Bala Bays comes to us from ex-Ottolenghi chef Eran Tibi and popper-upper Sammy Shonn.
You’ll find it snugly tucked under a Southwark railway arch that somehow opens, tardis-like, into a bright expansive space with a white counter snaking around the open kitchen and a second mezzanine level laden with palms and blush pink seating.
When they throw open the doors at lunchtime, Freshly baked in a custom-made bread oven, they’re stuffed with the likes of braised beef shoulder, pork belly or caramelised cauliflower. And on weekends, there’s brunch – a feast of blackberry pita French toast; aubergine shakshuka; spiced venison steak & eggs and Yemeni pancakes.
But come evening, it’s all change, with moodier lighting and a more refined dinner menu featuring dishes like chicken thighs with bitter orange and sumac or baby octopus with blackened aubergine, and sod-the-diet puddings like smeared chocolate babka, or banana & pistachio cheesecake.
And if it’s too hard to choose, you can always go for their seven-course tasting menu, which also comes in veggie and vegan options.
NOTE: Bala Baya is open weekdays 12-10pm, Saturday 10.30am-10pm & Sunday 10.30am – 4pm. Reservations can be made right HERE.
Bala Baya | Arch 25, Old Union Yard Arches, 229 Union Street, SE1 0LR
Like Middle Eastern food? Then you’ll proooobably like The Palomar. After all, it’s only one of the best restaurants in London.