AGORA souvla bar — Restaurant in London

I was recommended this new-ish joint from a colleague and love the concept of open fire cooking - being able to see the cuisine come out and be handled, prepared, cooked and plated right in front of you is really cool, it makes the experience of eating here quite unique.

My partner and I got here at 6pm which is shortly after their service starts. To my surprise there was already a 20 person queue at this time, I don't usually queue like a sheep for any venue, regardless of its reputation, but on this occasion, I really enjoyed watching the chefs work, as it gave me an insight as to what its like to watch a chef at work, perhaps seeing myself in my own vocation.

Anyway, a staff member came and kept people sweet in the queue with beers, glasses wine and cocktails which was a very good touch and a wise pull to keep the everyday diner in the queue for the time it took to get a table which for us was 40 minutes which built a sufficient amount of hunger by that time.

We were sat at a bar seat on a stool which overlooked a regular borough market however on this occasion it overlooked a now, 40 person, queue up from 20 when we were init.

The restaurant was BUSY. Like MAD busy.

So busy it was as if it was the last restaurant on earth. But with that came the success of noise and vibrance but it all depends what dining experience you want, for me its a one off so I didn't mind but regularly I wouldn't opt for this.

Service was great, I can't fault it. Attentive and the staff knew their stuff, including recommendations and what food to order. But when you're having a shout your orders to the waiter because the noise is sooooooooo intense, its quite jarring. As well has having to shout at my girlfriend to run back a simple conversation.

The menu is extensive, nothing out of this world of knowledge and would fit all the greek regulars you'd expect to know and love abroad.

Flatbreads are great little bites, great textures, lovely fired flavour from the oven on site. Get these, they're easy wins for your sauces to soak up. Potato chips - nice crunch, nicely seasoned though something made me feel like this was their pride and joy as it was listed twice on the menu.....unsure why.

Ezme, hummus and Labneh: Ezme - Fresh, vibrant, can't really knock it. Labneh - Super light, and smooth, the Chermoula, was alright - nothing special, lacked depth in my opinion but thats my palate. Hummus - Did what it set out to.

The skewers are well priced and nice and simple. Sardine skewer - OUTSTANDING - superb flavour, complexity and acidity, was super well balanced. (Best thing I ate)

Lamb skewer - Was very reminiscent of a Merguez sausage of North Africa. Similar sumac content and overall, you wouldn't know if you were eating lamb or beef, marginally underwhelming. I feel like if it's grilled on a hibachi or not you should know by its fat content for richness.

Greek salad - BANGED - but I wanted MORE FETA! otherwise superb dressing and seasoned well.

Pineapple flatbread with pork - I mean, I'm a heathen and like a Hawaiian pizza so if you want a spicier version and more decadent and rich in flavour then get this. It was SUPERB.

Slow cooked chickpeas, zhoug - nothing particularly special, did what it said on the tin. Much like the chermoula, the zhoug lacked depth and didn't balance on the peppery notes of the chickpeas, In fact, I could have sworn it was Chermoula when Zhoug sits to be spicier. It was a nice dish just not all that fantastic.

Pork Souvla - nice pork, good quality, well cooked, nice char and crackling was pretty good - served with a green sauce which was overpacked with what I can only describe as 'heavy on the dill'

Overall, everyone here is working their F*ing backsides off and trying to produce simple, punchy small plates for the everyday consumer and its obviously working by the sheer volume of people in the restaurant but its marginal chaos and you need to be prepared for that. £112 for 4 drinks and a whole menu of food.

Very worth a visit to develop your...

I cannot recommend this place enough for the highest quality, freshest and most tasty flatbreads, meat skewers and sides at a reasonable price.

As a regular to neighbouring Borough market legend Berenjak (Persian). Agora provides a refreshing alternative, albeit Mediterranean grill/Turkish. Their casual style of walk-in, shared tables with fixed barstools and loud fast-paced music (Friday night) makes it suited to a quick-bite and sharing stories with fellow foodies because this place excels at mouth watering, tantalising, tangy and tasty food.

