Cocotte, South Kensington

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Un bon repas adoucit l’esprit et régénère le corps.
A good meal softens the mind and regenerates the body.

There is something about a good meal that nourishes not just the body but also the soul.
(And have I mentioned how food always seems to taste better when someone else cooks it?)

As I stepped into Cocotte, my sense of memory of a Glasgow boy on Cecil Street kicked into overdrive

At Hillhead Primary, every lunchtime was a pilgrimage past this mysterious shop on Great Western Road.
In its window spun an endless carousel of golden rotisserie chickens, bronzed and glistening, like edible jewellery.
Firstly, I never had the money to buy one; secondly, it was probably not Halal, but that hypnotic rotation—it’s sizzle, it’s scent, still stayed with me. It was as if it beckoned me inside to taste the forbidden fruit. It was always just out of reach
Tahir Foodwala and my sister and I would stand by that window, doing our homework, yes, you read it right, we did our homework there,  dreaming up sentences and dreaming of supper at the same time.
And now, decades later, on a bright London afternoon, that memory returned—lavender air, roasted thyme, lemon zest, and nostalgia thick as gravy. I was that wee boy again.

Chicken Tenders
£8
9 out of 10.

🐓 Chicken Tenders

Let me be honest—I have a weakness for tenders….It’s my guilty pleasure; these were exquisite.
Crispy and golden, with a batter so light and oil-free it could pass as baked.
Inside: chicken so moist it could sing a ballad.
Magnifique.

Chicken Soup
£10
7 out of 10

Chicken Soup

The soup came watery, almost brothy—but then I learned: this is French style.
No spoon. You slurp it straight from the bowl.
And in doing so, the spices gently coat the palate—subtle, warming, aromatic.
An unfamiliar ritual, but one I now respect.

Cocotte Caesar
£7
7 out of 10.

🥗 Chicken Caesar Salad

This was more French rustic minimalist than Los Angeles bold.
Romaine lettuce, Dijon mustard, parmesan.
Simple, hearty—but missing the umami punch of anchovies.
A Caesar without the punch.

Whole Rotisserie
£27
8 out of 10.

🔥 Whole Rotisserie Chicken

The main event. The fulfilment of a childhood craving.
A whole chicken, quartered, each piece glistening with herbs, lemon zest, and crispy skin.
The meat? Succulent beyond reason.
Dipped in Cocotte’s umami-rich gravy, it transcended the memory and became a moment.
I loved it.

In Conclusion

Cocotte delivered on all the fundamentals. The food was excellent—comforting, confident, and cooked with care. The South Kensington location added a touch of quiet glamour, and the space was reassuringly spotless. Service was professional, perhaps teetering on brusque at moments, but nothing to ruffle feathers. All in, Cocotte is a little slice of rustic France done right—herbs, heart, and history on a plate.

⭐ Star of the Meal

It’s a tie between the Chicken Tenders (a guilty pleasure refined) and the Rotisserie Chicken (a memory redeemed in thyme and smoke).

🔹 Honourable Mention

To Roost Chicken in Dubai and The Rotisserie in Nice, for setting the benchmark and whispering in Cocotte’s ear.

🕌 Halal & Alcohol Info

✔️ Chicken is halal
⚠️ Alcohol is served

💯 Impartial Guarantee

As always, Alfie Foodwala dines anonymously and pays for his meals.
No free dinners. No favours. Just food, honestly.