Ordered chicken wings and they came more burnt than I've seen any food served at a restaurant. Would not come back

Friendly & efficient staff. Enjoyed the grape leaves, lamb, and couscous. Close to Paddington Station, so our 8 year old got a photo with the bear statue on a full belly. read more

This place is great spot for Middle Eastern cuisine. I ordered the Shish Taouk entree with comes with rice and salad. This is one of my usual dishes of choice when dining here. The garlic sauce for the chicken has been different in each one of these places I go but nevertheless its fresh and tasty. The quantity is more than fair for the price and definitely recommend this dish for both those well-versed in this type of food and those who are trying this spot for the first time. You won't be disappointed! read more

Food is fine, but the service was really not up to standard. I waited a good 25 mins for my order, which only takes 5 mins to prepare, not because it was busy at the restaurant, but for unknown reason, my order was forgotten... Then when paying the bill, they again kept me waiting for quite a while.. Not gonna come back... read more

Love this place!! Very yummy, suuuuuper friendly staff, and very good prices for lunch. Before my office location changed I would come here about once a week! The chicken shawarma wrap is my favorite. Good hummous too! read more

Had some hummus and salad followed by a mixed grill. Yummy stuff very fresh. Juices are nice good place for chill and detox.

Great food. You can tell they are serious about delivering really great food, and making sure you are happy. Very good for vegetarians. I had the combo vegetarian starter (hummus, lentils, roasted cauliflower, roasted potatoes, roasted red pepper) and the combo swarma (chicken and lamb). It was very nicely done, and really good. I ate it in my hotel room, and think they could have used more seasoning (i.e, salt) but that's probably for the better... if you want more add it (I didnt have access to a salt shaker). This place is a no-brainer for vegetarians. Hummus is incredible ... creamy, rich, perfectly seasoned. I also had the kibbeh (I think it is called ... like a kind of fritter with ground meat inside ... very good). read more

"Sir, the wifi works but we don't allow customers to use it..." I don't want to judge a restaurant for its WiFi connection but it says something... Food ok, for a fast food restaurant. read more

Loved this place! By far the best place to eat around Paddington. Their Halloumi Grilled Cheese is out of this world!!! Must go if you're around. Very nice and cozy, definitively surpassed my expectations. read more

Food was ready very quickly, and is delicious. The staff is amazing and friendly as well. They were very hospitable

The fish is vey fresh and the lamb is so delicious. The plate is big and well worth the money. The whole family enjoy the food.

Sat down for 10 minutes waiting for the waitress, no issues as the place was busy. While waiting i couldn't help but notice that the tall guy by the cashierbwas a bit too involved, so here are the chain of events I witnessed: Used the cashier machine, shook some guys hand, handled some takeway bags, wiped his hands on his shirt, wiped his face, beard and NOSE with his hands (2 times) then proceeded to handle pita bread with his hands, some meant for the "big to go order" and possibly for the in restaurant diners. At this point i got up and started to leave. I was then approached by the waitress inquiring if everything was ok, when I responded with the above she gave me a bad look. Ill leave it up to you to decide but i would think such non sanitary handling of food justifies skipping the place. read more

Good food. Fast service. Reasonable prices. Will definitely return.

Tabbouleh is always fresh here and that is a great sign. Been 25 times and never disappointed.

We read all the recent reviews and tried Ya Hala for dinner this past week, and we're glad we did! I ordered the special, a chicken dish, and it was absolutely delicious. It's a very casual place, quite near the Paddington station. We shared table space with others familiar with the area who had obviously eaten there before. We chatted with them as well as the staff, and had a wonderful time for a very low cost - just under 13 GBP or 20 USD. read more

We were staying near Paddington Station and stumbled on Ya Hala as we walked from the Tube station to our hotel, at 10pm after a long day of sight seeing. We were tired, hungry and thankful they were open. The staff greeted us with big, cheerful smiles. The food was fresh and delicious. And they were kind. On our way out we grabbed a bottle of water but we didn't have any British pounds on us. We offered to pay by credit card but they just gave us the bottle. The next day we went back for lunch and offered to pay for the water and they kindly refused payment, saying it was their pleasure. read more

I really enjoyed getting a bite to eat here after a long day of walking around the city. The staff are as friendly as they come, and the restaurant has a casual atmosphere with lots of fun drawings on the walls. This was my first time eating Lebanese, so I tried one of the specials recommended by the waiter that was a lamb and spinach dish. It was delicious and very filling. Their house apple, ginger, and mint juice was so yummy and I find myself craving it months later! They also give you a tiny piece of baklava at the end of your meal, which was an unexpected treat. Next time I am in London, I will definitely make another stop here. read more

Thoroughly excellent food. I went for halloumi starter and lamb kebab with Lebanese couscous, freshly prepared, fast service. 2 course and a drink for 1 comes in at about £20. read more

Visited in September 2017. Fantastic food, friendly staff. I had been craving good Levantine cuisine since my visit in 2006, and was finally satisfied by Ya Hala. This is a small place and there was a long wait; the staff looked out for us and made sure we got a seat. One of the highlights of our stopover in London. read more

One of those places you're forever grateful for stumbling upon. We came here after going to see The Drowned Man; had the baby BBQ chicken and just had to come back today - two days later - to have it again. Very delicious food with excellent service. read more

