Latest reviews for Restaurants in Bethnal Green, London, United Kingdom

Tas Firin - by elizaflan

elizaflan — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:34:13 +0000

Review by elizaflan

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7729 6446

my favourite local which blows the late night kebab out of the water.
eat in or takeaway, but make sure you order the rice, which are the plumpest little grains in the worldmy favourite local which blows the late night kebab out of the water.
eat in or takeaway, but make sure you order the rice, which are the plumpest little grains in the world

Stringray Globe Cafe - Great pizza, great prices! by gregwo

gregwo — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:54:38 +0000

Review by gregwo

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7613 1141

Tags: italian, pizzeria, lively

Stringray's has a great selection of food, especially pizzas, for very reasonable prices. The ambience is very nice and laid back and it's especially pleasant to go on a Sunday afternoon after going to the Columbia Road flower market (though you may have to wait as so many people have the same idea!).

I've been there several times for friend's birthdays and they seem to be very accommodating for large groups and bookings. They also have some outdoor seating, which is lovely in the summer but be careful about chancing it when it might rain as it's not covered and they're not very accommodating if you have to move inside. My one complaint about Stringray's is the staff. Every time I have been they have been unfriendly and unhelpful across the board, but if you can take that, it's great food, great prices and a great atmosphere!Stringray's has a great selection of food, especially pizzas, for very reasonable prices. The ambience is very nice and laid back and it's especially pleasant to go on a Sunday afternoon after going to the Columbia Road flower market (though you may have to wait as so many people have the same idea!).

I've been there several times for friend's birthdays and they seem to be very accommodating for large groups and bookings. They also have some outdoor seating, which is lovely in the summer but be careful about chancing it when it might rain as it's not covered and they're not very accommodating if you have to move inside. My one complaint about Stringray's is the staff. Every time I have been they have been unfriendly and unhelpful across the board, but if you can take that, it's great food, great prices and a great atmosphere!

Tay Do - Excellent! by MGEEK

MGEEK — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:24:46 +0000

Review by MGEEK

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7739 0966

Tags: vietnamese, lively, crowded

I really can't fault this place. I've been here many times- first for my girlfriends birthday, when there was a big crowd of us- Maybe fifteen or twenty. The thing that sealed it for me was that when the bill came, it was about Â£150- and we'd all eaten VERY well.

They allow you to bring your own booze, which is handy, as it always annoys me when a restaurant is cheap, but sells tiny bottles of beer for something approaching four quid.

The food is good, quick and fresh tasting. Lots of choice. Personally I'd avoid the frogslegs, but that's mostly because a/frogs are cute, and b/they taste just like bland chicken ;)

They also do a lunch menu, which is excellent value. Â£4.20 last time I went in there- for a starter and a main. You can't really go wrong- that's not much more than a poncy sandwich.

If I worked near there, I'd have a loyalty card!I really can't fault this place. I've been here many times- first for my girlfriends birthday, when there was a big crowd of us- Maybe fifteen or twenty. The thing that sealed it for me was that when the bill came, it was about Â£150- and we'd all eaten VERY well.

They allow you to bring your own booze, which is handy, as it always annoys me when a restaurant is cheap, but sells tiny bottles of beer for something approaching four quid.

The food is good, quick and fresh tasting. Lots of choice. Personally I'd avoid the frogslegs, but that's mostly because a/frogs are cute, and b/they taste just like bland chicken ;)

They also do a lunch menu, which is excellent value. Â£4.20 last time I went in there- for a starter and a main. You can't really go wrong- that's not much more than a poncy sandwich.

If I worked near there, I'd have a loyalty card!

Laxeiro Tapas Bar - Boistrous and brilliant by chrisp

chrisp — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:00:54 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7729 1147

Tags: spanish, lively, good value

You can do all the research in the world, scour every website, read every blog, but very often there's nothing better than a spot of hands-on local knowledge to point you in the direction of a good meal. A friend of mine who's recently moved to a pretty little spot just off Columbia Road in Hackney had been raving about a Tapas restaurant called Laxeiro he'd had the good fortune to stumble across, and so on Saturday night we duly trotted off there to see if it could deliver a second time.

