Ishbilia
While Knightsbridge restaurants often come and go, Ishbilia’s roots in the area run deep. First opened in 1998 by head chef Mohamed Alkhlaifaoui, who now runs it alongside his family, Ishbilia is a story of survival and revival, with a recent refurbishment and refreshed menu that stays true to its original ethos. Despite the multi-generational kitchen, this is no mom-and-pop shop. The Knightsbridge exclusivity comes with a £50-per-person minimum spend and a smart, elegant dress code. However, unlike a traditional upmarket restaurant, Ishbilia boasts an extensive menu of around 100 items without compromising on quality and authenticity. Dishes are prepared daily, with 60 per cent of the restaurant’s ingredients, including chickpeas, olive oil, and tahina, sourced from Lebanon and Syria. Taste this freshness particularly in the bread, which is elevated from a side dish to a whole menu section. With the variety of a Lebanese furn, the bakery options include fatayer (handmade pastry boats), lahm bil ajeen (lamb-topped mini pizzas), and, of course, za’atar-sprinkled manaeesh. You could spend hours deliberating over dishes, but prioritise the nayeh habra, a traditional lamb tartare not often seen on London menus. A butcher by trade, Mohamed Alkhlaifaoui’s craft shines through in this delicate dish, prepared in a dedicated room within the kitchen. As if that’s not enough, daily specials offer comfort dishes reminiscent of home cooking. Visit on a Friday for sayadieh: roasted cod served over fragrant spiced brown rice.
Address: Ishbilia, 8-9 William St, SW1X 9HL
Website: ishbilia.com
Beit El Zaytoun
Known primarily as London’s largest industrial zone, Park Royal is developing another reputation that makes it well worth the half-hour tube from the city centre. Among its warehouses, an ever-growing crop of Arab businesses, especially restaurants, cafés and bakeries, are putting Park Royal in the running to steal Edgware Road’s crown. Leading here is award-winning, family-run Beit El Zaytoun, where the oasis-like setting is as much an experience as the food. Backing onto the historic Grand Union Canal, the restaurant’s outdoor terrace and garden overlook the water, while floor-to-ceiling windows, hanging plants, foliage-wrapped beams, and fairy lights bring the same atmosphere indoors. With this beautiful space alongside a capacity of around 250 people across four adaptable function rooms, it’s no surprise that Beit El Zaytoun is popular for milestone events like weddings and birthdays. But you don’t need a private event to party at the restaurant. Bringing Lebanese culture to London, Beit El Zaytoun hosts live music every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening, ramping up from calmer Tarab tunes during the week to an energetic Saturday-night dance floor of feet-stamping dabke. Drawing on another important Lebanese ritual, an oud player provides a soulful soundtrack to Sunday lunch, a fairly unique feature in London’s dining scene. Beit El Zaytoun’s location and entertainment are underpinned by a menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Start your day with a Lebanese breakfast and Beit El Zaytoun’s signature manaeesh, made from scratch by a specialist baker in a dedicated oven, then return later for mezza, deliciously smoky charcoal-grilled dishes, and comfort meals you would eat in a Lebanese home.