame beans had been seasoned with salt and sake to create something even more moreish!
There were several stand-out dishes at Piraña Mayfair for me, but in the interest of brevity for this review, I’ll shout out my top three. My biggest surprise of the evening was the corn ribs; I’m not usually a fan of ‘buttery’ things (I know, I know, send that hate mail), but given the seasoning Piraña added, I couldn’t get enough! The other must-order small plate was the rock shrimp tempura: that seasoned batter was so light and airy, and the shrimp so juicy, I could have eaten it all evening.
The third spot was a toss-up between the super tender anticucho beef skewers; the grilled poussin, with its perfectly crisped skin; and the salmon teriyaki – however the latter just pipped the others to the post. That salmon practically melted in my mouth, and had a sweet and smokey flavour.
As for the drinks, well, there’s a lot to choose from. Piraña boasts a curated wine and champagne list, with many old and new world wines; an extensive collection of signature cocktails; and arguably most impressive of all, a dedicated espresso martini menu. Flavours include chocolate orange, tiramisu, and even a Mezcal interpretation! I loved the amount of choice, and even more, I liked just how pretty the drinks were: vibrant in colour, with matching garnishes.
The service
It’s not often I dedicate a whole section to ‘service’ in my reviews, but when writing a review of Piraña in Mayfair, it is essential. This was some of the best service I’ve had in a while. Sometimes, at these kinds of premium venues, service can be good, but quite ‘stuffy’ and transactional: Piraña is the total opposite. The staff were so attentive and friendly; at some points, I felt as though I was having a laugh with a friend. I loved how a number of staff members interacted with us throughout the evening, yet it was still a seamless operation, with no miscommunications.
All in all, Piraña in Mayfair is a must-visit for a special occasion. It is a more spenny option, sure, but they deliver on the food and service to make it worth your while. Unlike some of London’s other boujee establishments, Piraña actually has substance. Here, it’s not just about the look: the food and the service were damn good too.