It's a pretty small room and it didn't take very many people to become crowded and boistrous, so the noise levels at first seemed excessive. However once we'd settled into our couple of bottles of Spanish Viognier I imagine we were giving as good as anyone. Only the wine list was printed; the food menu was on a chalkboard near the door which I would hope demonstrates a use of fresh and changing ingredients - only repeat visits will tell, I suppose.

Given that there were six of us and I think I speak for everyone when I say that we would have all happily eaten everything on the menu, we managed to get through about half - about fourteen(!) or so dishes. I'm not going to attempt to list in detail everything we scoffed, but particular highlights included lovely fresh BBQ sardines, salty Pimientos de Padron, a superb dish of moist, fatty suckling pig and a smooth and light Crema Catalana. Dishes which didn't work so well were some rather dry cubes of deep-fried chicken in breadcrumbs, some greasy and bland Patatas Bravas and a plate of Chorizo in Red Wine sauce which was not bad by most standards but suffered badly in comparison with a truly delicious dish I'd had at CafÃ© Kick in Exmouth Market last week.

Charming Spanish waitresses never got flustered despite our increasingly drunken demands, and the evening passed in a happy, noisy blur. We did of course manage to spend far more than we'd intended - tapas dishes have that particular psychological disadvantage of making you seem like you're ordering carefully then before you know it you've eaten half your bodyweight in Albondigas and spent Â£50 each. But what the hell - Laxeiro turned out to be a quite excellent little local restaurant, and I can't wait to go back.You can do all the research in the world, scour every website, read every blog, but very often there's nothing better than a spot of hands-on local knowledge to point you in the direction of a good meal. A friend of mine who's recently moved to a pretty little spot just off Columbia Road in Hackney had been raving about a Tapas restaurant called Laxeiro he'd had the good fortune to stumble across, and so on Saturday night we duly trotted off there to see if it could deliver a second time.

It's a pretty small room and it didn't take very many people to become crowded and boistrous, so the noise levels at first seemed excessive. However once we'd settled into our couple of bottles of Spanish Viognier I imagine we were giving as good as anyone. Only the wine list was printed; the food menu was on a chalkboard near the door which I would hope demonstrates a use of fresh and changing ingredients - only repeat visits will tell, I suppose.

Given that there were six of us and I think I speak for everyone when I say that we would have all happily eaten everything on the menu, we managed to get through about half - about fourteen(!) or so dishes. I'm not going to attempt to list in detail everything we scoffed, but particular highlights included lovely fresh BBQ sardines, salty Pimientos de Padron, a superb dish of moist, fatty suckling pig and a smooth and light Crema Catalana. Dishes which didn't work so well were some rather dry cubes of deep-fried chicken in breadcrumbs, some greasy and bland Patatas Bravas and a plate of Chorizo in Red Wine sauce which was not bad by most standards but suffered badly in comparison with a truly delicious dish I'd had at CafÃ© Kick in Exmouth Market last week.

Charming Spanish waitresses never got flustered despite our increasingly drunken demands, and the evening passed in a happy, noisy blur. We did of course manage to spend far more than we'd intended - tapas dishes have that particular psychological disadvantage of making you seem like you're ordering carefully then before you know it you've eaten half your bodyweight in Albondigas and spent Â£50 each. But what the hell - Laxeiro turned out to be a quite excellent little local restaurant, and I can't wait to go back.

