Spice things up with these cheap Middle Eastern eateries
By Steph Dye (follow Steph on Twitter: @HelloIAmSteph)
It’s time to ditch the greasy kebab. Exciting, Middle Eastern and African inspired flavours are beginning to pop up on menus all over the city as a new popular fusion twist. If you’ve had a taste and want to try more, or are already crazy for chickpeas and mad for meze, check out this list of the top ten Middle Eastern and African restaurants that will give change from a ten pound note. (Please note that whilst this does refer to a generous, fair portion of food, it does not include drinks or service, sorry!)
Whilst all of these spots will come in at under a tenner, some of them are more expensive than others so check out the ‘£’ for further details. £ = Serious bargain, will even give change from a fiver | ££ = mid-range, but still enough change from ten pounds to leave a tip | £££ = pretty much spot on or just under £10.
#1 Koshari Street | Egyptian | Covent Garden | £
Koshari Street ©kosharistreet
What is it?: Pretty much carbs upon carbs upon carbs, this Egyptian national dish – that gives the restaurant it’s name – is a local street food delicacy, sold from the road side and hole-in-the-wall vendors. Consisting of lentils, rice, vermicelli, chickpeas caramelised onions and your preference of spicy tomato sauce, it makes a tasty, filling lunch for on-the-go-eating, with just a handful of tables if you prefer to stay.
How much is it?: £3.50/£4.50/£6.50 for small/medium/large portions, plus only £2.65 for a side salad.
Where is it?: 56 St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4EA
Try the: Koshari (obviously) but go for the ‘mad’ heat strength sauce for a kick as hot as the Egyptian sun.
#2 Abu Zaad | Syrian | Shepherd’s Bush | £££
Abu Zaad ©jolyn91
What is it?: Large is the word in this spacious restaurant that serves up huge helpings of authentic, Damascene cuisine. Whilst most of the dishes on the menu fall under the £10 mark, the best way to have a satisfyingly filling meal without splashing the cash is the Abu Zaad All- you-can-eat Breakfast Buffet, which is served 11am-1pm every Sunday.
How much is it?: £8.99 for and adult, £4 for a child. Fill up on delicious delicacies including hummus, baba ghanouj, and authentic, regional breads.
Where is it?: 29 Uxbridge Road, W12 8LH
Try the: The cold meze options, many of which are included in the breakfast buffet, such as parsley-rich tabouleh and smooth, silky hummus.
#3 Ariana II | Afgan | Kilburn |£££
Ariana II ©ariana2kilburn
What it is?: After the success of Ariana I across the pond, Ariana II was established around six years ago and has since become a hugely popular destination, despite it’s modest decor and exterior. What it lacks in appearance, it certainly makes up for in service, price and showcasing Afganistan’s hugely diverse cuisine.
How Much is it?: Very reasonable, ignore the ‘dinner for two’ set menu and go with a starter to share between two and a main coming just under a tenner each. It also offers BYOB (no corkage fee) to bring down the cost even further.
Where is it?: 241 Kilburn High Road, NW6 7JN
Try the: Bolanee Kadoo (a little like a pumpkin stuffed pancake served with yoghurt) and the Kabuli Palow (spiced lamb shank with rice) for main course.
#4 Yalla Yalla | Lebanese | Oxford Circus | £
Yalla Yalla ©yallayallauk
What is it?: A small but intensely popular lunchtime spot serving delicious Lebanese street food. With a striking black, white and yellow colour scheme, this meze gets so busy at lunchtime that you shouldn’t expect to come by a table but the wraps and pastries are great grab-and-go options. Alternatively, come back for dinner, when the vibe is more chilled out.
How much is it?: All of the options are amazing value, especially the meze, which is served with complimentary pitta, olives and pickles but still come in at under five pounds.
Where is it?: 12 Winsley Street, W1W 8HQ
Try the: Spicy Lebanese sausages (soujoc) or the sautéed chicken livers (sawada djej) with garlic and pomegranate molasses.
#5 Persepolis | Persian | Peckham | £
Persepolis Meze ©@PersiainPeckham
What is it?: Bringing Middle Eastern and African flavours to Peckham is Sally Butcher and her exciting, eclectic Persian café. With seven (and a half) tables, the seating arrangements are minuscule, however, what it lacks in chairs it certainly makes up for in flavour. Plus, if you are feeling inspired, you can recreate your dinner at home with ingredients bought from the deli.
