Yalla Yalla

On Winsley Street in Fitzrovia, a stone’s throw from Oxford Circus, Yalla Yalla channels the bustle of Beirut’s food markets into Central London. Colourful interiors, the scent of charcoal and za’atar, and a soundtrack of easy chatter create a relaxed, come-as-you-are mood. Rooted in recipes passed down by Middle Eastern grandmothers, it is a place where warmth and hospitality arrive before the plates do.

The cooking leans vibrant and generous: silky hummus and smoky baba ghanuj invite sharing, while a jewel-bright halloumi steak with rose water figs, pistachios and rose petals nods to the sweet-savoury dance of Levantine kitchens. Chargrilled classics bring depth and smoke – lamb kofta, chicken taouk and a crowd-pleasing mixed grill – alongside comforting tagines, from aubergine to chicken and green olive. There is plenty for a swift bite too, from shawarma wraps and the chicken shawarma rice bowl to warm olive oil bread or za’atar and garlic bread for tearing and dipping.

Popular with office regulars and Oxford Street flâneurs alike, service is swift and friendly, making it a savvy pick for informal lunches, early dinners or a pre-theatre pit stop. Gather around a mezze platter, linger over batata harra and fries with garlic dip, and let the conversation do the roaming. Drop by, grab a table, and let Beirut meet Fitzrovia most deliciously.