Five of the best: Lebanese restaurants

Falafel, houmous, tabbouleh, you name it – we're crazy about Middle Eastern cuisine. Here's five of the best
Lebenese food
Natasha Culzac18 July 2012

1. Mes Amis

A hidden gem with a flock of in-the-know regulars, the tiny Mes Amis has a wonderfully kitsch interior that looks like a museum of mismatched treasures from all cultures – coloured chairs, banjos, fans... the lot.

It's owned, designed and run by one-man-band and showman James, who cooks his own recipes from scratch (and even ad-hoc requests) in a kitchen slap bang in the middle of the restauarant – it's more like eating at a friend's house. Go for the large mezze selection with warm pitta, followed by lamb and chicken skewers and complement it with his (limited) choice of Lebanese wines.

1 Rainville Road, Hammersmith, W6 9HA

2. Hookah Lounge

Putting the 'east' in 'Middle Eastern', this Brick Lane outpost offers wholesome, home-made Lebanese dishes, in addition to hot and cold mezze from the whole continent. Their organic curries are presented in beautiful clay pots – we suggest you try the vegetable moussakah with brown rice. But its main draw (the name gave it away) are the shisha pipes, best paired with one of their numerous speciality teas.

With huge open windows this is a great spot for people-watching, although be warned these prime spots get quite packed on weekend nights.

133 Brick Lane, E1 6SB; 0207 033 9072

3. Orjowan Restaurant

Word of mouth has been the way for this place and it's not hard to see why. Tucked away in quiet 'Kenway Village' in Earls Court, Orjawan stands out for its friendly service, reflecting the true Lebanese dining experience. Ample servings of hot and cold mezze prelude a sizeable main, such as the Keebeh Bel Laban – minced lamb and bulgur wheat balls, cooked with a yoghurt sauce and served with rice. Their two-person set menu is a good option at £19.95 each, and includes a three-course feast with tea and coffee to finish.

6-8 Kenway Road , Earls Court, SW5 0RR; 020 7370 3074,.orjowan.co.uk

If you like cocktails and a resident DJ with your kafta, this is the place to go. Favoured by a young party-loving crowd, this Belgravia restaurant has a night-club ambience with its neon lights and plush velvet seats. Originating in Lebanon, Noura opened in Paris and then London back in 1999. Book a booth and tuck into one of their meat or vegetable platters before moving onto mains such as chicken Chawarma – succulent pieces of marinated chicken roasted on a skewer.

17 Hobart Place, Belgravia, SW1W 0HH; 0207 235 9696, nouralounge.com

5. Comptoir Libanais

'Home-made fast-food' is no contradiction in terms for this popular deli-cum-cafe. Lunch-goers swarm to their Hammersmith counters to order authentic Lebanese fare in the super laid-back canteen-style seating. Try the mezze platter (for one or two) which includes a lentil salad, falafel, warm pitta bread plus more.

Alternatively those on-the-go can indulge in tasty takeaway tagines, savoury warm pastries or a sweet selection of baklava. Whilst the array of dine-in options are plentiful, there are also a number of imported groceries and home accessories for sale, including black cherry jam, amaretto Turkish delight and even plates and bowls for your very own spread.

1 Rainville Road, Hammersmith, W6 9HA; 020 7385 5155

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