Bala Baya

Went here for a Thursday dinner with a couple friends and we ordered a few dishes to share. Firstly, I don’t understand the prawn baklava hype - it’s just battered prawns for an outrageous £27 (for only 3 prawns pieces!). But I guess people love fried stuff, so there you go. The hummus as well as not to my taste. However, the aubergine mess and the artichoke dish had wonderful flavours, by far the standouts. Is it overpriced? Yes. Would I come back for a special occasion? Probably. I’ll just save myself the £27 and skip the prawn baklava.

I’m a sucker for playful, tasty small-ish plates and Bala Baya delivers! The menu is quite interesting, and surprisingly heavy on vegetarian dishes. We started with light snacks, but the bigger sharing plates were the showstoppers. The pink carpaccio was probably the single best dish, with the baklava prawns being a close second. Among the meat dishes, kebab dumplings were delectable. The brisket doughnut was the only thing we tried that wasn’t particularly memorable. They also have a small but respectable selection of mostly Israeli themed cocktails and wines. TBH, my only complaint about the food is that some of the plates were a bit small for the prices. The space itself is quite cool, nestled under a railway arch and with cool industrial chic interiors. We sat on the upper floor, which unlike many other places had respectable space between the tables.

The restaurant boasts an impressive array of vegan options. From what we sampled, the majority of dishes were rich in flavour and quite delightful. Particularly outstanding were the bread, cauliflower, aubergine, hummus, and Jerusalem artichokes – each bursting with its own unique and savoury profile. However, the experience was slightly marred by the vegan dessert, which unfortunately had an off-putting texture and an odd taste that didn't quite hit the mark.

Background Bala Baya is a Middle Eastern restaurant located in an alleyway at Southwark. The restaurant is inspired by the vibrant food culture of Tel Aviv, Israel. Ambience The restaurant has a lively and welcoming ambience with a modern and stylish interior. The decor is inspired by the Middle Eastern heritage of the owner, creating a unique and authentic atmosphere. Service The service at Bala Baya is excellent, with friendly and attentive staff. Food The food at Bala Baya is fresh, vibrant, and designed for sharing. The vegetarian selections are particularly noteworthy, with various flavorful and creative options. The standout dishes for me are the roasted cauliflower, the falafel, and the hummus. Overall It's a good restaurant for weekend brunch. Whether you're a vegetarian or a meat lover, Bala Baya has something for you.