Laza

In the heart of East London, LAZA is a vibrant and colourful Eritrean-Ethiopian restaurant, ignited by the city’s artistic spirit and cultural diversity. The 40-cover restaurant plays on the grey tones of the building it’s nestled in, with bright ‘LAZA’ signs and striking rickshaws marking its entrance. Inside, walls are adorned with cultural pieces – traditional East African masks and patterned dishes – with touches of British influences throughout, the friendly staff effortlessly bring the two together. In true Ethiopian style, dishes at LAZA are designed to be eaten communally. The menu is deliberately healthy and wholesome, with options for everyone; in fact, they have a whole vegan menu.

LAZA, meaning ‘to faillessly describe’, welcomes everyone through its doors to try its most famous dishes, and to try something new and totally different.

Enjoy their shiro – a homemade Eritrean sauce mixed with either lamb or vegetables, their spicy, tender chicken suqar, an intense Ethiopian-style curry – which can be enjoyed with a bowl of gluten-free injera. Ask your host and they will be happy to explain all about the dishes on their menu – they’re passionate about the food they cook and the culture it comes from. Don't be afraid to pick up the injera to scoop your food, too – it’s tradition