Established in 2020, Za’ta specialises in homemade Lebanese dishes available for quick takeaway.
Founded by food enthusiast Francis Zahar, the restaurant brings to life his mother’s cherished recipes in Baker Street.
Here, Zahar outlines what makes the concept so successful and lays out their plans for the future.
Can you explain the concept?
I opened Za’ta to revolutionize the dining experience by eliminating the need to wait for more than a minute
for a “cooked from scratch” meal. Simply grab your meal, pay and go. And trust me, from the very first bite, you’ll embark on a culinary journey that will make you want to return for more.
Za’ta serves as a tribute to tradition, ancestry, and a passion for truly delectable cuisine. Dedicated to keeping food accessible, Za’ta
conveniently offers the heartwarming tastes of Lebanon, transporting Londoners on a delectable journey through the country’s rich and authentic gastronomic heritage, tantalising taste buds with traditional mom’s recipes, easy grab-and-go dishes, and an unwavering commitment to using only the freshest ingredients in every plate.
Za’ta comes from the Arabic word za’atar, which in English means thyme, a very much used herb in Lebanese cuisine. At Za’ta, every dish is a testament to the deep-rooted culinary traditions that have been passed down through generations.
What inspires the recipes?
Actually, it is just an authentic reproduction of all the recipes from my mother in Lebanon! It is just the smell of the food, the sharing, the simplicity and warmth of eating at home that I want to make it a way of life, in the grab&go food industry. These recipes, born from gatherings under olive
trees, were a testament to togetherness, warmth, and the love of food shared with loved ones.
The menu offers a diverse range of dishes, spanning from refreshing cold options to savoury hot selections. What are the most popular dishes at the moment?
The chicken and rice, chicken wrap, hummus, tabbouleh and our famous green peas stew are all really popular. There are also choices like roast chicken paired with potatoes, halloumi wraps, and satisfying chicken and beef shawarma lettuce wraps. You’ll also find an assortment of cheese, tomato, olive, za’tar, spinach, and beef fatayers, along with an array of mezze, such as hummus and baba ghanooj.
What is your favourite dish?