Ara Restaurant

Excellent new restaurant. Beautiful decor, thoughtful menu taking in elements of Mediterranean and East Asian food in a delicious and quite playful way. The ingredients were excellent. Everything we ate was spectacular and the restaurant got everyrbing out at breakneck speed. Weloved the short rib, fried chicken, and courgette dishes, but everything was delicious and memorable. Highly recommended!

What a discovery! Ara has gone straight to the top of my list of favourite restaurants in London. We booked through the First Table app, which has quickly become my favourite way to find amazing new places to eat, and of course, getting 50% off the food bill is a lovely bonus. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by warm, smiling staff who offered us the choice of an inside or outside table. We went for inside and were seated by the large window, with beautiful natural light pouring into the calm, minimalist space filled with greenery. We started with a bottle of wine that I’ll definitely be asking for again next time. Brich, from Piemonte in Italy, is a delicate, slightly sparkling red, and our server recommended it chilled. It was exactly what we didn’t know we needed, and it set the tone perfectly. We ordered a few small plates and two large ones to share. The potato bread, with its smoky flavour and homemade butter, was delicious. The grilled carrots and mussel skewers were fantastic, and the mushroom dumplings were even better. For the larger plates, we had the bavette steak with pepper sauce, which was full of flavour, but my absolute favourite was the whole grilled chicken. So tender and bursting with taste. We finished with the herb sorbet, which was the perfect refreshing end to an incredible meal. Everything was absolutely spot on, and I honestly can’t wait to bring my friends here next time.

Tried Ara in London and I’m honestly in love. The whole experience was just really great—from the warm, stylish vibe to the lovely, professional staff who made us feel really welcome and comfortable. The food was the real highlight though. The ceviche was light, refreshing, and zesty—super fresh and full of flavour. The mushroom dumplings were incredible and instantly reminded me of home, which made them even more special. And the cabbage—yes, cabbage—came with two amazing dressings that somehow made it one of the standout dishes. I’d happily eat that any day. I’m not usually big on dessert, but everything we tried was genuinely delicious. The herb sorbet was a really nice surprise—so original and super refreshing. It felt like the perfect way to cleanse your palate after such a flavourful meal. The cocktails were exactly what you need after a long day—strong, tasty, and there was a great selection to choose from, whether you’re into classics or something a bit different. We had a great time overall. The vibe was relaxed but thoughtful, the lighting was lovely, and everything just felt well put together. Also, the location is super convenient—right opposite Aldgate East station and just a 3-minute walk from Aldgate. I’d definitely come back—and I really want to try their breakfast and lunch too.

What a fantastic venue - with super high quality ingredients, carefully thought out dishes, and great service. The cocktail menu is creative and delicious. Prices on the higher side but not bad value given the great quality throughout. Thanks to Jigar for being a highly attentive and friendly server

Top five meals I have ever had. The short rib (pictured) was perfectly done and fell apart it was so tender. Every course was superb. The waitstaff was attentive and clearly passionate about the food, offering small comments on dishes as they arrived and checking with us consistently (but not excessively) regarding our experience and enjoyment. This truly is a top dining experience.

A great spot, here on the first week and it was fantastic. All dishes were excellent, but we didn't get to try the short rib or mushroom dumplings, which I'm keen to try next time. Particularly good coffee too, Square Mile beans, and nice equipment. Strong recommendation to go!

I'm a fan of Amber and I'm glad there is another good restaurant that has opened up locally! We came for dinner and between the three of us, we shared the sourdough, corn ribs (that umami dust was amazing), mussels skewers (good), burrata (the sauce was a bit too sweet for me), sea bream ceviche (fresh and tasty), fried chicken (fried to perfection with a nice fresh Asian dressing), blackened leeks (thought it would be a hot dish but it came cold but the flavour was good), lamb sweetbread (nice), mushroom dumplings (great flavour), slow cooked short rib (rich and tender), asparagus (this was undercooked and it came cold which wasn't expected) and the agria potato (nice side to the short rib). I’d suggest skipping dessert, as neither option really impressed us - we tried the creme fraiche ice cream (ok) and the chocolate basque cheesecake (lacked the soft, creamy texture typically expected from a basque cheesecake). The service was overall very friendly and polite and efficient.

Absolutely stunning restaurant with a beautifully earthy and relaxing vibe — the kind of place that instantly puts you at ease. The food was nothing short of phenomenal; every dish was thoughtfully crafted and bursting with flavor. The ceviche starter was a standout: fresh, vibrant, and perfectly balanced. The burned cabbage might sound humble, but it was a revelation — smoky, tender, and elevated by the incredible fresh sauces. Cocktails were equally impressive, mixing creativity with balance. And the herb sorbet? An absolute dream — light, refreshing, and unlike any dessert I’ve had before. Truly the dessert of the century. An unforgettable dining experience from start to finish. Highly recommended.