Supernova Soho, a review.

The façade of a burger store with a yellow overhand that says supernova

(Source: hot-dinners.com)

A Quick Overview

Cuisine: Burgers and fries

Price: ££

Location: 25 Peter Street, Soho, W1F 0AH

Food: Simple and delicious

Vibes/Aesthetic: Modern, Gen-Z establishment serving up-scale McDonalds to go

Supernova - London Restaurant Tour

Visited: 06/01/2024

Supernova's website is minimalistic. No long menu, no about section, just four things: burgers, fries, sundaes and the address. It was a confident play from the duo behind Supernova, David Bellaiche and Gabriel Cohen who are also behind cookie sensation Crème and NAC in Mayfair. They trusted in the food, branding and their hype to reel in customers, and well it's been working, when I got to Soho there was already a queue out the door, and the place has been open for at least 4 months.

The ambiance, branding and décor - clean, simple, pastel hues, and solid black lines catered to the Gen-Z crowd forming the majority of the queue. Supernova skilfully embraces the upscale McDonald's concept, presenting those classic McDonalds like fries in the same paper bag, only less greasy. The packaging and vibe evoked the American burger chain feel with a modern London twist, perfectly in sync with the youthful energy of the area. And so I understand why it has done so well on TikTok and YouTube.

Opting for the classic cheeseburger, fries, and a caramel sundae for £17 (similarly priced if you choose a drink instead of the sundae), the cost may seem high compared to a McDonald's meal but aligns with the upscale burger market, competing with Five Guys and Shake Shack. However, while the price matched, I'd argue the latter two offer a slightly more substantial portion.

The classic cheeseburger, with ketchup, pickles, onions, American cheese, and two smashed patties in a light bun, impressed with its cleanliness and lack of excess grease, unlike a Five Guys for example that can sometimes feel slightly dirty. The smashed patties, my personal preference, were so thin that you get the satisfying crispy lattice texture, so even though there were two patties it wasn't overwhelming. The fries were crispy, though it seemed they skimped on the red seasoning, that was sparingly dotted around. The caramel sundae with chopped nuts, was sweet and enjoyable, but the caramel sauce tasted noticeably artificial.

Despite this, the overall dining experience left me pleasantly full but not stuffed. It isn't the place to come if you want a big, dirty burger and lots of fries, it's all very instagrammable and clean and so, some might feel slightly short-changed compared to Five Guys or Shake Shack. But the Supernova burger, provides a perfectly executed smashed patty, juicy, well-seasoned, without excess grease. Supernova is a takeaway burger that leaves you satisfied without feeling bad for eating out. I've got to say, I get the hype and will be going back.

If you’re in the West London area – I would recommend.