The Barbary in London

Great, trendy dinner spot. The staff were super friendly, helpful and in good spirits which really made the experience. I didnt love the wine I ordered and the waitress was so unbelievably kind, insisting on me having a different one and I was so much happier with the other choice. Lots of good vegetarian small plates which we enjoyed and all prepared very well. Worth noting that its a small place and all seating is around an open kitchen on bar stalls - we enjoyed the vibe but isnt super comfortable.

Incredible service, INSANE FOOD, wonderful atmosphere, you can t go wrong. But you must try the Pata Negra, it s out of this world

Delicious and exquisite presentation!! Taste of dishes are complex and unique. Cozy place! Very friendly staff.

What a great evening at The Barbary, food was really good, service was great and the ambience/environment had a real buzz about it. If you are looking for something a bit different - give it a try,

Amazing food, and staff. Would come back in a heartbeat.

Wow! I could wax lyrical about the fantastic food, service and overall experience but you just need to go! Seriously, book it now! (...and definitely order the Halloumi and the Knafeh)

It was a very unique experience dining at The Barbary. The chief is surrounded by all the guests and you can actually see how your food is prepared while waiting. The service was also very interactive and all the dishes we ordered were amazing!

Just perfect

The seating is tight, but this place gives off such a good vibe. Basically sitting in the kitchen, it s awesome to see the staff having a blast doing what they do, and it s reflected in the food. We tried most things on the menu (didn t make it to dessert), and couldn t fault a thing. A great night out.

Lovely middle eastern small plates. Counter top dining with great wine selection

I was thrilled to secure a reservation at The Bababry, a highly rated restaurant known for its unique setup where diners sit around the kitchen, watching the chefs in action. Unfortunately, this highlight turned out to be the source of both amusement and disappointment. We arrived 15 minutes early and were promptly seated a promising start. However, after receiving our menus, we waited another 15 minutes with no explanation or guidance. Relying on Google, we ordered naan, hummus, spiced lamb, octopus, and cauliflower. The waitress didn t confirm our order, but we trusted her judgment. The starters and sides arrived promptly and were flavorful, but our first main, the octopus, took an additional 15 20 minutes. Watching the kitchen, we noticed a chef dropping and discarding food and undercooking dishes, causing delays. Despite finishing my wine, no one noticed my empty glass or offered a refill. The real hiccup came when a salmon dish was mistakenly delivered to our table. We assumed it was meant for someone else, as the staff had already served our octopus to another table earlier. The waitress who took our order realized her error and whispered to a colleague, who then awkwardly joked as she removed the dish. Instead of apologizing, she casually asked, Are you guys still waiting for any other dishes? a clever but transparent attempt to downplay the mistake. What left a sour taste wasn t the error but the lack of accountability. Watching the head chef brush it off and the staff avoid addressing the issue felt unprofessional, especially for such a hyped establishment. While the food was good, the service failed to meet expectations, dampening the overall experience.

Exceptional.

The food was very nice, but nowhere near the hype in my opinion and overpriced vs what you get It s basically the kind of food you d get at any decent Mediterranean restaurant but about 10x the price and 15% of the quantity

I don t even know how to start this review! That s the type of restaurant you want to try everything! The food is absolute heaven! The service and the atmosphere is also amazing! Congratulations you now in my favorites list!

Small, noisy and intriguing. At The Barbary you eat at the counter with the kitchen speaking directly to you. They prepare the Naa freshly and we enjoyed watching and asking the chefs about the different dishes being prepared. The flavors travel between the West and North Africa with spicy and original hints. Friendly and attentive service. The kitchen guys are available for every request. We dined on a Portuguese Pet Nat wine and delicious, spicy cuttlefish, fried cauliflower and harrissa with bread. A fun experience in the pleasant coast immersed in the cuisine...an absolute must try

Great for lunch. Dinner too busy

Amazing.

is it halal? is pork and alcohol being served?

This is my favourite restaurant in the city. I ve been several times now and every time is better than the last - would give 6 stars if I could

I wish I could come here everyday! Its been a while since the last time I enjoyed eating out that much. This place has it all! Great ambience, lovely service and amazing food. If you enjoy eating at the bar and being able to see what the chef is doing, this is your place! If you enjoy sharing small dishes, this is your place! If you want to try something different and be blown away, guess what? This is the place! Our waitress recommended the spinach borani and it was awesome. No idea how you can get spinach tasting that good, but its just so tasty. The naan bread just melts in your mouth. And dont forget about the dessert! The baklawa was the best! Seriously, this place is a must

Great choice of vegetarian dishes. Falafel is a must try perfectly fried with a thin layer of coating. Hot Naan and spinach dip also tasted quite delicious. Cauliflower was okayish. Hashcake for desserts was quite elegant.

This is a fantastic restaurant, one of the best Ive been to in London! Really attentive and lovely service, helping explain the menu, a great atmosphere, loved sitting round the open kitchen. And the food was to die for! The salmon dukkah was perfection, the labneh the best Ive ever eaten and the grilled halloumi so moreish! If you enjoy middle eastern/north African food you HAVE to try this. It was so good I ate way past being full, but had no room for dessert, so Ill definitely be back!

