Al-Kahf Restaurant
East African restaurant · Whitechapel
112-116 Vine Ct, London E1 1JE, United Kingdom
Highlights
Tender lamb shank & bariis iskukaris, rich rice, sweet currants
Tender lamb shank & bariis iskukaris, rich rice, sweet currants
"At this Somali spot off Whitechapel Road, enormous silver platters of lightly spiced bariis iskukaris are topped with hilib (lamb shoulder) or lamb shank, both so tenderly cooked that a cursory glance at it will cause the juicy meat to fall from its bone. The space itself is straightforwardly functional with bright lights and long tables waiting for groups of friends and families." - jake missing, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna, heidi lauth beasley
"Al Kahf is a low-key Somali restaurant off Whitechapel Road, not obvious to the eye and nor to Google Maps but a quick search will tell you it’s very much known about—and you’ll be able to taste why. Their lamb shank is so tenderly cooked that a cursory glance at it will cause the juicy meat to fall from its bone. Pair with a sharp whack of basbaas (Somali green chilli sauce), a tear of smokily charred flatbread, and a scoop of sweet and lightly spiced bariis iskukaris. The room itself is big, basic, and brightly lit—made for focusing on what’s in front of you. Which will likely be a 10/10 meal for around £10 or less." - team infatuation
"Al Kahf is a low-key Somali restaurant off Whitechapel Road, not obvious to the eye and nor to Google Maps, but somewhere you should very much know about. A platter of bariis iskukaris and some tender hilib (lamb shoulder) on top is a brilliant feast for two or more that comes in at under £15. Make sure to get flatbread on the side to scoop and soak up all of the juices, as well as a pot of basbaas—a fiercely moreish Somali green chilli sauce." - team infatuation
"Al Kahf is a low-key Somali restaurant off Whitechapel Road, not obvious to the eye and nor to Google Maps, but somewhere you should very much know about. A platter of bariis iskukaris and some tender meat on top is a brilliant Sunday dinner. Especially as it’s open until 11:20pm." - Jake Oliver, Sinead Cranna
"Al Kahf is a Whitechapel Somali spot serving up big plates of lamb haneed as well as beef and chicken sqaar (beef and chicken cubes marinated in Somali spices.) But the main draw is the hulking bariis iskukaris, lamb shoulder falling off the bone over a rich rice jewelled with dried fruits. Make sure to ask for basbaas, eye-watering homemade Somali hot sauce made out of green chillies, to cut through all the richness of the rice and meat." - Maazin Buhari
