In a shock announcement on Instagram this afternoon, one of London’s most legendary restaurants announced that it would be ‘hitting pause’ on regular service. FKABAM, other known as ‘Formerly Known as Black Axe Mangal’, will cease restaurant operations at the end of the monthwith their final service taking place on December 20, 2025.
London has no dearth of incredible restaurants, but a few names have risen to the top and pushed themselves to the tips of tongues to become legendary. We’re talking about the likes of St. JOHN, Dishoom, Berenjak, and recent mega-success The Devonshire. But FKABAM has always been something special, with an attitude all its own – often emulated, but never replicated.
Founder Lee Tiernan spent 10 years at St. JOHN before striking out with his own concept. Under the name Black Axe Mangal, what would become Lee Tiernan’s restaurant first started as a kebab pop-up. In the years since, he’s attracted celebrity fans, such as Matty Matheson and Action Bronson, and authored a book full of the restaurant’s iconically bizarre dishes.
Image: @fkablackaxemangal, via IG
But now, after 10 years, they’re pausing regular service. They won’t be disappearing completely. They’ll keep the concept going with pop-ups and events. And they’re promising new ideas to come to fruition next year.
Announcing the closure
In a post on Instagram, restaurant operators Lee and Kate Tiernan posted:
“We are celebrating 10 golden years as Black Axe Mangal at 156 Canonbury Road.
Ferris Bueller said ‘Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it’ so we are going to change it up whilst it feels good.
“FKABAM Islington, as you know it, will pause from December 20th. The concept will continue as pop ups and events bringing the same unique style and vibrations.
We have been ‘cooking’ up new ideas and we’re making space for them to flourish in 2026.
“Kate and I are extremely proud of what we have achieved, a huge and sincere thanks to everyone who has played a part. To everyone who has supported us through thick and thin, it is you, who has made our unique mark on the London restaurant scene. We are eternally grateful to all who have dined with us over the last decade, without you restaurants wouldn’t exist. Thank you for injecting so much positive energy into our tiny, loud space on Highbury Corner and making it so worth while.
Image: @fkablackaxemangal & @leetiernan, via IG
“It’s been a tough year personally outside of the restaurant, but we got lucky this time.
To our brilliant FKABAM team – you are the best – thank you for supporting us, giving us the time and flexibility to negotiate the last 12 months.
“We can’t wait to see you in the restaurant – come, celebrate and have some fun with us . This is the last week of à la carte menu before we switch to a set menu of classic FKABAM dishes, Kate and I will be back in regularly until our last service 20/12/25.
EVERYONE LOVES BAM, EXCEPT FOR THOSE WHO DON’T.”
The last services at FKABAM
From next week until the restaurant ceases operation, on December 20, 2025, the FKABAM team will be serving a set menu of classic dishes. It’s the last chance to try some of their most iconic dishes, which have changed the way London’s restaurants have cooked and served.
We’re not sure what will be on offer yet, but we’re hoping to see classics like the Ox heart flatbread, the Ogleshield & Chard Hot Pocket, or the Squid Ink Flatbread. No doubt, they’ll be serving plenty of their pimped take on St. JOHN’s Roast Bone Marrow and Parsley Salad.
Image: @fkablackaxemangal, via IG
Act fast and book here, lest you miss out on your last chance to eat the food at FKABAM forever for now.
📍 FKABAM, 156 Canonbury Rd, N1 2UP. The nearest station is Highbury & Islington.
