FOWL by Fallow

The team behind Fallow have applied their Midas touch to this chicken-focused pop-up in St James’s. Renting a space practically next door to its original site, FOWL is a sustainable, beak-to-feet concept which aims to use as much of the bird as it can across a series of head-turning dishes.  

This venture is decidedly more casual, with a no-bookings policy and laminated menus depicting the word FOWL in red capital letters. On paper, one might imagine something akin to a late-night chicken shop, but FOWL is swish and seductive. The split-level space features an intimate mezzanine and a sleek underlit bar backed by a wall of spirits and wine bottles. It's pretty dark inside too, with sultry, low-level lighting giving strong date night vibes. 

Despite its slightly serious setting, the food is playful, fun and surprising in the best possible way. Szechuan honey chicken wings coated in a thick, crunchy batter are served in a takeaway cardboard box - a la chicken shop. Elsewhere, an inspired take on an American corn dog sees a rib-sticking mix of chicken thigh, soft batter and mustard engineered around an actual chicken leg – lest we forget where we are. Its signature fried chicken burger is thickly battered, ultra crisp and slathered in hot cheese sauce. At £18 a pop, you're looking at central London prices, but this is well-executed, high-quality, properly satisfying food that won’t leave you feeling out of pocket.  

The real curve ball comes with dessert. A smooth, chicken fat crème caramel served with broken pieces of baklava, and a giant profiterole that’s brought to life, remarkably, by the rich savouriness of chicken skin. 

FOWL feels like a fun project for the Fallow team and, even if it’s doesn’t stick around forever, we’d highly recommend popping by while you still can.  

Following a successful pop-up, chef owners Jack Croft and Will Murray officially launched FOWL in October 2023, which can be found just around the corner from their flagship restaurant Fallow St. James’s. FOWL restaurant celebrates the nation’s favourite bird through an all-in, beak-to-feet menu concept, following the same sustainable philosophy that the pair also champion at sister restaurants Fallow and Roe. 

Offering both indoor and outside dining, FOWL is open for Lunch, Dinner & Cocktails from Tuesday to Sunday. Set in a former gastropub, FOWL pairs striking design with bold, nose-to-tail dining. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with light, illuminating racing-green banquettes and parquet floors, while retro posters and chic lamps add character. The relaxed yet stylish setting is the perfect backdrop for its inventive ‘beak-to-feet’ chicken concept, where creative dishes celebrate every part of the bird with flair and flavour.

FOWL is particularly proud of the produce that it uses. The only birds you'll find on the menu here are soy-free, pasture-raised for twice as long as standard chickens, and raised on farms that use regenerative agriculture practices. The restaurant then uses every single bit of the bird in dishes such as the FOWL chicken burger with black pepper ranch, katsu chicken breast in crab curry with green mango, signature black garlic buffalo wings, and rotisserie half chickens with gochujang hot sauce. There are also monthly specials, brought to you in collaboration with foodie icons, from Pierre Koffmann to Jessie Ware.

Save some room for dessert too, which includes sweet treats like lemon meringue pie with citrus custard, and an incredible Guinness soft serve ice cream with chocolate sauce and malt crumble.