Category: London

ARABICA Borough Market – Stylish Setting, Mixed Feelings

Arabica Borough Market, London
Photo credit: Arabica London (official website)

ARABICA Borough Market serves modern Middle Eastern cuisine in a beautiful industrial-style space with high ceilings and an airy, contemporary feel. Our server was warm and friendly, although once the restaurant filled up, it became quite difficult to get anyone’s attention.

Our original plan was to explore Borough Market, but unfortunately it was closed, so after wandering around the area we decided to have lunch here instead.

We opted for the £28 lunch set menu, which included a dip, a selection of meze, and a side. The presentation was attractive and each dish arrived looking well thought out, but the portions were much smaller than we expected for the price.

The food was enjoyable enough, but nothing really stood out. We left feeling a little underwhelmed and, considering the cost, not particularly satisfied. It was one of those meals that made us wonder if we should have chosen somewhere else.

The warm, pillowy pita bread was one of the highlights, although the accompanying pickles were noticeably too salty for our taste.

The Arabica Hummus was smooth and creamy. The Beetroot Borani-ish was rich and velvety, but it leaned heavily towards the tangy side. The acidity was a little too pronounced for my taste, making it difficult for me to fully enjoy.

Among the meze, the Chicken & Pistachio Shish was juicy and tender with a lovely pistachio crust. The Lamb Kofte was cooked well but could have been more boldly seasoned, while the Arayas had good flavour despite being a little dry.

To finish, we had the Hipsi & Walnut Salata, which was light, fresh and crunchy, with toasted walnuts adding a pleasant nuttiness and the lemon dressing keeping it bright and refreshing. The Batata Harra was decent, but fairly ordinary and not especially memorable.

Overall, I have mixed feelings about ARABICA. The restaurant itself is attractive, the service started off well, and the food was thoughtfully presented. However, the modest portions and flavours that didn’t quite match the price left me feeling it wasn’t the best value. It’s a pleasant enough place if you’re already in the area, but I’m not sure it’s one I’d go out of my way to revisit.

 

Arabica Borough Market

Borough Market, 3 Rochester Walk, London SE1 9AF, United Kingdom

Classic British Pub Dining at St Stephen’s Tavern, Westminster

St Stephen’s Tavern is a historic Victorian pub that has been part of Westminster’s landscape since 1875. Filled with old-world charm and traditional character, it enjoys one of the best locations in London, sitting directly opposite the iconic Big Ben.

The pub has two floors as well as a terrace. We dined on the first floor, where the tables were quite small and the seating area felt a little snug. The short stools were not the most comfortable for a long meal. Service was friendly and attentive throughout our visit.

Given its prime tourist location, I was initially a little skeptical about the food, but I was pleasantly surprised. The menu features classic pub favourites, from fish and chips to hearty pies and burgers, along with a small selection of plant-based and vegetarian options.

We ordered the Salt & Vinegar Battered Fish & Chips, which came as a generous portion. The fish had a lovely golden, crispy batter that was not overly greasy, while the fries were well fried and satisfying. The fish itself was moist, tender, and cooked perfectly.

We also tried the Roasted Butternut Squash & Coconut Curry, served with rice, mango chutney, raita, and a poppadom. I was not expecting to find such a flavourful curry in a traditional pub, but this dish was surprisingly delicious. The sweetness of the butternut squash balanced beautifully with the gentle heat of the curry, creating a dish with depth and warmth.

Overall, St Stephen’s Tavern was a pleasant surprise. Despite its touristy location, the food was good, the service was friendly, and the historic atmosphere made it an enjoyable place to have a classic British pub meal.

St Stephen’s Tavern

10 Bridge St, London SW1A 2JR, United Kingdom