T By Tamara, located on Seymour Place, is one of those rare cafes where food, atmosphere, and hospitality come together seamlessly. From the moment I stepped inside, the aesthetic of the space immediately stood out. It is warm, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed, making it the kind of place you want to linger in.
I had the pleasure of meeting Tamara herself, who took the time to share her passion for her cafe and Levantine cuisine. Her pride in creating a space that blends delicious cakes with authentic dishes was evident and inspiring. Soon after, Jenny came over to guide us through the menu, and her recommendations shaped our entire dining experience. I trusted her choices, and it turned out to be the best decision.
We began with Tamara’s Avocado on Toast, a unique take on a familiar dish. The creamy avocado paired beautifully with labneh on toast, elevated by Jordanian zaatar, virgin olive oil, and a scattering of seeds. It was light, fresh, and full of flavour. Next came the Zaatar Omelette, simple yet satisfying, served with warm Arabic bread that complemented every bite.
The Ful was a standout. The slow-cooked fava beans blended with olive oil, tomatoes, and parsley created a hearty dish, enhanced by pita bread and a side of olives. The Beid & Lahme followed, where scrambled eggs mixed with cumin-spiced ground beef struck the right balance of rich and comforting flavours.
The Shakshuka was another highlight, with perfectly baked eggs sitting in a rich tomato and spice sauce, finished with parsley and Tamara’s in-house dressing. It was vibrant and deeply flavourful.
For something more varied, the Mezzeh Platter brought an assortment of Levantine favourites to the table: fresh vegetables, labneh, halloumi, olives, halva, homemade jam, and the zaatar and olive oil mix. It was generous, colourful, and perfect for sharing.
One of the most memorable dishes was the Musakhan Chicken Fatteh, which Tamara described as her signature. This layered dish combined toasted pita bread, couscous, and rice with chicken in a way that was both hearty and unique. It reflected the depth of Levantine cooking and felt like the heart of the meal.
To end on a sweet note, we had Umm Ali, a traditional Egyptian bread pudding that was rich, comforting, and beautifully spiced. Alongside it, we enjoyed the cake of the day, which reflected Tamara’s love for baking. Both were the perfect finish to a generous and satisfying meal.
What sets T By Tamara apart is not only the quality of the food but also the personal connection you feel as a guest. Meeting Tamara and experiencing her dedication to sharing her culinary heritage made the visit even more meaningful. Jemmy’s attentive recommendations ensured every dish was enjoyed to its fullest.
If you are looking for a cafe that combines warm hospitality, aesthetic surroundings, and authentic Levantine dishes prepared with care, T By Tamara is an excellent choice. Whether for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, it is a place that makes you feel welcome and leaves you...
Read moreSaw some promotion on Instagram about this place and it looks really cute so I thought I would give it a go. I love Levantine food so brunch with a vegetarian friend here sounded perfect since their menu offers plenty of veggie options.
We went with the Grand Levant to share between us two, and a zaatar croissant on the side as it looked very good in photos. Also ordered two karak chai with oat milk. The sharing platter was really good value for money imo. Big portions of pita bread, with a range of dips and vegetables on the side. My friend and I are obsessed with zaatar so having that as a dip was practically heaven for us. It's savoury, and not too heavy even with all the oil so we were able to munch through a lot of the food. The zaatar croissant was great, flaky with a good amount of zaatar. I would recommend both items. Chai was good too, perfect drink for a cold winter day. It's great that they offer alternative milk for chai as I know most other places don't/ can't due to the recipe and also bulk production.
Vibes were very relaxing and space between desks and tables was good. The only big downside is that they don't have public bathrooms which is extremely inconvenient for customers. I didn't manage to ask them why but this is definitely something they need to work on. It almost put me off from going because it's hard to look for another place nearby that allows external people to use their bathroom. Especially when this place is located in a residential area with only a few shops and small restaurants around.
Overall, I had a good time enjoying a delicious brunch with my friend and would be happy to come back. But the lack of bathroom means it will never be my top choice if I discover better cafes nearby...
Read moreediting my original review to add this comment after reading business owner’s response.
We visited T by Tamara in London today as a large group, excited to enjoy some authentic Palestinian cuisine. Unfortunately, the experience did not meet our expectations.
Several key dishes we were looking forward to, including the manaeesh, were sold out early and we were informed that they will not make extra dough as tomorrow the restaurant is closed. When our order did arrive, much of the food was cold, and the quality of the meat did not seem fresh it was reheated for sure. These are basic expectations, especially given how incredible and rich Palestinian food can be when done right.
What added to the inconvenience was the lack of restroom facilities within the restaurant—a surprising oversight, especially for a venue catering to dine-in guests. Additionally, it was way overpriced!
We truly wanted to love this place, especially knowing the cultural and culinary significance behind it. But overall, the experience fell short. We hope the team takes this feedback to improve consistency, service, and the overall guest experience moving forward.
The business has claimed that we chose to opt out of a discretionary service charge however this conversation never happened. We asked for the check, paid and left. Additionally, they lied about us asking to come on Monday, which would not have been possible as we were not in London anymore.
I suggest that the manager/owner owns up to these shortcomings, apologies to the customers, instead of this aggressiveness, false...
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