Photo: Kate Pugh
There aren’t many restaurants that are open until 5am every day of the week; let alone in Knightsbridge. However Maroush bucks the trend. Don’t let the late night tag fool you if you’re interested in trying some of the best Lebanese food London has to offer. This isn’t a greasy spoon or indeed a small café that inebriated passersby stumble across in the dead of night to devour chicken shawarma. This is Beauchamp Place, don’t you know.
Being part of a chain of Lebanese restaurants across west London, the Maroush brand (there are six in total) has become a hub of Lebanese food in these parts. Including other restaurants with different names, the owner Marouf Abouzaki has 13 outlets. Maroush II sits proudly in the middle of Beauchamp Place; and it has every right to be – just opposite is the Italian restaurant San Lorenzo which was said to be Princess Diana’s favourite London restaurant. But despite keeping good company, Maroush’s reputation certainly does not rely on favours from its neighbours as it wins accolades on its own merit.
Food is served like there is no tomorrow. And indeed if there were no tomorrow, it wouldn’t be a bad place to start. Traditional Lebanese mezze dishes are brought four or five at a time, tucking into the hummus, kibbe nayye (chopped lamb meat), tabbouleh (salad) and baba ganoush (aubergine mix). More dishes follow at lightning speed before a well earned rest is needed to begin preparation for the main course. For those who like their food gourmet or are watching their diet, this isn’t the place to go.
Photo: Nipotan
The restaurant breaks up its diners quite calculatingly. If you’ve happened to have just wandered in for a quick snack, you’re not surrounded by lots of chairs and white tablecloths. It’s split onto three levels and its wall sized bay windows and white washed walls conjure a relaxing, smart dining environment with excellent Lebanese food.
A three course meal for two people comes to about £60; with wine anything from £70 and above. Mezze range from £4.50 to £8 and if you’re just popping in for a late night snack, expect to pay anything from around £4.50.
Opening Hours:12pm – 5am 7 days a week
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