Ali Baba Restaurant

"Established in 1979, this family-run, Marylebone restaurant proudly advertises its commitment to Egyptian cuisine. The restaurant interior is cosy, and the walls are covered in paintings of historic Cairo’s bustling markets, and of course, the Nile. If eating at lunch, there are often more family members than customers, a gesture towards the intimacy of Egyptian hospitality. The hummus here is necessarily Egyptian-style: slightly more coarse in texture than its Lebanese or Syrian counterpart and tahini-heavy, and topped with a mild and fruity olive oil, the dish’s overall balance is excellent. Whilst the menu isn’t totally devoid of Lebanese influences, one can also order the very Egyptian dishes of mombar, where sausages are stuffed with tomato, chilli and dill rice; the garlicky molokhia soup made with Jew’s mallow; the carbohydrate triple threat of koshari’s rice, lentils, and macaroni with fried onions and spicy tomato sauce; and grilled quails." - Joel Hart