NORA is the kind of restaurant that immediately encourages you to slow down, to sit back, order generously, and let the table fill organically.
Tucked into Canary Wharf yet worlds away from its glass-and-steel surroundings, the space feels warm and transportive. Earthy red tiles, sculptural wooden furniture, and soft curves are punctuated by palms and gentle lighting, creating an atmosphere that is calming, confident, and quietly beautiful.
Nora interior
The restaurant is the work of brothers Ozgur and Sidar Akyuz, who set out to honour the dynamic city of Istanbul. Their vision draws together the everyday and the elevated, from the seyyar satici, or street carts, that line the city’s pavements, to neighbourhood mangals and modern fine dining, with dishes rooted in recipes and methods that trace back to the Ottoman Empire. It’s this sense of cultural layering that gives Nora its quiet depth.
Selection of dishes at Nora
We begin, as you should, with bread. The Sesame and Caraway Pide and the Grilled Bazlama arrive to the table warm, smoky and pillowy – perfect for tearing and dipping. Baked in-house daily over coals, their gentle smokiness is unmistakable.
They are made all the more compelling by what follows: a tarama so creamy and richly flavoured it stops conversation entirely, its depth of fish roe is indulgent without ever tipping into excess, and alongside is the charred aubergine, folded through yoghurt and pul biber butter. Each dish has its own personality, flavours that stand apart from one another and demand attention rather than blending politely into the background.
Manti dish
The manti are a highlight: delicate dumplings with soft folds, generously coated in yoghurt, confit garlic and tarka oil, the warm spices binding everything together in a dish that feels deeply comforting yet precise. Fire remains the through-line of the menu. A spiced lamb rib arrives glossy and generous, its richness offset by smoked yoghurt, while the onglet is served medium-rare and seasoned simply with spice salt and paired with a sharp, vibrant tomato ezme.
Mackerel dish
The mackerel, an Istanbul staple, feels particularly assured, its natural oiliness balanced by a grilled herb sauce of olive oil, charred onion and parsley tastes fresh and intentionally bold.
Drinks here are treated with just as much care. We skipped alcohol in favour of house blends, and didn’t feel short-changed for it. A glass of Nora’s specialty, Ayran – yoghurt, cucumber, lime and thyme was cooling and restorative, while my Rosemary Lemonade with touches of ginger, anise and pomegranate felt complex and refreshing.
Selection of dishes at Nora
Dessert is unhurried and deeply satisfying. A rich chocolate tart comes softened with clotted cream, while the pistachio baklava is beautifully balanced: nutty and fragrant, with sweetness that never overwhelms. From flame-led cooking to thoughtful drinks and beautifully considered interiors, where every detail feels deliberate rather than decorative, Nora is a restaurant that trusts its flavours, inviting guests to lean in and savour.
by Vivian Hui
For more information or to book, please visit Nora
7 West Lane, London, E22 3AA
0203 906 9777