Chelo

Tucked away near the Central London area, Chelo is a charming little gem for anyone craving modern Persian cuisine in an intimate setting. The restaurant is quite small—seating around 20 guests at most—which gives it a cozy, almost homey feel. The outdoor space is a definite plus, especially on a nice day, offering a peaceful spot to enjoy your meal.

The atmosphere at Chelo is warm and inviting, with a modern yet authentic Persian touch. The staff were kind and helpful throughout, though at times they did seem a bit overwhelmed, likely due to the limited space and full house.

As for the food, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The appetizers didn’t quite hit the mark; they tasted a little aged and lacked the freshness one might expect from a place like this. That said, Chelo completely redeems itself with its fantastic Persian-style bread—fresh, warm, and incredibly moreish.

The chicken kebab is a standout. Juicy, well-seasoned, and grilled to perfection, it’s a dish I’d absolutely come back for. Their yogurt drink (dough) is also exceptional—cool, tangy, and refreshing, it perfectly complements the rich flavors of the mains.

All in all, Chelo is a cozy, promising spot that’s worth a visit—especially for the mains and the overall vibe. With a little fine-tuning in the starters and service, it has the potential to become a local favorite.

The main dish I had (Lamb Neck) was delicious. That garlicky buttery sauce was liquid gold and the meat was super tender. It's a small restaurant on the inside (4 tables) but there's more seating outdoors. The place was packed and they had a lot of delivery orders so I imagine it's a really popular local restaurant. What let it down for me were the starters (wings and salad). Personally they were a bit small for the price.

I really liked the vibe of the restaurant, cosy and friendly, with a welcoming atmosphere. The Joojeh Kabab was a standout: super soft, juicy, and packed with flavour. However, I was a bit disappointed with the Kabab Torsh. Being from northern Iran myself, I know the traditional marination well, it typically includes fresh herbs, ground walnuts, and pomegranate molasses, and this version didn’t quite hit the mark.
The Ghormeh Sabzi was tasty overall, but it was missing dried lime, which is essential for that authentic depth of flavour. Thankfully, the staff were kind enough to bring one when we asked.
As for the rice, I found it slightly undercooked and a bit too oily for my taste.

Chelo is my favourite place for trying the best Kabab Koobideh I’ve had in the UK. I also recommend trying their Barg Kabab, Kabab Torsh, and Tahchin. For a starter, I suggest getting the tasty Bal-e Morgh.

It's a small restaurant in a residential area, so it's worth visiting if you're in the neighborhood. The food is okay, and the prices are reasonable. I don’t recommend it if you are looking for something fancy.

All of our food is absolutely Halal. We only work with Halal certified suppliers.

Halal Status for Chelo Maida Vale