The Best Roasted — Review by Eating With Tod
London, United Kingdom — Syrian/Middle Eastern
The Best Roasted serves exceptional authentic Syrian shawarma in London, featuring a traditional preparation method with two skilled carvers working a 100 kilo chicken spit. The shawarma is crafted with saj bread, toum, pickles, and meat dipped in chicken fat and toasted over fire, resulting in juicy, flavorful chicken with crispy exterior. Their fried chicken is equally impressive with a thick batter, juicy interior, and homemade hot sauce injection.
What was great: Juicy chicken cooked with 18 different spices, garlicky toum, crispy saj bread, the dipping process into chicken fat, authentic Syrian preparation method, fried chicken with homemade hot sauce injection, overall flavor and quality for the price
What could improve: The hot sauce is very spicy (warning for those with low spice tolerance)
The Dishes
The signature shawarma at The Best Roasted is a masterclass in preparation and authenticity. Starting with saj bread as the base, the team layers traditional toum, pickles, and tender shawarma meat before rolling it up and dipping the entire wrap into rendered chicken fat. This fat-soaked parcel is then toasted over fire to achieve a perfectly crispy exterior while the chicken inside remains remarkably juicy. The dish is finished with additional chicken, toum, and pomegranate molasses, delivering layers of flavor that balance spice, tanginess, and richness. The chicken itself is seasoned with 18 different spices, creating a complex and deeply satisfying taste profile.
The fried chicken offering is equally noteworthy. Fresh chicken is breaded and cooked in the same pressure cookers used for other preparations, then hit with house seasoning and injected with homemade hot sauce before being served on a bed of crinkle cut chips. The batter achieves that ideal thickness while the meat stays juicy, and the hot sauce injection adds another dimension of flavor, though it comes with a genuine heat warning.
The Experience
The restaurant offers transparency and theater in its preparation. Out the back, two skilled carvers work a 100 kilo chicken spit with precision, carving meat like ninjas as it rotates. This visible craftsmanship demonstrates the care and technique behind each shawarma.
Value and Pricing
At five pounds for the shawarma, the value proposition is exceptional. Given the quality of ingredients, the traditional cooking methods, and the skilled labor involved, this represents outstanding value for money in London's competitive food scene.
Notable Moments
The authentic Syrian way of serving up shawarma, you just don't beat it.
If you can't take a date, take your mate. Enjoy.
The Verdict
The Best Roasted earns its reputation as a top destination for shawarma in London through unwavering commitment to authentic Syrian preparation methods and exceptional ingredient quality. The restaurant is best for anyone craving genuinely traditional shawarma prepared with visible skill and care. It's a must-visit for shawarma enthusiasts and anyone seeking authentic Middle Eastern street food in London, though spice-sensitive diners should approach the fried chicken with caution.