Reviews Al Waha

Funnily enough (I live in London, I should be able to eat that stuff whenever I please, right?) I now get to eat Lebanese far less than I used to back home. On average, it’s more pricey than most other cuisines: not the easiest thing you can order loads of when on a budget. So when my parents came to visit, and asked me where to eat good Lebanese food for dinner, my mind drew a blank. Noura is at the high end of a scale I don’t know I’ll ever be able to climb. Maroush screams Knightsbridge to me, and money-wise, that’s not a good omen either. Then I remembered Al Waha, and all the rave reviews I’d read about it. Best Lebanese food in London, and good value for money? Sounds like a winner to me.

As good as it gets!!. As a Lebanese , I can hand on heart say this is the best Lebanese in London. The mezze is absolutely amazing! Al-waha manages to even make hummous exciting - their version is smooth and rich with tahini. Try the cheese sambusak, fried kibbeh balls, and arayes (minced lamb on flat bread). Every single plate you'll have will be a treat in its own right. We are regulars at Al-waha and already look forward to our next visit there!

Al Waha’s a delightful place. Rather old-fashioned now, perhaps, a bit early-oughties, a little stiff and starched like a formal elderly gentleman. But they prepare lamb like few other restaurants, and I do not say that lightly. Perhaps it’s time for a photo.

I've been wanting to get out of my rut of Lebanese restaurants in London, consisting of Fakhreldine and Noura - both definitely at the posh end of restaurants, let alone Lebanese ones. Fakhreldine, post their major refurb some years ago which removed the

By Maria Derevianko

Since taking on a vegan lifestyle just over 3 months ago, I have become a hummus expert: I make it, I perfect it, I go out and sample it. So when my mother said that my hummus was great but there was an even smoother hummus out there in one little Lebanese restaurant in Bayswater, I had to go and see it for myself – does it have the M-Factor though?!

We got down there on a fine Sunday afternoon and I had my guard up, who do these people think they are, making better hummus than I do, even after I peel every frikkeeeen chickpea?!

The restaurant looks like one of the many Middle Eastern eateries, nothing spectacular, a very humble corner location and no loud indications that they make the best hummus in London (pfffft we shall see, won’t we?!). We walked in and as always, with me, there was nobody else in the restaurant. We sat down on a solid leather sofa at a small corner table which was covered with a perfectly ironed white table cloth. They had a huge choice of set menus, cold and hot starters as well as various grilled, roasted and cured meat dishes, but I was content with the first page – a mixed vegetarian mezze with all the trimmings, all for £13.50. It consisted of the infamous hummus, tabouleh, sambousek with spinach, 2 falafels, moutabel and warak inab, which didn’t really sound enough so I decided to also go for their lentil soup, thinking “That’ll do me, mate” whilst my mum and our friend went for various carnivore dishes – to satisfy their inner beasts.

Whilst we waited for our food to arrive, the waiter brought us a basket of uncut veg – as it comes in the shop. Like, what are you suppose to do with that? My mum wasn’t phased by the uncut veg, so she took matters into her own hands and cut them all into manageable pieces whilst we chatted away with mellow Arabian music in the background. It wasn’t long until our food came, all looking to be of a good portion size, although my plate was almost overflowing (which I am not complaining about, the more the merrier) and we had fresh Lebanese warm bread on tap, in true Middle Eastern fashion.

The moment of truth arrived when I took a warm chunk of bread and dipped it into the extra smooth swirl of hummus… *SILENCE PLEASE!!* … Wow. It really was so creamy and so smooth; much smoother and silkier than mine, damn it! But but but – there is a but – it had too much lemon, and it didn’t help that all of the other dips on my mezze were also so pumped with lemon. It was a little overpowering not only for me, but even my mum said the same thing (I get my fussiness from my mama). The tabouleh – the fresh parsley salad with tomatoes, mint and onion – was refreshing and again, zingy because of the lemon in the dressing. They kindly replaced the cheese sambousek for spinach ones for me. Sambousek, of course, are soft little parcels of dough and cooked with spinach inside; they just melted in my mouth.

Moutabel is a spicier version of babaganush, which is an aubergine dip made with tahini. I love aubergine, so anything made with it, I thoroughly enjoy, especially when I have warm pitta bread to dip in it!

I love a good falafel; so I was eager to try theirs. It did look like they made them in house, as the little falafels had a little half hole in them and were sprinkled with sesame seeds. Although I am a fussy one when it comes to my falafels, these were nice and crispy on the outside and softer on the inside, but not as soft as I would have liked.

Finally, there were two pieces of warak inab, rice wrapped in vine leaves – this is a staple food in the Mediterranean countries and is made pretty much the same way wherever you go. All the same, it was a nice way of adding some grain to the mezze to balance all of the dips, salads and to compliment the falafel.

In between the rainbow of food in front of me I was having sips of the delicious lentil soup, which was creamy and perfectly seasoned, with a wedge of lemon on the side which I didn’t need to add as there was more than enough lemon going on in my mezze.

I was back to happy me and satisfied after finishing all my food with a little cherry on top, which came in the form of a cheeky complimentary baklava, which I love so much and so shouldn’t be eating but I did and would eat that meal over and over and over again.

Where’s the best hummus you have ever had? Comment below as I would love to know and try it!

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I went here, unashamedly, after reading Colin Firth's review of it in The Guardian. I can see why he picked it as his favourite London restaurant. As a fan of Lebanese food who doesn't eat it as often as he likes, I went there one lunchtime when they offer a Lebanese cuisine platter of sorts - which all comes to a good value £30 for two with drinks. Everything from the well seasoned tabbouleh, moorish moutabel (aubergine dip) and fantastic hot sambousek (a pastry stuffed with cheese or meats) melds well together to make for a brilliant taster of the best of Lebanese cooking.

We enjoyed a great mezze dinner at this lovely, small Lebanese restaurant, tucked away from touristy crowds of Notting Hill. Such a delightful atmosphere and attentive staff. Definitely recommend trying their eggplant mash and the lentils dish. 5 stars

This Lebanese restaurant is a true gem, offering authentic and flavorful dishes alongside a truly remarkable wine selection. The cozy ambiance and warm hospitality make for a delightful dining experience. The diverse and unique wine list pairs well with the Lebanese flavors. Don't miss out on this extraordinary culinary journey.

Really tasty food and friendly Stuff. We had a relaxed dinner time. The chicken from the mixed grill plate was my favorite.

Short version first: great food, lovely service and nice intimate setting. Long version: we went for dinner. Had 5 or 6 cold mezze and one shish taouk for two people. The mezze were great, creamy hummus, incredible labneh, and the aubergine salad was to die for. Chicken was also tender and delicious. Everyone was super friendly and welcoming. Maher, our waiter, was also 10/10.

As a Lebanese guy vacationing in London with my fiancée, I was looking for an authentic Lebanese restaurant. Well, this fit that description and then some. Rakan, who took care of us, was just fantastic (and hilarious). The food is as authentically Lebanese and amazing as it comes. The service is great, it’s very reasonably priced, and I cannot wait to come back!