Gilak

I have visited Gilak on a number of occasions - always being on the lookout for great Iranian food. Have tried a host of other Iranian restaurants but really feel this place outshines the rest. The food is delicious, authentic and very fresh. The staff amenable and happy to help and advise. Highly recommended.
Comment on this reader review

Shiri
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, February 08, 2012

best food and very friendly service nice nice nice food
Comment on this reader review

chekhart
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, October 16, 2011

First visit to Gilak was back last summer. It had not been open long, had no license, and was outrageously cheap. The owner chatted to us and made recommendations, and my first experience of Iranian food was great. Amazing new tastes, and we left thinking this was a really welcome addition to the dreary stretch at the top of Holloway Rd.

Fast forward to February and they have obviously had some good publicity in the press and got the booze license (that hopefully will keep them in business because the cheap prices before would not sustain the business long!). Shame then that my last trip back was not as good as the first time. Prices have gone up, the wine list is poor and really quite expensive with ridiculously OTT descriptions, the service was indifferent, and most disappointing of all was the food. Bland lamb grills, soggy pointless lettuce garnishes, and an uninspiring bean/smoked fish/walnut starter. Rice was still great, as were the warm flatbreads and the smoked aubergine dishes, but it did feel like a place that has had a bit of success and taken their eye off the ball. Not sure that we will bother again.
Comment on this reader review

Mike
6 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Friday, February 18, 2011

went for dinner on a tuesday night. the place was quite, service very friendly, an ideal atmosphere for a relaxing dinner after work. food is on a league of its own: both the chicken and the lamb grills were very tender and juicy; the salad very fresh, the smoked aubergine very tasty, the flat bread amazing. portions are very generous, and price reasonable, especially given the quality you get. a real gem, will definitely go back!
Comment on this reader review

licia - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Having read the reviews for Gilak we popped down the road this evening to try out the food out for ourselves and were very impressed. The staff were friendly and enthusiastic and all the dishes we tried were fresh and deliciious. The highlight being a saffron and pistachio icecream to finish. Everything was very reasonably priced and the portions were so generous we felt we had to apologise for not being able to eat everything up. All in all a fantastic evening!
Comment on this reader review

10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Never eaten Iranian food before but will certainly be again after this. A light opening salvo of smoked mackerel with walnuts and butter bean together with smoked aubergine and yoghurt in a sort of raita.

Chicken in pomegranate sauce with plums, sour-sweet and wonderfully tender, and a lightly spiced and equally tender lamb kabab were bang on target. The rice was fluffily white with a slash of yellow saffron. Finished off with pistachio and saffron ice cream and fresh pistachio baklava.

The restaurant is light, bright and airy, the service polite and swift and the deep white table cloths and linen give an air of luxury which you don't quite feel you deserve for such a cheap evening. I will certainly be going back.
Comment on this reader review

old spot - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Thursday, July 08, 2010

I looked forward to try this new restaurant near my home but I was disapointed with the food and the staffs were somehow a little unfriendly, not rude but not very welcoming to their diners. My parents are from Iran so maybe I am spoiled with home cooked food but I did not find the flavours what I am used to. Prices are good though very reasonable. I will try again and I hope to find improvement.
Comment on this reader review

Gem
6 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, July 06, 2010

I visited this restaurant yesterday evening. I had a wonderful starter and main course. Total bill was £13.50 - very cheap really for a restaurant of this calibre. Although this restaurant does not serve wine, I was able to pop into Sainsbury's for a bottle.

High recommended.

Excellent service and hospitality

Excellent value for money
Comment on this reader review

Vicky Millan
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, July 06, 2010

It 's a fantastic restaurant, with a combination of modern decoration and nice pictures of north part of Iran which you can enjoy the taste of traditional Gilaki food.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is really nice and better than that is the quality of the food which is the result of having the best Gilaki chef.
Comment on this reader review

reza unico
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, July 05, 2010

Visited Gilak yesterday. Good atmosphere, good service and excellent food.
Comment on this reader review

Niloofar
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, June 09, 2010