Maida Restaurant - Overrated by t_moussa

t_moussa — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:32:13 +0000

Review by t_moussa

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7739 2645

Website: http://www.maida-restaurant.co.uk

Tags: indian, chinese, romantic

Since this restaurant opened I had heard good things about it and thought it was time to try it out. I went on a Friday around 6pm, and there was no need to book as it was empty. My partner ordered the strawberry milkshake which was rather good, however my chocolate milkshake atrocious. It tasted like a homemade nesquick milkshake, with chocolate powder and milk mixed together. For the price I paid and for how long it took to arrive I expected more! The quality of food was poor. Despite being the only customers in the restaurant, our food took 45mins to arrive, and we only ordered two mains. My chicken korma was unrecognisable - floating in oil and the chicken pieces covered in fat. The tandoori chicken was pink and undercooked, and both dishes lacked flavour. Maybe they have changed chefs recently but the food here is not worth the money, you're paying for the fancy and pretentious decor.Since this restaurant opened I had heard good things about it and thought it was time to try it out. I went on a Friday around 6pm, and there was no need to book as it was empty. My partner ordered the strawberry milkshake which was rather good, however my chocolate milkshake atrocious. It tasted like a homemade nesquick milkshake, with chocolate powder and milk mixed together. For the price I paid and for how long it took to arrive I expected more! The quality of food was poor. Despite being the only customers in the restaurant, our food took 45mins to arrive, and we only ordered two mains. My chicken korma was unrecognisable - floating in oil and the chicken pieces covered in fat. The tandoori chicken was pink and undercooked, and both dishes lacked flavour. Maybe they have changed chefs recently but the food here is not worth the money, you're paying for the fancy and pretentious decor.

Viet Grill - value for money and tasty by kimkong

kimkong — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:00:48 +0000

Review by kimkong

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7739 6686

Website: http://www.vietgrill.co.uk

Tags: vietnamese, takeaway, good value

Fantastic fresh spring rolls, claypot catfish flamingly good. Recently redecorated, great place for couples or groupd of friends.Fantastic fresh spring rolls, claypot catfish flamingly good. Recently redecorated, great place for couples or groupd of friends.

Song Que - Can't stop going back by Alita

Alita — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:51:52 +0000

Review by Alita

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7613 3222

Tags: vietnamese, cheap eat, lively

I really want to try more of the non-Song Que Vietnamese cafes along Kingsland Road but this restaurant draws me back time and again. Choose the right dishes and you'll get a selection of some of the most cheap, fresh, delicious food to be found anywhere in London. Avoid the deep-fried starters and chinese-y stuff and order some rice paper rolls, a Vietnamese pancake, a bowl of decent Pho and top it off with a Cendol for dessert. You will not be disappointed and will probably come away with change of Â£30 for two.I really want to try more of the non-Song Que Vietnamese cafes along Kingsland Road but this restaurant draws me back time and again. Choose the right dishes and you'll get a selection of some of the most cheap, fresh, delicious food to be found anywhere in London. Avoid the deep-fried starters and chinese-y stuff and order some rice paper rolls, a Vietnamese pancake, a bowl of decent Pho and top it off with a Cendol for dessert. You will not be disappointed and will probably come away with change of Â£30 for two.

Bistrotheque - by barbd

barbd — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:20:48 +0000

Review by barbd

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8983 7900

Website: http://www.bistrotheque.com/

Tags: lively, romantic, value for money

Smashing place for Saturday brunch or dinner. Nice decor and friendly staff...they do a mean cocktail too.

Quite hard to find, and it's a bit of a trek to get there but once you're there it's fab...Smashing place for Saturday brunch or dinner. Nice decor and friendly staff...they do a mean cocktail too.

Quite hard to find, and it's a bit of a trek to get there but once you're there it's fab...

La Forchetta - Love this place to bits by Steven

Steven — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:33:40 +0000

Review by Steven

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7739 9467

Tags: italian, cheap eat, good value

This is the nearest ive found to a real italian trattoria/pizzeria in the UK, and I live for half the year in the south of italy - so know what comparisons are needed.

The food is authentic, the staff are italian, they dont rush things or attempt 'fast food' and the wine selection is reasonable too, even though they dont follow the italian rule of keeping everything local and regional.

Its a nice cross over italian restaurant which attempts to satisfy the british palate whilst trying to retain some italian dignity.

Friendly, reasonably priced, the pizza is real deal italian and their carbonara is just like momma used to make.

8 out of 10.This is the nearest ive found to a real italian trattoria/pizzeria in the UK, and I live for half the year in the south of italy - so know what comparisons are needed.

The food is authentic, the staff are italian, they dont rush things or attempt 'fast food' and the wine selection is reasonable too, even though they dont follow the italian rule of keeping everything local and regional.

Its a nice cross over italian restaurant which attempts to satisfy the british palate whilst trying to retain some italian dignity.

