Iskele

179-181 Whitecross Street, London, EC1Y 8QP - View on a map
Telephone: 020 7490 0082

Iskele Restaurant In London
Details Image
Overall 7.0
Food 7.3
Service 7.3
Atmosphere 6.7
Value 6.6
Based on 7 reviews

what the critics say

TimeOut

Guy Dimond - 3/5

Thursday, January 07, 2010 - Highlights of the procession of small dishes included creamy houmous topped with broad beans and sprinkled with sumac; a warm salad of grilled aubergine, smoky from the char-grill; kisir, the salad of fresh parsley chopped with tomatoes, crushed wheat, onion, olive oil and lemon juice; and boreks, deep-fried pastries filled with cheese. Zingy, fresh flavours typified the dishes, and a light hand was used on the deep-fat fryer. The Turkish grill is much in use in the evenings, with a varied assortment of lamb and chicken kebabs being ferried to the tables by the sweet Turkish staff.

your comments review this restaurant and win a bottle of champagne

Don’t usually write reviews but this should be mentioned. Went there couple of weeks ago for a dinner with some friends (5 people, all professionals in our early 30s). One of the worst experiences ever!

Food is not good, waiting time: they don’t wait for you to finish.. and service is AWFUL.. we'd ordered some drinks with no ice: they all came with a Double ice.. Bottled beers with no glasses (ok, we asked for some.. and.. received rude feedback 'corona is served so..' WHO SAYS ???? ).. ok, what ever.. after couple of drinks it was forgotten and mood was up again. BUT, not for too long. Later, we found out that they were not happy with us taking long with the starters (the mains were probably ready)..and??? they could simply ask whether we wanted them served.. we literally swallowed our meals without chewing in order to leave the place quickly before our moods were fully ruined..

There was also this grumpy little man (probably one of the managers).. going back and forward unhappy that the restaurant was empty (kept shaking head all evening saying it 'not busy'..). How do you expect to have it busy if you dont even value those who are in??

And the last thing to mention is a Music: some times nice music in background makes things go smoother.. but even this probably plays on the managers mood (either too low..mostly, or suddenly loud_ when his favorite one comes on track)..

Will i recommend: the answer is obvious.. No! Doesn’t worth going. May be only as a take away option if someone lives locally. Save your off day for the better place guys!

P.s. the management: please do not bother yourselves by responding to the comment under the different names. I've heard you usually do so.
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Gilliana Fernando Rose
Overall rating 3 stars
Food 5 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Thursday, December 15, 2011

It is a lovely restaurant. I have been twice. The food is delicious, the decor is pretty and the service is excellent.
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Overall rating 9 stars
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, November 23, 2011

I live locally and use this restaurant regularly since the previous manager has got the flick. The place is much improved since the management has changed with the most delicious and generous lunch time menu and attentive staff I have come across. The place is always full at lunch time and pretty crowded in the evenings. Most of the clientele are repeat visitors... If you had a bad experience last year, try it again - your bad experience has been sacked.
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Sheila
Overall rating 9 stars
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Wow!!! I work locally too. And I'd love to mention that I dine in Iskele and Cozzo four to five times a week. The food is great, Staff- well spoken English, very friendly and.... female part is GORGEOUS ;)))

And.........taking into concideration all mentioned above- I'm glad to find out that there are few other cafes which they own and looking forward to trying these places too :)))

Dear Antonio, from what I read, you have something personal towards the owner. Take it easy- enjoy the food :)))))
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Mark
Overall rating 9 stars
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, August 04, 2011

I work locally and took a client here at the weekend, i was APPALLED by the owners behaviour to staff, I understand basic Turkish and I wouldn’t speak to my dog like that after messing the carpet… the food was standard, unseasoned and basic. 4/10

It seems most of the staff did not understand Basic English - As other people commented a tyrant among his people.

Later i found out that he owns 3 establishments all next to each other. I would certainly NOT recommend this restaurant or any other of the cafes. How on earth he managed to set up 3 and a market stall I have no idea.

Unimpressed and appalled at the caveman like behaviour on such a street of culture and magical foods.
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antonio
Overall rating 1 stars
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, August 02, 2011

I've been to Iskele for many times and I should say it's one of the best restaurants in the city.

The food is delicious and portions are very generous. Would like to mention that Iskele has a very nice atmosphere and is perfect for dining with your family or friends.

The staff is always friendly and helpful. whenever I go there I'm always being treated to a drink on a house after my meal. Would recommend it to everyone who likes quality.
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Emily Richardson
Overall rating 10 stars
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, July 25, 2011

My Partner and I went to this resto coz he had been here before with a friend so on Sunday afternoon by 2ish we were there,I dont know why some people had a bad experienced on this resto but with all honesty i dont believe some of the reviews here,i've been to so many restaurant around the world and honestly sometimes i prefer a simple place but with great food to offer.we ordered Kleftiko and Mexican Steak and both of us enjoyed the food ,the service is also very attentive maybe its not a busy day and not so sure if this is the same on Friday or Saturday night or before closing as the comments of some customer here.The food is not pricey and its up to you if you will give a service charge but we did coz the waitress that served us were all polite and nice to us...I think some people are to fussy or maybe too demanding or arrogant to those server but in general i will not hesitate to come here again coz my partner and i both experienced the food,the ambiance and the care of those who served us...Definitely going back again....
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ROMMEL - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating 9 stars
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, March 14, 2011

The first time I went there the grilled fish was dry as if it had been standing too long. I was not impressed but gave it another go and found the falafel tastless. I will definitely give it a miss in future.
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GT
Overall rating 4 stars
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, January 26, 2011

After booking a table two weeks beforehand we arrived at Iskele on 16th December to find that it was it virtually impossible to get to our seat because they had squashed in so many tables - in fact, one of my friends left because she would have been far too uncomfortable. They must have contravened every health & safety rule in the book! Admittedly they did their best to serve - the waiters could not get to our table and it had to be passed overheads! It spoilt our lunch and I know, from how quickly other tables were emptying, that it spoilt a lot of others. I have to say, it was pure greed on the restaurants part! BTW, we were'nt offered any compensation for one of us having to leave - not even a freebee drink!
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Overall rating 4 stars
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
Monday, January 10, 2011

Good menu, good service, excellent decor at very reasonable prices. Visit very often and will continue doing so and recommending to others!! A+++ highly recommended.
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Michelle Praag - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating 9 stars
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, November 22, 2010


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