Korean-glazed shrimps open the evening, but a simply presented Tavuk Shish gives this Shad Thames dinner its centre of gravity.
Coco Grill & Lounge pairs an elegant Shad Thames setting with attentive service, Korean-glazed shrimps, juicy Tavuk Shish and Turkish dessert. Prices lean higher, but dinner delivers comfort and satisfaction.
The Tavuk Shish at Coco Grill & Lounge does not need an elaborate entrance. Its presentation is restrained; the chicken is juicy, full of flavour and spiced with a confidence that makes it the most satisfying course of the evening. There is a familiar kebab pleasure here, given a more polished setting without losing the comfort that makes it worth ordering.
That balance runs through this restaurant in Shad Thames. Coco offers the elegance of an occasion without making dinner feel stiff. The room is welcoming, the lighting comfortable and the music pleasant enough to sit alongside conversation. It is somewhere to spend time with friends or family, with a lounge that adds to the appeal of making an evening of the visit.
A bright beginning, a more persuasive main
The Crispy Spiced Shrimps make an appealing introduction. A Korean glaze and a zesty edge give the starter its character, while the careful presentation suggests a kitchen attentive to how a meal begins. The flavours work together, setting up the courses that follow without making the opening act the whole story.
Then comes the Tavuk Shish. The spice level feels right, supporting the chicken rather than overwhelming it. What looks modest on arrival turns out to be filling, a useful reminder that the size of a plate’s impression is not always the measure of its generosity. Of the dishes I tried, this is the one I would put at the centre of a return visit.
“The main course was the highlight of the experience.”
Feyza Celebi
An evening allowed to settle
Service helps the restaurant’s polished surroundings feel approachable. The staff are friendly, attentive and sufficiently familiar with the menu to offer useful recommendations. I recorded a wait of around 15–20 minutes during the visit. More memorable than that interval was the welcome: the attention continued beyond the arrival, contributing to the sense of a comfortable evening rather than a formal production.
Dessert brings the meal back to Turkish flavours. The Sobiyet Tatlisi arrives with coconut ice cream, a pairing that balances the sweetness and gives the final course its own appeal. After the glaze of the shrimps and the spice of the chicken, it is an indulgent finish that feels in keeping with the evening.
The case for coming back
Coco sits towards the higher end of the price range in my experience, although the meal did not strike me as excessively expensive. The portions proved more substantial than they initially appeared, and the combination of food, service and surroundings made the expense easier to appreciate. This is a choice for an evening when the setting matters, as well as what is on the plate.
Still, the room is not the reason I would return. It is the chicken: simply presented, satisfyingly juicy and well judged in its seasoning. Coco’s strongest moment is also its least complicated. Among the elegant surroundings and the promise of a special evening, a good Tavuk Shish gets the final word.
Highlights
- Standout dish: Tavuk Shish, for its juicy chicken and balanced spice.
- To start: Crispy Spiced Shrimps with a Korean glaze and zesty flavour.
- To finish: Sobiyet Tatlisi with coconut ice cream.
- The setting: An elegant, welcoming restaurant and lounge with attentive service.
In the reviewer’s words
“Portion sizes, though small on outset, were very filling.”
Feyza Celebi
“The pricing is definitely on the higher end, though not too expensive.”
Feyza Celebi
Stars
★★★★★
Feyza’s overall rating: 5 out of 5.
Visit details
Coco Grill & Lounge
34a Shad Thames, London SE1 2YG, United Kingdom
Visited: 18 March 2026, 7pm · Dinner
Cuisine: Middle Eastern, with Turkish dishes
