Noura Central

Chilled-out, plush Lebanese restaurant with a contemporary twist.

The Noura brand has been spreading throughout London and Paris over recent years and deservedly so. Their flagship restaurant right in the heart of the capital, Noura Central offers diners high quality traditional Lebanese food with a side order of contemporary flair. The menu here is strong, not only on classic hot and cold (many of them vegetarian) mezze dishes, but also on complex, delightful-sounding mains of which there are over 20. The best option is to order a load of dishes to share and simply tuck in. Aesthetically, Noura is a delight to eat in. Beautifully designed and planned, comfy velvet couches and low-set tables, merge with delicate pools of light and gilt panels sparked off by flickering candles to produce a plush, warm, exotic ambience. One area is more formal than the other so make sure you specify which you'd prefer when booking. Music is also taken very seriously here. Don’t be put off by the slightly worrying “club restaurant” tag they use to promote themselves, the DJs that take to the floor on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights are briefed strictly to provide complementary ambient sounds (stemming from jazz, Latin or world music) tailored to supporting a relaxing dining experience. Owners Nader Bou Antoun and Jean Paul Bou Antoun have been in the Lebanese restaurant trade since 1978. Dining at Noura Central reflects their experience, passion and creative flair not to mention their adherence to extremely high standards married with fair pricing. This is also a large restaurant (150 covers) so you actually stand quite a good chance of getting a table without too much notice.

Best for:
Chilled music and hot and cold mezzes, vegetarians and velvet couches, contemporary and traditional.

Did you know?
Lebanese food is great for vegetarians thanks to the number of meat-free festivals celebrated as part of the culture.