Located near Carnaby Street, the concept has lit up the international dining scene.
The flames are rising. A golden glow hits the teal tiles. We can feel the heat from the open kitchen. We’re in Sucre on Great Marlborough Street in London. The chefs and waiters move with choreographed precision. It's part theatre, part fine dining, and entirely tantalising Argentinian-meets-Mediterranean cuisine.
Woodfire cooking is #trending in London. Humo won a MICHELIN Star for taking things back to primaeval basics. While restaurants, from Ekstedt at the Yard to Ibia, have a firm following. Founder Fernando Trocca is behind Sucre, which first opened in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 2021, it arrived in London, and in 2022, it expanded to Dubai. Since then, it has gained a strong global reputation — and we can see why.
Sucre is a sight to behold. Hidden behind a discreet door — look out for the name spelt out in tiles on the floor — the narrow corridor opens into a vast dining room. The space boasts shimmering chandeliers, brightly patterned chairs, and high ceilings – it used to be a concert hall, no less. We visited for a weekday lunch, and it was buzzing with activity, from business meetings to friends catching up. Despite the bustle, the staff were swift and efficient, ensuring the service ran seamlessly.
Sucre’s menu spans starters, mains, sides, and desserts. The concept aims to combine old-world flavours with contemporary ideas, all viewed through the lens of open-fire cooking. Think skewers, steaks and more. The chefs are the stars of the show — on display and Insta-ready for you to film and fawn over.
We opted for the three-course set menu, which costs £34. We started with the Pan Con Tomato with Cantabrian anchovy. I fell in love with the simplicity of this dish in Barcelona, Spain. It succeeds on the basis of the ingredients’ freshness — and this tasted like it had just been caught off the Bay of Biscay.
The Corn Fed Chicken was soft and smoky. It was topped with a generous helping of the Sicilian Salmoriglio sauce, which combined a garlic and lemon kick. While the restaurant specialises in meat dishes, the Celeriac Risotto offers a vegetarian alternative.
One of the most popular desserts is the Olive Oil Cake, a signature of Sucre. After big, bold and filling flavours, this was surprisingly light and marvellously moist. Served with whipped Jersey yoghurt, it hits the sweet spot without overwhelming.
Sucre prides itself on its drinks, so much so that there is Alma Bar downstairs. As much thought has gone into the signature as well as sober cocktails. Cocktails range from the Sangria Criolla to the Sucre Spritz. Plus, there is an extensive list of Argentinian wines, from Mendoza to Patagonia.
Feel the heat at Sucre – it offers fire in the kitchen, and flair on the plate.
GO: Visit https://sucrerestaurant.com for more information.