What's for Lunch? Comptoir Libanais, South Kensington

By tikichris Last edited 145 months ago
What's for Lunch? Comptoir Libanais, South Kensington


A vivid feast for the eyes as much as (or maybe even just a little bit more than) for the taste buds, this Middle Eastern restaurant serves traditional Lebanese grilled dishes, mezze platters, wraps and tagines in a stylized Lebanese market setting with lots of Middle Eastern nicknacks and goodies for sale. The third Comptoir in a trio of this London-based chain, the South Ken branch is an ever buzzing eatery in an equally bustling part of town.

A smart choice to start one's lunch is with one of Comptoir's fresh lemonades. A pomegranate and orange blossom Roomana lemonade (£2.35 for a regular, £3.25 for a large) is an especially refreshing option. Come warmer months, this drink would do wonders replenishing parched South Ken museum goers.

Wisely selected as well is a starter mezze platter (£7.95 for one, £13.95 for two) including ample portions of baba ghanuj, hommos, tabbouleh, falafel, organic lentil salad, cheese sambouse, pickles and warm pita. It's all pretty tasty stuff, the hommos (Comptoir's spelling there) topped with pomegranate seeds especially so. A mixed grill of lamb kofta, chicken kofta, chicken shish taouk and organic rice (£12.95) is a pleaser too – maybe not the best you'll ever have (even just in the area of South Ken) but well above the standard shish you'd expect to find in London. Lush and not-so-little macaroons (£2.95) and a properly sticky assortment of baklawa (£2.45 to £2.95) round out a decent list of desserts.

Comptoir Libanais is located at 1-5 Exhibition Road, SW7 2HE (as well as at Wigmore Street and Westfield Stratford City).

Photo/Chris Osburn

Disclaimer: Londonist visited Comptoir Libanais upon invitation of the restaurant.

Last Updated 14 February 2012