London’s Middle Eastern food scene is one of the most diverse in Europe, shaped by decades of migration, family-run businesses, and chefs reinterpreting regional traditions for a modern audience.
While high-profile openings often dominate headlines, many of the city’s most memorable meals are served in neighbourhood restaurants that rely on loyal local followings rather than hype.
This guide highlights hidden Middle Eastern restaurants in London that consistently deliver authentic flavours and dependable quality. Each restaurant was selected based on neighbourhood reputation, consistency of cooking, and representation of Middle Eastern culinary traditions.
Organising the guide by area makes it easier to explore London with intention, revealing how Soho, Edgware Road, and Hackney each express a distinct food identity.
Where Can You Find Hidden Middle Eastern Food Spots in London UK?
1. Soho
Soho combines theatre crowds and destination dining with a cluster of innovative Middle Eastern kitchens. These restaurants focus on bold flavours and modern interpretations of regional classics.
Miznon
Miznon centres its identity around Israeli street food inspired by the markets of Tel Aviv. The restaurant focuses on freshly baked pita bread filled to order, creating meals that are quick, satisfying, and intensely flavourful.
- Cuisine: Israeli street food
- Best for: Casual lunches and quick dinners
- Signature dishes: Roasted cauliflower pita, lamb kebab, seasonal vegetable pitas
- Atmosphere: Lively and informal
The kitchen highlights simple cooking techniques that let ingredients stand out. Vegetables are roasted until caramelised, meats are grilled with careful seasoning, and sauces add brightness without overpowering the core flavours.
The result is food that feels energetic and modern while remaining rooted in everyday Israeli cooking.
Bubala
Bubala has earned a loyal following for its entirely vegetarian Middle Eastern menu. The dining room is cosy, and the food is built around texture and spice.
- Cuisine: Vegetarian Levantine
- Best for: Shared dining and plant-focused menus
- Signature dishes: Oyster mushroom skewers, confit latkes, labneh with chilli oil
- Atmosphere: Cosy and relaxed
Expect confit latkes with tahini, oyster mushroom skewers glazed in pomegranate molasses, and silky labneh topped with chilli oil.
Dishes balance sweetness, acidity, and spice, often incorporating ingredients such as tahini, pomegranate molasses, and fresh herbs. Bubala demonstrates how traditional Levantine flavours can be adapted into a fully vegetarian format without losing depth.
Imad’s Syrian Kitchen
Imad’s Syrian Kitchen focuses on traditional Syrian comfort food prepared with patience and attention to spice balance. The menu reflects home-style cooking intended to be shared.
- Cuisine: Syrian
- Best for: Hearty traditional meals and group dining
- Signature dishes: Lamb dumplings, mutabal, slow-cooked stews
- Atmosphere: Warm and welcoming
Lamb dumplings are delicately spiced, mutabal is smoky and smooth, and slow-cooked stews offer warmth without heaviness. There’s depth here, both in flavour and story.
2. Edgware Road
Edgware Road has long served as a cultural and culinary centre for Middle Eastern communities in London. The concentration of cafés, bakeries, and grill restaurants creates a distinctive late-night dining culture.
Many establishments are long-running businesses known for reliability and traditional preparation methods.
Abu Zaad
A long-standing Syrian favourite known for consistency. Grilled meats are expertly charred, hummus is creamy and generous, and freshly baked bread keeps arriving at the table.
- Cuisine: Syrian grill and mezze
- Best for: Group meals and extended dining
- Signature dishes: Charcoal-grilled meats, hummus, fresh bread
- Atmosphere: Relaxed and sociable
Grilled meats are prepared over charcoal to achieve a smoky finish, while mezze dishes are freshly assembled and generously portioned. Continuous service of warm bread encourages communal eating. The focus remains on dependable execution of classic recipes. It’s relaxed, welcoming, and ideal for sharing large spreads.
Assal Patisserie
Assal Patisserie is a Persian bakery at heart, known for its traditional sweets and relaxed café atmosphere. While many stop by for a quick takeaway, the pastry counter deserves proper attention.
- Cuisine: Persian bakery
- Best for: Desserts, tea, and light snacks
- Signature items: Saffron sponge cake, pistachio pastries, rosewater sweets
- Atmosphere: Casual café
Saffron sponge cakes are delicately fragrant, pistachio pastries are rich and nutty, and rosewater-infused treats bring subtle floral sweetness. It’s dependable, understated, and a true staple of Edgware Road’s Persian food scene.
