Lebo Lebanese Grill — Restaurant in London

Lebo offers an unforgettable, world-class takeaway experience—but only if you order the half boneless chicken with spicy rice. Anything else, and you’re simply missing the point. If you’re after a lamb shawarma or a beef kofta, do yourself a favour and got to Edgware Road. There’s no reason to clog up an already lengthy queue at Lebo just to make the wrong choice. Trust me, you don’t want to be the one who gets side-eye from regulars for squandering a golden opportunity. Now, let’s talk about that boneless half-chicken. The chicken was feast for the senses, bursting with colour and fragrance from the spice blend in which it marinated before hitting the grill. Cooked to perfection, it boasts a charred exterior that gives way to an impossibly juicy and tender centre. Each bite is a revelation—succulent, smoky, and infused with just the right level of heat. The spice lingers on your tongue, teasing your taste buds before fading, compelling you to take another bite. Then there’s a garlic and chilli sauce spread on the chicken that elevates the dish to another level. It’s fiery yet balanced, soaking into the chicken just enough to enhance the flavours without overpowering them. And just when the spice starts to build, the spicy rice steps in to restore order. Fluffy yet satisfyingly dense, the rice is rich with aromatic oils, carrying subtle hints of warmth and depth that make it more than just a side dish—it’s an essential part of the experience. Each forkful is a perfect contrast to the heat of the chicken, providing a mellow, fragrant cushion for your taste buds. But the real magic happens when you combine the two. A forkful of that perfectly grilled chicken with a scoop of the soft, spice-infused rice creates a harmony of textures and flavours that is nothing short of divine. The heat, the smokiness, the buttery richness of the rice all blends together in a way that makes you wish the meal would never end. Lebo isn’t just a takeaway spot—it’s an institution, a rite of passage for those who know where to find the best food in South London. Just remember order the boneless half-chicken and spicy rice, or don’t...

UPDATE:

Still amongst my absolute favourite of London street food. It's all damned tasty, and "cheap as chips". The queue goes quite quickly, and worth waiting in it.

💳. Now they take bank cards too! Wow! My second new (to me) London Lebanese restaurant this week! And, coincidentally, what a week for Lebanon, much in the news, for the wrong reasons, as so oft the case. NH⁴NO³ ⚗️ Good luck to the city & people of Beirut. They've endured the results of political instability/ destabilisation for decades. Beirut University was once a much prized place to study.

Anyway, the FOOD at my most recent discovery - on the Old Kent Road (a street made famous by the Monopoly board game...) - is a real find. Yay!

Due to the pandemic (one assumes) they're only doing takeaways at the mo (the seating was sealed off). But their street window service - to the amassing, yet orderly queue outside (see my photos) - was pretty quick. Yet, it would have been worth waiting for, had we waited on that balmy sunny evening. (We scoffed down our nosh by the lake at very near by Burgess Park; and it didn't take long!)

If this cuisine - mostly lamb-ish kebabs, and their much reviewed/ acclaimed special ½ chicken option, although I notice they did make their own fallafel, and I bet their humous was up to scratch (I'll try that next time!) - could indeed be called STREET FOOD. But as street food goes, it don't get any better than this! Believe me.

If you have a pallet, and particularly if you favour the foods of the Levant, and you're anywhere at all near the Old Kent Rd in south London, give it a go.

2 people can eat a hearty feast at this place for £12 (we did!) We had their special half chicken, plus a large lamb kebab served with the perfect bread (for a kebab), still bubbling from their bread oven.

Yes, go here! I promise you won't regret it, and it may go in your little black book of cheapo £££...

Let me make it simple

This is probably one of the best Lebanese establishments in the country. It's not a fancy Michelin Star restaurant, nor is it a place you can sit and eat in. It's a simple take away where you can always expect consistency in food quality and taste.

They are very very busy 24/7 (mashaAllah) especially between 4pm till closing, so if they take your order a little rushed, do not think they are being rude, and no It's not because of you. They are probably just exhausted or frustrated. And to be honest, if you stand around for a bit you will probably witness the stress some ill mannered customers cause them on a daily basis. So just be patient and well mannered and hopefully you will not be disappointed at all.

The average walk-in waiting time between 4pm-closing is about 20-30minutes (on a small 1-2 persons order, this will obviously increase depending on what quantity you're ordering. Plus everything is made fresh to order), so I think it would be best for you to do what I do, which is to call them 15-30 minutes (depending on your order size) in advance of collection, this way all you do when you arrive is advise on salad and sauces and Badda Bing Badda Bang .... your done.

Conclusion: Food taste is consistent (if been buying there for over 10 years, I now live 18 miles away but still travel for their food), walk-in service is a little slow but justified due to popularity. Phone service is always good. Overall I would give this place a decent 8/10...