Isso are hoping their obsession with prawns is to Canary Wharf's taste

London has its fair share of Sri Lankan restaurants. But the arrival of Isso in Canary Wharf this summer marks one of the first times a Sri Lankan-based restaurant group has opened in the city.

Owner Apinash Sivagumaaran happily admits he was obsessed with prawns from an early age. "You find chicken restaurants, crab restaurants, lobster restaurants, but there's no specialised prawn restaurants," he says. "and I personally as a kid loved prawns." All the prawns come direct from Sri Lanka, where as Apinash explains, "we support over 150 artisanal fishermen in Jaffna and Mannar who use small-scale day boats."

His 90-seater restaurant has just opened its doors in Canary Wharf. Starters on the menu include mutton rolls, cuttlefish fritto and their own Isso wade, lentil patties with crisp prawns. For the main affair, there are four prawns to choose from: Sri Lankan wild sea-caught black tiger prawns, wild sea-caught flower prawns, giant freshwater prawns or colossal freshwater prawns. You then get to decide how you want them prepared, with options including Hot Butter Style, Jaffna Curry, or Negombo Curry, and what side you want, from ghee rice to parotta. And it's pretty well priced too, with mains starting as low as £19.

As for drinks, in addition to cocktails, wine and beer, they'll also be serving Sri Lankan tea and chai.

An outside terrace space is on the way for their Canary Wharf home, but next month, you'll also be able to try the prawns at a summertime pop-up at the Pavilion Cafe in Victoria Park.