Yasmina

The best things in life are simple. You may read that and think we’ve spent too long in a positive affirmation Tiktok rabbithole, but when it comes down to it, the thing you crave at 2pm on a Wednesday afternoon is probably not a goat’s cheese-infused foam with an edible flower on top. It’s a meat and cheese covered manoushe that reminds you why you chose carbs over abs. And simple, tried and tested, combinations, done well, is what Yasmina does best.

This family-run bakery and restaurant in north Acton has been around for years. And it’s one of the few places we’d travel across the city to eat breakfast at. While the menu has enough range to keep most people happy, with Lebanese classics like shish taouk and batata harra, the thing that makes it worth going out of your way for is the baked stuff. Their clay-oven baked mana’eesh are some of the best you’ll find in London, and at £2.50 a pop, are also some of the best value. These flatbreads, topped with things like za’atar, spinach, or sujuk and cheese, are all delicious—they’re crispy, fluffy, and perfectly baked, so whichever topping you get is really up to you. Our go-to order is a couple of lahm bi ajeen and spinach mana’eesh, all with additional cheese. Because… cheese. When served in a tray surrounded by labneh, foul modames, and falafel, it’s a complete Levantine breakfast spread, at an excellent price.

photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli

Inside you’ll find a bunch of tables, framed scenes of Lebanon, and Fairuz playing in the background. Which does a good job of making you forget that you’re on the A40 in East Acton sandwiched between a Dreams bed store and a car dealership—or at least until someone opens the door and you hear the sounds of car horns and motorbike engines rushing off somewhere. Because, this isn’t somewhere you spend hours in, partly because you’ll get a parking ticket, but mostly because the best way to do a meal here is to arrive, order, eat, and leave. So when that tray of cheesy, doughy, manaeesh hits your table, soak it all in, ignore the cars outside, and bask in the fact that you’re eating a delicious breakfast in London, for under £15. Simple.

Food Rundown

Falafel

Perfectly crispy little morsels, these are fried and served with bread and a bowl of tahini dip. Get some for the table.

Hummus

Thick and creamy, this is great hummus, and something to order to dip your mana’eesh in.

photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli

Fattoush

This is one of our favourite fattoush salads in London, with a perfect balance of citrus and sweetness from the pomegranate molasses Fresh and flavourful.

photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli

Spinach & Cheese

There’s a bunch of different mana’eesh, like the classic za’atar, or mohamara which are all really great, but this is a firm favourite. Sumac, red onion, and spinach, make this an excellently tangy number. Squirt some lemon on it and dip it in the hummus for a life-changing experience.

photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli

Lahm Bi Ajeen

The OG. If you’re only getting one manoushe, get this. Spiced minced meat with onions and tomatoes, plus optional (read: essential) cheese. It’s meaty, cheesy, and—warning— will definitely stain your white t-shirt.