All the food was sensational and I almost never say that about a restaurant.

The Meat: High quality chicken thigh beautifully grilled, cooked to perfection - suculent and super tasty. Lamb skewer / kebab full of flavour and again perfectly cooked. The pork skewer was okay but not flavourful like the others.

In order of preference: chicken thigh skewer lamb skewer pork skewer

The breads: All were freshly baked in what looked like a pizza oven and served to the table in the very quickest way to allow the breads to be enjoyed the best. Spanakopita stood out as the cleverest twist of the puff-pastry Mediterranean classic with perfect consistency of creamy spinach.

In order of preference: spanakopita flatbread lamb adana flat bread wild garlic flatbread plain flatbread

The sides Perfect a compliment to the perfectly salted deliciously light and warm plain flatbread (we ended up ordering a second to finish these). For me the same was the stand out dish. Hugely flavoursome and moorish. Humus topping with potato crisps with smoked paprika and I think some za’atar was genius to bring texture to humus. If anything the humus could have been a little smoother and a touch more something (oil ?) been a little less claggy.

In order of preference: ezme salata hummus borani

Great place for a first date (it’s fast and can make a quick exit if needed) or date night. The vibe is definitely for younger 20-30’s crowd. Some may find it too noisy and hostile for a long evening.

Service was frenetic, fast paced and sometimes furious too as the queue outside prevented the waitress from executing at super-fast pace. I felt like a chastised school boy for standing in the wrong line - not a great way to start. So Agora, sort out your queuing so as not to get in the way of your hard working waiting staff. Manager and maitre’d both very attentive at getting customer feedback.

Overall excellent! Well done Agora. My wife and I highly recommend you. We I’ll be back with foodie friends and ask for a...

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As a seasoned food enthusiast and traveler who has dined at countless establishments across the globe, I can confidently say that AGORA in Borough Market is a true culinary gem. Having lived in the Middle East for 20 years, I have developed a discerning palate for Middle Eastern cuisine, and AGORA exceeded every expectation I had.

The moment I walked into AGORA, I was enveloped by a warm and inviting atmosphere. The ambiance beautifully blends traditional Middle Eastern elements with a modern touch, creating a cozy yet sophisticated dining environment. The staff was exceptionally welcoming, providing attentive and knowledgeable service throughout the meal, which added to the overall delightful experience.

Let’s talk about the food, which is, without a doubt, the star of the show. The flatbread and hummus served at AGORA transported me back to the bustling markets of Beirut and Amman. The flatbread was perfectly soft and warm, with just the right amount of chewiness that is so difficult to find outside the Middle East. It was the perfect vessel for the hummus, which was creamy, rich, and bursting with authentic flavors. The balance of garlic, lemon, and tahini was spot on, making each bite a harmonious blend of tastes that lingered pleasantly on my palate.

The highlight of my meal, however, was the lamb and chicken. Cooked to absolute perfection, each bite was a testament to the chef's expertise. The lamb was tender and succulent, practically melting in my mouth, while the chicken was juicy and infused with a medley of spices that danced on my palate. It’s as if a culinary wizard is at work in the kitchen, crafting dishes with magical precision and a deep understanding of flavor profiles. The seasoning was impeccable, showcasing a mastery of both technique and tradition.

Every dish I tried was a delightful experience, from the vibrant, fresh salads to the perfectly seasoned grilled vegetables. The use of high-quality ingredients was evident, and the presentation was both artistic and appetizing. The portions were generous, and each plate told a story of cultural richness and culinary excellence.

AGORA is not just a restaurant; it’s an experience that transports you to the heart of the Middle East. Whether you're a seasoned foodie, a Middle Eastern cuisine aficionado, or simply someone who appreciates good food, this place will leave a lasting impression. Borough Market is lucky to have such a standout dining destination. Highly recommended for anyone looking to indulge in an exceptional...