African restaurant in Reading ready to welcome diners

Avila, on Oxford Road in Reading, is a new eatery run by husband and wife team Adenike and Adekunle Kalejaiye.

The pair have been running a takeaway and catering business for the last three years and now have extended their offering to include a restaurant.

Mrs Kalejaiye said: “When we started back in December 2019, it was more of a takeaway business, which, looking back was not a bad idea because three months later, there was a lockdown.”

However three years on, the pair spotted a gap in the market and have seized the opportunity.

READ MORE: African restaurant gears up to improve dining experience 

Mr Kalejaiye said they hoped their restaurant would fill a gap in the market, offering somewhere for people to have fun and enjoy high-quality food with future plans for live music events and karaoke nights.

He said: “Looking at the demographics of the people we cater to, there are very few options for people to go out, have fun, because most of the outlets are in London.

He continued: “That’s the gap we are trying to serve, so professionals in the Berkshire region have a good place to hang out, good company, good music, fun, and have a good time out.”

The cuisine centres around African cuisine, with some Caribbean influence dishes as well.

The food at Avila African gourmet restaurant in Reading. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Inside guests can find a well-stocked bar with beers, wines and spirits and seating for 50 covers in a room adorned with African artwork.

The food is based around spicy jollof rice, paired with plaintain, vegetables and succulent meat.

Mrs Kalejaiye said: “We’ve created some fusion dishes where you can pair the jollof rice with lamb chops, barbecue ribs, barbecue chicken which is quite popular with a lot of people.

“Then we have the very niche dishes as well in terms of soups which are quite popular as well.”

Mr Kalejaiye said: “our audience are really into meat!” His wife interjected: “We do have vegetarian options as well.”

Guests can also enjoy a range of Nigerian beers such as Star lager and Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, a stronger version of the much loved drink.

Alcoholic drinks for sale at the Avila Gourmet African cuisine restaurant in Oxford Road, Reading. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Mr Kalejaiye said: “That one is quite popular amongst our audience, and we’ve had people come in and just try it.

“It’s a part of what we’re trying to offer, a mixture of culture, food and drink.”

The Avila restaurant was opened on Wednesday, July 5 and is open seven days a week.