This is the dip that launched the whole operation back when Arabica was a market stall. Reviewers consistently call it one of the smoothest hummus preparations in London -- the texture is almost mousse-like. Served with warm pita at a 2.50 surcharge per bread, so budget accordingly if sharing with a group.
Tips from diners
Pita is charged separately at 2.50 each. Order at least one per person -- the hummus is thick enough that you need bread to properly scoop it. Two dips and four pitas is a good starter ratio for a table of four.
Ask for it with the optional spiced lamb topping if available -- it turns the hummus from a side into a substantial starter.
The halloumi gets a proper char on the charcoal grill, giving it a smoky crust that contrasts with the squeaky, salty interior. The black honey (carob-based, common in the Levant) adds sweetness that cuts through the salt. Multiple reviews single this out as the best halloumi dish in the Borough Market area.
Tips from diners
Eat this immediately when it arrives. Halloumi goes rubbery within a few minutes of cooling, and the char is best when still warm.
Small, bite-sized baklava made with layers of filo, pistachio and walnut filling, soaked in honey syrup. Reviewers say these are well-balanced -- not overly sweet compared to many versions around London. Served in a small portion, so order one per person if the table wants dessert.
Tips from diners
The portion is smaller than you might expect. If everyone at the table wants a proper dessert, order one each rather than trying to share a single plate.
The kibbeh here are large and crunchy -- bulgur wheat shells that shatter when you bite into them, revealing a filling of spiced minced lamb with toasted pine nuts. SquareMeal reviewers specifically praised these as a highlight. Served as a starter portion, they work well alongside the dips.
Tips from diners
Order these alongside the hummus and use any leftover dip to eat with the kibbeh. The combination of crunchy shell and creamy hummus is worth planning for.
A full head of cauliflower, roasted until deeply caramelised and tender, then dusted with berbere spice blend (warm, slightly smoky, not overly hot). Drizzled with tahini and scattered with pomegranate seeds for freshness. Reviewers say it is big enough to share between two as a main, and the spice level is approachable rather than fiery.
Tips from diners
This is the best vegan main on the menu. It is large enough to share between two people as part of a meze spread, or eat alone as a main if you are not too hungry.
The chicken is marinated and grilled over charcoal, then finished with crushed pistachios that add crunch and nuttiness. Comes with a garlic yoghurt sauce. Reviewers note this is one of the more filling mains and works well as a centrepiece if you are ordering a spread of meze to share.
Tips from diners
If you are ordering family-style for the table, one shish plus two or three dips and some flatbread is roughly the right amount per two people.
Started as an 8ft trestle table in Borough Market in the early 2000s, when founders James and Jad sold spices and dips from a cool box. Now occupies a full Victorian railway arch beneath the London Bridge rail line -- trains rattle overhead during dinner. The menu covers Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, and beyond, with charcoal grilling and house-made dips at the centre.
Book ahead for Friday and Saturday evenings -- the restaurant fills up quickly with the Borough Market crowd. Thursday is quieter and they open earlier at 8:30am for breakfast meze.
Trains rumble overhead every few minutes since the restaurant is under a railway arch. It adds to the atmosphere but can be loud during conversation. The bar seats give you a view of the open kitchen.
If you want casual street food instead of a sit-down meal, Arabica also runs a market stall nearby selling shawarma wraps, halloumi fries, and falafel wraps at lower prices.
The set menu at 48 per person is better value than ordering a la carte if you want a full meal. A la carte small plates add up quickly, especially once you add pita breads at 2.50 each.
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