Megan’s at The Griffin is what happens when a Mediterranean holiday meets a cosy Kingston market square - only with fewer tourists and much better coffee. Spanning two floors inside the historic Griffin Centre, it’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay a little longer, whether you’re here for a leisurely brunch, a midweek mezze feast, or a spontaneous round of cocktails that somehow turns into a full-blown celebration (it happens).
If you know Megan’s, you know the drill: fairy lights, friendly vibes, and a menu packed with Eastern Mediterranean magic. Their legendary shakshouka - rich tomato sauce, slow-simmered for eight hours - is a must, whether you go classic with eggs and labneh, spice things up with sucuk (a Turkish chorizo situation), or throw in some halloumi because, well, why wouldn’t you? Sharing is strongly encouraged (if not mandatory), so expect to be passing around plates of crispy hot honey halloumi fries, piri piri calamari, and their dangerously addictive Turkish cheese fondue.
And then there are the party boards. Raised above the table in a moment of pure, edible theatre, these towering feasts are proof that Megan’s doesn’t mess around when it comes to celebrations. Piled high with chargrilled chicken, falafel, lamb kofte, or even crispy sea bass, they’re designed for big, boozy get-togethers where the prosecco flows freely and no one leaves hungry. Speaking of drinks, you can keep it classy with a glass of Chablis, dive into a carafe of homemade sangria, or lean into the weekend with an espresso martini (or three). Megan’s started as a tiny antiques shop on the King’s Road back in 2002, but these days, it’s a full-blown neighbourhood institution.
Whether you’re here for a lazy brunch, a quick coffee, or a party that might get a little out of hand, The Griffin is the perfect spot to eat, drink, and pretend you’re on a sun-soaked terrace somewhere much warmer. And if you don’t book? No problem - they always leave space for walk-ins. But fair warning: you’ll probably end up staying longer than you planned.