La Menara

I came here for my birthday and the acting managress was extremely accommodating to my 8 dinner guests. My friends also commented on the 'great find' for this intimate restaurant tucked away on Cleveland Street. Unassuming from the outside, a lovely take on the inside. Very nice atmosphere, very nice food- we will be back.
Comment on this reader review

Faten M
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, January 31, 2011

My husband and I had dinner at La Menara last night and it was excellent. The lamb shank with couscous (Couscous Lahem) was incredibly lean and tender, and the couscous was the lightest we have ever tasted. I had the skewered chicken (Brochette Djej) and the marinated chicken was delicious. I especially liked the rice and salad that accompanied it. I knew that I was eating an authentic Moroccan recipe when I bit into a cardamom pod. We had 2 starters; spicy potatoes (Batata Hara) and Halloumi cheese baked on Lebanese bread (Kallaj bil jibneh). Both were very good. The potatoes were not very spicy, but still tasty.

I don't usually finish my meal, but this was so good we ate everything and didn't have room for dessert. The service was very attentive and the atmosphere in the restaurant was quiet and serene. We had a nice corner table in the back that was private and romantic.

The prices are reasonable and the portions perfect - generous and attractively presented. I would say it was very good value and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We will be back with friends and family.
Comment on this reader review

Kathy
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Went there last night, and was very impressed. This tasteful decorated Moroccan restaurant is tucked away on a quiet rather non-descript sidestreet in Fitzrovia, but only a short walk from Goodge St Tube. Friendly owner brought us the 'Full Mezze' (£19 per head), which included lots of starters (all vegetarian), a choice of main, and baklava and mint tea for dessert - all extremely tasty. Very decent wine too (we drank Moroccan Syrah - No. 12 on the menu). I would recommend this place if you're looking for somewhere in the evening that is central but relaxed (and away from the tourists). I would definitely go there again.
Comment on this reader review

Nick - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, July 27, 2010

I tried 'La Menara' for the first time recently and I have to say I really love the place.

The food is really good and tasty and being Moroccan myself I know what I'm talking about. The atmosphere is really traditional - warm and cosy, you feel like if you were in Marrakech. The staff is friendly and helpful and the prices are very decent. Loved the Mezzanine with the Shisha.

Will definitely go back there!
Comment on this reader review

Anas
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, May 05, 2010

This must be a different restaurant to the one I went to as thought the food was dull and poor, service average and the restaurant smelt damp.

over priced for what seemed to be either the same chicken dish or the same minced lamb dish. avoid.
View/Add comments (1)

pete - View all reviews by this user
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, March 30, 2010

La Menara is an intimate little restaurant slightly tucked away from the main streets in London which gives it a more relaxed atmosphere and makes you feel as though you've stepped away from all the rushing and the hassle. I booked this restaurant for a group of 7 and we were given a lovely table in the top corner of the restaurant with lovely comfy sofas - perfect after a long Monday at work. We were not just greeted, but welcomed by the staff and received excellent service throughout the night as well as a 15% discount for having booked online. The food was excellent, served quickly and the portions were more than sufficient. The bill worked out at approx. £20/person including alcohol which I would consider to be excellent value for money, especially considering the quality of the food and being in London. I would highly recommend the tagines, delicious. There is an extensive menu which caters for all tastes and preferences and they are only too happy to change something if requested which is perfect if, like me, you have food allergies. Lovely restaurant, great value, excellent food & staff.
Comment on this reader review

phantasmagoric - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, October 14, 2009

WARNING!!! An absolute joke and a complete rip-off of a restaurant. The prices may seem good at first, but they then hit you with all of the ‘extras’. We were charged over £40 for a few bottles of water and wine, even though it was all supposed to be included in the set cost. The food itself was mediocre at best and not enough for the group of people we took to this place. The evening was topped of by having to argue over the (non-itemised!) bill, and try to figure out why we were being charged 25% more than we were originally quoted. And they wouldn’t let us pay by card.

All in all this experience made for a terrible evening – there are no doubt much better Moroccan restaurants out there.
Comment on this reader review

Bryan - View all reviews by this user
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Monday, August 03, 2009