Mama Calabar

i go there a lot mostly on a weekend altho i have had a few take aways from there.my huband is nigerian so he likes to eat there i also like it, the food is nice altho i think a bit over priced, the take away serivce can sometimes be slow, the portions arnt that big either altho they do taste nice, on a fri and sat nite the place comes alive with a dj so its nice to go have a meal then just around the corner on the same floor there is a club.the music is a mixture of nigerian music to old school classics.im an english woman but i find myself having a really nice nite there with my husband. the atmosphere is frendly and relaxed and goes on quite late, a good nite out,,
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shubbyloo - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Thursday, January 27, 2011

Actually re value for money, the restaurant has deteriorated over time. Also the Manager there has no courtesy at all and customer that should be key is not so in his case.
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5 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 3
Sunday, January 23, 2011

Mama Calabar does what it says on the tin and nothing else, go for the buffet if you're looking for value for your pounds.
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Martins
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, January 12, 2011

I've been to this particular African restaurant quite a few time before, each time having mixed opinions on the quality of service provided and the authenticity of the cuisine served. The origins of the food served at this restaurant is Nigerian style with a hint of a commercial western influence as they serve authentic meals like egusi and ogbono stew, but on the other hand they also offer special fried rice and chips. I'd just like to say as I've eaten at other Nigerian/African style restaurants, this one is definitely the worse in every aspect of the culinary world! Eat here at your own risk. I decided to order some food on a Friday night for my family and I thought that some traditional Nigerian would suffice for the evening. We obviously choose Mama Calabar in Wembley, NW London without really having an expectation as to the quality of food we would receive on this occasion, but because it hadn't been astonishingly abysmal in the past I took a calculated risk to place an order form them. My total bill came to £90 for myself, wife, daughter who is 5 and my sister! But the price wasn't the imperative factor here. I live approximately 7 miles from the restaurant so for me to even consider eating there I must of really missed some Nigerian cooking as my wife can cook only a selective few dishes and my mother lives a further 9 miles away in south London. So having dropped off the food at home and opening its content, initially I was looking forward to tucking in but, oh no as soon as our hunger subsided to our senses to favour our taste buds we quickly realised the food was of an unacceptable standard. They soaked everything with palm oil, the puff puff was dry and unsweetened, even the Maltina malt drink tasted like regular super malt! I took the liberty of driving the 7 miles back to Wembley to complain and get a refund. When i arrived I was greeted with the lady owner of the place calling me into the kitchen. We then went backwards and forwards about how disgusting her food was for about 20 minutes before she finally gave me a refund. I received no apology and what was even more remarkable was that there was absolutely no sign of any remorse or concern that a paying customer had such a bad experience at there restaurant. I cannot stress enough how amazingly poor the customer service was and the same goes for their food!!! I will never eat there ever again!!!!!
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0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, September 24, 2010

I must admit that its not easy to run an african restaurant in the Uk. Almost every item, including vegetables are imported all the way from Africa. For me, Mama Calabar is home away from home. I was pleased to see a wide variety of Nigerian dishes on the menu and I applaud the owners of the restaurant for this. About delay, I don't really expect food to be served like magic (especially when I've not ordered over the phone). If I need a quick service, I placed my order over the phone, at least 30 mins before I arrive or go for the buffet during the weekends.
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Ayo
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, March 05, 2010

the average price for food at mama calabar is not £25, it depend on what you are buying. for average people like me or student if you have £15 to £18 you will enjoy yourself.
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wale
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, March 03, 2010

I went to the restaurant this weekend, the food is excellent. Having read some of the comments, I think that the buffet is intended for all tastes and therefore should not be over seasoned. If you want your food to be cooked in a way that is exclusive to your taste there is also an option of ordering from the menu.
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9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, March 01, 2010

I have been to Mama Calabar twice in February 2010: for the eat as much as you can buffet (£15.00), and also eating off the menu. Both times the service was excellent. I certainly did not wait long for my food to arrive so have no idea what the complainers are talking about. The food at all times was delicious! I doubt that any Nigerian who complains about the food truly eats any better at home. I don't like chilli hot dishes and this restaurant caters well for those like me as well as for those that like their food hot hot.

Mama Calabar is also well priced, so it keeps away the general riff-raff, so those of us who want to enjoy a pleasant and civilised atmosphere have no fear that the more "peasant like" folks will be there to spoil the atmosphere.

I don't even live in London and it takes me over 2 hours by public transport to get to Mama Calabar's but I will definitely be attending often. My non-Nigerian friends also enjoyed the experience. For the more mature and thinking Nigerian, I would encourage you to patronise this restaurant. It not only provides tasty food, but provides jobs for Nigerians/Africans. Let's stop giving all our money away to restaurants of other nations, and think of our own folks too. Is it not time that we began to develop a community spirit, just like other races have managed to do?

I look forward to finding out what Mama Calabar will be putting on for Nigeria's 50th Independence Anniversary, as I will be there celebrating with friends!

In this 2010 I wish a happy 50th Anniversary to all (patriotic) Nigerians!
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Ndidi
10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, February 27, 2010

I have been to Mama's Calabar's on numerous occasions. If you want to eat in this restaurant be prepared for at least a 50 minute wait for your food. I had to wait that long just for my starter even though the restaurant was almost empty. After I had finished my starter I had a 15 minutes wait for my main which isn't bad, but by that time I was starving. When the food came it was delicious but its not worth the price you are paying especially with the long waiting time.

I have also been to the Sunday buffet which is honestly 'disgusting'- its a disgrace that they actually charge £15 per head. There is a small selection of food and no desserts. I know Africans aren't big on desserts but would a fruit salad be such an effort! The meat used in the stew and egusi was obviously really tough.
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4 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, February 03, 2010

The atmosphere and other things are O K but the standard of food has fallen badly. A friend came with some guests in the last week of January 2010 and informed me of her dissatsfaction. I came on Friday 29/1/2010 at 5pm. The soup served to me was tasteless. The meat,cowfoot etc were straight from the freezer--not properly heated. I complained, the lady server took the plates away and when it came back it was unsatisfactory.

Food at Mama Calabar used to be better. For God's sake keep up the standard as we regard your restaurant as the flagship of Nigerian Restaurants in the UK.
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B A T HABIB
6 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Monday, February 01, 2010