Miznon

Quite a lot about Miznon is eccentric. The Israeli restaurant is part of an international mini-chain—what started in Tel Aviv and has gone via Paris, New York, and Melbourne is now here, in London, in the heart of frenzied Soho. This suits Miznon. It suits its menu, which is printed in Comic Sans and reads like the top shelf of a newsagent (customers are ‘creatures’ and tomatoes are ‘naked’). It suits the industrial space, where customers pop in for a pita at the counter, or a slap-up Israeli feast at a banquette. And it suits the service, which can make you wonder whether you’re part of a secret You Me Bum Bum Train production. Most of all though, it suits the food, where Miznon have put cottage pie into pita, dubbed it ‘an English heaven’, and made something really quite good.

What you’ll notice once you escape the mania of Broadwick Street is that you haven’t actually escaped at all. You’ve just entered Miznon’s world. There’s tinnitus-inducing Hebrew chart music, staff who may or may not acknowledge your existence, and a kitchen producing pitas that are actively worth seeking out. These pockets are much-heralded. You’ll get a charred and caramelised cauliflower-stuffed one, laden with tahini and pickles for under £10. Others, including those regional London specialities (cottage pie or fish and chips) cost a little more. Sitting at the counter, watching the chefs at work, with a pita the size of a volleyball in hand, is very much what you should be doing at Miznon.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

One thing you shouldn’t be doing is expecting a seamless experience. The service is as eccentric as everything else, while the sharing plates blow hot and cold. A generous bag of chilled and satisfyingly crunchy green beans covered in oil, lemon, garlic, and salt are a treat, but the self-described “best hummus plate you will ever eat” is missing ‘watery’ from its description and the lamb ragu on top is there in sight but not in flavour. In fact, quite a few dishes have a fistful of salt missing from them.

This can be frustrating if you’ve gone all out on the menu, but a pita each with some beans, or a whole cauliflower in between you is guaranteed to be a good order. It’s generous too. Which is worth knowing given you’re in Soho. More than anything, Miznon is just one of those restaurants where you need to know how to make its eccentricity and weirdness work for you. And there’s something very compelling in that weirdness. It’s characterful, it’s confident, and that in itself is cool. You just need to remember to try and keep yours in there.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Bag Of Beans

Snacking beans are our new favourite thing. Especially when they’re covered in oil, salt, garlic, and lemon. It’s a lovely, crunchy snack.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Falafel Pita

Despite the menu’s claims, this isn’t the best falafel pita in the world. But it is a very good one. Miznon’s pita pockets have a pillow-like quality to them while retaining structural integrity. So even though this handful is laden with hummus, tahini, and tart spicy green peppers, it stays together. The falafel—herby green and steaming once you crunch the shell—are the stars of the show.

Cottage Pie Pita

Do you enjoy lasagne? Do you enjoy sticking soft but still crispy day-after lasagne in between two slices of bread? If so, you are going to get on with this like a house on fire.

Cauliflower Pita

This might just be our favourite of the lot. Miznon’s cauliflower is perfect: charred and slightly blackened in parts, with that sweet and nutty flavour of caramelisation. Stick it in a saucy pita with tomato and pickles, and you’ve got a dream combination.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Four-Layered Feast Plate

Hummus, grilled vegetables, herbs, radishes, and a lamb kebab on top. It’s a nice sharing plate for £18 a head but, to be honest, you’re better off filling your stomach with other things.