London has more than its fair share of tasty and affordable Middle Eastern restaurants. Whether Lebanese, Egyptian or Arabic expect food packed with plenty of spice and flavour. If you’re staying at one of Clarendon’s serviced apartments in London here are our suggestions for the best Middle East restaurants to visit;
1. Yalla Yalla near to Clarendon’s Soho serviced apartments
Lebanese fayre is some of the tastiest in the world and you’ll often find it tends to be inexpensive. Yalla Yalla’s Soho eatery proved so popular they ended up opening a second at Oxford Circus. A third is opening at a kiosk at King’s Cross. Expect fresh wraps, light mezze salads, chargrilled meat and vermicelli basmati rice. Each comes loaded with spicy flavour. This is a place that is perfect to drop into throughout the day so stop by for coffee on your way into work, or perhaps enjoy a bite to eat at lunch or before an evening at the theatre. You can takeaway food and expand your palate; we’d recommend the shisha.
2. Gaby’s near to Clarendon’s Holborn serviced apartments
This is a deli com diner that allows you to sample the breadth of flavours coming from the Middle East; you’ll often find Arabic dishes cropping up in Greece and Italy as the country’s around the Aegean Sea tend to have influenced each other’s culinary cuisine. Gaby’s has a buzzing atmosphere but it’s always friendly and you’ll be served quickly. The beef sandwiches are a speciality but make sure you don’t miss the falafel. Middle Eastern food is always perfect for vegetarians so be sure to try one of the salads to take away.
3. Kenza Restaurant and Lounge close to Clarendon’s Spitalfields apartments
Loosely translated, “Kenza” means “treasure” in Arabic. And this is a real jewel of a find. Comfortable to lounge in with satin cushions and a perfume of incense in the air this is the ideal spot to enjoy sumptuous arabian feats. The feel is as authentic as the food so sample a few traditional spiced mezze dishes and enjoy with a cocktail. Evening entertainment includes belly dancers – you’ll feel you’ve truly enjoyed an arabian night.
4. Fawanees restaurant near to Clarendon’s Ealing Broadway serviced apartments
Open since 2010 this is a place famous for its outdoor shisha lounge. On the menu try a range of cold and hot mezze dishes. Make sure you don’t miss the steak or seafood sides. But be sure to save room for dessert. Middle Eastern desserts tend to be sweet pastries and here they don’t disappoint; try Baklahwah (or Baklava) and Ruz Bil’haleeb. Flavours are rich in rosewater, nuts and sweet syrup. Delicious with a dark coffee.
5. Soltan restaurant near to Clarendon’s Manning Place in Richmond.
This is where you can find Middle Eastern fare in the heart of Richmond. The chef specialties here include chili hummus, falafel and a tasty vegetable dish called Mirza Ghasemi which grills aubergine, tomato and garlic then mashes and combines with olive oil and seasoning. You can eat in or order a takeaway, bringing the taste of the Middle East to your living room.