From filet mignon to coconut mango flan: A first look at London’s Meet Bros Ramadan iftar experience

It’s Tuesday evening, the night before Ramadan 2026 begins, and my colleague and I are wrapping up at the office, ready for something a little different: a first look at the Meet Bros Asian-Fusion halal steakhouse iftar menu at their new branch on King John Court in Shoreditch.

Since opening its first branch in Paddington in 2022, Meet Bros was co-founded by Chef Najib Hamid from Serai Group and Syed Ashraf Syed Ali, CEO of Palace Butcher Resources, with a clear vision: to combine bold, modern flavours with premium halal-certified dining — a combination that isn’t widely available in London’s high-end, Michelin-style restaurants. 

And understandably, from the very start, the restaurant has been turning heads not just for its inventive Asian-fusion cuisine, but also for its attention to design, with the Paddington branch — famously built from stones shipped all the way from Lebanon — creating the feeling of dining in a cave and creating a truly memorable atmosphere.

That same attention to detail continues in the restaurant’s latest Ramadan iftar menu, available until 18 March from 5 pm to 10 pm. Everything is halal and alcohol-free, and for those observing the fast, there’s even a private prayer room — a reminder that the experience is about more than just food; it’s about community, tradition, and celebration.

With the table set, here’s a closer look at what we tried — and what anyone visiting this month can expect.

First bites, lasting impressions

To begin, the iftar menu is packed with tempting options — from spring rolls and steak sando to sautéed white prawns, pulled duck, Asian-style guacamole, sweet and spicy chicken wings, and a Thai beef salad — making it no easy task to decide what to order.

In the end, we settled on the spring rolls and the steak sando; while the spring rolls were comforting and familiar, the steak sando offered a completely new experience and is easily a highlight of the starter menu.

At the heart of the sandwich, the Australian grain-fed ribeye was tender, juicy, and beautifully marbled, with a rich, beefy flavour that almost melted on the tongue. Nestled in a lightly toasted brioche bun, the buttery sweetness of the bread perfectly balanced the intensity of the meat.

Adding to the experience, the roe caviar provided little bursts of briny umami, while the truffle mayo tied everything together with an earthy, aromatic creaminess.

Steaks, spice and something different

Moving on to the mains, choosing the next round was just as exciting, with an iftar menu full of tempting options — from filet mignon and salmon steak to lamb shank, grilled chicken breast, lamb or beef biryani, and curry Kapitan crispy lamb ribs.

For those seeking premium cuts, the menu also offers Black Angus Argentinian and Australian grain-fed striploin and ribeye, BBQ lamb or beef ribs, Japanese Tajima wagyu, and the signature tomahawk or porterhouse.

Meanwhile, for those who prefer pasta over meat or fish, there’s a tempting selection including mushroom truffle pasta, prawn aglio olio, Asian-style carbonara, lobster curry noodles, and the much-loved rendang pasta.

Just as with the starters, we were drawn to dishes that offered something a little different, so for our mains, we chose — and would recommend — the filet mignon, curry Kapitan crispy lamb ribs, lobster curry noodles, and rendang pasta.

Starting with the filet mignon, it was tender, juicy, and perfectly seared, with a rich, beefy depth that almost melted in the mouth. In contrast, the curry Kapitan crispy lamb ribs offered a textural delight: crisp on the outside, succulent on the inside, and coated in a spicy, aromatic curry glaze that lingered beautifully.

At the same time, the lobster curry noodles were a fragrant and creamy revelation, with the delicate sweetness of fresh lobster balanced by a gentle, warming spice.

Finally, the rendang pasta was comforting and indulgent, with tender beef pieces enveloped in a rich, fragrant sauce infused with subtle sweet spices.

Comfort, reimagined

Even after a hearty meal, we couldn’t resist indulging in something sweet, so we opted for — and would also recommend — the fried banana fritters and the coconut mango flan to see how these familiar ingredients had been reimagined.

The fried banana fritters immediately caught our eye, resembling kanafa-wrapped baklava, but one bite revealed their true charm: crispy and golden on the outside, they gave way to warm, caramelised banana inside, perfectly balancing sweetness and texture.

Equally impressive was the coconut mango flan. Smooth and delicate, it carried the comforting richness of a classic French crème brûlée, while the tropical notes of coconut and mango added a bright, fragrant twist.

No dessert experience here would be complete without the Teh Tarik — the traditional Malaysian pulled tea with condensed milk — which is creamy, slightly sweet, and perfectly balanced, making it the ideal way to round off a memorable iftar meal.

To make a reservation, click here for the Paddington branch or here for the Shoreditch branch — but be sure to book early, as both locations are likely to be busy!

Zainab Mehdi is The New Arab's Associate Editor and researcher specialising in governance, development, and conflict in the Middle East and North Africa region 

Follow her on Instagram: @zaiamehdi_/@zainabmehdiwrites_