Just when we thought we’d experienced everything that London’s culinary scene has on offer; we discover a hidden kebab shop that not only serves up the only kebab tasting menu in the city, but serves it up plate-free and ready to be eaten directly off the countertop.
Nestled inside a Covent Garden restaurant is what we can only describe as a stairway to kebab heaven. And tucked behind a fairly traditional-looking kebab shop facade at the bottom of that staircase is a spot that’s well and truly thrown the kebab rule book out of the window.
The boujie brainchild of Manu Canales, Ed Brunet, and Stephen Tozer, Kebab Queen is a critically-acclaimed fine dining concept that’s shone a light on the humble kebab like never before. With just 10 seats in the entire place, this intimate chef’s table experience takes diners on a creative culinary journey that needs to be tasted to be believed.
The experience
Once guests have arrived, Head Chef, Pamir Zeydan, introduces himself and the dining concept. The menu is a mouth-watering fusion of Turkish, Kurdish, and Eastern European cuisine, served up in the form of eight innovative courses. Each dish is cooked and prepared right in front of you, before being served directly on to your table, without a plate in sight.
Each dish is presented to perfection, with the countertop being used as the blank canvas for each little work of art. From a bread and butter soup and a celeriac and quince terrine to a mezze of seafood and a show-stopping lamb kebab; each course is flawlessly crafted, blending comfort food and ingenuity together seamlessly, whilst showcasing authentic flavours and ultra-seasonal ingredients. And fear not: the countertop is heated and cleaned between each and every course, making it ideal for messy eaters (not speaking from experience or anything).
The lights are low, the vibes are high, and the food is bloomin’ sensational. What’s not to love? Kebab Queen is certainly one of the most unique culinary experiences in the capital city.
The experience costs £110 per person with the option of adding wine pairings for an additional £65. Kebab Queen is located inside Le Bab Covent Garden at 4 Mercer Walk, WC2H 9FA. Find out more and plan your visit here.