Last Updated on April 27, 2025
A pocket of Turkey in Fitzrovia
3.8 out of 5.0 starsThe perfect restaurant isn’t just about the food—it’s about the vibe, the company, and the experience. Kibele Restaurant and Bar, a modern Turkish and Mediterranean gem in the heart of Fitzrovia, delivers just that. Whether you’re catching up with friends or celebrating with family, Kibele’s immersive dining experience sets the stage for a night to remember.
Beyond its culinary appeal, Kibele is known for its lively entertainment scene. The downstairs lounge transforms into a vibrant venue at weekends, featuring live music, cabaret performances, belly dancing, and DJ sets. Meanwhile, the ground floor dining area provides a more relaxed atmosphere. You’ll find yourself transported to the streets of Istanbul or Izmir in this vibrant restaurant, with comfortable booths to relax in and a charming front-of-house team who never seem to stop smiling.
The restaurant’s menu features classic Turkish cuisine with a contemporary twist. Dishes range from traditional meat grills and mezze to specialities like Manti (Turkish-style dumplings) and Pide – a kind of flatbread topped with meats and spices that I last enjoyed in Istanbul. It’s the kind of place where you want to dive into everything and where you know you’ll leave with a full belly.
Welcome drinks of a margarita for my companion and a Turkish lemonade for me were perfect while we browsed the menu. I remember eating Sarma Beyti in Alacati and was curious to see it on the menu here along with shish, various grilled meats and some more unusual dishes like Meyeli Kuzu (braised lamb with apricots, plums, dates and spices).
Trying our best to pick lighter starters, I opted for spicy king prawns which came served with a rich tomato, shallot and pepper sauce with garlic butter and fresh chilli. It could have been lighter – had the portion size been about half! Once on the table though it was so delicious I couldn’t help but scoff the lot.
My companion, meanwhile, had picked the goat’s cheese and honey-glazed fig which came on a salad of mixed leaves with beetroot, pomegranate, walnuts and honey mustard. Baked cheese with fig is a marriage made in heaven and one you don’t often see on the menu in the UK. Beautifully presented, the sweetness of the fig contrasted brilliantly with the soft, salty cheese.
For the main course, I felt duty-bound to try the Sarma Beyti, although opting for ground chicken did make for a slightly lighter dish. It’s made by wrapping ground lamb or chicken in lavash and then cutting it into slices. Served here with spicy bulgar and halep sauce (a spicy tomato and pepper mixture) and thick creamy hung yoghurt topped with sumac this was a fragrant and moreish dish
My companion, meanwhile, opted for the lamb shish – tender marinated lamb that was chargrilled on a skewer, served on a piece of flatbread to soak up the juices and with generous helpings of fresh salad vegetables on the side.
Along with the meal we enjoyed a bottle of Regaleali Le Rose 2023 from Sicily, robust enough to support the red meat and a great pairing with the Sarma Beyti.
Gentle reader, whatever you may feel about dessert, Kibele is not somewhere you should pass over the opportunity. While I am theoretically trying to diet (!) I picked the Kunefe – a wonderful pastry made with Kadayıf (a Turkish pastry made from shredded phyllo dough) melted cheese, honey syrup and crushed pistachios. OK, I knew what I was letting myself in for – and I can promise you it was worth every moment on the lips.
My companion picked the Pistachio Baklava, an equally indulgent option made with filo pastry rolls filled with crushed pistachios and drizzled with honey syrup.
These desserts are made in-house and are about as authentic as you will find outside of Turkey. Save space!
After all that, fresh mint tea was the perfect way to help us on our way – along with a tour of the downstairs party room which I can just imagine filled with guests watching the live entertainment while they enjoy the live entertainment.
Kibele is the kind of place to keep in your little black book for birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions – and the kind of place where you can meet up with friends and just spend a happy evening eating and drinking. We’ll be back.
Operating hours are from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm on weekdays and Sundays, extending to 1:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays. The kitchen closes at 11:00 pm daily. Reservations are recommended, especially for the entertainment lounge during weekends. Bookings can be made through their official website or by contacting the restaurant directly on 020 7436 0600.
Kibele Restaurant
175-177 Great Portland Street,
London,
W1W 5PJ
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