Always an excellent night. Beautiful food, gorgeous wine and amazing service. Special shout out to Jane!

No idea why this place has such positive reviews. It s the type of establishment that things it substitute atmosphere by playing 80s tacky pop hits through a tinny speaker. Didn t help that they sat us directly under said tinny speaker. The portion sizes were ridiculously overpriced and small. £25 for one tentacle of octopus. The staff were fine but not particularly attentive either. Gave us the wrong starter which I said was okay but then left us with no water for over 20 mins. The dishes also took a while to come out instead of being served at the same time like other small dish restaurants.

Very nice. Expensive though.

Had a really good meal there last night and unlike other small-plate restaurants, actually left feeling full and didn t go home and have a bowl of Cornflakes! I m a big fan of sitting around where the chefs are cooking so that helped. Dishes? Jerusalem bagel & dips = yum. Had some lamb too which just melted apart. Spiced cauliflower = delish. Salmon - outstanding. Other things too, but I m forgetting. Loved chatting with the chefs even though they probably just wanted to get on and cook. Yep, would recommend, will be back.

Amazing service great vibes delicious food 10/10

I loved the service here, people who genuinely care and just lovely people. We were a group of 3 who (hopefully obviously were not on a date) so more up for some friendly interaction and they read that perfectly. The food was amazing, such a fun vibe and great date spot. The only thing Id change would be give tables 2 hours not 90 mins. You certainly spend enough for this. Stand out dishes were fried artichoke on labneh, courgette with ajo blanco, pata negra, morrocan cigars and octopus masabacha. Though Im pretty sure everything would be good.

One of the best restaurants in all London.

Felt misled by the reviews. If cramped and noisy is vibey then youll love this. Veggie dishes were great but octopus was on the burnt side and lamb was more fatty than meat. Pricetag isnt justified. Sorry, calling a spade a spade.

Our favorite restaurant in London. The breads and dips are incredible.

Vegetarian options: Vegetarian options offer a diverse range of delicious and nutritious meals that exclude meat, poultry, and seafood. These options focus on plant-based ingredients such as vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and fruits, often enriched with dairy or eggs for those who include them. Common vegetarian dishes include salads, pasta, veggie burgers, stir-fries, and wraps, with many creative substitutions like tofu, tempeh, or plant-based meat alternatives. Offering vegetarian choices is a great way to accommodate dietary preferences, promote health benefits, and reduce environmental impact. Dietary restrictions: Dairy-Free: Provide alternatives like almond, oat, coconut, or soy milk. These options cater to those who are lactose intolerant or vegan. Sugar-Free/Low-Sugar: Offer unsweetened options or use natural sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol for those watching their sugar intake or who have diabetes. Gluten-Free: Coffee itself is naturally gluten-free, but ensure that syrups, flavorings, and other add-ins are also gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination. Nut-Free: For those with nut allergies, be mindful of nut-based milk alternatives like almond or cashew milk. Clearly label these options and provide safe, allergen-free alternatives. Keto-Friendly: Offer high-fat, low-carb options like bulletproof coffee (made with butter or MCT oil), or coffee with heavy cream, for those on a ketogenic diet. Vegan: Ensure that none of the ingredients contain animal products. Vegan milk alternatives and plant-based syrups are great options. Low-Caffeine/Decaf: Offer a decaffeinated version for those sensitive to caffeine or looking to reduce their intake. By including these options, you can cater to a broader audience and make your coffee solution more inclusive. Parking: If youre visiting The Barbary restaurant in London, there are several parking options nearby. One of the closest and most convenient is the Q-Park Chinatown, just a 4-minute walk away. You can pre-book a space online, and its open 24/7. Other nearby parking options include the Urban Parking on Shelton Street, only a 2-minute walk from Covent Garden, offering valet service, and Q-Park Leicester Square, around 10 minutes away, with easy access to the West End( Q-Park United Kingdom )( JustPark ). Booking in advance through services like JustPark can help avoid hassle and guarantee a spot.

Absolutely amazing food! Every dish was better than the last. Melt in your mouth meat, wonderful spices, delicious craft-made drinks. Highly recommend!!

My favourite in London. We went for lunch and had their vegetarian offerings which were I spring. Great flavours. Only complaint is its pretty hot if your seat is by the open grill. The pistachio hash cake is amazing save room for it. Vegetarian options: Had the zucchini the haloumi and the cauliflower also hummus. All very good

We always make a point to visit this restaurant when we re in London. The food and service is always amazing! Truly a special place.

