Where to get London's best kebabs
Shish, these are good.
"Best Kebabs"? Surely that's something of an oxymoron? That's right up there with "exquisite carvery".
Well, we're not talking Doners here, we'll save the mechanically-reclaimed-meats-of-many-colours-reconstituted-into-a-fatty-elephant's-leg for another of our Best For lists. (Don't think us snobby though - we'll happily devour one of these badboys after a couple of ales.)
No, here we discus the shish - very much the Rosamund Pike of the kebab world (classy, not an ounce of fat and delicious on a flatbread.) Ahem...
Delicately spiced, skewered meat perfectly cooked over an open flame, served with cooling yoghurt in a soft flatbread.
If you're salivating, you'd best check these out...
When it comes to Turkish ocakbasi, Dalston/Stoke Newington is arguably king. Mangal has been the toast of the kebab circuit (does that really exist? We’d like to think so) for a while and it’s easy to see why. An exquisite kebab menu (including excellent bread), a raucous atmosphere and BYOB - that’s how Londoners do it.
The Lahore Kebab House has been delivering some of East London’s finest kebabs since time immemorial apparently. The meat on the bone (chops) options are damn fine and the skewered kebabs (at excellent prices) make most shish kebabs look like poor imitations. There’s a reason Lahore is always a name that comes up when discussing the best in Indian kebab cuisine.
Patogh
8 Crawford Place W1H 5NE
If you like your meat minced and you happen to be in Patogh just off Edgware Road, then guess what? You’re in the right place. The Persian restaurant is all about koobideh style kebabs molded along the skewer and whether its lamb or chicken you prefer, they’ll have you covered.
Like we said <a href="http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/trythis/show.php?try=145">here</a>, 19 Numera Bos Cirrik is a Stokie landmark thanks to its lamb shish and mixed kebabs. What’s more, it’s specialty – aubergines and green peppers in a cold tomato sauce – is delicious. Say no to Doner!
Tad
261 Mare Street E8 3NS
Anybody who has ever found themselves hungry in Hackney and down to their last £1.25 would be grateful for the existence of Tad’s lahmacun. The lamb and salad rolled flatbread is one of the cheapest meals around. Beyond that there is a selection of lamb stews, proper shish kebabs and more.
You might think the fact that Anatolia is just a stone’s throw from Tad is a little strange. But in this part of Hackney, kebab restaurants are almost as ubiquitous as artisan coffee shops filled with MacBooks. Anatolia doesn’t just char grill a mean shish, it has enough space for big groups to indulge together in the finer things in life – namely eating and drinking.
Five-star ratings on international travel websites, impeccable reviews from here to Istanbul and family run? It must be the Best Turkish Kebab. Like the name of the Stoke Newington restaurant says, it’s the best Turkish kebab around and all the statistics back it up. Earlier in the list we said that Doner was a no-no. Er, we made a mistake, we were talking about Donna (you don’t know her). Anyway, this doner is more than fine. Built from good quality cuts of meat the flavour is fresh, resulting in a less oily kebab.
If you prefer your kebabs presented under the illusion of an upscale restaurant then you can’t go wrong with The Real Greek. Their kebabs (and mezze) are first class, affordable and make a good alternative to chain restaurants like Carluccio’s.
North London is another great spot for Turkish food. Petek uses first grade meat, serves fresh-baked bread and olives on arrival (if eating in) and stacks up huge portions. Located on Stroud Green, Petek is a Turkish restaurant with kebabs worth travelling for.
Tayyabs
83-89 Fieldgate Street E1 1JU
Indian
Opening Times
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Tayyabs isn’t strictly about the kebabs but if you can find tastier lamb chops in London then we’d like to know about them. Seriously, tell us because they must be incredible. This Pakistani grill in Whitechapel is always bustling but you can bring your own drinks – which equals out any rushed service you might be given.
