Baba Restaurant Chelsea — Restaurant in London

There was a time when the number of Turkish restaurants in London were just a handful, but then in the last few years there has been an explosion of Turkish or Mediterranean-themed restaurants all over London. Although a wide variety of choice and price is much welcome by Londoners, the increased quantity hasn't unfortunately always translated into quality and uniqueness of what's offered - not just by food but also atmosphere. Baba Restaurant Chelsea is very much the exception here. As you enter the restaurant, you're greeted by the unmistakable feeling of being in the warm friendly spacious atmosphere of a Mediterranean restaurant with fantastic tiles on the floor, wide open spaces with unintrusively warm lighting arrangements, hand-picked black & white photographs on the walls, luscious plants around the tables by the walls, brilliantly white table cloths, but most importantly the smiling friendly faces of the owners as well as the attentive staff. The wonderful feeling you have entering the restaurant is only exceeded by the quality and the choice of food offered here. Turkish/Mediterranean cuisine is famous for being influenced by the many cultures around the big "lake" of the Mediterranean Sea and it's easy to get carried away and fill a menu with too many items. Baba Chelsea has not made this mistake and the menu doesn't overwhelm the guests here. It has a selective number of items (which I understand has been short-listed after a painstaking selection process) on the menu which represent the best of what's offered in Turkey - influenced by the cuisines of a large geography spanning from the Balkans, Greece, Central Anatolia, Middle East and the Arab peninsula. The end result is fantastic. There's also a fantastic wine menu offered here, but the experienced bar staff has a great selection of cocktails as well. For those who are into local flavours, a great selection of the Turkish aniseedy drink Raki (and Şalgam - traditional Turkish drink made from fermented red carrots, bulgur, salt, yeast, and water) is also on offer. Either for a romantic dinner or getting together with beloved friends & family members or any occasion really, Baba Chelsea will not disappoint you accomodating your needs but more importantly will always go the extra mile for you to leave the restaurant happy wanting to come back. A big heart-felt thank you to the owners Ege, Ali & Efe and the...

Baba, a relatively new Turkish restaurant on Fulham Road, sits almost opposite Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

The interior is stylish and inviting, featuring a bar with elegant Art Deco pendant lights, tan leather seats, banquette seating, sand-colored walls, and black-and-white photography towards the far end. There are also two outdoor tables for those who prefer al fresco dining.

The lunch menu, offering 2 or 3 courses at great value, initially seemed promising. However, the cordon bleu chicken was unavailable, so I opted for the vegetable moussaka instead.

The meal began with the starter and ordered additional bread, a single piece cut into four, lightly dusted with za’atar spices—soft, fluffy, and a nice pairing with the Muhammara. The Muhammara itself was a pleasant blend of roasted peppers, tomatoes, and herbs, with hints of pomegranate adding a subtle sweetness.

The vegetable moussaka, unfortunately, was disappointing. While the aubergine, carrots, peppers, and potatoes were well-cooked, the dish arrived piping hot and took a long time to cool down. The top layer of cheese was glistening with oil, and a pool of oil had collected at the base, making the dish heavier than expected.

For dessert, the İrmik Helvası—a semolina-based dessert served with a scoop of ice cream, pistachio crumbs, and small nuts—was a pleasant end to the meal.

Service was acceptable, though there was an error on the bill, initially charging for two courses plus dessert separately instead of the set three-course meal. This was corrected upon request. A 12.5% service charge was added.

Overall, Baba offers a stylish setting and decent value, but the execution of dishes could be improved, particularly in balancing oiliness and portion weight. The lunch menu is great value if your don’t mind oily moussaka and the lack of Cordon...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Baba, a true hidden gem in the heart of Chelsea, and I can't rave about it enough! From the moment we stepped inside, we were greeted by a stunning décor that set the perfect atmosphere for an unforgettable evening. The restaurant truly feels like a special place — cosy, elegant, and full of charm.

We started with a bottle of Gavi wine, which was the perfect companion to the incredible food we were about to enjoy. The octopus was nothing short of spectacular. It was so tender it melted in our mouths, and the slightly spicy sauce paired with the potatoes was absolutely divine. My partner was in heaven with this dish! The homemade hummus was creamy and flavourful, and the Sarma? Well, that was the absolute star of the evening for me — every bite was perfection.

For the mains, my partner had the seabass, cooked to perfection with a crispy skin that was just delicious. I went for the lamb chops, and let me tell you, they were mouth-wateringly good — juicy, flavourful, and absolutely satisfying. Every dish was crafted with so much care and attention to detail.

The service at Baba was beyond exceptional. The staff was incredibly attentive, making us feel like we were part of the family. I didn’t even have to pour my wine myself because they were always there to top us up, making sure we felt completely taken care of.

Baba is truly a gem in Chelsea, and I can’t wait to come back. This place has earned every bit of my 5-star rating and more. If you’re looking for an amazing Mediterranean experience with outstanding service, do yourself a favour and visit Baba. You...