Just when you thought Aldgate East couldn’t get any cooler, along comes Ara Restaurant — the latest passion project from self-taught chef and restaurateur Murat Kilic. Officially opening on 1st May (with a soft launch from 15th April), Ara sits comfortably between Spitalfields and Shoreditch, in a neighbourhood already brimming with creative energy, international cuisine, and a healthy obsession with sourdough.
But Ara isn’t just another East London eatery — it’s a deeply personal, wildly inventive, and ethically considered melting pot of global flavours. A love letter to seasonal produce, culinary experimentation, and sustainability done right.
A restaurant without borders — and with bold intentions
Following the success of Route in Dalston and the ever-popular Amber in Aldgate, Kilic’s third venture is where his love of travel, ingredient-led cooking, and zero-waste creativity truly come to life. Unlike his previous menus, Ara steps away from labels or regionality — it’s flavour-first, always, and unapologetically borderless.
This is all-day dining with serious style: think seasonal dishes made from foraged herbs, wild fish, misfit vegetables, and global pantry staples reimagined. While the sample menu remains under wraps, early whispers hint at surprising pairings and playful textures — with the same warm hospitality Kilic is known for.
Murat Kilic: From greasy spoon to gourmet pioneer
Kilic’s journey is as inspiring as his food. From washing dishes in a greasy spoon to owning some of East London’s most beloved spots, Murat has worked every front and back-of-house role imaginable. Originally moving to London to become an electrical engineer, it was the kitchen — and his grandfather’s traditional Turkish recipes — that truly lit the spark.
His previous venture Amber, just a few streets away, has grown into a staple of Aldgate’s local dining scene, known for refined simplicity and laid-back soul. With Ara, Murat is turning up the volume — creatively and ethically.
Design that doesn’t compromise the planet
Sustainability isn’t an afterthought here — it’s baked into the walls, furniture, and even the drinks list. Kilic teamed up with renowned ethical designer Nina Woodcroft (of Silo fame) to ensure Ara’s interiors are as sustainable as its kitchen. That means recycled pineapple leather, salvaged London elm seating from Fallen & Felled, and dazzling steel offcut lighting that looks straight out of a Shoreditch design studio.
The tables and bar are made from Smile Plastics, which repurpose everything from yogurt pots to old cosmetic bottles into stunning surfaces. And yes, even the drinks are circular. Ara uses kitchen by-products in cocktails and champions sustainable producers like Discarded Spirits Co. and 58 and Co.
A wine list with a conscience
The wine list is helmed by Wade Mundford, whose previous work at The Melusine earned critical acclaim. Expect organic, biodynamic, and low-intervention wines, each selected for its unique story — and ability to pair with Ara’s ever-evolving dishes. This isn’t just about sipping natural wine for the sake of it; it’s about championing winemakers who care about their land, their grapes, and your glass.
The space: Relaxed, inspired, and quietly radical
Ara seats 76 inside and 20 outdoors, making it perfect for a low-key lunch, celebratory dinner, or even a remote working session with pre-5PM laptop-friendly hours (and we’re guessing great coffee). The vibe is warm minimalism meets tactile materials — think natural textures, earthy tones, and just enough edge to remind you this is, after all, East London.
Whether you’re a Shoreditch art director needing a break from your coworking loft, or a local creative looking for your next hangout spot, Ara is where good food meets good ideas.
Ara: A new East London essential
Opening just as spring blooms into full swing, Ara Restaurant East London feels like a natural evolution of the city’s dining scene — one that values curiosity over conformity, and substance over show. It’s built for people who care not just about what’s on their plate, but how it got there, who made it, and what comes next.
Expect this space to become a local favourite fast — for both food lovers and sustainability geeks alike.
Follow Ara on Instagram at @ara.ldn for behind-the-scenes peeks and opening announcements.
