Kibele Restaurant — Restaurant in London

Kibele is an attractive restaurant in Great Portland Street serving up modern and traditional Turkish food. After a warm welcome, and some oohing and aahing over the beautiful décor we got stuck into the vast menu with some helpful recommendations from the staff.

The restaurant is split over two floors with downstairs offering live entertainment four nights a week. On Wednesday’s Kibele have a harpist, Thursday & Friday a live band and on Saturday’s a belly dancer!

We were super impressed with the cocktails at Kibele. We started off with a Kinky Bramble (great name!) with Tanqueray Gin, Chambord, Fresh Lemon and Egg White and Mr Ocho with Hendrix Gin, Cucumber, Ginger, Basil (both £9.50) which were both beautifully presented.

The lovely Miles then rustled up a cocktail of his choice. He made an amazing Strawberry and basil frozen daiquiri with Havana rum, sugar syrup, dehydrated lime wheel and of course fresh strawberry and basil. What a cocktail!

Alongside some tasty bread, gourmet hummus (topped with pastrimi!) and olives, we started with the Sucuk & Hellim: grilled beef garlic sausage & halloumi cheese (£6.50) . The sausage was meaty and flavoursome and the halloumi grilled to perfection. It was a truly fantastic dish.

We also sampled the Falafel: Fava Beans and Chick Peas Vegetable Fritters (£6) and Kuskonmaz: Grilled Asparagus salad bedded on rocket leaves, cherry tomato, pine nut and parmesan cheese (£7.50).

We absolutely recommend tucking into a few starters before tucking into your main meal!

We tried the Karisik Izgara: Mixture of chicken, lamb, kofte, lamb chops marinated, skewered and grilled (£19.50) and the Mussaka: Sauteed layers of aubergine, courgette, potatoes with minced meat topped with a bechamel sauce and bake (£16).

We absolutely loved the mixed grill – the meat was so tender and flavoursome and it was a generous portion. A highly recommended dish! The Mussaka lacked flavour for us – the consistency was great but we wanted a bit of a punch!

To finish we obviously had to have some Baklava: sweet pastry of layers of filo dough filled with chopped pistachio and sweetened with syrup (£5.95) (characteristic of the cuisines of the former ottoman empire). It was an absolute showstopper!

The Kunefe: sweet shredded Phyllo filled with mozzarella cheese sweetened with syrup, topped with vanilla ice cream & cracked pistachio, served warm (£8.95) was an absolute delight. We are so glad this was recommended as it was melt in your mouth delicious.

Kibele restaurant in Great Portland Street offers fantastic food and wonderful service. It also offers a set menu for £45pp where can have a mixture of starters, main dishes and dessert. The staff were lovely and the entertainment offers...

We had the pleasure of dining at Kibele Restaurant in London on a late Friday evening at 9 PM. Despite it being peak hours, we were seated promptly without any issues, which was a relief considering the busy atmosphere. The restaurant’s ambiance was inviting, with a warm and cozy setting that immediately made us feel at ease.

We started our meal with calamari as an appetizer, which quickly became a hit with the kids. The calamari was perfectly cooked—crispy on the outside and tender on the inside—making for a delightful start to our evening.

For the main course, we ordered the "Just for the 2 of Us" dish, which was more than enough for the four of us. This large platter was an absolute feast, featuring a selection of grilled lamb chops, lamb ribs, grilled chicken, lamb kebabs, chicken kebabs, and chicken wings. Every single item on the plate was cooked to perfection, bursting with flavor and incredibly tender. The lamb chops, in particular, were a standout with their rich, smoky taste that left us wanting more.

The main dish was accompanied by a fresh beetroot salad, spicy rice, and tzatziki. The salad was refreshing and complemented the grilled meats perfectly, while the spicy rice added a nice kick to the meal.

To top off our meal, we indulged in two desserts: chocolate cake and kunefe. The chocolate cake was rich and decadent, a chocoholic's dream. However, the kunefe truly stole the show. It was absolutely fantastic, with a perfect balance of sweetness and a delightful texture. It was, without a doubt, one of the best desserts I’ve ever had in London.

Our meal concluded with a complimentary Turkish tea, which was a soothing end to a fantastic dinner. Even the kids enjoyed the tea, which was a pleasant surprise.

The waiters were super nice, welcoming, and extremely friendly. We loved talking to them, learning about the food, the restaurant, and even getting to know them personally! Their warmth added a special touch to our dining experience. By the way, downstairs is where the DJ plays—just note that minors aren't allowed there.

We look forward to dining here again. Love from Seattle, USA!

Pros: Prompt seating even during peak hours. Delicious and well-prepared food. Generous portions, especially the "Just for the 2 of Us" dish. Exceptional desserts, particularly the kunefe. Complimentary Turkish tea to end the meal. Friendly and welcoming staff that enhances the dining experience.

Cons: None that we...

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 An Unforgettable Experience at Kibele Restaurant! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

From the moment we stepped into Kibele Restaurant, we knew we were in for something special. The ambiance is warm, elegant, and inviting—an ideal blend of modern comfort and authentic charm that immediately sets the tone for a memorable dining experience.

But what truly sets Kibele apart isn’t just the food (which, by the way, is divine—more on that in a second)—it’s the incredible service, led by one of the most impressive managers we’ve ever encountered.

The manager at Kibele is nothing short of extraordinary. Professional, attentive, and genuinely passionate about hospitality, they went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. Every detail, from dietary preferences to timing between courses, was handled with such care that it felt more like a private dining experience than a night out at a restaurant. It’s rare to find someone who manages with such grace, heart, and effortless efficiency.

Now, let’s talk about the food—wow! Every dish is a masterpiece. Rich, vibrant flavors that speak of tradition with a modern twist. The meze selection was absolutely delicious, and the main courses were perfectly prepared. Whether it was the melt-in-your-mouth lamb, the delicate seafood, or the freshly baked bread, each bite was better than the last.

In short, Kibele is not just a restaurant—it’s an experience. Whether you’re a first-timer or a returning guest, expect to be treated like family. The atmosphere, the cuisine, and above all, the outstanding manager, make it a must-visit destination. Can’t...