Hiba Express is a family-owned and family-run business with three outlets in London, serving up Palestinian and Lebanese food. The head chef is simply referred to as 'Grandmother,' and she helps the team of chefs, waiterstaff, and management provide diners with a traditional Middle Eastern dining experience.
Hiba Express is the mothership of the brand, and is located a stone's throw away from Holborn Station. The restaurant is cosy on the inside, featuring lots of booths, hanging lights, and an open kitchen overlooking the dining room. Pictures decorate the walls, and the red napkins contrast against the black furniture.
The main draw of Hiba Express, however, is the expansive menu with over 80 items and platters covering soups, hot and cold mezze items, main dishes, pastries and salads - many of which are vegan or vegetarian. If it's hard to make a selection, Hiba Express also provides a 'Recommended' selection, featuring sample platters for 1-4 people. And even though it does not serve alcohol, there are plenty of non-alcoholic beers, soft drinks, and juices to choose from.
It'll be easy to find your Palestinian or Lebanese favourites on the menu if you're a fan of theh classics, but the wide variety of choices allows diners to maybe sample something new. Check out the batata harra wrap, which is cubes of potatoes sauteed with coriander and garlic, then wrapped up with lettuce, tomatoes and garlic sauce in Lebanese bread; the moujaddara, which is brown lentils and rice topped with crispy fried onions and served with hiba salad; or the mousakaat batinjan, which can be served hot or cold and is made up of aubergines baked with tomatoes, onions, chickpeas, green chilli and sweet peppers. Hungry diners can of course add a soup, salad, or side to their meal.