TL;DR
Kismet, a new Turkish-Cypriot restaurant upstairs at the Globe Tavern in Borough Market, has opened with a menu featuring hearty meze and grilled dishes. The venue aims to offer a vibrant, authentic atmosphere that celebrates Turkish and Cypriot flavors, with a limited one-year stay announced. It has quickly gained attention for its distinctive style and food.
Kismet, a Turkish-Cypriot meyhane, has opened upstairs at the Globe Tavern in Borough Market, south London, offering a menu of hearty, comfort-focused dishes that celebrate its cultural roots. The venue, which is only signed up to be in operation for a year, has quickly attracted attention for its lively atmosphere and distinctive style, making it a notable addition to the area’s culinary scene.
The restaurant is helmed by chef Keiran Mustafa, previously the opening head chef at BiBi, and restaurateur Dom Hamdy, known for Crispin and Bistro Freddie. The space features dark wood, white tablecloths, lace window coverings, and walls decorated with Mustafa’s childhood photos, creating a cozy, nostalgic ambiance. The menu includes traditional Turkish favorites such as girit ezme, sigara boregi, and various grilled meats, all served with generous amounts of strained yoghurt, chilli butter, and tahini, emphasizing comfort and richness rather than spiciness.
Signature dishes include expertly grilled monkfish with yoghurt and chilli butter, lamb neck kuzu şiş, and fried liver with onion salad, complemented by sides like hand-cut fried potatoes and braised green beans. The drinks list features Turkish wines, including Karmen’s Diren white at £8 a glass. The atmosphere is lively, with Turkish jazz and techno playing, and the restaurant’s proximity to a live music setup adds to its energetic vibe. The venue’s design and menu reflect a personal tribute from Mustafa to his family’s homeland and community, blending authenticity with modernity.
Kismet “The sort of beans that make you want to move to the sun”
A Turkish-Cypriot meyhane has opened upstairs at the Globe Tavern in Borough Market — a heartfelt, comfort-first celebration of meze, grill smoke, strained yoghurt and chilli butter, signed on for one year only.
Signature Dishes & Meze
The kitchen leans into generosity and richness: traditional Turkish favourites served with liberal amounts of strained yoghurt, chilli butter and tahini — comfort over spice.
Grilled Monkfish
Expertly grilled and finished with strained yoghurt and a pour of chilli butter — the dish that anchors the grill section.
Lamb Neck Kuzu Şiş
Hearty, charcoal-kissed lamb neck skewer, emblematic of the menu’s comfort-first, richness-forward approach.
Fried Liver & Onion Salad
Crisp-edged liver served with a sharp onion salad — a traditional pairing given full volume on the plate.
Girit Ezme
A Cretan-style meze among the vegetarian openers, setting the tone for the meal’s generous, shared-table spirit.
Sigara Böreği
Crisp rolled borek — the kind of fried, nostalgic starter that pairs with the room’s eclectic energy.
Potatoes & The Famous Beans
Hand-cut fried potatoes and braised green beans — the beans that, per the review, “make you want to move to the sun.”
A Night At Kismet, Step By Step
From arrival to last skewer, the room builds its own momentum — an eclectic, personal space that blends nostalgia with a modern grill-room bustle.
Arrive Upstairs
Climb to the room above the Globe Tavern — dark wood, white tablecloths, lace windows, childhood photos on the walls.
Open With Meze
Girit ezme, sigara böreği and more land alongside Turkish wines, Turkish jazz drifting over the room.
The Grill Takes Over
Monkfish, lamb neck şiş and fried liver emerge from the bustling open grill, glazed in chilli butter and yoghurt.
Stay For The Energy
Techno on the speakers, live music below — the room stays lively well into the night.
Flavour Profile
Kismet’s cooking is built on richness and comfort rather than heat — a rough read of how the menu is weighted.
Who’s Behind It
Keiran Mustafa
Previously opening head chef at BiBi. Kismet is a personal tribute to his family’s homeland — the childhood photos on the walls are his own.
Dom Hamdy
Known for Crispin and Bistro Freddie. Brings the operators’ touch to a room designed to feel like a nostalgic, communal meyhane.
