Londonist asks that most pressing of daily concerns: where to go on your lunch break.
Bosphorus Kebabs
59 Old Brompton Road SW7 3JS
Nearest Tube: South Kensington
0871 426 9060
10.30am-Midnight Daily
Expect to Pay: Around £6
Rating: 9 out of 10
Bosphorus Kebabs is a tiny hole-in-the-wall just a short stroll away from the South Ken Tube. The place can become extremely crowded during the weekday lunch rush and during the evening when people stop by to pick up some din-din on the way home from work (and then, of course, when the pubs close). However, it usually isn’t as overrun with tourists as many of the other eateries in this Museum laden part of town. And, to their credit, the guys at the grill do a good job at filling orders as fast as possible.To our knowledge, there’s hardly ever any real lull at Bosphorus, as there always seems to be somebody having something to eat … and with good reason. Known for its quality Halal meat, Bosphorus Kebabs is something of a meat lover’s paradise or “Little Kebab Nirvana” as Formaggio_Amore at trustedplaces put it. A spiritual connection to grilled meat is also a theme of Duncan J.’s welovelocal.com review, recommending Bosphorus to “anyone who worships the kebab.”
Apparently, the cult of kebab has many adherents, as evidenced by the many impromptu rave reviews written on index cards covering much of the wall space inside and providing a brilliant lunchtime read. One card from 2002 is signed by “Lionel the Taxi Driver” a fan of Bosphorus Kebabs for 35 years, writing that Bosphorus serves “the best food in town.” Another, among the multitude of cards, simply states that “It’s all about Bosphorus Kebabs.”
According to the shop's awning, Bosphorus proudly serves “fresh lamb and chicken with no artificial additives.” The food here certainly tastes fresher and more delicious than that from most other kebab shops. For the faithful, we recommend the large mixed grill (£5.50) with chilli sauce and salad and believe that Bosphorus Kebabs is worthy of a pilgrimage should you not live nearby this revered kebab shop.
Photography by Tiki Chris © 2007.