Berenjak London: Is the most talked about restaurant worth visiting?

There are some restaurants that seem to completely take over your social media feed for months, and for me, Berenjak was one of them. Every time I opened TikTok or Instagram, someone was posting the saffron rice, the huge kebabs, the fluffy flatbreads or the cosy interiors. After hearing that it’s also one of Dua Lipa’s favourite restaurants, I knew I eventually had to see what the hype was about for myself.

I visited the Borough location with four friends for a Saturday lunch, and getting a booking honestly felt like securing concert tickets. We had to reserve almost two months in advance, and because we were a group of five, we also had to pay a £50 per person deposit when booking. That alone already told me this place is seriously in demand.

With locations across London in Soho, Borough and Mayfair, Berenjak has built a huge reputation for Persian food that feels comforting, colourful and full of flavour. I visited the Borough branch near London Bridge station, tucked away inside Borough Market, and from the moment we walked in, I completely understood why people keep talking about it.

About Berenjak

Berenjak Borough is inspired by the traditional kebab houses of Tehran, bringing Persian street food and charcoal grilling into a more intimate London dining setting. While there are now three venues across London, each restaurant still feels warm and personal rather than overly polished or formal.

The Soho branch even received a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide, which recognises restaurants serving high-quality food at good value. After eating here, it makes complete sense why they received that recognition because the food genuinely feels thoughtful without becoming overly complicated.

The Borough venue itself is deceptively spacious. When I first arrived, I thought the restaurant looked tiny from the outside. It almost gives the impression of being a small hidden spot squeezed into Borough Market. But once inside, you realise there are multiple floors, and the space opens up far more than expected.

We were seated upstairs, and honestly, the interiors were one of my favourite parts of the whole experience. It felt cosy in the best way possible, almost like being in a grandparent’s home. There were rugs, warm lighting, patterned decor and so much colour throughout the restaurant. It felt inviting rather than trendy for the sake of it, and the whole atmosphere made you want to stay for hours.

What is Berenjak known for?

Berenjak is best known for its Persian kebabs, freshly baked breads and sharing-style feasts that allows you to try a bit of everything. It’s one of those restaurants where the table quickly fills up with plates, dips, skewers and breads until there’s barely any room left.

Their charcoal-grilled kebabs are probably the most recognisable part of the menu, but honestly, the dips and starters deserve just as much attention. Everything feels layered with flavour without being too heavy, and there’s a strong focus on smoky, herby and saffron-rich dishes.

Another reason people love Berenjak is that the experience feels social. The menu naturally encourages sharing, which makes it ideal for group lunches or dinners. Since we were a table of five, we had to order the set feast menu which cost £58 per person, and I actually think that’s the best way to experience the restaurant if you’re going for the first time.

Berenjak is also known for being extremely difficult to book, especially on weekends. After finally managing to secure a Saturday reservation nearly two months in advance, I can confirm the demand is very real.

What is the Experience like at Berenjak?

The experience at Berenjak genuinely stood out to me because the staff made us feel looked after from the second we arrived.

I ended up arriving before my friends, and while I waited, one of the servers kindly brought over olives and nuts for me to snack on. It was such a small gesture, but it immediately made the restaurant feel warm and welcoming rather than rushed or transactional.

The team throughout the meal were attentive without hovering over us constantly. Even though the restaurant was busy, we never felt pressured to finish quickly or give up the table. Sometimes popular London restaurants can feel quite intense with strict time limits, but Berenjak still managed to feel relaxed despite how packed it was.

I also appreciated how smoothly everything paced. Since the feast menu included so many dishes, I was slightly worried the table would become chaotic, but everything arrived gradually and flowed naturally throughout the meal.

The atmosphere itself also plays a huge role in the experience. Between the cosy interiors, the soft lighting and the smell of the charcoal grill, the whole restaurant feels comforting and lively at the same time.

One thing to note is that Berenjak is card only, so they do not accept cash payments.

For birthdays or celebrations, the staff also go the extra mile. I mentioned that it was my friend’s birthday, and when dessert arrived, they had kindly added a candle for her which was such a thoughtful touch.

What is the Food like at Berenjak?

The food was honestly amazing across the board, especially if you enjoy sharing lots of smaller dishes and trying different flavours throughout the meal.

The feast menu started with breads and dips, and the portions were massive. There was more than enough for everyone at the table, and the breads came out warm and fresh.

