Villa Mamas London Reviews Summary

Category: Middle Eastern restaurant London

Address: 25 Elystan St, London, SW3 3NT, United Kingdom

Phone: +442030340777

Rating: 4.3
based on 160 reviews.

Food Quality

Pros:

  • "The food is delicious, the service friendly and the place well arranged."
  • "The lamb was divine and all the sides and starters were so tasty."
  • "Best dolma I had so far, lamb shank was nice too, desserts were nice."
  • "The food quite different from other Middle Eastern restaurants. Its all about quality, the presentation and the taste."
  • "Delicious food, big portions and some unique kind of plates in here."
  • "Food is really tasty, atmosphere and entertainment in general is good."
  • "The taste was way beyond my expectation. I normally do not prefer middle eastern cuisine, but for me this one is an exception."
  • "The food was excellent but even better than this was the fantastic and friendly service we received."

Cons:

  • "However, my second visit fell short of my expectations. The lamb dish, although good, didn't quite capture the same flavors as it did on my previous visit."
  • "Food is nice at this place, no soup options in the starter’s, some on the menu items were not available."
  • "My dish was the Tahcheen which was recommended by the waiter as the best dish on the menu. It wasn't anything like your traditional tagine."
  • "We’ve been to all Villa Mamas branches (Abu Dhabi, Bahrain & Riyadh) and I can assure you that the is not the same experience and taste of food we had."
  • "Food was good, however the quantities were very small it is like a sample portions."
  • "Food is normal, yet needs to improve; amount of spice and oreganos is very high and need improvement."
  • "The food was literally 'so good'. We got our starters within reasonable waiting time, but we had to wait for more than 55 minuets from placing the order till we got our main courses."
  • "The food is not that tasty compared to the advertised back home in Dubai, very few choices."

Service and Staff Attitude

Pros:

  • "Really nice team and a great setting for a lovely dinner."
  • "Management were very welcoming and polite."
  • "The people working there are sincerely really amazing and make you feel welcome as soon as you walk in."
  • "What an experience! The welcome and assistance we received was top class."
  • "Excellent food and very kind and polite waitress. You come in and you feel like a family restaurant."
  • "The staff were very very friendly, kind and helpful."
  • "Delicious food, great cocktails and warm, friendly staff. We’ll be back and it’s definitely worth a visit."
  • "This cozy restaurant has left the best impressions! Hospitable hosts and delicious dishes with a beautiful presentation."

Cons:

  • "I’m not familiar with the new staff and its always hard to find assistance."
  • "Staff are average, not too polite with customers, they don’t smile nor cheer visitors."
  • "However, today the non-Arab male manager showed a very rude and disrespectful tone when he showed us out in a humiliating manner to say there is no available seating."
  • "I was bordering on 3/4 stars however the reason they got pushed down to 3 is due to them, on a Saturday night, serving the bills to all the tables without us asking for it."
  • "The food is great but the manger is rude I hated the way she treated me!"
  • "AVOID IF YOU ARE A GROUP. As previous reviews say, the waiters and managers, especially the director Mary, are EXTREMELY rude, and will NOT ACCOMMODATE groups!!!"
  • "Words cannot even describe how rude the staff and management were! ...the restaurant manager stated that the restaurant kitchen was closed in a very disgusting and disrespectful way."
  • "Terrible service. Certainly will not be coming back. Far better places to eat and enjoy with much tastier food and more affordable prices in London."

Atmosphere and Ambience

Pros:

  • "And then the food. Exquisite middle Eastern cuisine."
  • "I would highly recommend."
  • "Loved the outdoor seating in here as inside it felt quite hot."
  • "I am sad to say I did not even know what a Bahranian restaurant was but thank heavens for finding this amazing gem."
  • "I couldn't wait for this place to open and am so happy that its in my neighbourhood."
  • "The personel is welcoming, it feel human-size the food is delicious."
  • "Location: nice neighborhood, but little hidden."
  • "Everyone was so nice and welcoming. The atmosphere and decor is cozy, simple but elegant."

Cons:

  • "The restaurant is small so I’m surprised why all the staff are in the corner of the room."
  • "Ambiance was good so we ordered mocktails and a couple of main courses and side dishes."
  • "We arrived here late after watching a show during Ramadan. We were promptly served with a delicious feast!"
  • "Tables are a little small, but definitely doing the job. Nice seating outside."
  • "The service is poor, the staff unattentive and arrogant and the food is served in bite size portions and lacks the flavour and taste of real Bahraini food."
  • "The place hasn't even opened yet, so how on earth can you give it 1 star?"
  • "Location: not in a Mayfair or a Five stars hotel. It is a normal shop in the middle of nowhere between Fulham road and kings road."
  • "The restaurant is not open yet. It will open 25th of September inshallah and we are all so proud."

Pricing and Value

Pros:

  • "Delicious food, big portions and some unique kind of plates in here although it’s might sound like the typical Arabic kind of dishes."
  • "Variety of food is acceptable especially when food tast good but some of the menu options are a bit over priced."
  • "What a taste!!, all was forgiven.. loved the portions and the great taste."
  • "Price: £££ a bit expensive but worth the quality and being one of few true Gulf food restaurants in London."
  • "Food slightly on the pricey side but in keeping with the local area."
  • "I am wondering why all that bad comments! Actually, they might got everything right. Service was excellent, food was outstanding (literally outstanding), atmosphere was great, and prices were reasonable."
  • "Once you come to this restaurant you should be confident that you’re having a fresh meal."
  • "Just had lunch at this restaurant. The quality of both the food and the service was nothing but exceptional."

Cons:

  • "But I feel like the management has went down post COVID. I’m not happy."
  • "Prices were above average but I found it reasonable for the above average portion size too."
  • "You need to avoid ordering soft drinks...way more expensive that a hotel even."
  • "Food is nice at this place, no soup options in the starter’s, some on the menu items were not available, the rest of the selection is okay."
  • "Worst experience ever... We paid 94 pounds for the food but not worth it at all service was a 0/10 , ruined the entire night."
  • "Good, tasty food, but vastly overpriced. Not only are the dishes expensive, but also mostly small."
  • "Cozy place. Friendly stuff. The food was amazing very tasty and full with flavour however the portion of the appetisers very small comparing to its price."
  • "The prices are really unrealistic and unreasonable. You get one lamb portion with rice for £30 wether you get it in any other restaurant in London for about £12."

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