Iznik

I went here on Saturday night, in a group of 12 (which we booked on sat afternoon, no hassle, via Time Out / Top Table). Some of us got the 2 courses for £13 deal, or 3 courses for £16, which worked out at great value. Me and my girlfriend did the "couples deal" which included 3 courses, plus wine (and not bog standard house wine either), for £44 - fantastic value. The only sting in the tail price-wise was the £5 for a pint of draft lager, so beware of that!

But I have to say, with the deals etc, we got really great value for money, service was kind, friendly and cheerful (they happily accommodated a 6th month old baby) and the food was really good across the board. Fresh, tasty and well-presented. I had a lamb shank and it was pretty spot-on. Only criticism is that some dishes could have benefited from a portion of vegetables or something, but these aren't offered as side dishes, so do yourself a favour and share a salad with your main dish.

Atmosphere and vibe was very laid-back and this was clearly a well-loved local restaurant, with people from 17 to 70 dining.

Overall, a big recommend, and a relaxing alternative to the more manic Upper Street!
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Joe D
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, July 24, 2011

A beautiful restaurant that served us wonderful food in a beautiful setting.

Me and the friend I shared a saturday night meal with can't understand how there can be some people who didn't enjoy the food or atmosphere of this cute and cosy family run place. The floor manager, Arif, and the rest of the staff were a treat! We were looked after exceptionally well and the food was perfection; my friend asked the kitchen to prepare something that wasn't even on the menu and they sorted it no qualms what-so-ever, and my lamb was gorgeous.

To top it off they are one of the few places that are in the Taste London scheme that accept the card on a Saturday night so we ate and drank like queens on a seriously tiny budget.

I hope people who have yet to sample Iznik's food do not take some of the reviews on this site seriously at all! Apart from this one of course...
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, June 27, 2011

Oh dear. I went to this restaurant a couple of times a while back and thought the food was outstanding, although slightly expensive (but you did not begrudge paying for what was clearly very fresh and well cooked food). I went back last week and the ownership/management has clearly changed, and sadly it isn't nearly so good. The food did not taste as fresh and there did not seem to as many options on the menu. The waiter we had was quite intrusive - in my opinion, you should not notice the waiting staff but this one was quite lumbering and deliberate. But of course the prices have not gone down - only now the place seems incredibly overpriced for what it is and I won't be going back. I don't think they are in the Taste London scheme anymore either. All in all a most disappointing experience, be warned anyone who has gone in the past and are expecting the same quality of food and experience.
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Catherine
2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, May 18, 2011

We went on a Tuesday evening. Place was almost empty. The cheapest wine was an astonishing £24.50 a bottle. I think it would have cost them £2.50 to buy from the local Lidl's - so not a bad mark up.

Food was incredibly over priced - humus - £5 for a small saucer and 4 falafal for £7!

Main courses were also over priced - average price was around £16. My pile of veggies in a brown 'gravy' was nasty and came with the smallest amount of plain boiled rice I've ever seen! The salad Iznik turned out to be chopped up plums, apples and tomatoes in a pile with a bit of cheese sprinkled on top. It was as horrible as it sounds. We would never have ordered it if the menu had listed the ingredients as my husband is allergic to apples and plums!

Needless to say we didn't order puddings or coffees and went home to have apple pie courtesy of Mr Waitrose which was very nice!

Not a place I would recommend. Shame really as it used to be so good - presume it has changed hands.
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Sue Smith
4 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Friday, April 15, 2011

Where to begin. We had frequented this restaurant for over two years during the lunch time service and found it to be great food in the local area and really reasonably priced. Based on this we decided to go for dinner and were bitterly disappointed. The starters were over priced and substandard. We shared a main due to the ridiculous overpicing on the menu something that we didn't expect based on our previous experience. The main was, to say the least, bland. It was priced at £15 and as restaurant managers ourselves we would estimate that it was worth approximately £1. The chicken was a breast sliced in half accompanied by a small mound of plain rice. That was complimented by a piece of dred fruit. Having pointed out the lack of inspiration in our meal we were faced with the response of "that is your opinion, this chicken is always like this". Frankly the service was well below the standard I would expect in Burger King and I can unequivocally say that the food and the service has disuaded me from ever going back to what has the potential to be a great Turkish restaurant. If only it weren't for the lack of regard for the customer, this place would have potential.
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0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, March 30, 2011

I have been to Iznik many times and thought it was a great local restaurant. I went a couple of weeks ago with friends and it has changed hands and I won't be going back.

