Already a firm favourite with local residents, Tilbury Road in Leyton is quietly becoming a destination for people from neighbouring areas. A tap room here, a wine bar there, an incredible gelato parlour from Chunk Provisions, and now Azra, tucked under an archway at the far end. Opened this month by three siblings – two brothers and a sister – alongside their mother, whose cooking is at the heart of the kitchen, Azra is the family’s first venture into hospitality.
The menu is Afghan through and through, with no shortcuts. Think hand-folded dumplings, five-hour braised meats, the country’s national dish, Kabuli Pulao, and a seriously good selection of dips, all made in-house. They have done a number on the interiors too, creating a cute cosy spot.
Eat This
Start with the mantu: hand-folded beef dumplings topped with silky yoghurt and a warm meat sauce that pools underneath. The veggie options are just as tasty, so don’t overlook them. The flatbreads are another must – one stuffed with potatoes and herbs, the other with leeks and herbs. Eat them with everything.
Then there’s Kabuli Pulao, the national dish of Afghanistan: rice laced with braised lamb, carrots and raisins. The mirza ghassemi, a smoky aubergine number with tomato, garlic, pomegranate and walnuts, is an unassuming star of the menu. And then comes the mahicha: a five-hour-braised lamb shank served in a bowl of deeply savoury broth, packed with glorious meat juices and made for pouring over the rice. It’s incredible.
Drink This
There is no alcohol here, but don’t let that put you off. Try their housemade doogh, a sparkling salted yoghurt drink; it’s particularly good for dishes that have a kick. You can also find traditional Afghan tea, ideal post-meal.
Why Go
There aren’t too many Afghan restaurants in London, which makes Azra a great find. You can feel the love that’s gone into it running through every dish. Go hungry and take a full squad because you’ll want to explore all the dishes.
Key Information
Address | Under the archway, Tilbury Road, Leyton, E10
Open | Thursday to Sunday
For More Information | @azar.leyton
