Balady
Middle Eastern restaurant · Holborn
39-41 Leather Ln, London EC1N 7UY, United Kingdom
"Falafel pita There are many things to like about Balady’s location in Farringdon, like its grab-and-go convenience, and order station that demands decisiveness. Of course our favourite thing about it is their falafel: crisp and fresh out the fryer, it’s fluffy inside, steaming with green herbiness and spices, all of which cry out for the combination of fruity amba, punchy zhug, and cooling tahini that lines their soft pittas. That will always be the #1 appeal, closely followed by their fantastic hand-cut chips." - Jake Oliver, Rianne Shlebak
"There are plentiful falafel stands on Leather Lane, but Balady is the place to go in the area. Whilst falafel isn’t Moroccan, the Moroccan-origin Israeli Sabbo brothers behind Balady more than do it justice. Crisp on the outside, tender and aromatic inside, they can be ordered inside a fluffy pita with a range of fresh accompaniments. Moroccan-spiced tomato and carrot salads come along for the party, together with the usual hummus, tahini, chopped salad, and pickled cucumbers, and the less usual amba and harissa, if desired. The sprinkling of sumac and fresh parsley on top of the final layer of tahini that covers the surface of the sandwich adds freshness, in a small gesture that reveals the depth of care on show here." - Joel Hart
"The legendary kosher pita spot’s Clerkenwell location on Leather Lane is a godsend for any lunchtime falafel enthusiasts. The falafel—crisp and fresh out the fryer, fluffy inside, and steaming with green herbiness and spices—is paired with a combination of fruity amba, punchy zhug, and cooling tahini, and carefully packed inside a steaming, pillow-y pitta. It’s pretty much takeaway-only (save for a window counter you can lean up against), but in our experience nothing from Balady, whether it’s a pitta, sabich, or hand-cut chips, lasts too long anyway. It’s that good." - Team Infatuation
"There are many things to like about Balady’s second location on Leather Lane, not least the fact that we find it markedly easier to get to than the kosher spot’s original one in Temple Fortune. Of course it’s all about their falafel: crisp and fresh out the fryer, fluffy inside, and steaming with green herbiness and spices. All of which cry out for the combination of fruity amba, punchy zhug, and cooling tahini that lines their soft pittas. That will always be the number one appeal, closely followed by their fantastic hand-cut chips." - Rianne Shlebak, Jake Oliver
"Years ago, before Leather Lane became a carnival for foodies and prosecco lovers, it was a standard street market. Your options for food were limited but satisfactory. There was the caf-cum-sandwich bar, a couple of fruit and veg men, Greggs, the chippy next door, and one of those amazing stalls where everything is past the sell-by-date and a basket full of chopped tomatoes, Digestives and stock cubes cost a few quid. Now it’s different. There’s Taiwanese and 20-person strong queues, kebabs and questionable combinations. A hoi sin duck burrito? Hmmm. Anyway, if that’s not your thing, then perhaps an old classic in the shape of Balady is. The Israeli institution’s second location is cannily placed close to Hatton Garden, and a load of other less celebrated falafel joints. The quality is pretty much the same here as it is in Temple Fortune, and that’s very much a good thing. Their falafel: crisp and fresh out the fryer, is fluffy inside, steaming with green herbiness and spices, all of which cry out for the combination of fruity amba, punchy zhug and cooling tahini that lines their soft pitas. Their other stuff, like hand cut chips and sabich, is also on the menu. Though sitting inside is not. This is a grab-and-go affair, or a-lean on-the-side-counter one if you fancy sticking around. Either way, it's likely you'll be back for more soon enough." - Jake Missing
