For those who haven’t come across it yet (and we wouldn’t blame you – it’s genuinely easy to miss), Inca is a Latin American restaurant, though simply calling it a restaurant feels a little reductive. This is London, after all, where dining often merges into performance.

Hidden behind what feels like an unmarked black door just off Oxford Street, the entrance gives nothing away. Two floors down, the space opens into a dim, late-night setting with a lounge-like feel: a long, rectangular stage, a DJ booth, circular tables for groups, and comfortable sofas arranged around the room. The décor strikes a balance between polished, after-hours glamour and somewhere comfy where you can feel yourself settling into for the night.

Inca at Christmas

For Christmas, the entire venue gets a full seasonal overhaul. The pillars and archways are wrapped in dense garlands threaded with warm lights and oversized ornaments, and the room glows with wreaths, red bows and a full-height illuminated tree in the back.

Even if you’re only stopping in for a drink, the space feels like you’ve walked into a fully-built festive set – rich, warm and theatrically dressed for December. There are several festive set menus, all costing around £100 to £155 per person, with other options available for larger groups.

We visited to try the Christmas Lily vegetarian menu (£100 per person), which is always a good measure of how confident a kitchen is. As a set menu, there’s no choosing or negotiating over sides if you go with your partner or friend; everything arrives in a steady, relaxed flow.

Starters

The starters are surprisingly substantial. A bright, coconut-and-chilli ceviche made with palm hearts got us started – fresh, flavourful, and genuinely one of the best vegetarian ceviche-style dishes we’ve had, even compared with other Latin American spots in London.

This was followed by sushi (eight pieces each), salted edamame to snack on throughout the evening, and guacamole with chips. The guacamole is mixed at the table by the server, resulting in a smooth, well-balanced portion served individually.

It’s a humble starter but couldn’t get more Latin American than that, and it tasted beautifully with the right amount of lime. By this stage, we were already almost full, but the show must go on.

Mains

The mains included grilled miso aubergine steaks, fries with truffle mayo, and charred broccoli. On paper, the combination feels slightly disconnected – miso aubergine paired with truffle fries isn’t the most intuitive match – but everything was enjoyable. The broccoli was cooked properly and coated in flavour rather than left as an afterthought, and the fries disappeared quickly. The standout, though, was the aubergine: generous portions, well-flavoured, and genuinely satisfying.

Desserts

Dessert arrived as a fruit platter, two bowls of tropical sorbet, and a chocolate fondant with ice cream. The menu mentions mixed sorbets and a trio of desserts; what we received wasn’t quite that, possibly due to what was available on the night, which was a shame as the listed trio looked appealing. However, the portions were generous and it was a comfortable, sweet finish to the meal.

Drinks

The drinks list is extensive, with a solid selection of wines and cocktails. We tried two of the most popular options recommended by the waiter:

• Nimbus Rojo (£25): Casamigos mezcal, strawberry, basil, prickly pear. Easily one of the best drinks of the evening — smoky with a fresh, fruity lift.
• Nikki Tikki (£24): Tequila, prickly pear, spiced mango, lime. Refreshing and easy to drink; apparently the crowd favourite.

The pricing is undeniably steep, so worth keeping in mind if you plan to order a few.

Performances

Performances began around 9pm — a theatrical mix of singing, dancing, and hosting that added atmosphere without taking away from the quality and flow of the dinner itself. The service continues as normal while the show takes place, which is ideal if you want entertainment without the feeling of having to constantly look away from your table.

Our verdict

This is a strong, though undeniably expensive, festive set menu. The portions are generous, the quality is consistent, and the dramatic Christmas décor alongside the late-night performances creates an experience that goes beyond a typical dinner reservation. It’s very much a special-occasion venue — but if that’s what you’re after, it delivers exactly that.

Key details:

• Location: 8‑9 Argyll St, London W1F 7TF, next to the London Palladium (nearest tube: Oxford Circus)
• Opening hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday – 8PM to 1AM, Friday and Saturday – 7PM to 2AM, closed on Monday and Tuesday
• Bookings: incalondon.com/bookings or reservations@incalondon.com
• Phone: +44 20 7734 6066

Follow @incalondon for more info.

See also:

Review – Christmas at The Ivy Northcote Road

The Queen’s House Ice Rink is back to Greenwich with VIP perks and a fresh feel

Members’ club Christabel’s is back: Soho’s late-night mischief finds a new home on Winsley Street