Abu Zaad

This may not be the absolute best mezze in London, but it is certainly very good, the standards are well executed, it has a few points of difference from the norm and it is incredible value for money. We over ordered including dessert we just didn't need and didn't top £15 a head.

No alcohol is allowed, but despite that the Ayran and juices are much cheaper than at similar establishments. I'm not from the middle east, and service was fine for us. Will definitely be back to try some of the interesting sounding main dishes, if I can resist gorging on the mezze.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Sunday, May 17, 2009

Just been to Abu Zaad yesterday, again. To make it short: Food is very good - very tasty dishes and nicely decorated. Prices are very good value for money - freshly squeezed juices for as little as 1.95 Pounds. Average meal price is around 6-8 Pounds (incl. Side dish!!).

Staff was marvelous yesterday - I dropped a fork and the waiter came straight away with a new clean fork and knife, WITHOUT BEING ASKED!! So despite some service complaints in some of the other reviews - the service was great for us. (Group of 7 all international).

Definitely a nice dinner.
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Phil
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, February 10, 2009

I ate here yesterday with my husband. I've been here are few times before. The food is always great here and the prices very reasonable in comparison to the middle eastern eateries in Edgware Road. We ordered a tasty starter that had mince lamb in a pastry. Very fresh, delicious. My main was a Shish Taouk:

Grilled skewers of chicken cubes, marinated in special sauce. The chicken was so tender and juicy and the portion size was more than satisfying. I had a mango juice, which was fresh and sweet (some places serve from a carton).

The big let down of the meal was the service. The waiters were not attentive and when we asked for the bill we had to wait 20 minutes. However the waiters were very attentive to a group of arab men and when they asked for their bill 'after' us they got it straight away. I have experienced this at Abu Zaad before.

I love the food here, but unless the waiters like you, service is likely to be bad. Next time I may order a takeway instead.
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Sara
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Monday, February 02, 2009

Abu Zaad is billed a Syrian restaurant based in bustling Shepherds Bush. This restaurant is a perfect alternative to the ‘been-there, done–that, not-so-sure-now’ offerings found at the Westfield shopping centre. The thing that immediately struck me about this place on first entering was the welcoming sight of Arabic speaking diners tucking in. The interiors look a tad tired and the slightest hint of any resemblance to Old Damascus was duly acknowledged by yours truly. Like all Middle Eastern establishments in London, Abu Zaad’s ambience reminds me of a café but without the hookah pipes being smoked indoors. The service was relatively efficient, helpful and ‘ok’ friendly.

On perusing the menu, I thought aloud to myself that this couldn’t be Syrian cuisine (but then again what is?) especially if Moroccan tagine dishes were being healthily touted here and there. We started with some excellent Kibbeh Shamieh (Deep fried lamb meatballs mixed with cracked wheat and mashed onions) and a generous portion of delicious Falafel. The shared mains of Farrouj Abou Zaad (Grilled boneless baby chicken) and Afghani Rice with Lamb were equally pleasing. The poussin was beautifully tender and superbly seasoned. The boiled lamb (not too unlike the Italian Bollito Misto), although melting was bland and needed some of the wonderful yoghurt and chilli sauce to give it some kick. Let it be known that the portions here are the absolute antithesis to Scrooge’s. Desserts were unfortunately left out this evening due to us being too stuffed.

I need to come back here to try out some of the other grilled meat dishes to see how it fares against my absolute reference of Mangal Ocakbasi Restaurant. On the account of dinner alone tonight, Abu Zaad is top notch and by George, it’s extremely cheap. Highly recommended.
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bellaphon
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, January 20, 2009

I used to go to Abu Zaad quite often and put up with the occasional bad service as the food was good. However the last time I went they shoved us to the back table and made us wait and wait while they served a select group of Arabic men who came after us. We left soon after, disgusted by the service. I know it's cheap, but we haven't been back since although the food is good.
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Soo
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Sunday, November 02, 2008

I live up in the Midlands but tend to go to London every couple of months for work. In the last 3 years there has not been a single time where i have been to London and not visited Abu Zaad.

It is an honest place where you the surprised are only ever pleasant ones. The staff will treat you like you are an old friend and the chefs are very skilled indeed. Would recommend to people of all taste buds as Syrian cuisine is definitely the best in the world.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, August 31, 2008

Best restaurant in London! Good prices for excellent food. 10 out of 10
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Sadaf Hanan
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, August 30, 2008

I used to live just down the road from this restaurant and would go there 3 or 4 times a month. The food is fantastic, fresh, healthy and incredibly good value. Their selection of hot and cold starters is better than any mezze platter I have tried anywhere and I love their fresh carrot and apple juice and their baklava too. I now live about a 20 minute drive from Shepherds Bush but still go back regularly because there is nowhere like it which offers such good food at such great prices. When my parents come to London this is always where they want to eat. The waiters are very friendly and welcoming too and have shown us great generosity and warmth over the years - I just wish I could pick up this restaurant and move it to my new area!
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Karina
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Friday, August 29, 2008

I have eaten lunch at Abu Zaad about three times in the last year. The food is absolutely delicious and the service is good / unremarkable.

I have not been to Syria, so can't comment on the authenticity, but as of about 5 years ago I started to eat a lot of Lebanse food in places like Noura and the restaurants in Shepherd's Market in W1 and Abu Zaad is better and amazing value for money.

Their falafels are divine - quite possibly the best I have ever eaten.

If I lived nearer to the restaurant I'd eat there at least once a month.

For those who have young children, there are also baby changing facilities, which is rare.
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MD
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, April 23, 2008

was very excelent
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Jason
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, April 21, 2008