Christoff.ai

Le Bab

restaurants•
London
London

Le Bab

Kingly Court, Kingly Street, London W1B 5PW, United Kingdom

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Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Perched on the top floor of Kingly Court, Le Bab has cracked the code on elevating humble kebabs into something genuinely special. This isn't your late-night takeaway - it's what happens when Michelin-trained chefs get their hands on traditional Middle Eastern cuisine and give it a proper British twist.

Le Bab: Where Michelin Training Meets Middle Eastern Street Food

Kingly Court's gourmet kebab revolution that's worth the queue

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

The space buzzes with an energy that hits you immediately - vintage hip hop flows through speakers while Mediterranean blue and white tiles create a fresh backdrop against exposed ceiling ducts. It's modern industrial meets Middle Eastern warmth, scoring an impressive 8.5/10 for energy levels. The layout offers flexibility with counter seating for solo diners, cozy window spots perfect for couples, and a chef's table experience for those wanting the full show. When full, the noise levels can become quite intense, especially during peak dinner service. The vibe is distinctly young professional territory - trendy without being pretentious, Instagram-worthy without feeling manufactured. The open kitchen adds theatre, with charcoal grills sending aromatic smoke signals that this is serious cooking happening in real time.

Food & Drink

The kitchen's Michelin training shows in every detail, from the free-range British meat to the seasonal produce that keeps the menu evolving. Their signature chicken shish with squash hummus is the stuff of local legend, while more adventurous offerings like roe deer adana and pork shawarma push boundaries in the best way. The house-made hummus with fresh flatbreads is exceptional, and those loaded fondue fries are pure indulgence done right. The vegan roast aubergine proves they're not just paying lip service to plant-based options. Everything comes off charcoal grills, adding that essential smokiness that separates good kebabs from great ones. The modern Levantine approach means familiar flavours presented with genuine sophistication.

Service & Experience

The service operates with the efficiency you'd expect from a busy Soho spot that regularly draws queues. Staff move with purpose through the bustling space, though the high energy atmosphere and noise levels when full can make communication challenging during peak times. The team clearly knows their menu inside out, essential given the elevated nature of what they're serving. Booking through their website is straightforward, though walk-ins should expect to wait, especially during lunch and dinner rushes.

Value for Money

At £25 and under per person, Le Bab delivers exceptional value for a prime Soho location. The bottomless weekend brunch at £18 per person is genuinely remarkable pricing for the area - you'd struggle to find better value within spitting distance of Oxford Circus. The portion sizes justify the moderate pricing, and the quality of ingredients means you're getting proper bang for your buck. For a venue that's clearly chef-driven with Michelin-trained talent, the accessibility of the pricing makes it refreshingly democratic rather than elitist.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Queue up at 11:45am for lunch to beat the rush, or book ahead for dinner service. Weekend brunch is popular but the £18 bottomless deal makes any wait worthwhile. Avoid peak dinner hours if you're sensitive to noise levels.

What to Focus On

The chicken shish with squash hummus is non-negotiable - it's their claim to fame for good reason. Don't leave without trying the house-made hummus and fresh flatbreads, and those loaded fondue fries are perfect for sharing.

Christoff's Insider Tips

Book the chef's table experience for the premium treatment and best views of the charcoal grilling actionThe venue is only 5 minutes from both Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road stations, making it perfect for pre or post-shopping fuelThey offer catering and private events if you want to bring the Le Bab experience elsewhere

The Final Verdict

Le Bab succeeds brilliantly at what it sets out to do - elevating Middle Eastern street food without losing its soul. The Michelin training shows in the execution, the ingredients are top-notch, and the pricing remains accessible despite the Soho postcode. Yes, it gets loud and yes, you'll likely queue, but that's because they've created something genuinely special. The 9.0/10 trendy factor score reflects a venue that's riding the wave perfectly - contemporary enough to feel current, rooted enough to have staying power.

Christoff's Rating:
7.8/10

Perfect For:

young professionals seeking quality casual dininggroups wanting shareable Middle Eastern cuisine with a twistanyone chasing exceptional value in central London

Quick Details

1

Le Bab

✨ Trendy
⭐️ Vibrant
⭐️ Group friendly
🎪 Soho value

Michelin-trained chefs elevate traditional kebabs with free-range British meat and seasonal produce on Kingly Court's top floor, creating gourmet Middle Eastern food that doesn't break the bank. The vibrant space buzzes with vintage hip hop while Mediterranean tiles and exposed ceiling ducts create modern Levantine atmosphere. Their bottomless weekend brunch at £18 per person transforms individual dining into exceptional group value, while signature dishes like chicken shish with squash hummus and loaded fondue fries deliver Instagram-worthy presentations. The chef's table experience adds theater to dining, though the space gets extremely noisy when full during peak dinner service.

What's Great

✓ Michelin-trained chefs crafting gourmet kebabs with quality ingredients

✓ Bottomless weekend brunch at £18pp offers incredible Soho value

Keep in Mind

× Gets extremely noisy when full, especially during peak dinner hours

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Queue at 11:45am for lunch or book chef's table for premium experience and food theater

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Mon-Thu: 12pm-10pm, Fri-Sat: 12pm-10:30pm, Sun: 12pm-9pm"
📍Kingly Court, Kingly Street, London W1B 5PW, United Kingdom
💷£££
📞+44 20 7434 4000
🌐Website

Featured In My Guides

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

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