How much is it?: A absolute steal at just £5 for a meze platter (served with a basket of warm bread) for two, bringing together Persian flavours and a nod or two to Peckham (note the Wotsit above). This should leave you with plenty of change to try out on of the delicious sundaes (£3.50).
Where is it?: 28-30 Peckham High Street, SE15 5DT.
Try the: Hot paklava meltdown: sweet, sticky and nutty pastries, served with ice cream and toffee sauce.
#6 Khamsa | Algerian | Brixton | ££
Khamsa ©Ana Rose Sharkey via Instagram
What is it?: The brainchild of a husband and wife team that gave up their jobs in order to dedicate their time to putting traditional Algerian cuisine on the map, giving it a home in the already culturally vibrant Brixton. Khamsa is great value, also offering BYO wine, beers and champagne but be warned: they only accept cash.
How much is it?: Their delicious meze selection is large enough for two to share and will still leave plenty of change from a tenner.
Where is it?: 140 Acre Lane, SW2 5UT.
Try the: Loubia Hara el Kefta – white beans topped with spicy lamb meatballs, lashings of smoke paprika, coriander and merguez sausage.
#7 Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen | Ghanaian | Brixton| ££
Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen ©ghanakitchen
What is it?: The only truly African offering on the list – a mouthwatering mash-up of Ghanaian chop bar and trendy, box park dining, which has (luckily) set down some roots in Brixton after four years of travelling the pop-up scene in Europe.
How much is it?: All of the mains come in at around the £5-£8 mark – with a reduction in price if you takeaway. This should give you just enough change left over from a tenner to check out one of the tasty sides, desserts or a traditional Ghanaian beer.
Where is it?: Unit 36, POP Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ.
Try the: Jollof-spiced fried chicken with a side of okra tempura fries.
#8 Masa | Afgan | Wealdstone | £££
Masa ©Masa Restaurant
What is it?: A family friendly, Afgan inspired restaurant that also flavour combinations and influence from it’s neighbours – both in the Middle Eastern, African and Asian directions. A ‘the more the merrier attitude’, reflected in the massive portions is also great for keeping the costs down, as well as the BYOB policy.
How much is it?: For the most cost effective (and filling option) go for one of the pilau rices, which are full of chunks of lamb and vegetable and are served with salad and a naan but will still give you enough change to get a drink.
Where is it?: 24-26 Headstone Drive, HA3 5QH
Try the: Pilau dishes, for flavourful, filling, comfort food.
#9 Sufi | Iranian | Shepherd’s Bush | £££
Sufi Restaurant ©Shi Shi Shirin via Instagram
What is it?: Serving good-quality, Persian food to the local community for almost ten years, Sufi is a family run business that serves up delicious regional dishes with Middle Eastern influences. Whilst it’s among the more expensive of our choices, you will still leave full, happy and well looked after. They do allow you to BYO, however they will charge a £5 corkage fee.
How much is it?: A main course, accompanied by rice, is likely to come in at £10 or just under.
Where is it?: 70 Askew Road, W12 9BJ
Try the: Any of the Koresh (stews made from fruit and meat – that are similar to a tagines).
#10 Meza | Lebanese | Tooting | ££
Meza ©Luisa Zenner via Instagram
What is it?: A tiny (16 seater, to be exact) Middle Eastern eatery that specialises in delicious, Lebanese cooking. Disastrously, even though there is a sister restaurant just down the road, both are ridiculously difficult to get into and are booked-up weeks in advance, so get dialing!
How much is it?: Most of the mains come in at under a tenner, however why not mix it up and go for a handful of meze plates instead – the more friends you take, the more you can try out as most are priced at just £3-£4.
Where is it?: 34 Trinity Road, SW17 7RE
Try the: Stick with the simple – falafel and hummus awarma (hummus with diced lamb and walnuts) makes a great snack and it’s impossible to go wrong with the chicken livers dressed in pomegranate molasses.
In the unlikely event that these Middle Eastern and African joints don’t tickle your fancy, why no go East with this list of cheap Asian restaurants. Or, check out the cheapest and most expensive places to eat out in London.
