Tower Mangal

You're walking down Tower Bridge Road in Bermondsey and spot the smoke billowing out onto the pavement. That's Tower Mangal. It's the kind of place that doesn't need to try hard—locals just know to show up, grab a seat at one of the tightly packed tables, and watch the grill masters work. The menu strips back to what matters: meat and fish cooked over charcoal, with proper Turkish mezze to start. Expect grilled lamb chops that are pink and tender, whole sea bass that arrives whole and gorgeous, and the kind of no-nonsense service that feels like they're doing you a favour by letting you eat here.