You walk down Rupert Street, past the glowing neon of Chinatown and the slightly chaotic energy of Shaftesbury Avenue, and there it is. The Palomar. If you haven't been, you’ve probably seen the queue. It's the kind of place that feels like a party you weren't sure you were invited to, but once you’re inside, someone hands you a shot of Arak and suddenly you're best friends with the person sitting next to you at the counter.
Honestly, in a city where restaurants open and close faster than a tube door, The Palomar Rupert Street has managed to stay relevant for over a decade. That’s an eternity in London years. Opened in 2014 by siblings Zoë and Layo Paskin—yes, the same Layo from the legendary DJ duo Layo & Bushwacka!—it brought the high-octane "Machneyuda" vibe from Jerusalem straight into the heart of W1.
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The Chaos of the Counter
If you’re going to do The Palomar right, you have to sit at the bar. There are only 16 seats there. It’s tight. You will probably get bumped by a waiter. You might even have a chef accidentally flick a bit of flour your way. But that’s the soul of the place.
The back dining room is fine. It’s wood-paneled, intimate, and much easier to book. But it lacks the theatre. At the counter, you're watching the chefs handle the Josper grill like it’s a percussion instrument. There’s a specific energy here that most "modern Middle Eastern" spots try to replicate but usually fail because they’re too polite. The Palomar isn't polite. It’s loud, it’s buzzy, and it’s unapologetically Jerusalem.
What to Actually Order
Don't just look at the menu and guess. There are some non-negotiables.
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- Kubaneh: This is the Yemeni pot-baked bread. It looks like a giant, golden mushroom and feels like a savory brioche. It comes with tahini and "velvet" tomatoes. If you don't order this, you've basically failed the mission.
- Shakshukit: This is their signature. Forget the eggs-in-sauce shakshuka you get at brunch. This is a deconstructed kebab of minced beef and lamb, laced with yogurt, tahini, and "the four tops" (harissa, pesto, and other zesty bits). It’s messy. It’s incredible.
- Octo-Hummus: It’s exactly what it sounds like. Josper-grilled octopus served over some of the smoothest hummus in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Paskin Legacy
Zoë and Layo Paskin didn't just stop at Rupert Street. They built a bit of an empire. You’ve probably heard of The Barbary in Neal’s Yard or the Michelin-starred Evelyn’s Table tucked away in a basement. But The Palomar was the spark.
They’ve managed to maintain a level of quality that’s rare. They recently gave the place a "glamorous refurbishment" (designed by Archer Humphryes), but they didn't kill the vibe. It still feels like a place where the staff actually wants to be there. Most of the meat is organic and UK-sourced, while the seafood comes off Cornish day boats. They aren't cutting corners even though they’re a "Soho institution" now.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often think they can just stroll in at 7:00 PM on a Friday. You can’t. Well, you can, but you'll be waiting at The Blue Posts (the Paskins' pub just down the street) for a long time.
The trick is to go for lunch or hit that 5:30 PM first seating. They only take reservations for the back room or the very first slots at the bar. After that, it’s a walk-in game. Also, don't be afraid of the spice. Some of the dips, like the schug, have a real kick. It’s supposed to wake you up.
The 2026 Experience
Coming into 2026, the menu has evolved under Head Chef Omri McNabb. You’ll find more experimental things now—think Persian lemon chicken with spicy chickpeas or sea bass paired with Israeli kimchi. It’s a melting pot of Southern Spain, North Africa, and the Levant.
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The prices have definitely ticked up over the years. A meal for two with wine will likely set you back £150+ if you’re "getting involved," as the staff likes to say. But for the quality of the cooking and the sheer hit of dopamine you get from the atmosphere, it remains one of the few "hyped" places that actually delivers.
Your Next Steps for a Perfect Night
If you're planning a visit, here is how to handle it like a local:
- Book the back room if you have a group of four. It’s the only way to ensure you aren't standing on the pavement for an hour.
- Arrive at 5:15 PM if you want a counter seat. The door opens at 5:30, and the bar fills up in approximately four minutes.
- Order the Malabi for dessert. It’s a rose-scented milk pudding with raspberry coulis and coconut meringue. It sounds heavy, but it’s actually the perfect palate cleanser after all that tahini.
- Check the "Daily 6" on the menu. It's a rotating selection of meze that usually features the freshest seasonal vegetables they’ve got.
The Palomar is more than just a restaurant on Rupert Street; it’s a reminder that dining out should be fun. It’s loud, cramped, and delicious. Just make sure you bring an appetite and maybe some earplugs if you’re sensitive to a bit of shouting and pan-clashing.