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Inside all day dining - Ara, London, Greater London

Ara

4.8 (35)
£25 and under
Global, International
1 New Drum Street, Aldgate East, London, Greater London E1 7AY

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 6 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Good for groups
Ara is an all-day dining restaurant serving well-travelled food taking inspirations from wherever we can. The restaurant's design evolves dynamically throughout the day, offering a bright and airy ambiance during daytime hours and transitioning to a darker, more intimate, and secluded atmosphere in the evening.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    Global, International
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Mon–Fri 8:00 am–11:45 am Brunch Sat, Sun 8:00 am–5:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 12:00 pm–5:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:15 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Murat Kilic
  • Neighborhood
    Aldgate
  • Cross street
    Cross Road between Whitechapel Road and Leman Street
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    Aldgate East Tube Station
  • Additional
    Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Sharing Menu

    £41.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Ara's exclusive sharing menu features seasonal chef curated dishes. We offer a unique sharing dining experience you wont find elsewhere. Menu is found below: Corn ribs, umami dust VE, V Grilled potato bread, cultured butter G, D, VE Mussel skewers, roasted chicken wing butter glaze D, M Seabream ceviche, strawberry tiger milk, pickled watermelon F, C, S, SD, SS Blackened leeks, muhammara, XO sauce, soft herbs, confit walnuts CR, M, N, F, S, G, SD Slow-cooked short rib, white grape salsa C, SD Agria potato, double fried, strong aioli E, MS, SD, VE Chocolate basque cheesecake, caramelised whey E, D, VE
    Sharing Menu Photo
  • V. Sharing Menu

    £41.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Ara's exclusive sharing menu features seasonal chef curated dishes. We offer a unique sharing dining experience you wont find elsewhere. Menu is found below: Corn ribs, umami dust VE, V Grilled potato bread, cultured butter G, D, VE Grilled carrots, labneh, Vadouvan spiced butter D, SS, MS, SD, VE Burrata with crispy chilli peanuts and apricots D, P, S, SS, SD, G, VE Mushroom dumplings, garlic yoghurt, mint and Aleppo chilli butter G, S, D, VE Sweetheart cabbage contramar, almond sauce N, SD, G, VE, V Burnt onion and sorrel salad, roasted peppers, rocket VE, V Chocolate basque cheesecake, caramelised whey E, D, VE
    V. Sharing Menu Photo
  • Set Menu

    £55.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    At Ara, our set menu has been carefully curated choosing the best of our a la carte menu to ensure you enjoy the very best of an Ara experience: FOR THE TABLE Corn ribs, umami dust VE, V Grilled potato bread, cultured butter G, D, VE SHARED STARTERS Mussel skewers, roasted chicken wing butter glaze D, M Seabream ceviche, strawberry tiger milk, pickled watermelon F, C, S, SD, SS Blackened leeks, muhammara, XO sauce, soft herbs, confit walnuts CR, M, N, F, S, G, SD Mushroom dumplings, garlic yoghurt, mint and Aleppo chilli butter G, S, D, VE CHOOSE A MAIN Sweetheart cabbage contramar, sulkin tofu and lime SD, VE, V Middle neck lamb skewer, red zough, pico de gallo Skate wing, macademia, shallot and lemongrass crunch F, N, SD Slow-cooked short rib, white grape salsa C, SD SHARED SIDES Agria potato, double fried, strong aioli E, MS, SD, VE Burnt onion and sorrel salad, roasted peppers, rocket VE, V CHOOSE A SWEET Creme fraiche ice cream, pistachio crumble D, N, G, VE Semolina halva, preserved lemon and whipped coconut N, D, G, VE Chocolate basque cheesecake, caramelised whey E, D, VE Herb sorbet SD
    Set Menu Photo

What 35 people are saying

Ara reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseEnergetic

Loved For

  • City of London

    Best Overall

  • City of London

    Best Food

  • City of London

    Innovative

  • City of London

    Great for creative cocktails

  • City of London

    Healthy

  • City of London

    Good for special occasions

  • City of London

    Vegetarian-friendly

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Ara offers a "beautifully designed and deliciously curated experience" with a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. The menu boasts "delicious and different" dishes, including exceptional vegetarian options. Highlights include the burrata and short rib. Guests rave about the "outstanding service" and welcoming staff. Ara promises a "fantastic" dining experience for any occasion.

35 Reviews
  1. michael VIP

    London7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Friendly staff. Sharing plates. Delicious and different food. Nice decor. Very good prices for London.

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  2. Armen VIP

    London52 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 5, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The food is very good with several standout dishes. Great selection for vegetarians. The burrata is exceptional...a unique combination of flavours to accompany it. The carrots with labneh were full of flavour as were the agria potatoes; perfectly crisp with a subtle taste of salt and vinegar. Make sure you order the grilled potato bread. Service was exemplary. The maitre d' made us feel very welcome. We'll definitely return.

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  3. Davide

    London1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful experience! The atmosphere is relaxed and the layout is intimate and comfortable. Our waiter was friendly and helpful. The food was amazing: ingredients, taste and presentation were superb!

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  4. Lisa

    New York City7 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on April 30, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    A lively new restaurant. Great service. The food was good though portions on the small side. Unfortunately there was nausea straight after the meal in one of our party. Great location but a bit pricey for the overall meal.

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  5. Lyn VIP

    London13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 29, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A magical evening sitting outside on the terrace. Interesting good value wines, but a fan of Prosecco but enjoyed the Undurraga at £9 a glass. Mediterranean dishes, corn ribs with chicken butter nicely charred. Seabass ceviche light and fresh, blackened leeks delicious. Agria potatoes too big and just too solid. Skewers of Mussels ok, seemed tinned to me. Skewered lamb neck large plate ok. Had the herb sorbet, yuzu, spinach, basil- both of us really liked, along with the Basque chocolate cheesecake. Fun evening, staff fabulous-warm, friendly and helpful. All credit to the manager who recruited a really good team who’ve only been together two weeks. As a recruiter I can tell you it ain’t easy. Yes, we’d go back.

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  6. rachel

    London1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 29, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A lovely new restaurant with delicious food in a smart but relaxed space. The outside dining was a definite plus

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  7. Corinne

    Surrey1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 29, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious food and excellent service! Nice to have outside space for summer!

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  8. Corinna

    London1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 28, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Incredible spot, all the dishes were spot on and the service was outstanding! Ready for this to become my new local!

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  9. Hasitha

    London3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 28, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great experience with food , service.. specially bartender was great with his service . All The best ara

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  10. Paul

    London1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Food was incredible, not the biggest fan of the atmosphere, it gets quite crowded and the music can be a bit distracting. Still a definite recommendation, the ceviche was one of the best I've ever had.

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FAQs

Ara is rated 4.8 stars by 35 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United Kingdom
  3. London
  4. City of London
  5. Aldgate

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 6 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Ara

1 New Drum Street, Aldgate East, London, Greater London E1 7AY

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Cross Road between Whitechapel Road and Leman Street
  • Neighborhood
    Aldgate
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Mon–Fri 8:00 am–11:45 am Brunch Sat, Sun 8:00 am–5:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 12:00 pm–5:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:15 pm–11:00 pm
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    Global, International
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    Aldgate East Tube Station
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Murat Kilic
  • Additional
    Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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