Iranian-Iraqi bistro café Logma opens in Hackney

Logma, an Iranian-Iraqi bistro café, has opened at 81 Goldsmiths Row in east London, drawing long queues since its December 2024 launch. Founded by couple Ziad Halub (born in London, Iraqi roots in Basra) and Farsin Rabiee (born in Colorado, Iranian roots in Arak), the venue evolved from supper clubs in 2024 to takeovers at E5 Bakehouse before securing a permanent corner plot. The menu features kofte and aubergine sandwiches, daily specials like fennel stew with saffron rice, and tahini buns that sell out within the first hour. Wednesday evenings host Logma Lates for 18 guests around a communal table. The interior was designed by friends Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad and Farrokh Aman, who created a contemporary space with lace trimmings, chandeliers, and a butter-yellow seating area. The couple describe their cuisine as exploring overlaps between Iranian and Iraqi cooking, influenced by regional intersections in Kurdish-speaking areas and the southern Gulf. The name 'Logma' derives from the Persian, Arabic, and Turkish word 'loghmeh' meaning 'perfect bite'.