There are plenty of experiences to be had around Kings Cross; Treat yourself to a new garment or two as you stroll the cobbled pavements of Coal Drops Yard, splash through the fountains on a Summer’s day in Granary Square or even hit up a fitness class under the West Handyside Canopy. But after it all, be sure to visit Arabica in their new home and deep dive in to some seriously tasty morsels.
The Middle Eastern restaurant successfully ingrained itself in Borough Market’s culinary estate in 2014, spurring the team to expand further north in the thriving Kings Cross area. Opening mere weeks ago, this is the second site from the team behind Arabica.
The menu is inspired by flavours of the Levant and hosts many favourites from the Borough Market restaurant, including the popular Feta & Spinach Boregi. With its existing dishes are welcomed new plates, such as the Hummus KX served with a pillowy pita bread. Hot tip; add spicy beef to take the flavour up a notch.
Hummus is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine, as is our favourite dairy delight, halloumi. Traditionally made from goat and sheep milk, it’s best served grilled and in Arabica’s case, with poached quince and a drizzle of orange blossom honey.
It can also be enjoyed amped up in one of their tantalising flatbreads. The Mushroom, Halloumi, Ricotta and Truffle Oil Flatbread became King of the plates during our visit. So good, we even took the leftovers for lunch the next day.
Chicken & Pistachio Shish, Berbere Spiced Cauliflower and Marinated Lamb Ribs are promoted as big plates. As is the Kebab El Arabica; Lamb koftes and charred, blackened vegetables sealed in a doughy bread lid and finished in the clay oven.
Cocktails steel the show with sweet and sour notes respectively. The Smoke & Spice becoming my personal favourite where Mezcal, Cointreau and grapefruit pack a punch, and Aleppo pepper and fennel salt lace the rim.
On a sweeter note, the Halva Daiquari is practically a dessert in its own right. Christmas feels closer when the fig and hazelnut hit your palette, complemented by warming Dark Rum and walnut bitters. Chaos would ensue if the North Pole got their mitts on this festive delight.
The venue exudes a relaxed feel; Low lighting and slick wood benches portray that of a Japanese Izakaya whilst smooth jazz plays in the background creating a concoction of culture. It was the perfect place to feast on hearty plates on a rainy evening in October.
Arabica, Kings Cross is open for bookings 7 days a week. To book a table, visit their website here.
7 Lewis Cubitt Walk
King’s Cross
London N1C 4AD
