This unassuming Turkish charcoal grill on Prince Regent Lane is the kind of place you stumble into and then can't stop telling people about. The lamb and hummus special with authentic Turkish tea has won over locals and wandering Parisians alike — it's hearty, honest cooking at prices that feel almost too good for London. Family-run, clean, and genuinely welcoming, Charcoal Restaurant is Plaistow's answer to the overpriced grill houses further west.
A family-run Turkish charcoal grill in Plaistow where the £8 lamb & hummus special with Turkish tea has won over everyone from locals to snowstorm-stranded Parisians.
Go for the lamb & hummus special — it's the dish reviewers rave about most, and at £8 with Turkish tea, it's the best value on the menu.
Honest Turkish grilling at neighbourhood prices
Charcoal Restaurant is the sort of place that doesn't need a flashy interior or a PR team — it earns its 4.2-star rating through straightforward, well-executed Turkish grill food at prices that make you do a double take. The lamb & hummus special at £8 has been singled out by multiple reviewers as a genuine bargain, served with authentic Turkish tea that rounds out the meal properly. The charcoal grilling gives everything — from marinated minced lamb to chicken wings — that smoky depth you can't fake on a flat top. One reviewer who wandered in from Paris during a London snowstorm described it as a rare, serendipitous find, which tells you something about the warmth of the welcome.
The family-run atmosphere is a big part of the appeal. Reviewers consistently mention the family environment, the great music, and how clean the place is — not glamorous, but cared for. The menu leans Turkish with charcoal grills front and centre, plus burgers and vegetarian options like falafel for anyone who's not in a meat mood. It's not trying to be fine dining, and that's exactly why locals keep coming back. If you're in Plaistow or passing through, skip the chain places and eat here instead.
The main caveat is that it's a neighbourhood spot, not a destination restaurant. Don't expect a long wine list or a designed interior — expect generous portions, friendly service, and food that tastes like someone's actually cooking it rather than assembling it.