London has no shortage of Somali establishments. But most are small eateries for locals and may not be places that attract many other visitors. Then here comes Sabiib, a polished yet homely Somali restaurant in Acton that is putting this underrated cuisine on the map, introducing its vibrant flavours to a wider audience.
Since opening in 2023, Sabiib has quickly become a West London staple. With a rich & diverse mix of influences from Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, Somali cuisine features a unique blend of sweet & savoury flavours that has captured a lot of attention since its rising popularity. It even attracted big names such as Idris Elba, Mo Farah, Sadiq Khan, Chunkz, etc. to visit.
Sabiib Acton: Premier Modern Somali Food with Love
The idea of Sabiib came about with a vision to change the Somali food scene in London. Inspired by the likes of Dishoom, Sabiib wanted to bring storytelling and culture through modernised Somali food. Other than that, another main thing that distinguishes Sabiib from other Somali restaurants is its aesthetics. The restaurant space is well designed, featuring cosy seats and a charming ambience. Its laid-back elegance creates a welcoming and relaxed dining atmosphere that’s great for dates, families, and friends.
Yes, Sabiib Restaurant is fully halal. No pork or alcohol is served at the restaurant.
Acton Central (Overground) is the closest station to Sabiib.
Looking for more halal African restaurants? Check this out too:
The Food at Sabiib (what we ordered)
Date of visit: April 2025
Platter for 2 (£40)
Even though it says for 2 people, this platter can certainly feed about 3-4! The platter comes loaded with both Somali rice and pasta saldata, topped with Haniid slow-cooked lamb shoulder, salad, and your choice of either Beef Suqaar, Beef Steak or Chicken Steak. It also comes with Sabayaad, i.e. Somali flatbread, on the side. We went with the Beef Suqaar (diced beef cooked with onions, garlic, and peppers), and it was fantastic. The meat was flavoursome, mildly spiced, and tender to bite – I would totally come back for it! On the other hand, the lamb shoulder was incredibly tender, but I would recommend eating it with the chutney & sauces provided to give it more spice and oomph (warning: the green sauce is very spicy). As per Somali traditions, the meal also comes with bananas.
Shaah (Somali-spiced chai) (£3)
This is possibly the best chai out there. Spiked with spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg, this Shaah tasted like the most warming hug in a cup. It was just incredible – so beautifully smooth & silky to taste, with just the right amount of spice and sweetness to tickle your taste buds. It’s the perfect drink to finish off the meal, and I crave this chai every day since.
Passionfruit & Lime Mojito (£5.50)
For mojito lovers, Sabiib offers quite a good selection. Hubby tried the passionfruit & lime mojito and it was refreshing and zingy to enjoy throughout the meal.
Sabiib Restaurant Review Summary
All in all, our meal at Sabiib Restaurant was a wonderful delight where you can taste the love and passion in each bite. It couldn’t be a more perfect introduction to Somali cuisine, and we loved every bit of it. The service was great throughout, and the restaurant was very child-friendly. We visited on a Thursday for an early dinner and had no queue then. But it certainly got much busier later on, so I’d recommend making a reservation.
Sabiib Restaurant Rating
-
Food
-
Atmosphere
-
Service
-
Value for Money
