ARA Restaurant London Review: Global Small Plates in Aldgate East

ARA restaurant in London is the sort of venue East London does well when it stops trying to look too pleased with itself. It is casual, bright, easy to enter and far more interesting than the phrase “all-day dining” usually allows.

The cooking moves around the map without asking for permission: tahini, gochujang, ceviche, kimchi, char siu, Turkish pepper, wild mushrooms, Basque cheesecake. In lesser hands, that could read like a menu assembled in an airport lounge. At ARA, the better dishes have enough warmth and clarity to hold together.

Come for brunch, lunch or a relaxed dinner near Aldgate East. Order widely. The menu is built for a table that likes to share.

At a Glance

Best for: Casual dinners, brunch, after-work meals, groups and relaxed dates
Cuisine: Globally inspired Modern European
Location: Aldgate East
Price: Accessible by London standards; all-day mains mostly around £21–£26
Signature dishes: Grilled potato bread, mushroom dumplings, seabass ceviche, fried chicken, char siu onglet skewers and chocolate Basque cheesecake
Atmosphere: Bright by day, warmer and more intimate by night
Nearest station: Aldgate East
Booking tip: Go with a group and order across the small plates

What Is ARA?

ARA is an all-day restaurant on New Drum Street, a short walk from Spitalfields, Whitechapel and the City. It is from Murat Kilic, who also runs Amber nearby.

The restaurant describes itself as inspired by flavours from everywhere, which is both the point and the risk. Menus like this can easily become vague, but ARA’s strongest dishes have a clear appetite behind them.

It is not a formal restaurant. Nor is it trying to be. This is the place for coffee, brunch, lunch, after-work drinks or dinner that does not require too much theatre.

The Atmosphere and Design

ARA has the polished ease of a modern East London neighbourhood restaurant. By day, it is light and open, with the sort of room that works for laptops, coffees, brunches and weekday lunches.

At night, it becomes softer and more useful for dates, groups and after-work dinners. The room does not demand attention in the way Mayfair restaurants often do. It lets the food, drinks and company carry the evening.

That lack of fuss is part of the appeal. ARA feels designed for repeat visits rather than a single grand occasion.

The Menu

The menu is built around small plates, larger plates and easy sharing. Start with grilled potato bread and cultured butter, then add whipped tahini with parsley oil or courgette spread with feta and chilli sesame oil. These are simple orders, but they set the tone well: generous, unfussy and slightly more thoughtful than expected.

The small plates are where ARA becomes more interesting. Mussel skewers come with roasted chicken wing butter glaze. Slow-cooked beef croquettes arrive with spicy aioli. Mushroom dumplings sit in garlic yoghurt with wild mushrooms, chilli and mint butter. Seabass ceviche is sharpened with strawberries, jalapeño and pickled red onion.

The larger plates continue the border-crossing. Crispy pork belly comes with kimchi, pear and fermented chilli nahm jim. Grilled half chicken is served with Turkish grilled pepper and chilli sauce. Char siu onglet skewers bring potato espuma and grilled pak choi, while stonebass arrives with caper and dill velouté, grilled gem and smoked potato.

Desserts stay short and sensible: amazake and strawberry sorbet, semolina halva, or chocolate Basque cheesecake with miso caramel. The cheesecake is the obvious finish.

Drinks & Wine

The cocktail list mixes classics with house twists. Mango Sticky Rice, Sour Cherry Mezcal Negroni and Golde Umami all suggest the bar is happy to play. Wines lean broad and approachable, with sparkling, orange, white, rosé and red options. This is not a temple of rare bottles, but the list is more than enough for the food.

What to Order at ARA

Best bread: Grilled potato bread with cultured butter
Best dip: Courgette spread with feta and chilli sesame oil
Best small plate: Mushroom dumplings with garlic yoghurt and chilli mint butter
Best fresh dish: Seabass ceviche with strawberries and jalapeño
Best larger plate: Char siu onglet skewers
Best fish dish: Stonebass with caper and dill velouté
Best dessert: Chocolate Basque cheesecake with miso caramel
Best cocktail: Sour Cherry Mezcal Negroni

For two people, order the potato bread, one dip, two small plates, one larger plate and dessert. For a group, add the fried chicken, ceviche and pork belly.

Who Is ARA Best For?

ARA is best for diners who want something relaxed but not boring. It works well for Aldgate lunches, weekend brunch, after-work dinners, casual dates and groups who like a table full of different flavours.

It is less suited to anyone looking for a quiet, formal restaurant or a very traditional cuisine-led meal. ARA is deliberately loose in its references.

Is ARA Worth Visiting?

Yes. ARA is a useful, good-looking neighbourhood restaurant with enough personality to stand out near Aldgate East.

The menu travels widely, and not every combination will be for purists. But the cooking has energy, the prices are reasonable for London, and the restaurant understands the difference between casual and careless.

Book for dinner with friends, or go for brunch when the room is at its brightest.

Practical Information

Address: 1 New Drum Street, London E1 7AY
Area: Aldgate East / Whitechapel / Spitalfields
Nearest station: Aldgate East
Cuisine: Modern European, Global, International and Mediterranean
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 12pm–10pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9am–10pm
Brunch: Saturday and Sunday
Lunch: Monday to Friday
Dinner: Daily
Dress code: Casual
Executive chef: Murat Kilic
Private dining: Available for events, corporate lunches, celebrations and exclusive hire
Best for: Brunch, casual dinners, group meals, after-work drinks and relaxed dates

FAQs

What type of food does ARA serve?

ARA serves globally inspired Modern European food. The menu includes dips, breads, small plates, ceviche, dumplings, fried chicken, grilled meats, fish, vegetable dishes, brunch plates, cocktails and desserts.

Where is ARA London?

ARA is at 1 New Drum Street, London E1 7AY, close to Aldgate East, Whitechapel, Spitalfields and the City.

Who is the chef at ARA?

ARA is led by executive chef Murat Kilic, who also has links to Amber, the nearby Aldgate restaurant.

What should I order at ARA?

Order the grilled potato bread, courgette spread, mushroom dumplings, seabass ceviche, char siu onglet skewers and chocolate Basque cheesecake with miso caramel.

Is ARA expensive?

No, not by current London standards. OpenTable lists ARA as £25 and under, while the all-day menu has several small plates under £15 and larger plates mostly around £21–£26.

Is ARA good for a date?

Yes, especially for a relaxed date rather than a formal occasion. The room is bright by day and warmer by night, with a menu that works well for sharing.

Does ARA serve brunch?

Yes. ARA serves brunch on weekends from 9am, with dishes including grilled potato bread, sourdough toast, Turkish eggs, shakshuka, yoghurt, smoothies and Monmouth coffee.

ARA Restaurant London Bookings

Capital A List members can make bookings for ARA below.