Top Middle Eastern restaurants in London

Middle Eastern cuisine may conjure up images of a kebab after one too many on a night out, but the reality is very different. What we call Middle Eastern cuisine spans an enormous geographic area from Turkey to North Africa, with each region having its own specialities. What they do all have in common is an emphasis on freshly cooked food made from top-quality ingredients, often with the ingenious use of herbs and spices.

Top Middle Eastern restaurants in London

• Al Waha in Paddington has been serving Londoners Lebanese cuisine for 20 years. Enjoy flatbreads, olives and something from the barbecue grill, but save room for some of the spicy walnut pastries for afters.
• Ishtar in Marylebone is a Turkish restaurant that prides itself on its delicious grill, although this is just one part of a menu serving everything from poached octopus to vegetable moussaka.
• The Barbary in Covent Garden serves Israeli cuisine mingled with dishes cooked using North African techniques and spices. Freshly baked breads, such as the Jerusalem bagel, are one of the highlights of the menu, as are the tempting desserts.
• Iznik in Highbury conjures up the atmosphere of a Turkish bazaar with tiled walls and stylish lighting. Serving Ottoman cuisine, this eatery lets you choose from the selection of mezze or the mixed grill. This restaurant also has a good selection for vegetarians
• Try tasty Beirut street food at Yalla Yalla in Soho. Prices are very reasonable, but the quality of the food, including minced lamb skewers and fig tarts, is superb. Booking is strongly recommended.

What to expect

Your meal may consist of a single item, such as a tagine, or the chance to sample many different options in a feast of mezze. Foods such as pitta and hummus are likely already familiar to you, but if you’ve never eaten in a Middle Eastern restaurant before, you will get the chance to try items that you may never have heard of. You are in for a treat!