Friendly, reasonably priced, the pizza is real deal italian and their carbonara is just like momma used to make.

8 out of 10.

Walluc - Tucked away from the hustle and bustle by LuzabelleSalter

LuzabelleSalter — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:16:54 +0000

Review by LuzabelleSalter

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7729 6070

Tags: italian, french, romantic

This small romantic bistro was the perfect place for my catch up with old friends. Serving fondue, raclette, pastas and French cuisine we spent more than a couple of hours enjoying this experience and not much on the pocket.
The atmosphere is beautifully intimate and the staff were very warm and relaxed.
Walluc Bistrot is BYOW (and donâ¬"t forget as there is/was no wine sold there!)
They also sold traditional Italian cooking goodies like porcini pastes, pastas and truffle oils etc
They also have a lunch special I would love to try if I am in the area......from 11 - 2pm any pasta and drink for Â£5.80 now thatâ¬"s a steal!This small romantic bistro was the perfect place for my catch up with old friends. Serving fondue, raclette, pastas and French cuisine we spent more than a couple of hours enjoying this experience and not much on the pocket.
The atmosphere is beautifully intimate and the staff were very warm and relaxed.
Walluc Bistrot is BYOW (and donâ¬"t forget as there is/was no wine sold there!)
They also sold traditional Italian cooking goodies like porcini pastes, pastas and truffle oils etc
They also have a lunch special I would love to try if I am in the area......from 11 - 2pm any pasta and drink for Â£5.80 now thatâ¬"s a steal!

Tay Do Cafe - Too hot, some dishes great, some just awful by alba

alba — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:50:38 +0000

Review by alba

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7729 7223

Tags: vietnamese, lively, vegetarian

I expected a nicer place after having reat all the reviews at Time Out and I was disappointed. The place was so hot you could barely breath (at least they opened the door so the air could circulate). The place is too kistch.

The food was ok. we were 5 people and the bill was 52Â£. The best thing was the Vietnamese rolls and the chicken satay. We also ordered duck and it was fantastic. however, the fish with mango which was recommended in alot of reviews was just awful...

The service speedy, I agree that it was too speedy in fact. I expected a nicer place after having reat all the reviews at Time Out and I was disappointed. The place was so hot you could barely breath (at least they opened the door so the air could circulate). The place is too kistch.

The food was ok. we were 5 people and the bill was 52Â£. The best thing was the Vietnamese rolls and the chicken satay. We also ordered duck and it was fantastic. however, the fish with mango which was recommended in alot of reviews was just awful...

The service speedy, I agree that it was too speedy in fact.

Nando's Chickenland - chain store massacre... by Rossmcross

Rossmcross — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 23:42:59 +0000

Review by Rossmcross

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7729 5783

Website: http://www.nandos.co.uk

Tags: portuguese, expensive, takeaway

what is it will everyone wanting to eat in faceless make-a-fast-buck unoriginal chains?!??!

...if you'd like the idea of dining in a 'classy' version of a motorway service station...then this is it (no car required!)

Poor value, unexciting, uninspiring, badly presented, poor service (well, you actually serve yourself for most of the meal!...and all they do is bring the food...late or incorrent!), greasy uninspiring chips/fries (like badly fried ovenchips!), bland overcooked chicken (which, incidentally seems to be the **battery intensively farmed** kind as all they say about their meat is that it's "never frozen, and Grade A"...so very unlikely that it's free-range, organic local or well looked after!

Avoid.what is it will everyone wanting to eat in faceless make-a-fast-buck unoriginal chains?!??!

...if you'd like the idea of dining in a 'classy' version of a motorway service station...then this is it (no car required!)

Poor value, unexciting, uninspiring, badly presented, poor service (well, you actually serve yourself for most of the meal!...and all they do is bring the food...late or incorrent!), greasy uninspiring chips/fries (like badly fried ovenchips!), bland overcooked chicken (which, incidentally seems to be the **battery intensively farmed** kind as all they say about their meat is that it's "never frozen, and Grade A"...so very unlikely that it's free-range, organic local or well looked after!

Avoid.

