LDNReview
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Banaadiri Restaurant
Included In
When you step into Somali restaurant Banaadiri, head straight for the counter. It’s where the friendly server stands in front of 12 grainy pictures which make up the menu. But what this Shepherd’s Bush spot lacks in physical menus and the input of an interior designer, it makes up for in fall off the bone meat, and excellent-value portions that will keep you full for the next 48 hours.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
The restaurant is an in-and-out kind of place—the white lighting and mismatched dining chairs hint at the fact that it's all about the food here. The limited tables are usually half-filled by friends looking for a quick fix when they’re on a budget, or a hungry Twitter-scroller perching on a chair while waiting for their takeaway order.
The first time we pointed to a picture on the menu and were told "it’s lamb and rice", we weren’t 100% sure what to expect. But by our second visit, we were eager to re-order the mandi, tender lamb shoulder covered in caramelised onions, potatoes, and peppers that requires minimal chewing thanks to the softness of the meat. All the food is served in a silver tray with huge piles of yellow, peppery rice, and makes for an excellent weeknight dinner when you’re looking for something that tastes home-cooked.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Lamb Mandi
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Spaghetti
Chicken