I've said before and I'll say it again, I eat at lots of places both in the main stream and out of the way, and I generally won't be bothered to review average food. So take this as my whole hearted endorsement of exceptional with a review on yelp...I'm not from London I Went there this evening at the recommendation of a friend and colleague whom I was meeting while traveling in London on business this week. I was looking forward to the idea of Lebanese all day since it was suggested yesterday. And I must say that I was rather delighted! The food was so well prepared and all fresh and fantastic. Walking in from the street I was bombarded with scents and smells that made my mouth instantly water. The very best baba ghanouj I have ever had! And their apple ginger mint drink was so delicious! My friend and I shared 4 mezze dishes and a lentil rice salad and it was all fantastic! There was nothing left and with the tip was 27 quid..that is an outstanding value for how well prepared the food was and that we got 5 dishes..Nice family, super friendly and the little dessert baklava were a little taste of sweet heaven! Thank you Matthew Parker for the recommendation and the food was so so good! read more

This tiny restaurant serves delicious Lebanese food! We heard that it was good, but actually it is outstanding. We spoke with a man who was waiting for a takeout order and we got exactly what he had-- the lamb chops were tender and tasty and served with rice and salad perfectly dressed, the baba ganoush perfect with as much pita as you wish, and I can't begin to tell you how delicious their special green drink is. The combination of apple juice with ginger and mint makes you feel as if you have just been given an infusion of healthy energy. We have been here a week and have eaten there three times with another visit planned for tomorrow night! Don't miss it! read more

The best Lebanese food this American has ever had! Very reasonably priced and the food was just amazing. Service was very kind and friendly. HB and I had the hommus with lamb meat and the special tea. Perfect! read more

I went on my first night in to London while my wife was sleeping off jet lag. I saw the long line and ordered food to take back to the hotel. Got a special #2 and the chicken gyro from the spit. Lebanese was slightly different than typical Mediterranean food but it was better. The pita bread was more of a crepe and it was excellent. Would definitely come back. read more

Special food and really nice people. Right next to Paddington. Fast service and awesome food made right in front of you.

We were really confused: we tried to find the restaurant Levantine but then found out that this has transformed into Ya Hala. You can still see the old tiling when you use the bathroom. The atmosphere is rather sterile but the food is great! We had five mezze (Hummus Beiruti, Baba Ghanouj, Kibbeh, Falafel and Halloumi) together with their special tee (green-tea, mint and spices) and we were really happy. If you go via Paddington, then this is a great place for a quick, tasty lunch. read more

Had terrible service here. The gentleman that was serving me was laughing with his co-worker and speaking in Arabic while looking at me like "why are you here?" I'm Filipino so I assume that is the reason why. His co-worker didn't even laugh, which made it more awkward. I've been all over northern Africa, the middle east, Malaysia, Indonesia and Marseille and I usually get exceptionally good service from Arab people as it is part of their culture to be hospitable. I grew up around many Persians so I know this first hand. I think this guy was just an aberration but he was definitely a socially awkward, weird dude. read more

I'm less enamoured with it than I was a couple of years ago, when I went at least monthly, but the food is still very good and very good value. I would particularly recommend the wrap deal - a lamb shawarma and chips/rice - although I must confess that I often found it hard to also resist the cous-cous, the arayes or even all of the above. I also had the dish of the day a few times and it was always delicious. A nice place to spend a long lunch, although if there are more than a couple of you it can sometimes be a little busy to get seated (which is a good sign in itself, I guess). read more

Yum! This place is great! I was staying around the corner, and stopped by one evening to grab a quick dinner to go. The staff was courteous, solicitous, and extremely gracious. My meal was prepared fresh and was ready to take away in just five minutes. And it was DELICIOUS. So good! For what you get, the price is extremely reasonable. I'll be back the next time I'm in town! read more

I got to sample the Shish Taouk and the Chicken Shawarma, and they were both very good. I hope to eat here again the next time I visit London. read more

Excellent place to dine. The lamb shawarma was one of the best I've ever eaten. Our family loved every dish ordered and the apple tea is a must have. Overall a great experience. read more

We ate there twice and both times the food and service were quite good. Next time we're in the Paddington area we're sure to go back.

I ordered a shish tawouk and it was burned and the fattosh wasn't fresh and auful. I don't recommend this restaurant to anyone.

This is one of the best meals we have had in London. The waitstaff is helpful and super nice. The hummus is great and I would highly recommend the lamb bites! We had 6 plates of food to share and it was fabulous. read more

There are so many places to choose from near Paddington station in London, but after going to two other pubs closer to Hyde park and not finding one that could seat our group of 5, and an Indian restaurant where nothing no the menu was less than £15 per person, we walked by the Ya Hala and looked in. It was very busy, but when we asked the apparent owner if there was seating available for 5, a set of two tables appeared almost magically and we were promptly seated. He was very enthusiastic and obviously proud of his restaurant as he explained their fixed menu special for £10 per person, which is basically a typical Lebanese family dinner. He then offered us complementary samples of their house made beverage, which is a minty drink made with apples, ginger and fresh mint. We were hooked. We ordered 4 of the family dinner specials, which could be had with either rice or couscous. The last of us ordered fried halloumi cheese and a mixed shawarma wrap. The main entree was a well seasoned grilled boneless chicken served with two vegetable dishes including chick peas, egg plant, onions and spices. We were all quite full when the proprietor returned and placed small cubes of their homemade baklava, which were a perfect end to an wonderful meal. Best of all, we felt appreciated and well cared for. In our 3 weeks in the UK, this was our most memorable dining experience and an excellent value. read more