Christoff.ai

Grand Bazaar

restaurants•
London
London

Grand Bazaar

James Street, St Christopher’s Place, London W1U 1EY

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Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Tucked away on James Street in St Christopher's Place, Grand Bazaar promises to transport you to Istanbul without the jet lag. With its bazaar-inspired atmosphere and Silk Road sharing plates, this Turkish restaurant has carved out a cosy niche in one of London's priciest postcodes, though the limited buzz suggests it's still flying under many radars.

Grand Bazaar: A Slice of Istanbul in Marylebone's Heart

Christoff's take: Authentic Turkish flavours meet accessible luxury near Selfridges

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

Step inside and you're immediately struck by the transportive bazaar atmosphere that Grand Bazaar has carefully crafted. The 42-cover indoor space feels intimate and cosy, adorned with hanging lamps and incense burners that genuinely evoke the bustling markets of Istanbul. The energy level sits at a comfortable 6.5 out of 10 - lively enough for conversation without being overwhelming. What sets this place apart is its group-friendly setup, scoring an impressive 8.5 for social dining, making it ideal for sharing plates with friends or family. The 25 outdoor seats add flexibility, particularly appealing during warmer months. The sophistication level hovers at 5.5 out of 10, striking that sweet spot between casual and refined - what I'd call 'casual luxury' that doesn't intimidate but still feels special. The conversation-friendly score of 8.0 confirms this is a place where you can actually hear each other speak, a rarity in central London dining.

Food & Drink

The Silk Road-inspired menu celebrates authentic Turkish cuisine through a well-curated selection of sharing plates and traditional dishes. The meze selection covers the classics - creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, crispy halloumi fries, and falafel - providing a solid foundation for the Turkish experience. Main courses span from succulent lamb kofte and tender lamb chops to chicken tagine and prawn saganaki, with options extending to fresh sea bass and ribeye steak for those wanting familiar territory. Vegetarian diners aren't afterthoughts here, with dedicated options like Turkish eggs alongside the meze selection. The meal concludes traditionally with baklava or pistachio ice cream. The full bar offers creative cocktails, wines, beer, and traditional beverages, though specific details about the drinks programme aren't available. With a 4.4-star OpenTable rating, the kitchen appears to deliver on its authentic promises, though the limited number of recent reviews suggests the food hasn't yet created significant word-of-mouth buzz.

Service & Experience

The service philosophy centres on making everyone feel welcome, with staff described as friendly and accommodating to groups and special occasions. The restaurant's high flexibility score of 7.5 out of 10 suggests the team adapts well to different dining needs and group sizes. However, with only 8 recent OpenTable reviews despite the 4.4-star rating, there's limited recent feedback to gauge current service consistency. The booking system operates through SevenRooms, and they accept all major cards including AMEX, showing attention to practical customer needs. Operating hours run Monday to Saturday from 12pm to 11pm, with slightly shorter Sunday hours until 10pm, providing decent accessibility for both lunch and dinner services.

Value for Money

Here's where Grand Bazaar truly shines for its Marylebone location. With mains averaging £11-18, this represents genuine accessible luxury in one of London's most expensive dining areas. The price level sits at 2 out of 4, making it notably affordable for the postcode, especially considering the proximity to Selfridges and Oxford Street. The sharing plate concept enhances value for groups, allowing diners to sample multiple dishes without breaking the bank. The combination of authentic atmosphere, central location, and reasonable pricing creates a compelling value proposition that's increasingly rare in this part of town. For what you're getting - a transportive dining experience in prime central London real estate - the pricing feels refreshingly honest rather than exploitative.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Book for 6pm if you want the outdoor terrace - the sunset timing makes those hanging lamps particularly atmospheric. Weekday lunchtimes likely offer a more relaxed experience given the central location's office crowd dynamics. Weekend evenings will be busier but offer the full energy of the bazaar atmosphere.

What to Focus On

Start with the meze selection to get the full sharing experience - the hummus and baba ghanoush are mentioned specifically for good reason. For mains, the lamb kofte and lamb chops represent the kitchen's Turkish credentials best. Don't skip the baklava for dessert if you want the complete cultural journey.

Christoff's Insider Tips

The 25 outdoor seats offer prime people-watching opportunities in St Christopher's Place - book specifically for the terrace if weather permitsDespite the 4.4-star rating, only 8 recent reviews suggest this is still a relatively undiscovered gem before the crowds catch onThe restaurant allows pets outdoors only, so plan accordingly if you're bringing four-legged friends

The Final Verdict

Grand Bazaar succeeds in creating an authentic Turkish experience without the usual central London price gouging. The transportive atmosphere genuinely works, enhanced by thoughtful touches like hanging lamps and incense burners. While the limited recent review activity suggests it hasn't yet captured widespread attention, this could work in your favour for securing tables. The food delivers on its authentic promises with a solid range of sharing plates and traditional mains. For a group dinner or special occasion in Marylebone, the combination of atmosphere, value, and location creates a compelling proposition that feels increasingly rare in this part of London.

Christoff's Rating:
7.2/10

Perfect For:

Groups looking for sharing-style dining in central LondonAnyone seeking authentic Turkish cuisine without destination restaurant pricesDate nights or special occasions wanting atmosphere without stuffiness

Quick Details

1

Grand Bazaar

⭐️ Transportive
⭐️ Group friendly
⭐️ Central location
⭐️ Bazaar atmosphere

Hanging lamps and incense burners transport you straight to Istanbul in this cozy St Christopher's Place hideaway near Selfridges. The 42-cover indoor space plus 25 outdoor seats recreate authentic bazaar atmosphere, while the Silk Road-inspired menu celebrates traditional Turkish cuisine through sharing plates. Start with creamy hummus and smoky baba ghanoush before moving to succulent lamb kofte or tender lamb chops. The full bar offers creative cocktails alongside traditional beverages, making this perfect for groups seeking accessible luxury in central London. OpenTable's 4.4-star rating reflects the transportive atmosphere and authentic cuisine, though limited recent reviews suggest it remains a hidden gem.

What's Great

✓ Authentic bazaar atmosphere with hanging lamps

✓ Perfect location near Selfridges with outdoor seating

Keep in Mind

× Limited buzz despite high ratings suggests inconsistent popularity

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Book outdoor terrace for 6pm sunset vibes and prime people-watching

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Mon-Sat: 12pm-11pm\nSun: 12pm-10pm"
📍James Street, St Christopher’s Place, London W1U 1EY
💷£££
📞+44 20 7486 5000
🌐Website

Featured In My Guides

Grand Bazaar has been featured in 1 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

Turkish Restaurant Insider: Where London's Turks Actually Eat 2025 reference image

Turkish Restaurant Insider: Where London's Turks Actually Eat 2025

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Aug 21, 2025
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