The prices are ridiculous for a local neighbourhood turkish restaurant. £5 for a standard plate of hummous is way over-priced. A group of 8 of us ended up having starters only because the mains were so expensive (£16 or so).

The starters were ok, but with some wine (which wasn't cheap either) it came to over £40 each.

I remember Iznik being homely, and busy with a great atmosphere but on the night we went there was hardly anyone else in there, so it seems everyone has voted with their feet.

I felt guilty about suggesting it to my friends.
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anecdote queen
4 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Sunday, March 13, 2011

This used to be an excellent neighbourhood restautant, the kind of place you could just pop to when you couldn't be bothered to cook at home.

But perhaps its popularity went to its head. A few years ago, it was relatively cheap and excellent. A year or so ago, perhaps spurred on by watching too many Ramsay Kitchen Nightmares, they started serving food in fancy "square" plates and upped the prices. The menu was also cut back. What used to be £45 plus drinks for a full on meal for two (mixed meze starters, two mains, some baklava and coffee), turned into £60. Ok, not great but just about tolerable.

We went in last week, having not been there for about 3/4 months. Seems to be new management in place - new owner, none of the old staff at all.

And the prices...wow. Main courses are now no cheaper than £15 for a mousaka. Any decent meat main is either £19 or £20. And each meze started around £5/6. A portion of hummous for £6?? A side salad for £7. Now I have no problem with these prices at a smarter restaurant, but this isn't haute cuisine, it's a local restaurant. Even new boy Trullo is cheaper. It also makes Morgan M seem even more of the baragin than it is.

Food is ok but quality is going downhill. Bread turned up, warm and we were told freshly made, which of course it used to be. Except for the frozen centre - ah! Ordered a glass of house red (£5) and was repeatedly pushed a more expensive red at £8, even though i said no. the response was "It's much nicer, and it's not that much more..."!!

Mostly empty on a busy Friday night means we clearly aren't the onle ones unimpressed.
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2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Monday, December 20, 2010

It is rather sad to read the most recent reviews because the restaurant is in new ownership since the last one. It was indeed fantastic in every respect and whilst the food is still very nice, the prices have been hiked considerably. It will now cost £25 for soup and a kebab and that is without wine. It is just too expensive for what they offer. The grilled chicken at £18 is a chicken breast sliced in 2 and grilled with a small portion of rice. A customer knows how much that costs to make! Again, very nice food but the price sticks in the throat i'm afraid
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6 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2
Saturday, November 06, 2010

I just love this place. Turkish food is not usually my first choice of cuisine, but the atmosphere, the staff and the interior of this restaurant are just spot on and the food is good and reasonably priced. We are always made to feel welcome, the owners are often sitting around drinking and chating with the customers which I think is lovely. On my birthday they gave us a free round of drinks and a bottle of fizzy wine. This place is definitely an example of how an atmosphere is just as important as the food.
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9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, June 07, 2010

I've just been over in London visiting my daughter and she wanted to take me out for a nice meal. I'm not really exotic with my food, but she insisted Iznik was very good. Well I'm glad I listened! When we first came in you don't know where to look for beautiful things, it was like being on holiday! Our waitress was a lovely girl and really looked after us.

We ordered a few of the little starters to share, some of the dips, stuffed vines leaves, the calamari and meatballs to name a few. They were simply divine, and so nice to have a little bit of everything. For my main I had the prawns, which weren't too spicy and just lovely, and my daughter and her fiancee both had the shish kebabs, which were beautiful. We tried the baklavas for dessert which finished it off handsomely, it was a really lovely evening.

I really recommend Iznik for a visit if you're in the area, and will be back next time I'm over!
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Mrs Bernie Rigny - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, January 29, 2010