Ariana Restaurant

Ariana brings Afghan and Persian cooking to the Goodmayes stretch of High Road, standing out on a strip dominated by South Asian takeaways. The kitchen is best known for its slowly braised lamb, kabuli pulao — the Afghan national dish of rice cooked with lamb, raisins and carrots — and chapli kebab, the spiced minced-meat patty from the Afghan frontier. Hummus and yogurt dips with thin naan open the meal. No alcohol is served in keeping with Islamic tradition, but the restaurant operates BYOB with no corkage charge. The room gets busy on weekends and booking is advised. Staff explain the menu with genuine enthusiasm to first-time visitors.