Bubala King’s Cross

Architecture and interior studio Other Side evokes the warmth and communal spirit of Middle Eastern kitchens with its textured, sustainable design for Bubala King’s Cross.

The much-loved Middle Eastern restaurant Bubala unveils its largest site yet brought to life by interior architecture and design studio, Other Side. Located at the base of the sculptural Cadence Court development by Alison Brooks Architects in the vibrant heart of London’s King’s Cross, the welcoming interior extends an open invitation: to gather, to share, to savour. Inspired by traditional Middle Eastern kitchens and bustling cafés the design crafted by Other Side offers a contemporary, sustainable interpretation of communal hospitality. The aim was to create a space that feels both individual and timeless, full of charm, warmth and meaning whilst remaining true to Bubala’s roots and its brand identity. Utilising a palette of honest, characterful and hand-crafted materials, rough plaster walls, reclaimed timber, and artisan tiles are combined to create a tactile and lived-in environment.

Inspired by Bubala’s name (a Yiddish term translated to “darling” and often used by grandmothers), Other Side’s design evokes feelings of warmth, love, and comfort. The interior concept blurs the line between kitchen and dining room, offering a contemporary, substance-driven space where every detail is a celebration of togetherness.

Sustainability wasn’t an afterthought for the concept, it was built in by Other Side from the outset, with a deliberate focus on working with local suppliers and craftspeople wherever possible. From locally sourced and reclaimed materials to low-impact textiles, every design decision serves both an aesthetic and environmental purpose. The studio’s commitment to sustainable practice is evident in every layer of the project, avoiding disposable trends in favour of materials and craftsmanship that will endure and evolve over time.

More than just an interior, Other Side created an active ecosystem where materiality, function, and atmosphere are inseparable. Nothing is hidden and everything on display serves a purpose; there are no art installations, no purely decorative elements; every fitting, finish and furnishing is practical, integral, and rich in character and meaning. The result is a space that feels cozy and genuine, not contrived. Endearing but never nostalgic, modern but rooted in tradition.

Crossing the threshold of the 3068 sqft space, Bubala opens into a soaring double-height dining room, framed by grand multiple arched windows that flood the space with natural light. The nature of the building played a defining role in shaping the design. As a newly built shell, the space offered no original features or characterful details to draw on. In contrast to Bubala’s previous sites, this larger, more modern volume required a different approach to retain the brand’s signature warmth. Other Side were challenged to blend these strong architectural elements with Bubala’s more laid back and informal identity. The studio introduced a mezzanine level to help zone the interior, soften the double-height space, and add intimacy, while full-height curtains and textured, jute blinds frame the facade and control light while building warmth and charm into an otherwise modern new-build.

In the design of Bubala King’s Cross by Other Side, the studio have successfully created an interior that invites guests to lose track of time, an environment where the outside world fades away. Each visit offers something new to discover, with a variety of seating zones that subtly shift the pace and atmosphere.

Bubala King’s Cross offers a contemporary reimagining of communal Middle Eastern dining built on generosity, honesty, and the beauty of imperfection. Through a warm, textured palette, clever zoning and an unfiltered approach to function and form, Other Side has created a restaurant that feels instantly lived-in, loved, and ready to welcome all. In a neighbourhood defined by transformation, Bubala stands apart: a space that is not about spectacle but about substance, about gathering, sharing, and feeling at home.

Design: Other Side
Photography: Rebecca Hope