KORA – A Modern, Mediterranean Tale of Seasonality and Soul in Chelsea
- James Massoud
- Oct 14
- 2 min read
In the heart of King’s Road, a new Mediterranean restaurant is rewriting Chelsea’s dining story. Located on the ground floor of the iconic Beaufort House, KORA is a celebration of seasonality, transformation and soulful dining. Led by Executive Head Chef Sasha Ziverts, this modern Mediterranean restaurant draws inspiration from the myth of Persephone – the goddess whose cyclical journey between worlds mirrors the rhythm of the seasons and the constant renewal of life.
Just as Persephone’s story moves from darkness to light, KORA’s menu unfolds from land to sea; a bold reimagining of coastal dining that balances elegance, warmth and unpretentious generosity. The Knife pays KORA a visit to uncover more.
A Myth Reborn in Modern Chelsea
The name KORA (from Kore, the maiden form of Persephone) sets the tone for a restaurant steeped in symbolism. The interiors, bathed in olive and terracotta hues, evoke the sun-kissed landscapes of the Aegean and Amalfi coasts, while the kitchen pulses with the glow of a live fire – the heart of its cooking philosophy.
Ziverts, formerly of The Palomar and The Barbary, leads the open kitchen with Mediterranean rhythm and precision. His focus? Simple dishes elevated through exceptional ingredients, and seasonal British produce paired with Mediterranean imports that carry the scent of salt, herbs and ancient trade winds.
A Menu Written in Sunlight
Designed for slow, social dining, KORA’s menu captures the vibrancy of the region’s markets and coastlines.The raw bar introduces Bluefin Tuna with radicchio and hazelnuts, Yellowtail Kingfish with dill oil and candied lemon, and Stone Bass dressed in citrus and early-harvest olive oil. Plates arrive like sunlight on sea glass: bright, clean and beautifully balanced.
From the grill, expect Charred Lamb Shoulder with mint salata and labneh, Wild UK Mushroom Saganaki with fava purée and Greek oregano, and Tiger Prawns flamed with chilli, garlic, ouzo and lemon – a dish that could have been lifted straight from a taverna terrace on the Aegean.
Larger sharing plates encourage conviviality: Whole BBQ Turbot with herb salad and verjus, and a Short Rib Giouvetsi with orzo and rosemary gremolata. Each speaks of the restaurant’s Mediterranean ethos and food that’s honest, generous, and designed to be shared.
For dessert, Semifreddo al Miele with wild thyme honey and Greek honey liqueur, or the Dark chocolate mousse with single origin chocolate, extra virgin olive oil and blackberries deliver just the right measure of nostalgia and surprise.
A Sanctuary of Slow Pleasures
Beyond the food, KORA is an experience in rhythm, a place to linger, to sip a glass of Greek Assyrtiko or Sicilian Nero d’Avola, to let the afternoon stretch into evening. The team describe it as "a sanctuary of slow pleasures and bold flavours"; a phrase that feels entirely apt.
As Chelsea’s newest Mediterranean restaurant, KORA captures a timeless sensibility: the simplicity of coastal living expressed through craft, seasonality and soul. It’s both a nod to the myths that shaped Mediterranean culture and a confident step forward for London’s evolving dining landscape.
