Ibraaz is the six-storey cultural home London didn’t know it needed. Opened in a Grade II-listed Portland stone building on Mortimer Street, it’s part gallery, part gathering place: a soaring great hall (the Majlis) for exhibitions and talks, a library holding The Otolith Group’s archive, and, either side of the entrance, two reasons to linger, Maktaba, a bookshop-in-residence curated by the Palestine Festival of Literature and stacked with Palestinian literature, and Oula, a café serving Tunisian home cooking. Come for the art. Stay for the mint tea and the books you won’t want to put down.
"When overwhelmed, it reminds me we’re not alone in feeling that weight and it gives me hope."
A Middle Eastern breakfast is one of the great joys in life and at modern Palestinian restaurant akub in Notting Hill, the brunch certainly delivers on that front – and there aren’t many prettier rooms to have it in than akub’s light-filled and olive tree-adorned main space. In fact, it’s filled with such delish sounding dishes it’s quite the task narrowing it down, but one not to miss is the Arabic coffee French toast, with crisped-up fluffy brioche, whipped laban, crushed pistachios and a sweet, spiced Arabic coffee syrup. Well done Fadi Kattan. That’s locked in for dessert but before you get there, tuck into the likes of zahra cauliflower fritters with coriander tahinia, slow-cooked tomatoes with eggs & green chilli, grilled nabulsi cheese with nigella seed oil, and aubergine fatteh. And go heavy on the dips and the bread – labeneh and zaatar bread is a winning combo. If you’re looking for an extra kick, there are spice-infused brunch cocktails on offer or you can opt for traditional Arabic coffee to get your weekend going.
"I love how Akub reimagines Palestinian food into small plates. The atmosphere is incredible"
Archway-based Cafe Metro is flying the flag for Palestinian cuisine. Since opening in the 1980s, the cafe has maintained a loyal customer base, drawn back time and time again by classic dishes like hummus topped with chickpeas and olive oil, fresh tabbouleh, falafels, lentil soups, and stuffed aubergine. And recently, the cafe’s regular Faten’s Family Dinner supper clubs have brought a new sense of community, with all proceeds donated to families in Gaza. Places go quickly so be sure to book early to avoid disappointment!
"I love supporting small businesses, and Café Metro has become such a lovely hub in North London."
Fatteh is the whole point at T by Tamara, a Marylebone café where founder Tamara Al Saadi, who has Palestinian and Jordanian roots, runs London’s only fatteh bar. Build your own bowl from pitta, chickpeas and garlic yoghurt, topped with anything from sumac-spiced chicken to tomato aubergine, in a room filled with tiles from Jerusalem, mirrors from Jordan and small keys that nod to the Palestinian right of return. Don’t leave without a slice of Tamara’s grandmother’s olive oil sponge cake, no celebration required.
"I love the café and, in particular, Tamara’s baked goods. It’s one of those places that immediately feels cosy and welcoming."
Bunhead Bakery is the queue-round-the-block reason to detour via Herne Hill. Self-taught baker Sara Assad-Mannings, British-Palestinian, and baking since she was 11, turned a lockdown side hustle into a bricks-and-mortar shop with best friend Georgia Wickremeratne in 2024, and now sells out of around 1,400 sourdough buns a week. Expect za’atar, feta and chilli in the savoury “salty bun”, rose and cardamom in the sweet ones, and proceeds from branded merch going straight to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate. Proudly, unashamedly Palestinian, get there early, or don’t bother.
"I’ve only been once, being from North London, but I was completely spoilt for choice. Their buns are insane, and these girls can seriously bake."
Wanasa brings a slice of Levantine home cooking to Winchmore Hill, by way of Sweden. Founder Hiyam grew up split between Scandinavia and Saudi Arabia, with family roots in Jordan, and built Wanasa around her grandmother’s table, speciality coffee, artisan bakes, and a Middle Eastern breakfast and brunch menu drawing on Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. Dog-friendly, baby-friendly, and there’s a plant-filled garden out back for when the sun’s out.
"It’s rare to find Palestinian spaces in the suburbs of North London, which makes Wanasa feel like a real gem. Their breakfast is incredible."
Maramia has been serving home-style Palestinian food on and around Portobello Road since 2005, now split across an original Golborne Road spot and a newer, colourful all-day café at 274 Portobello Road. It’s a proper family affair: think moutabal, slow-cooked stews, mixed grills and a falastini minced lamb kebab that regulars swear by. Come for the cinnamon rice, stay because it feels like someone’s front room.
"The food is fantastic, but what I really love about Maramia is the energy. I’ve watched football there, attended events, and it’s always full of life."
There’s no address for this one, Palestine on a Plate is chef Joudie Kalla’s ongoing love letter to her mother’s kitchen. It started as a cookbook (a Gourmand Award winner, for what it’s worth), grew into a second book, Baladi, and now runs as a rolling calendar of sold-out supper clubs, cooking classes and workshops across London. Kalla’s food is unfussy and precise, recipes barely changed since her grandmother’s time, and her supper clubs double as a gathering place for the Palestinian community in London. Keep an eye on her site for the next one and book fast.
"“I love that Joudie has brought Authentic Palestinian home cooking to London and created a space where people can experience these dishes while sharing stories and memories of their own. Over the past three years, it has become a really comforting space."
Cafe Palestina is serving up a real taste of Palestine in Kentish Town. Swing by in the daytimes for coffee, cakes, soups and Palestinian mezze, or head down for vegan nights on Thursdays, supper clubs on Fridays or brunch on Sundays. The cafe also sells Palestinian-made products, like pottery, textiles, soaps, herbs and olive oils, and it hosts events like book clubs and embroidery workshops. The venue supports Camden-based human rights charity CADFA (Camden Abu Dis Friendship Association), which works to promote human rights in Palestine.
"As someone from North London, discovering Café Palestina felt like finding a hidden gem. There’s something incredibly comforting about knowing that a space like this exists in the area, bringing together food, culture and community."
A cultural embassy in the heart of London, Palestine House is a place for community – as well as operating as a co-working space with various memberships available, the venue hosts workshops, discussions and arts events that showcase the spirit and heritage of Palestine. In addition to funding the cultural programme and the workspace, memberships allow Palestine House to act as a venue for crisis fundraising and produce Gaza Cola (with all profits going to humanitarian relief efforts on the ground in Gaza). The venue also serves a sharing brunch on Sundays, featuring dishes like hummus, falafel, mutabal, mousaka, halloumi, foul, and labneh.
"Palestine House has hosted so many wonderful events over the years. There’s something magical about walking through the doors and feeling as though you’ve stepped somewhere entirely different, right in the middle of London."
