Bala Baya

Name: Bala Baya
Address: Arch 25, Old Union Yard Arches 229 Union Street, London, United Kingdom, SE1 0LR
Telephone: 020 8001 7015
Price range: £41 and over
Rating: 4.6

4.6

1070 Reviews

£41 and over

Middle Eastern

Make a booking

2 people

27 Dec 2024

7:00 pm

Booked 2 times today

Good for special occasions
Vegetarian-friendly
Innovative

Bala Baya brings the essence of the Middle East to Bankside’s Union Street Arches, the first stand-alone project from Chef Eran Tibi, whose vibrantly progressive cuisine pays homage to his roots.

Eran’s creations offer you a unique experience that is all about feasting and sharing whilst ensuring that all ingredients are all responsibly sourced.

The restaurant pays tribute to the atmosphere of Eastern Mediterranean cities which has been carefully replicated by multi-award-winning designer, Afroditi Krassa. Inspired by Bauhaus architecture, Bala Baya has created a kaleidoscopic space that allows you to experience the sun-kissed youthfulness of the Middle East from the heart of Southwark.

Follow the camel!

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
£41 and over
Cuisines
Middle Eastern, Tapas / Small Plates, Mediterranean
Hours of Operation
Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 12:00 pm–2:45 pm Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:30 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
020 8001 7015
Website
http://balabaya.co.uk/
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive Chef
Eran Tibi
Catering
We are always happy to discuss any catering requirements, please contact bookings@balabaya.co.uk with any questions.
Private party facilities
We are always happy to host private parties, with our Tel Aviv inspired dishes perfect for sharing we can seat up to 50 guests upstairs on the mezzanine or 100 standing. For enquiries regarding hiring the whole venue, please email bookings@balabaya.co.uk

Location
Arch 25, Old Union Yard Arches, 229 Union Street, London, SE1 0LR
Area
Southwark
Parking details
The nearest parking to us is Union car park, please find more information here: http://www.unioncarparks.co.uk/southwark-street-se1.html
Public transit
Southwark, Borough, Waterloo, London Bridge
Additional
Bar Dining, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Bala Baya BagelGBP 7.50
malted Jerusalem bagel, tea, sesame seeds & herb butter (V)
Bala Baya PitaGBP 3.50
two homemade, freshly baked pita (Vg)
Levantine Olive MixGBP 5.50
harissa marinated mixed olives (Vg)
Feta & ApricotGBP 5.50
macerated apricots, saffron, oregano (V)
Chickpea Hummus GBP 12.00
spiced chickpea, coriander & chilli relish, parsley, sumac, homemade pita (Vg)
Braised Beef HummusGBP 15.00
braised beef, coriander & chilli relish, parsley, sumac, homemade pita
Chunky SaladGBP 15.00
pickled red onions, chillies, tomatoes, cucumber, soft herbs (Vg)
Aubergine MessGBP 18.00
blackened aubergine, oregano, tahini, pomegranate molasse, lychee (Vg)
JeruslemGBP 17.00
shawarma rubbed Jerusalem artichoke, labneh, harrisa & rose, chervil (V)
Season’s FlowerGBP 16.00
stuffed courgette flower, three cheese polenta, harissa honey, vodka tempura, herbs (V)
Cauliflower Steak CrumbleGBP 17.00
fried cauliflower, pomegranate syrup, smoked parmesan crumble, lime yoghurt, parsley (V)
Fire Grilled CabbageGBP 15.00
hispi cabbage, bonfire peppers, almonds, rosary goats cheese, pumpkin granola (V)
Club TropicanaGBP 21.00
yellowfin tuna, avocado, pineapple, harissa, smoke, kataifi
Prawn BaklavaGBP 27.00
king prawns, kataifi, bitter lime syrup, lime cream, Persian lime & nori dust, pistachios, rose
Fish & FennelGBP 52.00
canoed whole sea bass, burnt sage, fennel & picked herbs, vine tomatoes, butter & arak
Brisket DoughnutGBP 21.00
Moroccan doughnut, beef brisket, bonfire tomato & chilli, orange spiced jus, amba tahini, coriander
WagyuGBP 21.00
beef carpaccio, green harissa, blueberry jam, mustard, lemon thyme, pita crumb
Kebab DumplingsGBP 23.00
lamb forequarter, date jus, shawarma spice, semolina, garlic yoghurt, buttered pine nuts
Laffa CoutureGBP 18.00
marinated chicken thigh, charred red onion, sumac, tahini, toasted pine nuts, pomegranate, nigella laffa
Got Meat?GBP 58.00
chicken shawarma, bonfire lamb chop, 36hr braised pork belly, saffron, mustard pickles, apple slaw, gem leaves

