Fitzrovia, Middle Eastern Restaurant Guide

“The combination of ingredients is always amazing and food is always fresh” at Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich’s modern Levantine grill house, near Great Portland Street. The couple hit fame with Honey & Co (see also) whose original site was nearby and fans “Love the Honey & ... eastern Med ethos with its delicious food” (grilled meat, fish, veg plus mezze and salads). It’s not a cosy spot, though (“expected it to have a similar feel to the old Honey & Co… it doesn’t!”)

This 10-year-old group with six sites offers a “good-value and tasty” take on the Middle Eastern kebab, served with a “modern twist” alongside “noteworthy cocktails”. “A seat at the counter is fun” at the original Kingly Court branch in Carnaby Street, which has a ‘fine dining’ option downstairs, Kebab Queen (see also).

2023 Review: Initially launched as part of an invite-only private members’ club, John Javier’s small (34-cover) August 2022 newcomer in Fitzrovia is his first venture featuring Middle Eastern cuisine, zhushed up with – for instance – Asian seasonings, plus funky cocktails and wines. Expect Bedouin-style décor, DJs and live music.

“I dream about the hummus and flatbread…!”; “Believe the hype: even the meat-eaters don’t complain” and visit “these vibrant (often heaving!)” venues whose “completely brilliant” meat-free dishes (“such variety, with great combinations of flavours”) provide “taste explosions” of “fill-yer-face food”. But even fans concede you get “squashed in” and that “the bare walls and decor make it noisy” – “then again a more comfortable ambience would just push up the reasonable prices” and the net outcome is “jolly”. From its Soho base, expansion has come to Shoreditch and – from April 2025 – also now to King’s Cross. Top Tip – avoid W1’s “cramped basement”.