Ali Baba

Wanted to introduce the kids to Egyptian food before we went to Sharm El Sheikh in August. Beautiful fuul, shawarma, chicken kebab, falafel, basbousa. Was just like being back in Cairo. Well priced and service as expected. Would go back every week if we lived closer. Not a 5* restaurant but 5* food.
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R, K, T & E
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Sunday, July 13, 2008

This is an interesting place. I started going as I lived near by, and love turkish coffee, so usually just went for coffee. The decor is just awful, tiled floors, a windowless room, and cheesy paintings of pyramids. The service is worse, a sour faced family, who never smile, and seem somewhat disapproving of the customers. There is a flat screen Tv hung in the dining room constantly showing al Jazeera, and if you are lucky, you will hear the owner screaming down the stairs at her husband in Arabic.

That aside, the food is decent and cheap, and the coffee is great.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, April 22, 2008

This is great find for home made Egyptian food. took my Egyptian husband here for some Molokhiya which he was in desperate need of and he loved it, even claimed it was the best he had tasted in his life whcih is something! I had a range of starters which were fresh and tasty - ta'miya (falafel) and Arayes (meat in pitta bread) and the taboula were particularly good. will definitely be coming back.
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RK
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, February 26, 2008

This place is a revelation. The most unassuming dining establishment I have ever dined in. I have been in similar places off the beaten track in Egypt. I once brought a load of friends there and (please don't laugh or scoff) they all agreed the chips were arguably the best they had ever eaten in their lives. Which was a nice surprise to go alongside the Lamb/Kebabs/hot,Cold Mezes & chicken dishes, not forgetting the Foul Medames. As someone else on this page said "It is like going into someones house for lunch" Don't expect anything but good cheap food and "soon Come" service and you will not be disappointed. I have been using this place for several years now & and I shall ALWAYS return!! Especially for the chips.:))
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foodlover man
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 9
Monday, December 03, 2007

Ali Baba is a real piece of Egypt in London. The food, the service, the atmosphere is very Egyptians. I loved it and will return many times.
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Tarek
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Friday, November 30, 2007

I went for a friends birthday and i loved it. Everyone was very nice and the food was stunning. Not going to find arabic food this good anywhere!!!!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, October 15, 2007

I went on the recommendation of Time Out Magazine. The restaurant was sparsely "decorated". It was basically a white room with marble floors and mismatched furniture. No ambiance whatsoever

The service was so cold it was bordering on rude and it was very slow. The appetizers were promising and tasty, especially the tabouli. However, the mains were incredibly disappointing. I had the lamb, which was nicely cooked but didn't taste of anything and came with a big mound of rice and a bowl of tasteless brown juice.

I agree with Becky in that we waited about 45 minutes for our bill and ended up having to pay at the till.

If you're looking for a nice rich experience of egyptian food than this is not the place for you.

Everyone I came with was really unimpressed. I don't recommend this place to anyone.
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Katie - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Saturday, September 15, 2007

The best middle eastern in London
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, June 03, 2007

Great Egyptian food, the only place your going to get this sort of nosh in London and conviniently located. Just like sitting in an Egyptian dining room!
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Sarah Shousha
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, May 25, 2007

Been here several times as it is so close to my home - but to be honest it is pretty dreadful. The service is horrendous. The last time I was there, there was only one other table with people on and yet after asking for the bill three times and waiting over half an hour, we had to go up to the counter and pay!!

The moussaka is pretty good, but the chicken kebabs are rubbish - just a plate of greasy chicken.
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Becky
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 4
Saturday, March 31, 2007