Desserts

Burnt BabkaGBP 12.00
poppy seed paste, creme anglaise, lemon thyme, saffron, apricots, almonds (V)
Hey HoneyGBP 12.00
knafe cheesecake, honey, za’atar, strawberry compote, mint (V)
Midnight MalabiGBP 12.00
coconut, white rum, black tahini, morello cherry, vanilla, rose, sesame brittle (Vg)

What 1,070 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.4Service
4.3Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

1,070 Reviews

j
julie
London
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on 1 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a great meal here, super friendly service, really tasty interesting food and a great Martini. We'll be going back at some stage.
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L
Luke
London
23 reviews
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on 29 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fab setting, location; delicious menu choices and superb service. Despite being fully booked, the dishes just kept on rolling with no delays. The vegetarians amongst us commented on how good the flavours were for what are normally quite plain food ingredients. Well done to the team.
Is this helpful?
S
Susan
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 13 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
This was a wonderful find. I will go back. It was quite expensive but the food tasted outstanding- a whole new culinary experience .
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I
Isaac
London
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 2 November 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Really nice counter top experience with lovely staff and chef’s. I’d definitely be going back
Is this helpful?
O
Olga
London
17 reviews
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on 19 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Unexpected delicious food, intense flavours of Middle East food with a modern touch. The Bala Baya prawn are a must, although I have to say that all the dishes were incredibly tasty.
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R
Rebecca
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 5 September 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food here is absolutely amazing 10 out of 10. I went with my boyfriend for his birthday, we got the veggie plates which were all amazing. The aubergine mess was by far my favorite dish followed by the cauliflower steak. The Jerusalem artichoke is also amazing. Honestly can’t recommend this place enough!!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Cheshire
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 5 July 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Lovely food. Attentive service. Very good all round.
Is this helpful?
NC
NickC
VIP
London
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on 26 May 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We tried almost every Meze dish. All delicious. Delightful service too
Is this helpful?
j
jackg
London
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on 1 May 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Great food and friendly service! Really creative dishes with a flare
Is this helpful?
m
murmur10
London
11 reviews
4.0
11 reviews
Dined on 14 April 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
food is delicious.We will go back for that. What they do with aubergine is miraculous. But close to £200 for me and 2 boys, with no booze, is expensive. And £27 for 3 prawns is verging on outrageous. Service is lovely. They need to turn the generic house music down though, it was waaaaay too loud in a half full restaurant
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FAQs

Bala Baya is rated 4.6 stars by 1070 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

27 Dec 2024

7:00 pm

Booked 2 times today

Arch 25, Old Union Yard Arches, 229 Union Street, London, SE1 0LR

Additional information

Area
Southwark
Hours of Operation
Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 12:00 pm–2:45 pm Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:30 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
£41 and over
Cuisines
Middle Eastern, Tapas / Small Plates, Mediterranean
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
The nearest parking to us is Union car park, please find more information here: http://www.unioncarparks.co.uk/southwark-street-se1.html
Public transit
Southwark, Borough, Waterloo, London Bridge
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Eran Tibi
Additional
Bar Dining, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://balabaya.co.uk/
Phone number
020 8001 7015
Catering
We are always happy to discuss any catering requirements, please contact bookings@balabaya.co.uk with any questions.
Private party facilities
We are always happy to host private parties, with our Tel Aviv inspired dishes perfect for sharing we can seat up to 50 guests upstairs on the mezzanine or 100 standing. For enquiries regarding hiring the whole venue, please email bookings@balabaya.co.uk

Bala Baya

Make a booking

Additional information

Menu

Plates

Bala Baya BagelGBP 7.50

Bala Baya PitaGBP 3.50

Levantine Olive MixGBP 5.50

Feta & ApricotGBP 5.50

Chickpea Hummus GBP 12.00

Braised Beef HummusGBP 15.00

Chunky SaladGBP 15.00

Aubergine MessGBP 18.00

JeruslemGBP 17.00

Season’s FlowerGBP 16.00

Cauliflower Steak CrumbleGBP 17.00

Fire Grilled CabbageGBP 15.00

Club TropicanaGBP 21.00

Prawn BaklavaGBP 27.00

Fish & FennelGBP 52.00

Brisket DoughnutGBP 21.00

WagyuGBP 21.00

Kebab DumplingsGBP 23.00

Laffa CoutureGBP 18.00

Got Meat?GBP 58.00

Desserts

Burnt BabkaGBP 12.00

Hey HoneyGBP 12.00

Midnight MalabiGBP 12.00

What 1,070 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

FAQs

How is Bala Baya restaurant rated?

Is Bala Baya currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Additional information