Awabi
63 Halkett Pl, St Helier, Jersey JE2 4WG
Rating: 4.7 ★ (154 ratings)
Details
Awabi, nestled at 63 Halkett Place in the heart of St Helier, Jersey, offers a distinctive dining experience that skillfully marries the vibrant energy of Asian late-night venues with the relaxed sophistication of a European wine bar. The atmosphere is a unique fusion, drawing inspiration from a Japanese Izakaya, a Parisian wine bar, a Korean soju tent, and even a British gastropub, all within one inviting space. The interior design embraces craft, precision, and simplicity, creating a "cute neighbourhood spot" with a lovely and chilled ambiance that is both stylish and welcoming.
The cuisine at Awabi is a modern pan-Asian delight, focusing on Asian-fusion dishes that creatively blend traditional flavours with local Jersey ingredients and sometimes European cooking techniques. The menu is celebrated for its ever-changing selection, offering a diverse array of cross-continental dishes including Vietnamese, regional Chinese, Korean, and Szechuanese influences. Popular choices include an impressive selection of small plates perfect for sharing, such as veggie dumplings, Korean fried cauliflower, smacked cucumber salad, pork bao, and the acclaimed Japanese French toast. Notably, Awabi is also highly regarded for its extensive and delicious vegan options, including ramen and mock duck, and even offers the ability to veganize cocktails. The restaurant has earned recognition, being listed in the prestigious Michelin Guide.
Awabi is an excellent choice for a wide range of diners, whether you're seeking a casual lunch or an unforgettable dinner. Its relaxed dining experience and emphasis on shareable small plates make it ideal for friends and couples looking to explore diverse flavours together. The restaurant is particularly well-suited for adventurous eaters keen to discover new tastes, and its comprehensive vegan menu makes it a standout option for plant-based diners. With a family-friendly atmosphere and a bar, Awabi caters to various occasions, though booking in advance, especially for evening visits, is highly recommended to secure a table.
Location
Opening Hours
Monday: Closed | Tuesday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM | Wednesday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM | Thursday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM | Friday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM | Saturday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM | Sunday: Closed
Contact
+44 1534 888981 | https://www.awabi.co.uk/
Comments
The decor of the place also gets my thumbs up.
I am unsure whether this place has recently changed hands, but our experience was nothing like the litany of five star reviews suggested we would have.
Upon arrival, we were told we would have to give our table up at 7:30pm, which for a 6:15pm arrival, would be slightly tight but probably okay. However, after ordering, we waited a very long time for our first dish to arrive, which was a luke warm bao bun costing close to £10.00. What followed after another long wait were six vegetable dumplings that were okay, but again slightly underwhelming - they were heavily coated in a vinegar-based sauce such that we couldn't taste much else. The aubergine that followed this was fantastic and the highlight of our meal by a very long way. This dish was in line with our high expectations after reading previous reviews. Another long wait later, my partner received a shrimp rice dish that was okay but again no better than one would expect in any standard pan asian restaurant. At 7:15pm, my noodle dish arrived. I have to say that this was also very underwhelming for the price. The chicken was luke warm, but the noodles piping hot. I don't really how this can happen with everything cooked fresh. Also, the noodles were very heavy, similar to egg noodles cooked from a packet. Overall, a very underwhelming set of dishes for the £80 asking price and a restaurant listed in the Michelin guide.
The staff were friendly but didn't really acknowledge the very long wait and staggered arrival of the dishes, besides explaining that there is a new menu. While this is fair, if you are asking for £80.00, I don't think that this is really something that customers should be expected to accommodate.
Perhaps we were unlucky and caught this restaurant on a bad day, but we do not understand, based on our experience, how this restaurant can be listed in the Michelin guide.