Le Bab is celebrating a milestone decade in London, proving that the elevated kebab concept is here to stay. Within the first five minutes of sitting down at their Covent Garden hotspot, you realise how Le Bab has transformed high-street dining over the past ten years. Bringing together global influences, bold spices, and fine-dining techniques, Le Bab continues to reinvent casual dining across its seven London locations.
To mark ten years since opening its doors in Kingly Court, Le Bab has completely overhauled its menu. Alongside a selection of iconic house classics, the kitchen has introduced ten vibrant new dishes that reflect a decade of culinary evolution. We visited to sample the newly updated menu and experience how Le Bab is shaping modern feast culture.
The Evolution of Le Bab Across Ten Years
Founder Stephen Tozer reflects on a decade of challenging perceptions surrounding kebab culture. Since day one, industry insiders advised dropping the word from the brand name. Instead, Le Bab leaned into the concept, proving that high-quality ingredients and precise technique could elevate street food into something truly exceptional.
Ten years and seven London sites later, spanning Soho, Covent Garden, Spitalfields Market, Canary Wharf, Oxford Circus, Victoria, and St. Paul’s, the commitment to the original vision remains firm. The updated menu borrows flavour profiles from the Middle East, South Asia, and beyond, staying true to the spirit of culinary curiosity that defines Le Bab.
Starting the Feast with Small Plates and Mezze
Our dining experience began with an array of mezze items designed for sharing. Each small plate showcases the kitchen’s ability to balance rich, bold flavours with fresh accents.
I loved the golden slices of grilled halloumi, which arrive perfectly charred on the outside while maintaining a wonderfully tender centre. They come coated in a spicy rose harissa glaze that I found offered a warm heat, delightfully softened by gentle floral undertones.
A long-standing staple on the menu, the signature hummus at Le Bab pairs silky fermented chickpeas with urfa chilli and a vibrant house-made peanut pesto. I couldn’t get enough of the peanut pesto, which adds an earthy, nutty complexity to every single scoop.
The blistered Padrón peppers brought a wonderful smoky, charred element to our table, served alongside a rich roasted red pepper and feta dip finished with a generous dusting of crunchy dukkah for extra texture.
Yet the plate I had been anticipating most was their famous cheese fondue. Receiving a luxurious upgrade for the ten-year menu refresh, it now comes gratinated for extra indulgence. I watched in delight as the velvety vintage cheddar fondue cascaded over double-cooked fries seasoned with the signature house spice mix, delivering deep, savoury comfort that had us clearing the bowl in record time.
Main Event Kebabs
The main courses showcase the core philosophy of Le Bab by taking familiar street food formats and refining them with unexpected culinary details and premium cuts of meat.
Highlighting exceptional British produce, the Lamb Steak Kebab features Dorset lamb chump grilled to a succulent medium. I particularly enjoyed how the sharp green pepper and caper salsa sliced right through the richness of the meat, while the harissa labneh added a cooling, spiced finish.
If you order only one thing, make it the charred Salt Beef Kebab, which completely stole the spotlight and easily earned the crown as my absolute favourite dish. Taking classic New York deli culture and turning it into pure magic, I found the tender, smoky beef brisket literally fell apart at the touch of my fork. The contrast between the zingy sauerkraut and the rich, complex burn of the gochujang chilli relish created an unforgettably bold flavour explosion that set a whole new benchmark for what I expect from a kebab.
Cocktail Pairings
To pair with the bold spices on the menu, the drinks list at Le Bab leans into well-crafted classics with plenty of personality.
I found the Old Fashioned gave us a smooth, oaky depth through its Bulleit Bourbon, Angostura, and rich muscovado, cutting right through the smoky grilled meats. When I wanted something fruitier, I turned to the Mai Tai, which brought a tropical splash of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Triple Sec, and lime, crowned with a classic maraschino cherry.
For a refreshing palate cleanser between courses, I recommend the Moscow Mule, which blends Ketel One Vodka with fiery Double Dutch Ginger Beer, fresh mint, and a squeeze of lime. Finally, I was impressed by how effortlessly the Spicy Margarita delivered that crucial citrus-and-chilli punch, slicing through the rich cheeses and sticky glazes.
Ten Years of Breaking Rules at Le Bab
The ten-year milestone highlights how Le Bab continues to evolve without losing sight of its identity. By introducing creative additions like charred salt beef, chicken thigh shish, and sourdough kebab pizzas alongside classic favourites, the team ensures that Le Bab remains one of London’s most exciting casual dining destinations.
Whether visiting the original Kingly Court venue in Soho or stopping by the Covent Garden location, the refreshed menu at Le Bab demonstrates that elevated street food is far more than a passing trend.
The overall dining experience was made all the more memorable thanks to Shezmin, who took care of our table throughout the meal. Her outstanding hospitality, genuine friendliness, and thoughtful attention to detail elevated the entire evening. From guiding us through the new menu additions with remarkable warmth to ensuring our timing and drink refills were paced seamlessly, her attentive care made us feel uniquely welcomed.
The extraordinary food, combined with the stellar hospitality, makes a visit to Le Bab an unmissable London dining experience.
To reserve your table or discover the full menu, visit their website or pop in for a walk-in at any of their London locations.