Viet Hoa Cafe - A good Vietnamese canteen by AntonSh

AntonSh — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 12:26:12 +0000

Review by AntonSh

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7729 8293

Tags: lively, good value, vietnamese

The place may not be everyone's cup of tea with its long canteen-style tables, but I like it. The food is not amazing, but it's good, solid and tasty, and most importantly, of good value. The vermicelli dishes are especially good. There is also a good selection of Asian beers, all of them priced far less than in local Hoxton bars. The place is always busy which is good, but can mean that staff are overworked and miss things sometimes. Overall, check it out once to decide if you like it or not.The place may not be everyone's cup of tea with its long canteen-style tables, but I like it. The food is not amazing, but it's good, solid and tasty, and most importantly, of good value. The vermicelli dishes are especially good. There is also a good selection of Asian beers, all of them priced far less than in local Hoxton bars. The place is always busy which is good, but can mean that staff are overworked and miss things sometimes. Overall, check it out once to decide if you like it or not.

Hanoi Cafe - Cheap eat Vietnamese by janie_lou

janie_lou — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:58:15 +0000

Review by janie_lou

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7729 5610

Tags: vietnamese, friendly staff, quick bite

Hanoi Cafe isn't much to look at really. I thought it was stark and very basic, but it didn't help that it was empty - no doubt because it was mid-afternoon on one of the hottest days of the year.

That said, that decor is pretty much the standard for Vietnamese dining on Kingsland Road and I say good for them for keeping the likes of Wagamama at bay. (No offence Wagamama, I like your noodles, but you don't belong to this area).

We were greeted warmly and left to ponder the menu at our leisure. We started with spring rolls and vegetable tempura - crispy light batter and tasty dipping sauces. Next, a traditional chicken curry served in a clay pot - perfectly delicate flavours and the right amount of heat - and chicken stir-fried with ginger and spring onions, all served with a big bowl of sticky rice.

Too full for any dessert.

It was really simple food but done to a high standard and with what seemed like good quality ingredients - nice, clean flavours. The cook and waitress were a lovely pair of ladies who made us feel most welcome.

I really enjoyed it and will definitely return when I get the chance - there's a lot of things on that menu which I think I need to sample!

PS Did I say that it was really cheap too? Hanoi Cafe isn't much to look at really. I thought it was stark and very basic, but it didn't help that it was empty - no doubt because it was mid-afternoon on one of the hottest days of the year.

That said, that decor is pretty much the standard for Vietnamese dining on Kingsland Road and I say good for them for keeping the likes of Wagamama at bay. (No offence Wagamama, I like your noodles, but you don't belong to this area).

We were greeted warmly and left to ponder the menu at our leisure. We started with spring rolls and vegetable tempura - crispy light batter and tasty dipping sauces. Next, a traditional chicken curry served in a clay pot - perfectly delicate flavours and the right amount of heat - and chicken stir-fried with ginger and spring onions, all served with a big bowl of sticky rice.

Too full for any dessert.

It was really simple food but done to a high standard and with what seemed like good quality ingredients - nice, clean flavours. The cook and waitress were a lovely pair of ladies who made us feel most welcome.

I really enjoyed it and will definitely return when I get the chance - there's a lot of things on that menu which I think I need to sample!

PS Did I say that it was really cheap too?

Agra Tandoori - by TrustedBot

TrustedBot — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 18:20:04 +0000

Review by TrustedBot

Rating: 0.00

Phone: 020 7613 2613

Tags: indian, takeaway, smoking

A discreet Indian restaurant set in the heart of Shoreditch offering authentic Indian cuisine. The food is of a pleasingly high quality and the service is efficient and friendly.

The staff ensure that everyone is looked after and that they pass on their expert knowledge of their finest dishes

This is an excellent choice for large groups or parties.

Chef´s Speciality Dish:

Tandoori and Balti Specialities A discreet Indian restaurant set in the heart of Shoreditch offering authentic Indian cuisine. The food is of a pleasingly high quality and the service is efficient and friendly.

The staff ensure that everyone is looked after and that they pass on their expert knowledge of their finest dishes

This is an excellent choice for large groups or parties.

Chef´s Speciality Dish:

Tandoori and Balti Specialities