Chef Dom Taylor isn’t interested in nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. Classically trained and raised in South London by a Jamaican mother and Saint-Lucian father, his cooking lives in that sweet spot between heritage and evolution. Caribbean staples were part of everyday life growing up – Rice and Peas included, a dish he admits took years to truly master, but Dom’s trajectory has always pointed beyond the expected.
After studying professional cookery and hospitality management, he sharpened his craft in South Carolina before returning to London kitchens. Luxury hospitality followed, including a formative stint at The Langham, London, where five-star precision met Dom’s bold culinary identity. The wider public, however, first clocked his signature style through Five Star Kitchen: Britain’s Next Great Chef, which led to a sold-out residency that firmly placed his elevated Caribbean cuisine on London’s radar.
Now, The Good Front Room has found its permanent home – and the location is far from accidental. Dalston, with its deep Black and Caribbean cultural history, feels like the natural backdrop.
Inspired by Dom’s great-aunt Myrtle and those immaculate, untouchable front rooms familiar to so many Caribbean households, the restaurant is layered with meaning. “These were spaces kept for special guests,” Dom explains, “filled with pride, memory, and ceremony.” As a grandchild of the Windrush generation, the project feels personal: a continuation of stories, flavours, and traditions rather than a reinterpretation from a distance.
Step inside and that narrative immediately lands.
Occupying the ground floor of Thomas Tower beside Dalston Junction, the 80-cover space is relaxed but buzzing, washed in natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s colour, warmth, and an unmistakable sense of character – helped by Dom’s own treasures and carefully sourced artwork. The striking mural by Sasha Heart anchors the room, while the soundtrack (handpicked by Dom himself) drifts effortlessly between R&B, soul, reggae, and deep-cut classics from the ’70s and ’80s. It’s stylish without trying too hard – much like the food.
Small plates set the tone: Coco Stack Sliders, Maple, Lime & Chilli Glazed Plantain, Irish ‘Proper’ Chips, and Dom’s Rum & Raisin Pork Belly Strips, which have already developed something of a following. Caribbean classics appear, but rarely in predictable form – Ackee and Saltfish Cake, Escovitch Wild Hake – while larger dishes lean joyfully into sharing territory. Short Rib Brown Stew, Whole Jerk Chicken for Two, and a generous Seafood Boil feel built for long, noisy tables.
Desserts keep the comfort dial turned up: Sweet Potato Sticky Toffee Pudding with vanilla bean custard or Mango Sorbet Soft Serve brightened with sorrel and ginger jelly.
Then there’s the rum punch – spicy, fruity, and unapologetically potent, sitting alongside bespoke cocktails, Red Stripe, Dragon Stout, and wines selected with actual pairing logic rather than afterthought energy.
Weekends bring another layer. Dom’s roots in Sunday roast culture (his first chef job was at a South London pub where his Yorkshire puddings became something of a legend) now resurface every Sunday, joined by a brunch offering that feels distinctly Good Front Room rather than copy-paste café fare.
Despite the growing acclaim, Dom’s presence remains refreshingly grounded. He drifts between kitchen and dining room, greeting guests with an ease that feels genuine rather than performative. It’s part charm, part philosophy – food here isn’t just plated, it’s hosted.
For Dom, though, this next chapter isn’t about trend or territory. It’s about building something rooted, intentional, and unmistakably his.
The Good Front Room – Thomas Tower, Dalston Square, London E8 3GU
Nearest Station: Dalston Junction Overground – on the Windrush Line
chefdomtaylor.co.uk
@chefdomtaylor