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Bala Baya, London,

Bala Baya

4.6
4.6
1070 Reviews
£41 and over
Middle Eastern

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
  • Good for special occasions
  • Vegetarian-friendly
  • Innovative
Bala Baya brings the essence of the Middle East to Bankside’s Union Street Arches, the first stand-alone project from Chef Eran Tibi, whose vibrantly progressive cuisine pays homage to his roots.

Eran’s creations offer you a unique experience that is all about feasting and sharing whilst ensuring that all ingredients are all responsibly sourced.

The restaurant pays tribute to the atmosphere of Eastern Mediterranean cities which has been carefully replicated by multi-award-winning designer, Afroditi Krassa. Inspired by Bauhaus architecture, Bala Baya has created a kaleidoscopic space that allows you to experience the sun-kissed youthfulness of the Middle East from the heart of Southwark.

Follow the camel!

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    £41 and over
  • Cuisines
    Middle Eastern, Tapas / Small Plates, Mediterranean
  • Hours of Operation
    Sun 17:00–21:00 Lunch Mon–Fri 12:00–14:45 Sat, Sun 11:00–15:30 Dinner Mon–Sat 17:00–22:00
  • Phone number
    020 8001 7015
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Eran Tibi
  • Catering
    We are always happy to discuss any catering requirements, please contact bookings@balabaya.co.uk with any questions.
  • Private party facilities
    We are always happy to host private parties, with our Tel Aviv inspired dishes perfect for sharing we can seat up to 50 guests upstairs on the mezzanine or 100 standing. For enquiries regarding hiring the whole venue, please email bookings@balabaya.co.uk
  • Area
    Southwark
  • Parking details
    The nearest parking to us is Union car park, please find more information here: http://www.unioncarparks.co.uk/southwark-street-se1.html
  • Public transit
    Southwark, Borough, Waterloo, London Bridge
  • Additional
    Bar Dining, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,070 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

1,070 Reviews
  1. julie

    London

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 1 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a great meal here, super friendly service, really tasty interesting food and a great Martini. We'll be going back at some stage.

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  2. Luke

    London

    23 reviews

    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on 29 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fab setting, location; delicious menu choices and superb service. Despite being fully booked, the dishes just kept on rolling with no delays. The vegetarians amongst us commented on how good the flavours were for what are normally quite plain food ingredients. Well done to the team.

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  3. Susan

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 13 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    This was a wonderful find. I will go back. It was quite expensive but the food tasted outstanding- a whole new culinary experience .

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  4. Isaac

    London

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 2 November 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Really nice counter top experience with lovely staff and chef’s. I’d definitely be going back

    Is this helpful?

  5. Olga

    London

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on 19 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Unexpected delicious food, intense flavours of Middle East food with a modern touch. The Bala Baya prawn are a must, although I have to say that all the dishes were incredibly tasty.

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  6. Rebecca

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 5 September 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food here is absolutely amazing 10 out of 10. I went with my boyfriend for his birthday, we got the veggie plates which were all amazing. The aubergine mess was by far my favorite dish followed by the cauliflower steak. The Jerusalem artichoke is also amazing. Honestly can’t recommend this place enough!!

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Cheshire

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 5 July 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Lovely food. Attentive service. Very good all round.

    Is this helpful?

  8. NickC

    VIP

    London

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on 26 May 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We tried almost every Meze dish. All delicious. Delightful service too

    Is this helpful?

  9. jackg

    London

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 1 May 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Great food and friendly service! Really creative dishes with a flare

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  10. murmur10

    London

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on 14 April 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    food is delicious.We will go back for that. What they do with aubergine is miraculous. But close to £200 for me and 2 boys, with no booze, is expensive. And £27 for 3 prawns is verging on outrageous. Service is lovely. They need to turn the generic house music down though, it was waaaaay too loud in a half full restaurant

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Bala Baya is rated 4.6 stars by 1070 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Google Map for Bala Baya

Arch 25, Old Union Yard Arches, 229 Union Street, London, SE1 0LR

Additional information

  • Area
    Southwark
  • Hours of Operation
    Sun 17:00–21:00 Lunch Mon–Fri 12:00–14:45 Sat, Sun 11:00–15:30 Dinner Mon–Sat 17:00–22:00
  • Price
    £41 and over
  • Cuisines
    Middle Eastern, Tapas / Small Plates, Mediterranean
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    The nearest parking to us is Union car park, please find more information here: http://www.unioncarparks.co.uk/southwark-street-se1.html
  • Public transit
    Southwark, Borough, Waterloo, London Bridge
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Eran Tibi
  • Additional
    Bar Dining, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    020 8001 7015
  • Catering
    We are always happy to discuss any catering requirements, please contact bookings@balabaya.co.uk with any questions.
  • Private party facilities
    We are always happy to host private parties, with our Tel Aviv inspired dishes perfect for sharing we can seat up to 50 guests upstairs on the mezzanine or 100 standing. For enquiries regarding hiring the whole venue, please email bookings@balabaya.co.uk
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