London’s food scene is about to get a serious upgrade. Ara, the latest venture from chef patron Murat Kilic, is opening its doors on 1st May 2025 in Aldgate East, just a short stroll from Spitalfields and Shoreditch. Following the success of Amber and Route, Murat is taking things up a notch with a menu that boldly refuses to stay in its culinary lane. Expect a melting pot of global flavours, serious sustainability efforts, and a dining experience that blends creativity with comfort.
A Menu That Defies Borders
At Ara, Murat Kilic is throwing out the rulebook. Influenced by his love of travel and culinary experimentation, the self-taught chef is serving up dishes that mix bold, unexpected ingredients into a seamless, flavour-packed experience. Think fine dining meets unpretentious fun—all in the heart of East London.
The hero dishes promise to turn heads:
- Grilled potato flatbread with homemade cultured butter (because regular butter just won’t cut it)
- Mussels skewers with roasted chicken wing butter sauce (because why should wings have all the fun?)
- Blackened leeks with muhammara and XO sauce (because veg deserves the spotlight too)
- Slow-cooked short rib with date demi-glaze (because rich, sticky, and delicious is always a good idea)
No borders. No limits. Just exceptional food in an energetic, all-day dining setting.
From Greasy Spoons to Gourmet Mastery
Murat Kilic’s journey is anything but conventional. Born in Turkey, he started his culinary adventures cooking with his grandfather before moving to London to train as an electrical engineer. But the kitchen kept calling. A pot-washing job in a greasy spoon turned into multiple restaurant roles—front and back of house—before he launched Route in Dalston (now sold) in 2012 and Amber in 2018.
With Amber thriving, Murat is ready to bring his next big idea to East London. Ara is the natural evolution of his career—bigger, bolder, and unapologetically experimental.
Sustainability: Not Just a Buzzword
Ara isn’t just about great food. It’s about making a difference—starting with the very foundations of the space. Enter Nina Woodcroft (Nina & Co), the sustainability mastermind behind Silo. Her eco-conscious touch has transformed Ara’s interior into a showcase of recycled, reclaimed, and innovative materials.
- Pineapple leather upholstery (yes, from pineapple farm discards)
- Light installations made from steel offcuts
- Tables and bar façade crafted from recycled plastic
- Banquette and booth seating built from elm wood salvaged from diseased trees
And it doesn’t stop there. Ara’s waste-conscious approach extends to the menu, using kitchen by-products in cocktails and partnering with sustainable drinks producers like Discarded Spirits Co. and 58 and Co.. Meanwhile, the wine list—curated by Wade Mundford, former co-owner of The Melusine—focuses on organic, biodynamic, and low-intervention wines.
It’s sustainability with style, proving that responsible choices don’t have to feel preachy.
A New East London Hotspot in the Making
Ara isn’t just another restaurant. It’s a statement. With 76 indoor covers and an additional 20 outdoor seats, it’s primed to be the next big local dining destination. Whether you’re dropping in for a quick drink or settling in for an indulgent meal, Ara brings together community vibes, forward-thinking cuisine, and a strong sustainability ethos—all wrapped up in a laid-back, effortlessly cool setting.
Want to be among the first to try it? Ara opens on 1st May 2025 at 1 New Drum St, London E1 7AY.
🌐 ararestaurant.co.uk
📸 @ara.ldn
