The best Middle Eastern restaurants in London

Middle Eastern food has fast become a favourite cuisine in London in recent years. Coming close to the popularity of Asian and Italian cuisine, going out for Middle Eastern is no longer different or unusual. With many restaurants all over the City reinventing different elements of this popular cuisine, it can definitely be special and exciting trying out the latest Middle Eastern restaurant. From cheap and cheerful places doing things old-school on Edgware Road to restaurants like Palomar breaking boundaries and introducing Brits to new Middle Eastern dishes, London has a bit of everything. So whether you just want a simple hummus and mixed grill or want to go all out, Middle Eastern cuisine has something on offer for everyone.

Updated on 24 January 2022

These days, London is saturated with Middle Eastern restaurants, with one popping up around every corner of the city. With so many to choose from, knowing with one is best can be difficult, so we’ve put together this list of London's best Middle Easten restaurants to help you discover the best dishes in the city.

Whether it's Turkish delicacies, Lebanese dishes or Israeli menus you are searching for, London has it all. So the next time you are craving hummus, aubergine or just want something meaty to sink your teeth into, we can almost guarantee there will be something on this list that will impress you and your dining partners.

Every one of the Middle Eastern restaurants featured in SquareMeal’s list of London’s top Middle Eastern restaurants has been tried and tested by food critics and our own customers, so check out the reviews and book a table online with SquareMeal today.

As well as the restaurants on this page, we have listings for Middle Eastern restaurants in Knightsbridge, and Chelsea and Fulham as well as Middle Eastern restaurants in many other areas of London . Each SquareMeal listing features an independent review, as well as reviews from diners, together with unique special offers such as free drinks and discounts.

Ishbilia

Ishbilia

9 William Street, London, SW1X 9HL

A favourite of Middle Eastern families visiting the city for the summer, you can be sure that Ishbilia will serve only the most authentic dishes and experience to match. With an outdoor terrace great for summer lunches you’ll find charcoal grilled kebabs, moutabel and stew with rice.

£50 - £79
Middle Eastern
Lebanese
Delamina

Delamina

56-58 Marylebone Lane, Marylebone, London, W1U 2NX

Drawing inspiration for Tel Aviv, Russia and Iran, Delmina’s homely vibe and exciting dishes are what have made it so popular in the city. From Jerusalem artichokes on whipped manouri, Turkey Shawarma and squid in za’atar, each dish shows clear influence of all the cuisines incorporated in this restaurant.

£30 - £49
Mediterranean
The Palomar

The Palomar

34 Rupert Street, Soho, London, W1D 6DN

SquareMeal London Hot 100 2018

As one of the most popular Israeli restaurants in London, it’s no wonder The Palomar’s always buzzing. Located, rather strangely in China Town, dishes include grilled chicken with black rice, fattoush and malabi syrup pudding.

£30 - £49
Middle Eastern
International
Villa Mama

Villa Mama's

25-27 Elystan Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 3NT

Originating in Bahrain, Villa Mama’s Chelsea location offers up authentic middle eastern breakfasts and tapas-style sharing plates come evening time. Expect khubus with eggs in the morning and lamb koftas with mash later in the day.

£30 - £49
Persian
Middle Eastern
Mediterranean
Afternoon tea
Halal
Fusion
Kebab Queen at Maison Bab

Kebab Queen at Maison Bab

4 Mercer Walk, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9FA

This restaurant does theatre style dining like you’ve never seen it before. Cooking up high-end kebabs on an open grill you can watch from the bar as everything is made fresh in front of you. They also suggest eating everything with your hands by the way.

£50 - £79
Middle Eastern
Turkish
Amber

Amber

21 Piazza Walk London, London, E1 8QH

Named after The Amber trade route, this all-day dining restaurant combines its Mediterranean routes with London influences making for an authentic menu with a fun modern twist. Expect everything from acai bowls to ceviche on this menu.

£30 - £49
Middle Eastern
Antepliler

Antepliler

Grand Parade, 45-46 Green Lanes, London, London, N4 1AG

With a luxurious setting, simple but effective menu and great location in Islington, The owners of Antepliler have had 20 years to perfect their restaurant. With traditional Pide and charcoal grill meats, you’ll only find the most authentic dishes here.  

Under £30
Turkish
Zahter

Zahter

30-32 Foubert’s Place, London, W1F 7PS

Watch the chefs at this Turkish-inspired restaurant bake endless rounds of pide bread in its charcoal oven while you shovel down some of its incredible sharing mezze plates. The baklava is a must. 

