Best Middle Eastern Restaurants in the UK and Ireland

In total, there are 5 award winning Middle Eastern restaurants in the UK and Ireland, based on the combined awards from the leading UK restaurant guides.

Were you expecting to see more Middle Eastern restaurants listed? Remember, at Leading Restaurants we only list restaurants holding awards from major food guides in the UK and Ireland; that's less than 3% of all restaurants here.

The best Middle Eastern restaurant in the UK and Ireland is Queen of Cups in Glastonbury (based on our unique combination of the leading UK restaurant guides) where head chef Ayesha Kalaji serves up award winning Middle Eastern Cuisine. Queen of Cups currently holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand and 2 AA Rosettes.

There are currently no Middle Eastern restaurants holding a Michelin Star in the UK and Ireland, however there are 3 restaurants holding a Michelin Bib Gourmand and 2 restaurants holding a standard Michelin Guide listing.

There is currently a single listed AA Rosette Middle Eastern restaurant in the UK and Ireland which holds 2 AA Rosettes.

The UK restaurant scene is an exciting mosaic of globally inspiring flavours, among which Middle Eastern cuisine holds a prominent position. Aromatic spices, succulent grills and complex layers of flavours are an integral part of this enduring gastronomic tradition, beginning to stamp a powerful presence on the British culinary world. The scene is filled with a plethora of options, from bijou eateries to Michelin-star establishments, catering to both those who favour a casual street-food-style mezze and those preferring a sumptuous dining experience under opulent chandeliers. One must not overlook the influence of notable chefs like Yotam Ottolenghi, with his eponymous gourmet deli chain Ottolenghi and chic restaurant Nopi, who has made Middle Eastern cuisine embraceable for the British foodies. His delectable Middle Eastern offerings range from hummus to za'atar. Another luminary in this genre is My Million Pound Menu winner, Chef Ruth Hansom of Evelyn's Table, whose distinct interpretation of Middle Eastern cuisine shines through her avid use of British ingredients. The high-end Levantine restaurant The Palomar, and its sibling, The Barbary, inspired by the Barbary Coast, continue to resonate with connoisseurs by consistently delivering dishes that preserve the authenticity of Middle Eastern flavours whilst presenting them with aesthetic finesse and a contemporary spin. The inimitable skewers of Berenjak or the Persian stews of Nutshell also serve to carry forward this Middle Eastern persuasion with inherent class, keeping the UK's Middle Eastern dining scene as diverse and enticing as ever.