Ahead of this year’s Toast the City awards, celebrating the best of the Square Mile, we go inside Leydi London City at Hyde London
The City’s dining boom means a new British restaurant is opening almost every other week, but there are many cultures that are still underrepresented.
Leydi by chef Selin Kiazim is bringing incredible modern Turkish flavours to the Square Mile, from the chef formerly of the much-loved institution Oklava.
The restaurant opened in late 2024 as a part of the new Hyde hotel and brought a refreshing vibrancy to the Fleet Street Quarter, with its orange pastel decor, light, airy feel and inventive dishes.
Leydi London City at Hyde
The food is inspired by Istanbul culinary culture, and a highlight is the weekend brunch. Featuring menemem, Turkish eggs, simit and fried eggs with house sucuk, and free flowing Turkish tea, there’s piles of food and the menu runs all day from 10am to 3pm.
Kiazim’s food suits all day dining, although in the evening there’s an atmosphere of equally relaxed opulence.
Dishes focus on the mangal grill, with hand chopped Adana kebap, lamb chops, chicken thigh and day boat fish high on the menu. Kiazim and her team hand make incredible, multicoloured marinades and baharat spices, including the fenugreek, onion and red pepper salsa.
Smoke and spice make their way into the cocktail lists, in drinks like the Sumac Cosmo or the Aryan to You. The drinks are experimental but straightforwardly served from Kevin Patnode, who twice won the accolade of best bartender in Turkey. One of the other heroes is the Lion’s milk spritz with raki, coriander seed, elderflower liqueur and sparkling wine.
Hyde hotel
Leydi is within Hyde London City, a new boutique hotel on the fringes of the Square Mile. It takes the cues of modern design-led properties in that the reception process is relaxed and speedy, and rooms are compact but functional.
There are sight lines over the Royal Courts of Justice and towards the West End from the bedrooms, which are smartly dressed in pops of bold primary colours. Each room features a wall of botanical illustrations from interiors firm House of Hackney and wallpaper designers Timorous Beasties.
There’s also a 24-hour gym on site as well as room service and in-room guides to the best things to do in the local area.
More about Toast the City