The taftoon, their clay tanoor-baked seeded sourdough flatbread, was soft and perfect for scooping up the dips. The sangak, a whole wheat flatbread baked on pebbles, ended up being one of my favourites. It had a slightly different texture and flavour that worked so well with everything else on the table.

The dips completely stole the show for me though. Every single one felt different and full of flavour.

The mirza ghasemi, made with coal-cooked aubergine, garlic, tomato and eggs, had such a lovely smoky taste afterwards that I kept going back for more. The mast o khiar was refreshing and cooling with cucumber, mint and green raisins, balancing out some of the richer dishes perfectly.

Even the hummus felt unique compared to standard versions you usually get elsewhere, thanks to the black chickpeas, walnut and sunflower seed tahini.

The black truffle olivieh is essentially a chicken mayo salad with potato, egg, salted cucumbers and black truffle, and it worked really well alongside the kebabs because it added a fresh and creamy contrast.

For the mains, each person chose a kebab, but we decided to order one of each option plus an extra so everyone could try everything.

The jujeh kabab, was one of my personal favourites. The chicken was juicy, flavourful and properly marinated with saffron, lemon and yoghurt.

The barreh kabab tond was another standout. The lamb was incredibly tender and packed with flavour from the chilli, yoghurt and tarragon marinade.

The koobideh kabab,made from minced lamb shoulder with onions and black pepper, felt like a classic comfort dish and paired perfectly with the breads and sides.

The only dish I personally wasn’t obsessed with was the JUJEH KABAB TOND. I liked the flavours, especially the chilli and garlic, but the texture just wasn’t my favourite compared to the others.

One thing I will say is that the portions are genuinely generous. Between five girls, we had so much food that we ended up needing takeaway boxes by the end.

Even though we were completely full, we still wanted dessert, so we shared the Persian tea ice cream sundae. It came with halva biscuit, tahini yoghurt and chocolate, and it was surprisingly light considering how much we had already eaten. Sharing one between us was definitely the right decision.

What is the Price like at Berenjak?

Berenjak sits in that mid-to-upper London dining price range where it definitely feels like a treat meal rather than a casual weekly dinner.

For our visit, the feast menu cost £58 per person, and overall I’d say the pricing felt fair considering the amount of food included. We were absolutely stuffed by the end and still had leftovers to take home.

Realistically, once drinks and dessert are added, you’re probably looking at around £60 to £90+ per person depending on what you order.

The quality of the ingredients, the portion sizes and the overall experience made it feel worth the price for me personally. It’s especially good for group dinners where you want to share a lot of dishes together.

The only thing to keep in mind is the booking deposit requirement, so make sure everyone is committed before reserving.

Final Thoughts on Berenjak

Berenjak completely lived up to the hype for me. Sometimes when a restaurant is constantly all over social media, expectations become unrealistically high, but this honestly felt worth the wait.

The food was packed with flavour, the portions were generous, the interiors were beautiful and the staff genuinely made the experience feel welcoming from start to finish.

What I loved most was how comforting the whole restaurant felt. Despite being one of the most talked-about spots in London right now, it still managed to feel warm, relaxed and personal rather than overly trendy. I can completely understand why people keep returning and why it has become such a favourite across the city.

If you’re visiting London and want somewhere that feels special without becoming too formal, Berenjak is absolutely worth adding to your list. Just make sure you book early because reservations disappear very quickly, especially for weekends.

Highlights about Berenjak

• One of Dua Lipa’s favourite restaurants
• Persian restaurant with locations in Borough, Soho and Mayfair
• Borough location feels cosy and homely despite looking small outside
• Complimentary olives and nuts in the beginning
• Feast menu is ideal for groups wanting to try multiple dishes
• Reservations are difficult to secure, especially weekends
• Worth booking well in advance
• Favourite dishes: all the breads and dips, Mirza Ghasemi, Jujeh Kabab and Barreh Kabab Tond

Details about Berenjak

• Address: 1 Bedale St, London SE1 9AL
• Closest Station: London Bridge station
• Price Range: £60–£90+ per person
• Feast Menu Price: £58 per person
• Opening Hours:
  • Monday: 5:30pm – 10:30pm
  • Tuesday – Friday: 12pm – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm
  • Sunday: 12pm – 10:30pm
• Payment Type: Card only
• Booking Requirement: £50 per person deposit for larger groups
• Other Locations: Berenjak Soho, Berenjak Mayfair

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