Valentines. You either love it or hate it. Whether you're happily paired, or embracing your inner rooster and playing the coop, we've got you covered.
There are three ways to play it.
You either go all out - tablecloths, wine list, a chicken dish that costs more than your kreps. You can play it cool, and impress with the vibes. Or you keep it real - fried chicken, hands dirty, fluorescent lighting, zero pretension.
Flame-grilled warning: if the person you're dining with doesn't like chicken, that's something we can't help you with. Either way, it's a Saturday night, go out. With a lover or a friend. Chicken fix, sorted.
Going All Out
If you're really trying to impress, these are the spots.
Otto's
Bloomsbury, WC1
“The Bresse chicken in half-mourning is the stuff of legend. Stuffed with black truffles under the skin, carved tableside. This is not a casual Tuesday night chicken dinner. This is an event.”
Bresse chicken in half-mourning. Black truffles slipped under the skin, roasted whole, carved tableside. Limited availability - you can order on the day but pre-ordering is smart. Allow an hour for cooking, which gives you time to work through starters and pretend you're in a Parisian film.
Old-school French fine dining. Red leather, tableside flambe, a waiter who calls you "sir" and means it. This is the kind of place where ordering chicken feels like an event.
Order this: Bresse chicken for two (pre-order suggested, 1 hour cook time). Budget for a thigh and leg.
Bébé Bob
Soho, W1
“The younger sibling of Bob Bob Ricard. Corn-fed French Cou-nu chicken, roasted to perfection. The Sunday roast is regularly named one of London's best.”
Bob Bob Ricard's younger sibling. Corn-fed French Cou-nu chicken, roasted whole. No "Press for Champagne" button here but they do have champagne, caviar and truffle so impressing here will be easy.
Order this: Whole rotisserie chicken for two, duck fat potatoes.
The Barbary
Covent Garden, WC2
“The coffee rub chicken with smoked celeriac is one of the best chicken dishes in London, full stop. Tiny counter-dining room in Neal's Yard, open kitchen, no reservations.”
If you only order one chicken dish this Valentine's, make it this. Coffee rub chicken with smoked celeriac. Deep, smoky crust that shouldn't work but absolutely does. Counter dining in a room the size of a cupboard. No reservations - just turn up. From the Palomar team.
Order this: Coffee rub chicken. Pita with baharat butter. Whatever the kitchen tells you.
Chez Lui
Notting Hill, W11
“Classic Notting Hill bistro doing Poulet Roti the way it should be done. No gimmicks, no twists - just a perfectly roasted chicken with proper French technique.”
Neighbourhood bistro energy. Poulet Roti done with proper French technique and nothing else. No reinvention. No foam. Just a very good chicken and the kind of place where you feel like a regular on your first visit.
Order this: The Poulet Roti. A glass of something French. Don't overthink it.
The Vibe Picks
For when "I know a place" actually means something.
Cafe Kowloon
Hackney, E8
“New opening in Hackney doing proper Hong Kong-style comfort food. The half chicken leg is the move - crispy skin, tender meat. Unpretentious, affordable, and exactly what the neighbourhood needed.”
Brand new. Already generating buzz. And for good reason. Hong Kong-style comfort food in Hackney. The half chicken leg is the order - crispy skin, tender meat, rice.
Taking someone to a new opening before everyone else knows about it? That's the real Valentine's gift.
Order this: Half chicken leg with rice.
Smoking Goat
Shoreditch, E1
“Their fish sauce chicken wings are massive, featuring impossibly crispy skin with tender, juicy meat that's earned legendary status among diners.”
The fish sauce wings here are things of legend. They may not be cheap, but these are the GOAT. Impossibly crispy. Coated in sticky, salty, umami glaze. Shoreditch, sharing plates, buzzy enough that you can mask any awkward silences.
Order this: Fish sauce chicken wings. Larb. Whatever curry is on. Share everything.
The Chicken Shop Date
If Chicken Shop Date has taught us anything, it's to be authentic, shoot your shot and you don't need fancy settings to have a fun time in your quest for love.
Coqfighter
Soho, W1
“Nashville hot wings done properly. The Buffalo wings and Thai chicken rice are both excellent. Soho location is small, loud, and great for a casual dinner.”
Low key, yet elevated. A menu that can transport you around the world and back. It says I have taste, but I'm not ready to go all out.
Order this: Double chicken platter if you dare. Nashville Hot Wings if you've got something to prove.
CheeMc
Elephant & Castle, SE17
“A cult Korean spot running since 2014. Seven different KFC flavours - the honey chilli is the move. They also do karaoke at the Soho branch if you're feeling brave.”
Seven KFC flavours. A wing challenge. Karaoke at the Soho branch. This will be fun, get your hands dirty and put your date to the test - wing challenge first, karaoke after. You'll learn everything you need to know.
Order this: Honey chilli wings. Then the wing challenge. Loser pays for karaoke.
Morley's
Peckham, SE15
“South London institution. No frills, no pretence - just proper chicken shop energy since '85. The 2-piece meal is the move.”
If it's good enough for Amelia Dimz, it's good enough for us. The original. Morley's has been feeding London since 1985. Fluorescent lights, 2-piece meal, can of Rubicon. We can't guarantee you'll find love, but we can guarantee a good time.
And this Valentine's - Morley's are throwing a party at the Prince of Peckham with White Men Can't Jerk. With dishes like 'Love Me Tender' this is not to be missed. Tickets here.
Order this: 2-piece and chips. Can of something fizzy. Split the coleslaw if you're feeling generous.
TL;DR
The Barbary for the best chicken dish in London. Otto's for the theatrics. CheeMc for banter, flirt to roast ratio. Morley's for the realest energy. Chez Lui for when you're lowkey trying to impress.
All rated and reviewed at chickenbible.com. Happy Valentine's. Eat chicken with someone you like.
