Le Bab

Le Bab is a sit-down kebab restaurant on Mercer Walk, the pedestrian lane that runs between Mercer Street and Long Acre in Covent Garden. It is one of two bookable Le Bab dining rooms in central London, the other being in Soho, and it works as a full restaurant rather than a counter, with table service, a bar and a booking system.

The kitchen builds its menu around charcoal grilling and seasonal British produce rather than a fixed takeaway list. Hummus opens most meals, followed by kebabs such as the fried chicken bab with cucumbers, red onions, crispy onions, sweet chilli mayo and barbecue sauce, or the mixed grill platter of salt beef brisket, lamb adana and chicken shish served with radish salad, house sauces and flatbread. Fondue fries and a house crunchy salad of cucumber, radish and lemon are the standing sides.

A gourmet kebab restaurant in Covent Garden

The Mercer Walk site also houses Kebab Queen, the group's chef's table counter, where a tasting menu of dishes such as monkfish kebab, ox cheek manti and iskender kebab is cooked in front of a small number of seats and booked separately. Alongside the dining room, Le Bab Covent Garden takes private event bookings for birthdays, team dinners and group meals, and runs a catering arm that sends sharing trays to offices and venues across London.

What to expect on a visit

Lunch and dinner run as separate services on weekdays with an afternoon break, while Saturday is continuous and Sunday starts slightly later. Booking is sensible for evenings and essential for Kebab Queen. Delivery and collection are available if you would rather eat at home. For more in this part of the estate, see other Covent Garden restaurants around the Mercer Walk and Old Brewer's Yard blocks.