Afghan Kitchen

If there's one restaurant in London that divides opinion, it's this one. I've had arguments with friends about this place. As with Marmite, people seem to either love it or hate it.

I think what polarises opinion so much is the expectation of a full-blown restaurant relative to what it really is when you get there. So let's set the record straight. It's a two floor canteen with, if I remember correctly, two large tables on each level. Remember I said canteen. That's because you share your table with fellow diners. People don't come here for privacy.

The menu is very limited. From a tiny kitchen they produce an endless stream of just a handful of items. In two visits you could eat the whole menu. But what they do do isn't bad at all. And that's why I've been several times. From what I can tell, there seem to be some regulars and, for that reason, combined with lack of seating, I'd recommend making a booking to come here.

The decor was a slight problem for me. While I liked the clean lines and plain walls, it can get a bit loud and echoey at busy times. This is less of an issue during the week. But I can't go there during busy times.

Prices are very reasonable. They look expensive at first sight, but one needs to remember Afghan restaurants are rare, so I allow a bit of leeway.

I'd recommend you use public transport if you plan to come here. Parking is mortifyingly difficult in this area. But it's worth the effort.
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Alan Ingham - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Thursday, November 03, 2011

This tiny, cosy place is like a canteen but very small and very romantic, especially if you go upstairs and get the Upper Street/Essex Road dissection with the overhanging trees lit by orange lights. Okay your romantic meal is then bombarded by other diners in close proximity, sometimes even sharing tables but it can be nice to get to meet people - if only we lived in a society where people wanted to get to know you. The food is awesome though the menu is small. Nonetheless you can have all of them as they are exceptional, the aubergine, the pumpkin, the thick sesame filled bread, lamb, spinach and if you come in winter you get the fish curry or chicken in yogurt. Prices are reasonable and set at round figures. I loved this place and the service isn't as bad as it may seem at first. yes it's unassuming but that's what i like about this tiny place. They do try their best even if their best isn't always good enough when in such a cramped space offering a handful of dishes.
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Ash - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Sunday, November 14, 2010

i went on a tuesday night about 9pm and it was nearly empty, we got a seat but then it quickly got busy with people coming in for takeaways or to sit in. We walked past it at first, as it's not very noticable, it's just opposite the green near angel, on the same side as the station. It's quite simple and casual with a set menu. We had some vegetarian dishes; the dhal is really delicious and the aubergine dish really tasty. The bread is also really nice for dipping. I'll definitely be back.
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mc
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, May 26, 2010

My husband and I went to Afghan Kitchen to have a quiet dinner to celebrate his birthday. We had a bit of a trouble finding the restaurant as it is very unassuming, morover the manager(?) on the phone was unable to give us direction or highlight any nearby landmarks. It also had no parking facilities. The decor was minimalistic and somewhat like a small cafe or takeaway. The service was tardy and haphazard - my husband had to wait 15 minutes for his cutlery to arrive! I had lamb with spinach and my husband had lamb with potatoes. The food was tasty and fresh; however they gave us what looked like 1 portion of rice but charged for 2. The pickles were pricey but tasted better than other Afghan restaurants. Sadly, the amount of meat in the dishes was miniscule. We had carrot juice to drink, which was pretty good with no added sugar. They also served tap water on request. I would recommend this restaurant if you like homemade meals and prefer small portions while eating out. I would NOT recommend it if you plan to bring your kids.
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Shaon - View all reviews by this user
5 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 4
Friday, May 07, 2010

My husband and I went to Afghan Kitchen to have a quiet dinner to celebrate his birthday. We had a bit of a trouble finding the restaurant as it is very unassuming, morover the manager(?) on the phone was unable to give us direction or highlight any nearby landmarks. It also had no parking facilities. The decor was minimalistic and somewhat like a small cafe or takeaway. The service was tardy and haphazard - my husband had to wait 15 minutes for his cutlery to arrive! I had lamb with spinach and my husband had lamb with potatoes. The food was tasty and fresh; however they gave us what looked like 1 portion of rice but charged for 2. The pickles were pricey but tasted better than other Afghan restaurants. Sadly, the amount of meat in the dishes was miniscule. We had carrot juice to drink, which was pretty good with no added sugar. They also served tap water on request. I would recommend this restaurant if you like homemade meals and prefer small portions while eating out. I would NOT recommend it if you plan to bring your kids.
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Shaon
5 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, April 14, 2010

I have never received such awful service in my entire life. To start with there is very limited food choice.15 mins after ordering they tell us there is no Naan so we order 2 rices and the second rice never arrives with the rest of the food. So we remind them and 20 mins later, once all the previously arrived food has gone cold, it still doesn't arrive and we walk out. Also I ordered the lamb and potato and it was mainly potato with the smallest portion of lamb possible.

I saw another couple complain about something and walk out as well.

Don't go there.
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4 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 6
Saturday, January 23, 2010

delicious food. limited number of dishes, but perfectly cooked. good value.
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9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Sunday, August 23, 2009

Absolutely delicious.

The interior is more like a takeaway or sandwich bar with a few seats. Its not somewhere you can relax but the food is absolutely delicious.

The lamb with yoghurt (it was like a curry) might have been one of the most delicious thing I have ever eaten. The lamb was soft and juicy - it almost melted in my mouth!

Other gorgeous items were the pumpkin and yoghurt and the aubergine and yoghurt. Both very slightly spicy.

Their menu is very limited but the items are very cheap and filling. The staff were friendly and since it is such a small place, getting their attention was not an issue.

Great place. Cannot wait to go back!
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- View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 10
Thursday, May 28, 2009