The Counter
Quick info
About The Counter
On Kingly St in Soho, The Counter serves Turkish food centered on charcoal grill cooking and sharing plates. The menu runs from a mezze option for two and dips like hummus, muhammara, baba ganoush and tzatziki through to commonly ordered dishes such as octopus, orzo and king prawns, with a platter for two built around lamb in lavash and other meats. A cocktail list runs alongside the food menu. Seating spans an indoor dining room and an outdoor area on the pedestrian street outside. The restaurant operates on a walk-in basis, with no reservations taken. Downstairs, Under the Counter runs late-night music, giving the building a second space for those staying on after dinner. The room can get noisy at busier times, and service tends to move quickly at the start of a meal.
Good to know
“At The Counter Soho, we celebrate East Mediterranean dining through bold flavours, charcoal grill cooking, and a vibrant Soho atmosphere. Inspired by the warmth of Turkish hospitality and the energy of London’s dining scene, The Counter brings people together over sharing plates, great wine, and late-night music downstairs at Under the Counter. Rooted in tradition but shaped by Soho’s creative spirit, our kitchen continues to evolve, focused on quality ingredients, honest cooking, and memorable experiences.”
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention hummus and babaganoush, octopus, king prawns and orzo.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention hummus and babaganoush, octopus, king prawns and orzo.
Customer Review Summary
Dips form the clear center of praise, with hummus, muhammara, and baba ghanoush mentioned repeatedly, one reviewer calling the baba ghanoush, hummus, and tzatziki among the best they have had. Close behind, the octopus and Greek salad also draw regular mention, alongside the orzo and king prawns. Several note the mezze trio or platter for two as a good way to sample dishes, with cocktails and prompt service also praised, though a few mention it can get noisy or that attention slows when trying to pay the bill. One detailed review is far more critical, describing a £15 charge for half a roasted aubergine, underwhelming meat portions on the platter, inconsistent service, and a lower ground floor bar and toilet level that a reviewer describes as smelling of sewage. Several reviewers say they would return and bring friends with them.
Customer Review Summary
Dips form the clear center of praise, with hummus, muhammara, and baba ghanoush mentioned repeatedly, one reviewer calling the baba ghanoush, hummus, and tzatziki among the best they have had. Close behind, the octopus and Greek salad also draw regular mention, alongside the orzo and king prawns. Several note the mezze trio or platter for two as a good way to sample dishes, with cocktails and prompt service also praised, though a few mention it can get noisy or that attention slows when trying to pay the bill. One detailed review is far more critical, describing a £15 charge for half a roasted aubergine, underwhelming meat portions on the platter, inconsistent service, and a lower ground floor bar and toilet level that a reviewer describes as smelling of sewage. Several reviewers say they would return and bring friends with them.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Service and atmosphere was good. We got the meze trio, the aubergine was definitely the best one. We then got the platter for two. The quantity of meat for the price was quite underwhelming and the flavours could be a bit better. Overall, a good meal in a good location.”
- Google user
“The best baba ghanoush, hummus, and tzatziki I have ever had! The flat bread and king prawns were also delicious. The drinks were refreshing and the the service was excellent! I would highly recommend you give them a try!”
- Google user
“Great quality food. Real Mediterranean. Real value for money. Great service. Nice atmosphere. One point perhaps, a little noisy. But that is personal taste.”
- Google user
“Lovely food and great service. The dips were delicious. It’s not too noisy so you can have a proper conversation. Book in advance.”
- Google user
“Opened around 1.5 years ago, The Counter sits on a busy pedestrian street in Soho, with outdoor tables that might appeal in summer, though the relentless foot traffic quickly becomes tiresome. There is an awning, but it does little to shield diners from the constant flow of passers-by. Inside, a curtained entrance leads to a narrow dining room with sand-coloured walls and street-facing windows. One side features a metal grill with artwork and uplighting above banquet seating with ribbed tan backrests. While visually interesting, the layout is cramped, with tables uncomfortably close together. The front door opens constantly, letting in cold air and reinforcing the sense that the space is more of a thoroughfare than a dining room. The bar sits centrally with attractive lighting, but overall the room feels tight and poorly insulated. Drinks • Sparkling Water £3 • Viña Albergada, Viña Mues 2024 Tempranillo, 0.5L carafe £25 — a wine retailing wholesale at around £11, making the markup hard to justify. Food Flat Bread (£4.50) Grilled and serviceable, but entirely forgettable. Babaganoush (£8) Aubergine, tahini, parsley, and sweet spices. Creamy but overly sweet and paler than expected, lacking the smoky depth one would hope for. Smashed Vine Leaves (£9) Bulgur, pine nuts, and pomegranate served flat rather than wrapped — more a deconstructed salad than anything “smashed.” Pleasant enough, but cloyingly sweet with poorly balanced acidity. Roasted Aubergine (£15) Half an aubergine with onion, tomato, garlic, green pepper, yoghurt, and dukkah. Soft and well-cooked, but £15 for half an aubergine is excessive and difficult to defend. White Crab Orzo (£22) Orzo with crab, chives, lime, and samphire. One of the better dishes — balanced and reasonably portioned, though still not cheap. King Prawns (£19) Four prawns in a garlicky, oily sauce reminiscent of prawn pil pil. Very garlicky but enjoyable, though again overpriced for what is delivered. Service & Atmosphere The lower ground floor smelled of sewage, which was deeply unpleasant and immediately off-putting when going down to the toilet level but was also the seated bar and kitchen level. Service was inconsistent and unprofessional. The older male staff member spoke loudly, disrupting the dining atmosphere, and spent excessive time joking, which slowed service — particularly when he was left alone after the younger staff member disappeared for extended periods. The younger staff member appeared disengaged and largely absent. Plates were not changed between courses, further detracting from an already underwhelming experience. Overall While The Counter has a visually interesting interior and a few competent dishes, the pricing is inflated relative to portion size and quality. Combined with poor service, hygiene issues, and an uncomfortable atmosphere, the overall experience falls well short of what the menu prices suggest.”
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Location
Restaurants near The Counter
- 0.1 mi
grand dessert, tasting menu with 30 small plates, attentive sommelier
- Haidilao Hot Pot4.814,0090.3 mi
golden chicken fish maw hotpot, premium buffet hotpot, halal options
- 0.3 mi
continuous meat rotation, salad bar buffet, rump steak
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| The CounterWheelchair accessible | 4.5377 | — | hummus and babaganoush, octopus, king prawns |
| The Lecture Room & Library at sketch | 4.863 | 0.1 mi | grand dessert, tasting menu with 30 small plates, attentive sommelier |
| Haidilao Hot Pot | 4.814,009 | 0.3 mi | golden chicken fish maw hotpot, premium buffet hotpot, halal options |
| Preto West End - Brazilian Steakhouse BBQ | 4.24,611 | 0.3 mi | continuous meat rotation, salad bar buffet, rump steak |
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