London UK Series: Incredible BBQ Experience – From The Ashes BBQ at Five Points Taproom

From the Ashes BBQ – Restaurant Overview

61 Mare St, London E8 4RG, United Kingdom

From The Ashes BBQ operates out of the Five Points Taproom & Courtyard in London, UK. It’s part of the Five Points Brewery space, which immediately gives the entire venue a relaxed, social atmosphere. Instead of feeling like a traditional sit-down restaurant, the setup leans much more toward a casual beer-hall style experience where great food and craft beer come together.

The courtyard area is particularly appealing. There is outdoor seating with heaters, making it comfortable even when the weather isn’t perfect. It feels lively without being overwhelming, and it’s the kind of place where you can easily spend a few hours eating, drinking, and relaxing with friends.

Ordering is very straightforward. You simply walk up to the counter, place your order, tell them your table number, and pay immediately. Once the food is ready, it’s brought to your table. When you’re finished eating, you can just get up and leave—no waiting for a server to bring a bill or process payment. It’s an efficient system that keeps things moving while still feeling laid-back.

This style of service worked perfectly for the space. It removes any pressure or awkward waiting moments and lets you focus entirely on enjoying the food and atmosphere.

From the moment I sat down, I knew this was the kind of place I’d happily come back to. It’s casual, welcoming, and clearly focused on delivering excellent BBQ.

Would return? Yes, absolutely.

12HR Wagyu Brisket and Smoked Beef Short Rib

12HR Wagyu Brisket

9.5/10

The 12-hour Wagyu brisket from From the Ashes BBQ was easily the standout item of the meal and one of the best briskets I’ve ever had.

What immediately stood out was the texture. Brisket can often be hit-or-miss—sometimes it ends up slightly dry, slightly stringy, or unevenly cooked. None of those problems existed here. This brisket was unbelievably tender from start to finish. Every bite was moist and soft, and the meat pulled apart effortlessly without feeling mushy.

There were no dry sections and no tough fibers anywhere. It had that perfect BBQ texture where the meat breaks apart easily but still retains structure.

The flavouring was also excellent. The seasoning blend complemented the beef without overpowering it. You could still taste the richness of the meat itself, which is exactly what you want with high-quality Wagyu brisket. The spices added depth and smokiness while allowing the natural beef flavour to shine through.

What really made this brisket memorable was how balanced everything felt. It wasn’t overly salty, overly smoky, or overly fatty. Everything was just right.

Honestly, I struggled to think of another brisket that I’ve had that was clearly better than this one. It’s the type of dish that alone would make me want to return to a restaurant.

If I were coming back to From The Ashes BBQ—and I definitely would—I would order this again without hesitation.

Order again? Yes.

Smoked Beef Short Rib

7/10

The smoked beef short rib from From the Ashes BBQ was solid overall, though it didn’t quite reach the same level as the brisket.

Starting with the positives, the seasoning and flavour were excellent. The spice blend worked really well with the richness of the beef, and the smoky notes were very present. Each bite delivered that classic BBQ flavour profile that you hope to get from properly smoked meat.

However, the texture didn’t quite match the brisket.

Short ribs are often expected to be extremely tender, sometimes even falling off the bone depending on how they’re prepared. While this one was still enjoyable, the meat could have been noticeably more tender. It required a bit more effort to bite through, and the texture wasn’t quite as soft as I was expecting.

That said, the brisket set an incredibly high bar. When comparing the two dishes side-by-side, the difference in tenderness was obvious.

If I had ordered the short rib without trying the brisket first, I probably would have rated it slightly higher. The flavour was genuinely great—it just didn’t have that melt-in-your-mouth texture that elevates smoked beef to the next level.

Still, it was a good dish overall and worth trying, especially if you’re looking to sample multiple meats.

Order again? Maybe.

Cajun Fries

8/10

The Cajun fries from From the Ashes BBQ were a great side to accompany the BBQ meats.

They were nicely crispy on the outside while still soft on the inside, which is exactly the texture you want from good fries. Too often fries lean too far in one direction—either overly crunchy or overly soft—but these struck a very good balance.

The Cajun seasoning made a big difference. The spice blend added a pleasant kick and a lot of flavour without being overwhelming. It gave the fries more personality than standard salted fries and paired very well with the richness of the brisket and short rib.

Fries might seem like a simple side dish, but when they’re executed well they really elevate the meal. These did exactly that.

They worked especially well as something to snack on between bites of the heavier BBQ meats at From the Ashes BBQ.

Order again? Yes.

Atmosphere & Experience

One of the most enjoyable parts of eating at From The Ashes BBQ was the overall environment.

Because the restaurant operates within the Five Points Taproom & Courtyard, the space feels lively and social. It’s not formal or pretentious in any way. Instead, it’s the kind of place where you can sit down with good food, good beer, and good company.

The heated outdoor seating makes the courtyard particularly appealing. Even if the temperature drops, the heaters make it comfortable enough to stay outside and enjoy the atmosphere.

The ordering system also contributes to the relaxed vibe. Since you pay upfront and simply provide your table number, there’s no need to flag down servers or wait around for a bill. It’s efficient and convenient.

Service was quick and smooth as well. The food arrived promptly, and everything felt well-organized despite the casual setup.

Places like this often feel more authentic because the focus is clearly on the food and the experience rather than trying to create something overly polished.

Final Thoughts

From The Ashes BBQ delivered a fantastic BBQ experience in London.

The 12-hour Wagyu brisket alone makes the visit worthwhile. It was incredibly tender, flavourful, and one of the best briskets I’ve had anywhere. If you’re visiting, that should absolutely be the first thing you order.

The smoked beef short rib was still enjoyable, with excellent seasoning and smoky flavour, though it didn’t quite reach the same level of tenderness as the brisket. Meanwhile, the Cajun fries were a great side—crispy, well-seasoned, and a perfect complement to the meats.

Combined with the casual ordering system, heated courtyard seating, and relaxed brewery atmosphere, the entire experience felt easy and enjoyable from start to finish.

This is exactly the type of place that’s easy to return to. Great BBQ, a comfortable setting, and no unnecessary complications.

If I ever find myself back in this part of London, From The Ashes BBQ would absolutely be high on my list of places to visit again.