Bubala is an intimate vegetarian restaurant on Commercial Street near Spitalfields Market, serving Middle Eastern inspired food with a playful modern approach. The compact room has a warm neighbourhood atmosphere, and the menu is built around generous sharing rather than conventional individual courses. Most dishes are vegan unless marked otherwise, giving plant based diners an unusually broad choice across the entire meal.
Laffa flatbread and crisp vegetables are natural partners for hummus with burnt butter and pine nuts, labneh with confit garlic and za’atar, or a brighter hummus flavoured with mango and lime leaf oil. The pickle plate adds sharpness between richer dishes. Falafel comes with tahini, amba, za’atar and sumac onions, while smacked cucumbers combine tahini with a lively chilli crunch.
The signature oyster mushroom skewer is seasoned with tamari and coriander seed, creating a deeply savoury centrepiece from a simple vegetable. Halloumi with black seed honey offers a sweet and salty contrast, and confit potato latkes arrive with toum and Aleppo chilli. Seasonal plates may bring together aubergine and walnut, carrot and harissa, or greens with fruit, herbs and carefully layered spice.
Lunch mezze and the Bubala Knows Best sharing menus allow the kitchen to choose a balanced progression for the whole table. Desserts continue the inventive style through combinations such as date and tahini ice cream, coconut malabi with hibiscus and sesame brittle, or small chocolate and caramel treats. Natural leaning wines, cocktails and alcohol free drinks complete a relaxed meal in the original Bubala location.
Address: 65 Commercial Street, Spitalfields, London E1 6BD, United Kingdom