Ali
Google
Mayfair has gained a confident new arrival in Chargal Mayfair, and my wife and I visited on a Saturday evening for a relaxed date night. We were drawn in by the promise of refined open fire cooking in Mayfair, and the timing felt right for something a little more polished without being formal. From the moment we stepped inside, coats were taken, and we were guided through the dining room, passing the open fire where chefs were already deep into service. It immediately set the tone for a Turkish Mediterranean restaurant that Mayfair diners will appreciate for its calm assurance rather than spectacle.
The first impression was one of control and balance. The lighting is warm but measured, allowing the food and the open kitchen to take centre stage without the room feeling staged. Seating is well spaced, noise levels remain comfortable, and the pace of the room feels unhurried even as tables fill. The open kitchen adds quiet energy, with the glow of fire and steady movement of the chefs, grounding the space. It felt elegant without stiffness, which is not always easy to achieve in this part of London.
We began with drinks, and when I asked about non-alcoholic options, Will suggested a glass of French Bloom, a French sparkling rosé. It was fresh, dry, and thoughtfully chosen, which set the tone for the evening.
The first food to arrive was freshly chargrilled flatbread with date sea salt butter. The bread was soft with a light char, but it was the butter that lingered. Rich, sweet, and deeply savoury, it felt indulgent without excess.
The mixed mezze followed, offering cacık, muhammara, hummus, and seasonal crudités. Each element was clean and well judged, with no attempt to overwork familiar flavours.
From the hot mezze, the sucuk candies with hot honey glaze stood out for their contrast. Crisp pastry gave way to spiced sausage, balanced by gentle sweetness. The mantı came next, lamb dumplings with smoked yoghurt and Aleppo chilli oil, delivering warmth and depth without heaviness. Crispy prawns with sumac salt and burnt lime were neatly executed and bright on the palate.
The dish that stayed with both of us, though, was the wagyu köfte piyaz with lavash and white bean tahini salad. The köfte was cooked perfectly, deeply flavoured, and confidently seasoned, easily justifying its place as a highlight among the seasonal mezze in this Mayfair restaurant.
For mains, my wife chose the pistachio lamb cutlets with pomme purée, asparagus, honey, and pomegranate molasses. The lamb was tender and full of flavour, and it was so good that my wife did not want to share, but I managed to get one chop.
I went for the mixed meat platter, which included adana, kuzu şiş, tavuk şiş, and dry rubbed Welsh lamb ribs. The quality of the meat was clear across the board. Everything was cooked with precision, though I would have personally preferred the chicken slightly softer. It is a small note in an otherwise confident showing of open fire cooking.
Service throughout the evening was attentive without being intrusive. Will and Ilyas took time to explain the concept and background, and the recommendations were thoughtful rather than rehearsed. Waiting times were comfortable, menus were clear, and the pacing made the evening feel easy.
For those seeking an elegant date night restaurant in Mayfair that handles detail well, this matters.
Despite being full, we were encouraged to try a new dessert ahead of its menu debut. The baklava was unlike any I have had before, lighter and more nuanced, with each bite carefully balanced. The floss halva ice cream sundae followed, playful but controlled, and was a fitting end to the meal.
Spread over three well-designed floors, with an open kitchen that genuinely adds to the experience, Chargal Mayfair feels considered and confident. We left feeling looked after rather than impressed. It is a place we would happily return to, and one I would recommend to couples and small groups looking for quality, comfort, and quietly excellent food.
