Top Middle Eastern Restaurants in London

By Anton Constantinou

Good Middle Eastern food is everywhere in London. From hummus to fattoush, you don’t have to have to travel very far to find it, and, more often than not, it won’t cost you much either. Few cuisines are more colourful or tantalising. There’s something really photogenic about a plate of tabbouleh or a glass of Moroccan mint tea poured slowly from an ornate silver teapot.

We love Middle Eastern cuisine so much that we thought we’d shine the spotlight on some of the best places to get it. We give you the top Middle Eastern restaurants in London.

Al Waha

Address: 75 Westbourne Grove, London W2 4UL

Nearest train station: Royal Oak

Al Waha is an award-winning Lebanese eatery in Notting Hill serving delicious mezze-style dishes. The place is filled with plants and welcoming with affordably priced meals that are vegan and vegetarian friendly. Al Waha means “oasis” and the atmosphere here is certainly that.

Arabica Bar & Kitchen

Address: Borough Market, 3 Rochester Walk, London SE1 9AF

Nearest train station: London Bridge

Starting life as a food stall in Borough Market, Arabica is now a full-fledged restaurant known for its proper Middle Eastern cooking. The setting is fantastic - a charming brick-line space tucked inside a Victorian railway arch. Its dishes range from traditional fare like whipped tahini and stuffed vine leaves to a more sensational offering of lamb cutlets with za’atar or slow roasted goat.

Honey and Co

Address: 25 Warren St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 5LZ

Nearest train station: Great Portland Street

This Israeli-run cafe gives us bright salads, pastries and mezze in a chic, casual venue. Owners Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich are a husband and wife team who’ve been operating since 2012, and make everything fresh on-site. Many of the dishes they serve hark back to their childhoods, and borrow heavily from Jewish street food.

Ottolenghi Islington

Address: 287 Upper St, London N1 2TZ

Nearest train station: Highbury & Islington

Ottolenghi’s flagship restaurant in Islington brings together flavours across the world in a cosy, communal setting. The Israeli/British chef co-owns a total of five delis and restaurants in London, and his cookbooks are world-famous. His Islington haunt is tasteful and informal, and the dishes are international and imaginatively thought-out.

Berber & Q

Address: 338 Acton Mews, London E8 4EA

Nearest train station: Haggerston

It may have the look of an American BBQ joint, but Berber & Q is anything but. Its dishes take influence from North Africa and the Middle East, and are smoked to perfection over a charcoal grill. The restaurant can be booked for small and large groups, as well festive occasions like Christmas and birthdays. Recommended dishes include the beef adana kofta, and whole sea bream.

Palomar

Address: 34 Rupert St, London W1D 6DN

Nearest train station: Leicester Square

Palomar is an Israeli restaurant in Chinatown run by two Jewish entrepreneurs that operates on a first come first served basis. Its non-kosher menu mixes seafood, meat, dairy and typical Mediterranean ingredients, and is divided up in terms of where its dishes originate from, be it the garden or the ocean. Our choice recommendations are the confit duck siske and Persian pappardelle.

Kateh

Address: 5 Warwick Pl, London W9 2PX

Nearest train station: Edgware Road

Kateh is a small, unpretentious sort of place with an intimate basement and a cheery upstairs area, serving everything from fish stews to grilled lamb. It’s located on a pretty residential street in Maida Vale, close to Notting Hill, and overlooks a canal. Expect familiar chargrilled favourites and mouth-watering salads.

Maroush

Address: 21 Edgware Rd, London W2 2JE

Nearest train station: Edgware Road

The famous restaurant group Maroush has been operating since 1981, has 16 eateries in west London, and prides itself on bringing the finest Lebanese food to the capital. Their Edgware Road branch has two floors and an energetic vibe about it, with live music, belly dancing and affordably-priced food.

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