Cous Cous Cafe

Went there last night (September 2008); the place was RUBBISH!

Ridiculously overpriced for average food. We were told that we couldn't use our "top table" discount card as they were fully booked for that discount (the restaurant was half empty). It came to just under £50 for two of us, not drinking any booze.

The manager was false in his manner, like he didn't really care at all about the staff. The staff were pushing us to order more, order starters, order deserts, etc. The drinks were overpriced - £5 for a small pot of mint tea. You have to be joking.

The decor is a bit tacky - the seating uncomfortable.

The food. Average. Very average. I had to dump lots of salt on mine just to taste it.

DON'T GIVE THIS RIP OFF JOINT YOUR HARD EARNED CASH PEOPLE. IT SUCKS!

I would have given the owner heaps normally, but I was with a friend who i hadn't seen in a while & didn't want to spoil the evening.
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Disgruntled
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, October 01, 2008

First of all the restaurant 's advertise as BYO (Bring your own wine), when I call the place they said they don't have a license (finally they provide us their own wine!) We were a table of 12, and first of all I gonna comment about the service we had, then I will speak about the below average food.

SERVICE- Worst service I have seen a "restaurant". We have ordered 1 bottle of rose and 1 of red. The waiter didn't open the wine front of us (certainly because she didn't know how to do it and ask somebody else to do), We pour ourselves the wine and at the end of the bottle we have realized the cork was inside..... When we mentioned it to the waiter the answer was (Does it really matter?). I couldn't believe my ears. My answer was: Please take away the glasses and the bottle.

DELAY We have to wait 2 hours for having our main course.

FOOD- We took for starter a mezza (ridiculous quantity but ok) A couscous suppose to be something excellent, where the vegetables meat and couscous all marinated together. In couscous cafe they bring everything in their own plate. It's the worst couscous I ever had, even my wife do it better and I will not call her Gordon Ramsay if you see what I mean. I have to say the meat was not bad

PRICE - Oh my gosh: What a rip off!!!!! 35£ per person and the bill came in a small piece of paper without any other info. DON'T GO THERE.
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Fabio
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Sunday, June 29, 2008

my boyfriend and i went to cous cous cafe for new years and it was absolutely amazing! we are still talking about our night there. not only was the food exquisite, but the music, decor and service were phenomenal. the host/owner was most welcoming and attentive throughout the night. he set the tone for a chill evening and the most beautiful night of our trip to london. I had vegtable stew (Tagine El Khoudra) and my boyfriend had lamb stew ( Tagine Lahem Bel Batata). We highly reccomend the fantastic appetizer (Mechouia). each dish was cooked to perfection and the morrocon bread was killer. we ended up staying three hours and never once felt rushed, completely romantic place to eat out with your sweetie.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, January 25, 2008

Not the place it used to be. I was a regular before the management changed. The service is now really poor and remember it's not a bring your own anymore. two weeks ago I made the mistake to bring my wine and the waitress opened it and served it. One minute later comes the boss upset saying it's not a "bring your own" anymore and when asked why they did not tell me before serving my wine he replys that "the girl (his waitress) does not understand". Well, he later charged a 10 Pounds corckage. Pathetic! I really miss the old days when it was my favorite place. The food remains good but I won't go there anymore
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Max
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 5
Saturday, January 12, 2008

I only write reviews if I disagree with the majority of posted stuff. This place rocked. It's absolutely adorable -- great charm and the doorway makes you feel like a giant.

Two of us split a mezze platter and a lamb and prune tagine cooked to perfection. It's BYOB, as everyone else said, and service was perfect.
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CK
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Terrible Terrible Terrible!!

We went to this restaurant last night. First of all the service was slow. I ordered goats cheese and vegetables in filo pastry which when it turned up was frozen inside. When I complained to a non english speaking waitress she did not understand why I was complaining and took one of the pastries back leaving the rest on the table, then when the dish came back for the second time it was still frozen inside! My partner had chicken stew which could only be described as basic ( chicken in chicken stock plain cous cous and chick peas on a plate) and was charged £15. The service was slow the food was bland and I could have bought my dish in Iceland!

We will not be going back.
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sarah
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Monday, February 26, 2007

This is a great find - a true little gem tucked as stones throw away from Bayswater Road and it's plethora of take-out joints and franchise restaurants. It's a "take your own" restaurant and they offer free corkage. Be sure to make a booking but try to make it for around 8pm. The service very good as is the food. You will not be hurried away from your table, so if you have a booking for 9pm and someone is still at your table, you will need to wait. It really is a great little find. I am an avid non-smoker but I was (and will) put aside my opinions in this case as the food was really worth it.
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Karen
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, February 25, 2007

We really like this restaurant but we will not go back. We have been 5 times now and we find the food consistently very good. Indeed it is better Moroccon food than I had anywhere in Morocco! The service is excellent. The space is very atmospheric. It is small and intimate, which normally be a plus but in this case is it's downfall. Yes, I am talking about smokers. This restaurant is simply too small to allow smoking!! 3 of our 5 meals here have been ruined because one or two people in the restaurant lit up. We will not risk dining here again until they ban smoking. It is a real shame because it is otherwise a great restaurant.
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RA
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, April 14, 2006

This was our fourth visit to this jem of a restaurant. Excellent, authentic food and friendly, helpful staff. Make sure you persevere down the Bayswater Road because this place really is worth it. It's entirely non-licensed now so remember to bring a bottle (though no corkage is charged). Furnished with mosaic tiles and heavy sash curtains, the decor really enhances the overall experience. Capacity is limited so it's always best to book in advance. Be sure to end your meal with the mint tea. You'll want to return again and again.
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Paul Stevenson
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, March 15, 2006

We were so happy by our new discovery last weekend. Couscous Cafe is such a cosy, friendly and lovely place where to spend a exotic evening between four eyes or to gently catch up with close friends. The colorful and tasteful decor and the smiling staff would take you immediately miles South from the London dull and chilly weather. The Royal Couscous for me and the "Brochettes Eddar" ordered by my husband were as somptuous as beautifully presented. The couscous, vegetables, well grilled merguez were a real wonder. Even full, we could not resist however to the "berber pancakes" in dessert, stuffed with figue jam and topped with succulent honey. Absolutely delicious!

We were enchanted by our souvenirs in Morocco last year and were not disappointed with this place. We will go back for sure and warmly recommend this address to all couscous lovers.

PS: You can bring your own wine. There is no charge for it. For drivers, there is a very convenient public parking at the corner of Porchester Rd and Bishop Bridge Rd.
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Dominique & Sebastien M.
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, January 23, 2006