Located in the Alison Brookes Architects-designed Cadence Court development in King’s Cross, Bubala unveils its largest and most expressive restaurant to date, a 3,000 square foot ode to Middle Eastern hospitality and contemporary London energy.
Bright and expansive, the space is framed by soaring arched windows and double-height ceilings, which designers Other Side have softened with natural textures, local materials, and warm, unfussy finishes. Inspired by traditional kitchens and cafés, the interior blurs the line between prep and service, dining and dwelling. A central open kitchen and pass anchors the whole experience.
A palette of rough plaster, reclaimed timber, and handmade tile gives the space a sense of familiarity. The quarry tile floor, chosen for its durability and warmth, runs throughout, connecting bar, dining room, and kitchen in one continuous visual stride. Elsewhere, tables with thick London Plane tops, rustic chairs, and booth seating in textured green weaves build depth while adding comfort. The generous use of reclaimed and locally sourced elements — from oak beams to shelving salvaged from a textile merchant — enhances the interior’s lived-in quality, while sidestepping anything overly polished.
On the mezzanine level, nicknamed the ‘Mezze-nine,’ the pace changes. With cork flooring, sage-painted concrete, and soft pink walls, it offers a quieter corner for up to 30 guests with views over Lewis Cubitt Park. Back downstairs, a custom bar crafted from London Plane and finished with sage glazed tile sets the tone of refined but casual; Other Side founder Gavin Mayaveram stating “there’s nothing disposable or decorative here. Everything has a role, a story, a purpose.”
From handmade ceramic pendants to a back bar that displays fermenting produce in jars, Bubala King’s Cross offers something somewhat scarce in modern hospitality: a grounded, generous space where food, atmosphere, and design serve one another equally.
@bubala_london
@studio_otherside
Bubala King’s Cross Photography, Rebecca Hope Photography.
