The Best Places for Middle Eastern Food in London

Great Israeli/Middle-Eastern diner just off Piccadilly Circus. Innovative cooking of traditional ingredients with some North African and Spanish influences. Small dining room in the back, but the bar seats next to the kitchen are where the action is.

Great lunch place!I had the polenta fries with truffle Mayo and the twice cooked whole baby chicken and it did not disappoint!

Tasty Tel Aviv street food stall in Borough Market famous for stuffed pitas and warm hearty salads.Best known for their stuffed-to-burst pita sandwiches (the sabich and the fish tagine are personal favourites), Shuk; serves up the tastiest Tel Aviv street food in London. Great place to grab a sandwich or salad for lunch, but personally I prefer grabbing a seat in the evening when a selection of mouthwatering small plates are available to order. The hummus platters are standouts and perfectly accompanied by zingy, wholesome salads and delicious raw and cured meats dishes.

Delicious Persian food Sweetbreads on a flatbread are imperative to eat. Fantastic service, beautifully smokey ingredients. So delicious.

A masterclass in Israeli foodBeautifully fresh food from the incredible Oren, this legend in the London food scene shows us how to use simple ingredients while showing off the unique food scene of Tel Aviv. Lamb sweetbreads Zaatar a MUST!

Flavourful feast meant to share Bubala Soho is the younger sister to a popular Spitalfields restaurant. Starring middle-eastern dishes, often with a personal touch (locate oil on the baba ganush was a hit!), it’s a great place to visit with a bigger group. Most of the dishes are meant to share - though some are so great you’ll want to keep them for yourself. Go for a few of the dips or spreads, such as the aforementioned babag anush or hummus with burnt butter, add some skewers or baked halloumi with honey if on the menu. All dishes come from a small, open kitchen, occasionally blazing with fire.

Secret underground restaurant that will blow your mind. Fine dining ‘Kebab’ tasting menu - 10 seats & great conceptLe Bab is an up and coming group of restaurants that have truly revolutionsed what kebabs really mean to the british consumer. These are not sloppy late night binge eats but instead upscale creative dishes with persian, iranian influences. Kebab queen is their secret restaurant, hidden underground of their main reataurants, you have to walk through their kitchen. Opening through dining room door to swanky music, an open kitchen with ten seats & low lighting. An incredible wine list & even better menu. Dishes included duck & scallops. All prepared at table in front of you, placed direcly on the table (no plates are used) and to be eaten with your hands. A great date night - a proper special place

North-African inspired counter dining in a buzzy spotThe Barbary flys a little bit under the radar I think, but this small, loud and buzzy restaurant in Neal's Yard is great fun. Take a seat at the counter and dive into breads and dips and delicious grilled meat and seafood - the 'cigars' and the chicken shawarma are ace.

Contemporary ocakbasi from Kemal DemirasalLooking for a meat fix? The offal is where it's at, at this contemporary ocakbasi from Turkish chef Kemal Demirasal, with the head cheese, tongue, and lamb liver skewers as stand outs. The vine leaves, hummus with crispy pastrami (great, salty touch) and desserts (semolina cake, and rice pudding) are also not to be missed. Interesting use of ferments too, especially in the drinks. A neighbourhood restaurant that's worth travelling for.