London’s food lovers are rarely starved for choice and sometimes those newer restaurants aren’t worth the hype. BUT … Toum Rotisserie really deserves applause! Every so often a London restaurant opens that feels as if it slots perfectly into a gap we didn’t know existed.
Toum Rotisserie is soulful, comforting and the least pretentious spot in the Mayfair postcode at the moment. Stepping into the space, you immediately sense you’re in a place shaped by care rather than concept. The smell of the rotisserie sets the tone and the restaurant hums with that particular kind of London energy where couples, friends and solo diners all feel equally at home.
The food speaks confidently for itself. Their rotisserie chicken, which has been marinated and roasted until the skin shatters with a crunch, is the dish people have been raving on about and keep coming back for. It’s simple, yes, but simplicity at this level is its own luxury. The flavours are warm, rich and satisfying. You can choose from Half or Whole and pick a sauce of your choice. Immediately I was drawn to the chicken jus which we poured all over our tender half portion and dipped our fries in too.
Beyond the chicken, other plates also shine. There is an array of vibrant salads, silky dips and vegetables with just the right amount of char. The Tuna Tataki was what surprised me most as this was better than some of the high end pan Asian restaurants in the area!
What sets Toum Rotisserie apart in London’s crowded restaurant scene is that it’s honest and authentic. Nothing feels performative or overly engineered. The restaurant feels intimate— the kind of place where one drink naturally becomes two and dinner stretches gently into the night.
And you will be pleased to know, you can do exactly that. Hidden under Toum, there is a little hideaway called Encore which is the new listening bar by the same team. After my meal, I headed downstairs to the new spot on the block, for some more drinkies with my girls.
Another intimate space and somewhat secret, the bar is chilled and boasts an even cooler vibe than upstairs in the restaurant hub. Whether you prefer something citrus-led, sour or spirit-forward, every cocktail has been created with passion. The Glow Zombie is a personal favourite and even comes with its own light for the full effect.
Encore is the perfect follow-up to dinner. A little moody, a little glamorous and entirely comfortable. We only agreed one more drink before heading home and we stayed for three more!
This place is on the city’s foodie map for a reason and it’s good to see how naturally they fit into the rhythm of modern London dining. They understand us Londoner’s crave for flavour, atmosphere without arrogance and experiences that move fluidly from one mood to the next. This is a place where the food is heartfelt, the setting is chic without trying too hard and the night doesn’t have to end when the plates are cleared. It’s the same mantra my grandma taught me about dining out and being sociable.
For anyone who loves discovering the city’s next great dining room add Toum Rotisserie to your list!
Review and Images by Zoe Laing @_zozogram_
