Libations at The Rum Kitchen — Photo courtesy of The Rum KitchenThe Rum Kitchen in London's Notting Hill calls itself a "caribbean-inspired beach shack restaurant." Of course, this is pretty far from the actual Caribbean, but Notting Hill itself has a long history of people of Caribbean origin living within its borough. And since 1948 and the Windrush arrivals of boats from the Caribbean, with a lot of islanders who had fought for Britain during the Second World War in search of work, the area has been a good place to find some great-tasting authentic cuisine.

Jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish are all menu staples at the Rum Kitchen — Photo courtesy of Simon Welsh

The Notting Hill carnival is one of the highlights of London's year, and draws on the traditional associations with the area, so in a way it's surprising that something like The Rum Kitchen didn't open sooner. 

The restaurant promises to serve up all the Caribbean classics, from Jamaican jerk chicken, rice and peas, saltfish fritters, and ackee to curried mutton. They also boast modern twists on other favorite dishes from that part of the world, like seafood gumbo, pork belly, and jerk lamb.

There are 100 different types of Rum at the Rum Kitchen kept in a special cellar — Photo courtesy of Sam HowzitIn case you had forgotten, this is not just a restaurant with music, but a full-fledged night spot. The place boasts a hidden cellar with over 100 varieties of rum to wash that little lot down, and relax you into the spirit of the place, so that you can sway to the rhythms of latin, calypso, reggae and Afro-Funk.