£30 - £49
Middle Eastern
Turkish
Al Waha Restaurant

Al Waha Restaurant

75 Westbourne Grove, Bayswater, London, W2 4UL

Having moved from the hustle and bustle of Piccadilly, Al Waha now resides in the significantly quieter neighbourhood of Notting Hill. Focusing on great quality ingredients and traditional cooking methods, you can find labneh, pastry stuffed with spinach and Armenian lamb on this menu.

£30 - £49
Lebanese
The Drunken Butler

The Drunken Butler

20 Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 4SX

Chef-founder Yuma Hashemi has moved away from serving Modern European cuisine to focus entirely on a Persian feasting experience, inspired by his favourite family recipes. There's no fixed menu as such, but the tahdig is a regular fixture and well worth a visit in itself.

Over £80
Persian
Yeni

Yeni

55 Beak Street, London, London, W1F 9SH

As one of the hottest restaurants in Istanbul, at Yeni you can rest assured, anything you eat is endorsed by the Turkish themselves. Sharing plates include the likes of pan fried feta, roasted beef ribs and braised celeriac.

£50 - £79
Turkish
Berber & Q

Berber & Q

Arch 338, Acton Mews, London, E8 4EA

Combining North African and Middle Eastern cuisine, Josh Katz’s (former Ottolenghi chef) industrial archway restaurant offers up cauliflower shawarma and sticky harissa chicken wings. Berber & Q is no reservation though so get there quick.

£30 - £49
North African
Middle Eastern
Nopi

Nopi

21-22 Warwick Street, Soho, London, W1B 5NE

Celebrity chef Yotam Ottolenghi’s café/ deli has been a popular spot for Londoners looking for tasty casual middle eastern dishes. With seasonal menus and all-day dining, Nopi’s healthy and wholesome dishes include beef short ribs, sea trout with Koji rice and raw cauliflower with sprouts and Gorgonzola.

£50 - £79
Mediterranean
Fusion
Le Bab

Le Bab

2nd Floor, Kingly Court, London, W1B 5PW

Hidden away in Kingly Court, Le Bab’s short menu and tasty options make picking easy. Hummus, pork shawarma and double cooked fries all feature and at such reasonable prices this is the place to be for weeknight dinners and quick lunches.

£30 - £49
Mediterranean
Turkish
Best Mangal

Best Mangal

619 Fulham Road, London, SW6 5UQ

Featuring a traditional oçakbasi-grilled, you’ll find the middle eastern staple of grilled meats in abundance here. Sharing mezze dishes work as a great starter before you move onto meatier options you can watch cook right in front of you.

£30 - £49
Middle Eastern
Turkish
Kenza

Kenza

10 Devonshire Square, Liverpool Street, London, EC2M 4YP

Arabic for treasure, opulence is the word at Kenza. With stunning authentic interiors and home-cooked Lebanese food, mezze dishes are followed by chargrilled chicken and moussaka. Head down to the cocktail lounge for music and belly dancing too.

£30 - £49
Middle Eastern
Lebanese
Honey & Smoke

Honey & Smoke

216 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 5QW

This stunning minimalist Middle Eastern restaurant doesn’t just boast beautiful décor, but incredibly presented dishes too. Grilled octopus, smokey aubergine with tahini and tuna shish all feature on the menu. Pop around the corner to try Honey & Co. too.

£30 - £49
Middle Eastern
Hovarda

Hovarda

36-40 Rupert Street, Soho, London, W1D 6DW

Offering the best of both Greek and Turkish cuisine, Hovarda’s formal dining room and décor makes this restaurant ideal for special occasions and corporate meetings a like. Seafood is the main attraction here but the baby chicken is worth a try too.

£50 - £79
Turkish
Greek
Berenjak

Berenjak

27 Romilly Street, Soho, London, W1D 5AL

Berenjak has all the typical features you’d find in a middle eastern restaurant. With a tandoor, menu of sharing plates and colourful, busy décor, just like the other restaurants in its portfolio (think Bao and Hoppers) Berenjak is a hit in the city.

£30 - £49
Persian
Middle Eastern
The Barbary

The Barbary

16 Neal's Yard, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9DP

From the team behind Palomar, The Barbary serves up the increasingly popular Israeli cuisine. From grilled swordfish to goat stew, if you liked Palomar, The Barbary’s rustic interiors and exciting menu are a must try.

£30 - £49
North African

Fancy eating a different type of cuisine? We have put together a list of the best Indian restaurant in the City for next time you fancy a curry.   

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