Al Arez Express
Part of the well-regarded Al Arez group, this branch offers Lebanese classics in a slightly more casual format. The restaurant focuses on speed without sacrificing quality.
- Cuisine: Lebanese grill and mezze
- Best for: Quick shared meals
- Signature dishes: Mixed grill platters, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh
- Atmosphere: Energetic and informal
Charcoal grilling is central to the menu, producing meats with crisp exteriors and tender interiors. Mezze selections add freshness through herbs and citrus.
Expect creamy baba ghanoush, vibrant tabbouleh, and generous mixed platters designed for sharing. It captures the energy of Edgware Road without feeling overwhelming.
3. Hackney
Hackney’s restaurant culture blends established culinary traditions with contemporary experimentation. Middle Eastern restaurants in the area often emphasise seasonal sourcing, open kitchens, and creative plating while maintaining respect for regional flavours.
Oren
Oren specialises in Eastern Mediterranean small plates with a strong Israeli influence. The menu evolves with seasonal produce and prioritises ingredient quality. The space is intimate, with an open kitchen that keeps things lively.
- Cuisine: Eastern Mediterranean
- Best for: Seasonal small plates and intimate dinners
- Signature dishes: Hummus, grilled fish, vegetable dishes
- Atmosphere: Intimate and lively
The cooking focuses on freshness and balance. Vegetables are prepared to highlight natural sweetness, seafood is lightly seasoned, and herbs add brightness.
Expect silky hummus, seasonal vegetables, grilled fish, and beautifully spiced meats. The flavours are bright, herb-heavy, and carefully layered. The small-plate format encourages varied tasting.
Berber & Q
Centred around open-fire cooking, Berber & Q delivers smoky vegetables and expertly grilled meats. The menu combines vegetables and meats designed for sharing.
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern grill
- Best for: Communal dining and grilled specialities
- Signature dishes: Fire-roasted vegetables, grilled meats
- Atmosphere: Rustic and contemporary
Open flames impart a distinctive smokiness. Dishes are layered with spice without overwhelming the palate. The restaurant bridges rustic cooking methods with modern presentation. It’s ideal for sharing and feels both rustic and contemporary at the same time.
What Sets These Restaurants Apart?
What connects these neighbourhood kitchens is authenticity and consistency. Recipes are respected, spices are balanced, and ingredients are handled with care.
- Commitment to authentic regional recipes
- Careful sourcing of fresh ingredients
- Consistent preparation techniques
- Menus designed around sharing and variety
- Strong relationships with local communities
Together, these elements create dining experiences that prioritise flavour and reliability over trends. Each neighbourhood contributes a unique perspective on Middle Eastern cuisine, shaped by its resident communities and culinary history.
You’ll find Israeli street-food energy in Soho, classic Syrian and Lebanese hospitality on Edgware Road, and Persian comfort dishes in Hackney. Each area tells its own culinary story, yet all share the same commitment to flavour over hype.
They may not dominate social media, but they dominate in taste, which is exactly why they remain the best hidden restaurants in London that locals swear by.
Explore London One Neighbourhood at a Time
Approaching London’s restaurant scene by neighbourhood reveals patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. Soho highlights modern reinterpretations and fast-paced dining.
Edgware Road preserves long-standing traditions and late-night culture. Hackney integrates heritage with creative experimentation.
Exploration by area encourages repeat visits and deeper familiarity with local favourites. Many of these restaurants succeed because they serve communities consistently, building reputations through word of mouth rather than publicity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best hidden Middle Eastern restaurants in London?
Highly recommended options include Miznon, Bubala, and Imad’s Syrian Kitchen in Soho; Abu Zaad, Assal Patisserie, and Al Arez Express on Edgware Road, and Oren and Berber & Q in Hackney. These restaurants are recognised for consistent quality and authentic flavours.
Which London neighbourhood is best for Middle Eastern food?
Edgware Road is widely considered a central hub for traditional Middle Eastern cuisine. Soho and Hackney complement it with contemporary and creative interpretations.
Where do locals eat Middle Eastern food in Soho?
Local diners frequently choose Miznon for Israeli street food, Bubala for vegetarian small plates, and Imad’s Syrian Kitchen for traditional Syrian cooking.
Are there vegetarian Middle Eastern restaurants in London?
Yes. Bubala in Soho specialises in vegetarian Middle Eastern cuisine built around seasonal vegetables and shared plates.
What types of Middle Eastern cuisine are represented in London?
London’s restaurants represent a wide range of regional traditions, including Israeli, Syrian, Lebanese, Persian, and broader Eastern Mediterranean cooking.