The Verdict Board
A quick-reference snapshot of what to expect from a visit before the one-year window closes.
| Aspect | What To Expect | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Food style | Turkish-Cypriot meze, grilled meats, hearty sides — yoghurt, chilli butter, tahini throughout | ✓ Distinctive |
| Vegetarian options | Girit ezme, sigara böreği, braised green beans and chard | ✓ Available |
| Spice level | Comfort and richness prioritised over heat | ~ Mild |
| Atmosphere | Lively and eclectic — Turkish jazz and techno, open kitchen with bustling grill | ✓ Vibrant |
| Permanence | Signed up for one year only; closing date not officially announced | ✗ Temporary |
| Drinks | Turkish wine list, including Karmen’s Diren white at £8 a glass | ✓ Well-paired |
Borough Market’s Evolving Scene
Kismet’s arrival continues Borough Market’s drift toward innovative, culturally specific venues — and its home above the Globe Tavern, a site with film history and a lively pub scene, ties it firmly into the local fabric.
“Only signed up to operate for a year — the limited run adds urgency for anyone wanting to experience this distinctive spot before it closes.”
What kind of food does Kismet serve?
Traditional Turkish-Cypriot dishes: meze, grilled meats and hearty sides, built around strained yoghurt, chilli butter and tahini rather than spiciness.
Is Kismet a permanent restaurant?
No — it is only signed up to operate for one year, so visitors should plan their trip before it closes.
What is the atmosphere like?
Lively and eclectic: Turkish jazz and techno on the speakers, casual decor with personal touches, and an open kitchen with a bustling grill area.
Can I expect spicy food?
No. The menu emphasises comfort and richness over heat, with flavours carried by yoghurt, butter and tahini.
Cultural Fusion and Unique London Dining Experience
The opening of Kismet introduces a fresh, culturally rich dining option in Borough Market, blending Turkish and Cypriot flavors with a contemporary, eclectic setting. Its focus on hearty, comfort foods and vibrant atmosphere offers London diners an alternative to more traditional or upscale venues, emphasizing community and personal history. The limited one-year operation plan adds urgency for those wanting to experience this distinctive spot before it closes, making it a noteworthy development in the city’s diverse culinary landscape.
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Borough Market’s Evolving Food Scene
Borough Market has long been a hub for diverse food offerings, from traditional British fare to international cuisines. Recent years have seen a rise in innovative and culturally specific venues, reflecting London’s multicultural makeup. Kismet’s arrival continues this trend, bringing Turkish-Cypriot flavors into the spotlight and adding to the area’s reputation as a hub for culinary experimentation. The restaurant’s connection to the Globe Tavern, a site with film history and a lively pub scene, further cements its place in the evolving local food culture.
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Remaining Questions About Kismet’s Future
It is not yet clear whether Kismet’s one-year plan will be extended or if it will close as scheduled. The long-term reception from both critics and the local community remains to be seen, especially given the venue’s temporary nature and the limited duration of its operation.
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Next Steps and Potential Developments
Visitors interested in experiencing Kismet should plan to visit within the next few months, as the restaurant is only signed up to operate for a year. Monitoring reviews and community feedback will be key to understanding its impact and whether it might return or inspire similar ventures in London’s culinary scene. The venue’s closing date has not been officially announced, but anticipation is building among locals and food enthusiasts.
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Key Questions
What kind of food does Kismet serve?
Kismet offers traditional Turkish-Cypriot dishes, including meze, grilled meats, and hearty sides, with a focus on comfort and rich flavors like strained yoghurt, chilli butter, and tahini.
Is Kismet a permanent restaurant?
No, Kismet is only signed up to operate for one year, so visitors should plan to visit before it closes.
What is the atmosphere like at Kismet?
The restaurant features a lively, eclectic vibe with Turkish jazz and techno, casual decor with personal touches, and an open kitchen with a bustling grill area.
Can I expect spicy food at Kismet?
No, the menu emphasizes comfort and richness over heat, with flavors built around yoghurt, butter, and tahini rather than spiciness.
Are there vegetarian options available?
Yes, the menu includes vegetarian meze such as girit ezme and sigara boregi, along with sides like braised green beans and chard.
Source: Guardian Life
