Giraffe (Marylebone)

A wonder collection of gorgeous dishes to choose from.

The cost is reasonable as well, and the staff are always happy and helpful.

The food as always been consistently good over the years.

I had a special there today, which was prawns on skewers, on a mango and coriander rice.

£10.50, pretty damn pricey for such a small portion of food.

Prawns do not cost that much to buy from the market that is for sure.

but overall a really great place to eat.

It can be a bit hit and miss, as there can be alot of kids there, but generally its quite easy to enjoy your food in a family friendly atmosphere
Comment on this reader review

Robbie Lockie
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Thursday, January 03, 2008

I’m not sure what to make of Giraffe. It’s a bit of everything… and a bit of a mess really… sometimes it really looks like the canteen of a nursery. They are obsessed with promotions. They have so many different promotions that you end up with a headache before you decide what to order. Some of their dishes are ok, some others are just too “busy”… too many ingredients… it’s confusing for the palate... They call it “Global Food”, but their menu looks just “cluttered” to me. The service is ok, but the managers appear a little stressed most of the times and the staff seems a little brainwashed… they go on and on about their excellent coffees and perfect cappuccinos… which I don’t think they are that great after all. In fact, the blend they use is very bitter. I’m not sure for what occasion Giraffe would be a suitable place to go. If you are a minimalist and you like simple healthy food, avoid Giraffe.
Comment on this reader review

Hugh de Payens
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 6
Friday, July 20, 2007

Went to this restaurant 3 weeks ago. Booked a table for 7 (can't understand why American Expat couldn't book) and arrived 5 minutes earlyto find it ready for us. Having a bad back, I was a bit daunted by the bench seating, but it was surprisingly comfortable.

Children very satisfied with the crayons and puzzles that were offered and we all loved the colourful giraffes that came with the drinks - we now have quite a collection! Everyone more than satisfied with the generously proportioned food and delicious smoothies. My only complaint, which isn't a complaint at all, was that my chicken burger was so big I had to use a knife and fork!

Not sure how much the final bill came to (best bit - I wasn't paying!), but the individual items on the menu looked very reasonable for London.

All in all, a lovely couple of hours spent in a restaurant with good food, an eclectic choice of music, fun atmosphere and excellent service.
Comment on this reader review

Irish girl
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, May 28, 2007

We went to this restaurant earlier this year with a large group of people - adults and children of all ages.

We had a bit of an issue at first with seating, as they do not take reservations; several of us had rang them prior "warning" them that a large group was arriving at a specific time and that we would all need to be seated together. Some of us arrived early, expecting a wait - but we had much longer wait than expected. That was a bit disappointing. The main hostess/manager seemed very frustrated with our group and was, as I felt, quite rude and upfront about it. At one point even a member of our group told her that if she did not want our business then surely there was a nearly restaurant that would appreciate at it.

When we were finally all seated, the children were given small buckets of crayons and colour pages. They also had these cute little Giraffes that came with the drinks - the kids really enjoyed those!

The menu was good - a decent range of options. Some of us had the pancakes, which looked to die for, and others just ordered off the regular main meal option. I had a mexican dish which was lovely - however I still don't understand why sweet corn was in it -- i don't think that is very traditional at all, but it was still tasty.

Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals and the service from the waitresses was BRILLIANT. They really made the trip across town worth it. They were so polite and over accommodating. It nearly made up for the attitude we got off the hostess/manager.

All in all, I would visit a location closer to me, but I do not think I would trek across town to this location again.

Food was good, but not over the moon. Service was fantastic, but the hostess/manager needs a lesson in politeness. The two things I would change would be: for them to take reservations and NO sweet corn in mexican food!
Comment on this reader review

Amrican Expat - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Thursday, May 10, 2007

Went to this restaurant last night. Very disappointed waited ages for our starter (shared 2 between 4 of us) - although manager apologised as he said they were using new foods on the menu - then while we were still eating our starters they dished up our mains! I had lamb burger and chips, little pot of chips which were nearly all overcooked. When I complained to the waitress at the end of our meal she said she would let the manager know. She never deducted anything from our bill which I feel she should have done as we all four of us had burnt chips. Would not recommend this restaurant or visit again.
Comment on this reader review

Linda
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Thursday, May 03, 2007

I was faced with the difficult choice of finding a good non smoking restaurant for a group of 10 plus a 7 month old baby and with a little help from this website I booked a table at Giraffe.

Faced with the prospect of losing the table as everyone was running late (including myself!) I eventually managed to find the restaurant with minutes too spare - serves me for getting side tracked by shoe shops along the way!

Our waiter was absolutely brilliant. He looked after us so well and he was incredibly friendly and pleasant. Infact, all the staff at Giraffe were great - other restaurants should surely take tips from Giraffe on the type of service they should offer.

The food was good, generous portions and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals. The baby even enjoyed chewing on his menu! I had a fantastic night at Giraffe and will definitely be back again.
Comment on this reader review

Rosie
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, September 04, 2006

A good place to go with kids since every time I have been there has been crying and screaming in the background. Saying that, the service here has always been excellent and there are some good dishes on the menu. Try and get a table on their balcony if it is nice weather.
Comment on this reader review

MR
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Thursday, August 17, 2006

We read reviews on this place before going to London for my sons birthday and chose it because of the emphasis on it being "kid Friendly" before going we rang to book, and then a few days later we rang again to see if they would do anything to make my sons birthday a bit more special, i:e: balloons, or pudding with candles in etc.. the gentleman on the phone couldnt have been less helpful and wasnt really interested, nevertheless we decided that we would still go and make it good for him, I was disappointed when we walked in and saw the picnic style benches as out seating and also the food on the floor from previous diners, my daughter was giving a bit of paper with a pot of 2 broken crayons and that was the extent of their "Kid friendly" hospitality!! I am not quite sure what clientale they cater for now as the food was very good but it wasn't the sort of atmosphere i would want if I was going out with just adults, and I also would not take my children there again as it is quite expensive for a childrens place with the ambience of a Macdonalds without the friendliness! I Have to mention the lovely waitress, she was the best thing about this place, cheerful and helpful making it a more pleasant evening!
Comment on this reader review

Claire
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Sunday, March 12, 2006

We LOVE this restaurant!! Extremely kid friendly, great menu, fresh smoothies and edamame to die for!!! The mezze plate is excellent as is the cheesecake with the toblerone sauce. We've been here lots of times and never tire of it. More of this in London please!
Comment on this reader review

Anthony
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, March 10, 2006

I went here for dinner with a friend and found it good fun. Nice staff, great atmosphere and good size portions. It's not a gourmet restaurant, but prices are very reasonable and the 241 drinks offer they do in early evenings made it a bargain!

The main course I had (chicken) wasn't to my taste, although there was nothing wrong with it. What I thought made it remarkable, was that the waitress noticed that I hadn't finished and asked why. I have been to so many places where they don't blink an eyelid if you leave your whole plate.

The manager actually came over, very nicely, and asked what I didn't like about it, as apparantly they made the sauce in house and wanted to know what could have been better. They then gave my friend and I a free drink! I thought this was a very thoughtful gesture, especially as I had said it wasn't bad, just not to my liking.

A restaurant that cares that much what its customers think will keep them coming back - I'll have no qualms about returning.
Comment on this reader review

Janey - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, February 01, 2006