Plump, juicy lamb chops are surely one of life’s greatest gastronomic pleasures. Done right, this popular cut delivers huge amounts of sweet, tender lambiness thanks to the generous strips of fat along the loin — and brilliantly, can withstand a lot of strong flavours thrown at it, from exotic spices to heavy smoking. Read on for who's getting it right in London.
Tayyabs
Home to quite possibly the most famous lamb chops in London, this long-established Punjabi style curry house's reputation precedes it. Queues are consistently lengthy with punters travelling far across town, or even further afield, to experience what is frequently named as the best Indian cuisine in the city. Everything is good here, but the sizzling lamb chops in a secret spiced marinade truly are incredible. Eat with some of their excellent breads and wash down with your choice of corkage free BYO.
Tayyabs, 83-89 Fieldgate Street, E1 1JU
404
Likya
A searing hot charcoal grill is a lamb chop's best friend, so this expertly handled ocakbasi in north London should be high up on your list to visit. If you can tear yourself away from the traditional lamb shish, then pillowy Turkish flatbreads, chilli sauce and perfectly charred lamb chops are a match made in heaven. Enjoy with an Efes, or Turkish Ayran (salted yoghurt drink) for the authentic experience. Be warned, Likya is frequently busy so book ahead or sit and wait for your chops to take away if they can’t squeeze you in.
Likya, 68-70 Golders Green Road, NW11 8LN
404
Blacklock
You’d hope that a place exclusively serving chops would do them well, and by gosh it does. Excellently sourced beef, pork and lamb chops are grilled over a ferocious heat and pressed with heavy antique irons for full effect. Choose from 'Skinny' individual chops, or go big with a Barnsley double chop. Best of all, opt for the 'All In' platter of seven different individual chops piled high over chargrilled flatbread and enjoy the meat-juice-soaked results at the end. Pro tip: go on Butcher Price Mondays when you’ll pay the same price you'd pay over the counter.
Blacklock, The Basement, 24 Great Windmill Street, W1D 7LG
404
Roast
Borough Market's beautiful central restaurant is famed for its use of excellent British produce — unsurprising considering its surroundings. The changing seasonal menu often boasts a main of hogget (mature lamb) chops, which offers a grown-up spin on our subject matter perfectly in keeping with the restaurant's elegant interior. Served expertly grilled with a light and refreshing cashew spelt salad, it's an interesting alternative to lamb and mutton: we’re in.
Roast, The Floral Hall, Stoney Street, SE1 1TL
404
Kurobuta
With a former Nobu chef at the helm, this mini-chain of Japanese eating and drinking dens has gone from strength to strength, serving up its range of inventive small plates. The traditional Robata BBQ is the East’s answer to chargrilling meat, and the resultant tea-smoked lamb chops won’t disappoint. They come with even more smokey aubergine and a generous hit of miso to smack you around the chops (sorry). Not cheap, but great fun.
Kurobuta branches in Chelsea and Marble Arch.
