Business Details
19 Years
experience
Your Trusted Lebanese Restaurant in London
Established in 2007, Kenza Restaurant has been a beacon of authentic Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisine, offering home-style dishes crafted from generations-old family recipes. Our culinary philosophy centers on sharing - whether it's with friends, family, or colleagues - through carefully curated menus that blend traditional flavors with contemporary presentation. We've always prioritized creating welcoming spaces for all occasions, reflected in our vibrant dcor, warm hospitality, and occasional entertainment.While we've made the difficult decision to close our doors permanently as of January 9th, our legacy lives on through sister restaurants like Yalla Yalla and Comptoir Libanais. Our commitment to quality remains evident in every dish, from our signature hommos to our charcoal-grilled specialties, all prepared with the same care as if made in a Lebanese home kitchen. We've maintained transparency about kitchen operations and allergen handling throughout our service, ensuring customers make informed choices.
Services
Mezze Platters
Charcoal Grills
Seafood Specials
Private Dining
Takeaway Service
Cocktail Menu
Wine Selection
Dessert Platters
Event Catering
Allergen Information
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- We served authentic Lebanese cuisine using family recipes since 2007
- Our menus featured both traditional mezze and contemporary interpretations
- We maintained full transparency about kitchen operations and allergens
- Our sister restaurants continue our culinary legacy across London
- We offered flexible dining options from casual meals to private events
Services
Mezze Platters
Our mezze platters showcase traditional Middle Eastern starters with both cold and hot options. Featuring classics like smooth hommos, smoky baba ghannouj, and spicy batata harra, these sharing plates introduce diners to authentic Lebanese flavors through 15+ carefully prepared options. Each component reflects recipes passed down through generations, served with warm flatbread for an immersive dining experience.
Charcoal Grills
Charcoal-grilled meats and seafood form the heart of our menu, featuring signature dishes like lamb kofta and chicken taouk. Our chefs use traditional marinades with wild zaatar and citrus, cooking over open flames to achieve authentic charring and smokiness. The mixed grill platter allows sharing of multiple proteins, while specialty items like kastaleta lamb showcase premium cuts prepared with time-honored techniques.
Private Dining
We offered dedicated spaces for special occasions from intimate gatherings to large celebrations. Our private dining service included bespoke menus for sit-down meals or mezze-style receptions, with venue options ranging from cozy alcoves for six to exclusive restaurant hire for 150 guests. Customizable packages accommodated birthdays, corporate events, and cultural celebrations with tailored culinary experiences.
Takeaway Service
Our takeaway service extended authentic Lebanese cuisine beyond dining room walls, offering full menu access for collection or delivery. Customers could order through our website or delivery partners, enjoying signature dishes like muhammar and mezze platters at home. The service maintained quality standards through careful packaging while preserving the essence of home-style cooking.
Wine Selection
Our beverage program featured carefully selected wines complementing Middle Eastern flavors. The list included Lebanese wines from Bekaa Valley alongside international varieties, with pairing suggestions for different dishes. Non-alcoholic options like rose mint tea and specialty mocktails provided traditional accompaniments, while champagne cocktails offered celebratory choices for special occasions.
People
Tony Kitous
Founder
Tony Kitous established Kenza Restaurant in 2007, drawing on family culinary traditions to create its authentic menu. He personally oversaw recipe development, blending childhood memories with modern interpretations. His leadership shaped the restaurant's welcoming atmosphere and commitment to quality, maintaining its reputation as a London dining destination for 15 years.
Questions
Why has Kenza closed its doors?
After 15 successful years, Kenza decided not to renew its lease, closing permanently on January 9th. This difficult decision followed careful consideration of our long-term vision.
Where can I find similar Lebanese cuisine in London?
Visit our sister restaurants: Yalla Yalla in Winsley Street and multiple Comptoir Libanais locations across London including Liverpool Street and Southbank.
Can I still order Kenza's dishes for takeaway?
While our physical location has closed, you can experience similar Lebanese cuisine at our sister restaurants offering comparable menus and quality standards.
How did Kenza handle food allergens?
We provided allergen information for all dishes, noting particular care with sesame seeds and nuts due to kitchen operations and layout.
What private event options were available?
We offered intimate alcoves for six, private rooms for up to 70 guests, and full restaurant hire for 150 attendees with customized menus and event planning.
What made Kenza's cuisine authentic?
Our recipes originated from family traditions spanning generations, prepared using time-honored techniques while maintaining home-style presentation and flavors.
Reviews (7)
Stella Stankova
Jan 23, 2022
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We had amazing experience! Delicious food enjoyable atmosphere! Perfect service! I really enjoyed with my family! Definitely we will come again! Thank you 😊
Ally M.
Jan 15, 2022
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Location and decor was lovely. Cosy, comfortable and clean. We were greeted with smiling faces. We arrived on time and were kept waiting in the bar area for 30mins which was a little annoying. The meze starters were delicious. Cocktails were nice. I thought the prices were fair for what you get. The service continued to be poor, they were out of fish and as a pescatarian, the only other option was a veg moussaka which is not at all what Id have chosen. Our bottles of water didnt arrive until we prompted our server multiple times and getting the bill at the end took forever. The entertainment
Honest Reviewer Wand
Jan 14, 2022
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We booked this for our friend's 30th, and it started out as a good evening. The good:
- Entertainment was really good, with the talented dancers to keep us occupied whilst we waited for our main
- Our starters were lovely, and the bread and dips nice also
- The interior, and ambience, of the restaurant was welcoming; toilets clean also. The bad:
- We told our waiter that my partner had a nut allergy, but when the starters (one of which included nuts) was placed before her he did not inform her it was not suitable. Instead, she had to look at the menu on her phone. This is bad as restaurants
- Entertainment was really good, with the talented dancers to keep us occupied whilst we waited for our main
- Our starters were lovely, and the bread and dips nice also
- The interior, and ambience, of the restaurant was welcoming; toilets clean also. The bad:
- We told our waiter that my partner had a nut allergy, but when the starters (one of which included nuts) was placed before her he did not inform her it was not suitable. Instead, she had to look at the menu on her phone. This is bad as restaurants
Amir Khan
Jan 07, 2022
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Nestled in a quiet corner in Liverpool Street. Great decor and ambience. You will certainly feel like you are eating in a middle Eastern restaurant. The food,service and belly dancing entertainment will not fail to make your evening a fun filled and wonderful one. Recommend for a group of friends. The service and price was also very reasonable and good value for money in London. The lamb tagine and the mixed mezze was really tasty and fresh. Staff were attentive and polite. I would definitely visit again!
Lucia
Dec 31, 2021
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Love love love the Beautiful place. From the time my guests and I reached this place. I was mesmerized by the decor..the food was delicious, copious amounts of drink..Then the Belly dancers came and the music started and I felt I was in Arabia... A live DJ and dance section. Very loud the music, but I loved it.
Wonderful..Will go again for my birthday. 10/10
Wonderful..Will go again for my birthday. 10/10
Successful Marketing Business
Nov 14, 2021
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I liked the experience with the venue, the food and the belly dancers but I did not like the way we were treated by the staff. They were not rude but they were not nice or friendly either. The cloakroom is only open for "friends" and we were not and at the bar, they did not hesitate to squeeze us between 2 couples to make room for other friends who came for drinks. It is not good customer service and I will definitely not come back.
Jtan Styla
Oct 07, 2021
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Delicious food. Great vibes and music and entertainment and a midnight dance floor when you've had a few drinks.
