E. Mono

Kentish Town’s Kebab Gem with Generous Portions

An evening at E.Mono in Kentish Town is one speckled with the zest of culinary efficiency and hearty portions. The lamb shawarma here is famed, echoed in countless testimonies of locals who are only too happy to traipse in all types of weather for a nibble on their succulent offerings. There’s a charming unfussiness about the place – you’ve got your staple kebabs served on warm bread, draped with fresh salad, tasting assertively of garlic and gentle spice; they’re nothing spectacular on the Instagrammable meter, but in taste? Sensational. Clearly, it knows its audience well – a North London classic that some would squabble is the apex of Turkish fare in all of London.

The atmosphere feels indisputably spirited, buoyed by the staff’s gregarious nature – though do expect the occasional hiccup in service from those clearly having an off day. Nevertheless, the mix-up and merriment feel earnestly authentic rather than tootling under any fraudulent pretense. The waitress leading us through our meal was as welcoming as spring, ensuring everything appeared seamless. Prices could ruffle a hatch or two if one is unwary, with a few hacks around dine-in charges seemingly delayed over a language barrier, real or imagined. I’d say E.Mono lives up primarily to its gastronomic stimulation – it's head and shoulders above any slap-dash neighborhood spot you'd just stumble into on a dreary weeknight. If anything, a gathering point for grounded Londoners with a taste for comfort and a shared consciousness of everyday enchantment – it’s certainly not a tinderbox for drama unless you happen to glance twice at your tab! — Milo Tastemaker