This place is absolutely amazing. Such a vibe, such a cool cool vibe. The chef and his team are so fun and the food is exquisite. The music was jammin the whole time. The service was lovely and my mom and I felt like we were just hanging out and having dinner with friends. The small size of the restaurant and proximity to the kitchen makes it feel that way. My mom and I were both celebrating our birthdays and got a lot of treats here, including shots with the staff. It was such a blast. Would definitely recommend dining here before going to see a show in west end. Makes for the perfect evening

This place ain t cheap, but it is phenomenal. My friend and I ordered a bunch of stuff (everything is a smaller plate and meant to be shared) and it was universally wonderful. The harissa to die for! The pickle plate, which is usually an unexciting side, was super delicious and you could tell they house pickled everything. I am not a huge fan of fish, but the Moroccan cigars were dee-lish, esp dipped in the sauce and adding some harissa (or zhoug which was also lovely). The pata negra (pork skewer) was next level delicious. And the cauliflower side probably the best cauliflower I have ever had at a restaurant. And it s CAULIFLOWER, y all. Making it taste _this_ good now that is skill. And we kept ordering more harissa b/c you want to put that shit on EVERYTHING. You can t go wrong with any of the dips either. The hashcake dessert was super yum and is a must-get to finish what will be an absolutely lovely meal.

We had an amazing evening at the Barbary, great food but what made it special was the evident enjoyment of the team there in running the resto and making us welcome, thank you! Vegetarian options: x

Definitely will come back. The Naan e Babari with Zhoug (spicy roasted eggplant dip) and cream cheese was truly exceptional an amazing combination of flavors. The octopus leg, though incredibly tender, was slightly overdone, which gave it a hint of bitterness. The pata negra was perfectly tender, and dipping it in the leftover cream cheese was an unexpected but delightful surprise. However, the portions were on the smaller side, so keep that in mind if youre really hungry. For drinks, I highly recommend the Paloma cocktail it was refreshing and well-balanced. A special shoutout to our server, Jayne, who was incredibly attentive and provided us with detailed explanations of the dishes. Her hospitality made the meal even more enjoyable!

The food was very good, and the staff was also very friendly however the name and the theme of the restaurant left a bad taste in my mouth. The online description of the food claims it to be North African. Well it is not. Furthermore the term barbaric used by the staff to describe the North African region is extremely derogatory and a slur. As a North African I feel not comfortable supporting this

Amazing flavors and great vibes! This place is a must for your London list! Don t miss out on this gem!

I wish I had gotten the name of our waiter. The young man took so much time to assist my mom with recommendations as she has quite a few dietary restrictions. The quaint location makes you feel like you know the staff personally with the food practically being prepared in front of you. The chef stepped out to speak with us and give us some London recommendations as it was our first visit. With all that said, the food was prepared very well and the presentation is stunning.

I regularly eat out and I love trying different types of cuisine. But this is by far the worse experience. So last week we went there for dinner As soon as we walked in -it was noisey and humid music was very western white rock music . I was expecting a different kind of vibe and music if it is a North African cuisine .the lady waiter was constantly up selling and telling us every dish is her favourite?? too hard sell . How is everything your favourite? So stupid. We are very cultured people - so it s a little bit difficult to deceive us . Portions are ridiculously small , one of the dish we ordered was the Lamb chop dish and it was £27 for 2 tiny tiny chops . Everything was tiny I was not so sure how I felt to pay £130 for 2 ppl and we walked out hungry. Like what ???? One of my North African friend didn t even want to come and try because she knew it will be a waste of time and money. For me, this place is for white people who don t know the actual culture and they will feel like they are so cool and suddenly they are all cultured after they come here . Very lame .

An odd review for an odd experience. For context I was here last night with my wife for my 34th birthday. On arrival a staff member confirmed it was my birthday, upon which the gentleman right next to us also exclaimed it s my birthday too and we shook hands an exchanged a brief conversation. It was all very nice. However this customer next to me proceeded to get a birthday baklava (with a candle) and a set of birthday shots with his bill. We got absolutely nothing. Now to be clear - I didn t expect anything for free and the money itself is not the issue. It s just the very explicit two tier service that was particularly galling and left us with a bitter taste as we left the venue. The only difference I could gather was that the customer next door was white and we were not. On this basis alone I cannot rate this place any higher than one star as I cannot ignore this particular racial angle. It left my wife and I particularly hurt. I would not recommend.

Phenomenal food, service and atmosphere! Will definitely be back soon!

Very small portions and not worth the price. Place is very tiny

Really incredible food. Everything was delicious but we particularly liked the Moroccan Cigars, Almonds and Octopus. For us the spice was perfect. Everything had taste but nothing was blow your head off spice. The seating is counter which is fun as you can watch them cook but isn t the most comfortable (my mum for example, couldn t eat here as she needs a back rest). All in all a great lunch

First went in 2016 and loved this place. Hadn t been back in 2024 yet but went tonight. Was just as wonderful. New manager Charlie was exceptional. You MUST have the Naan alongside whatever else you order. And a cold beer. You can spend a little or spend a lot. And soundtrack from Bill Withers to Talking Heads was total vibes.

Delicious! The naan bread straight from the oven is delightful!

This place rocks - food is exceptional, love the vibe, service is relaxed and on point, drinks are decent. Book a table and order the Moroccan cigars + all the dips and at least two bagels!

Unique Flavours. Love it!

Given a gift voucher as a wedding present, perfect gift for us and we enjoyed every dish, had great service and enjoyed every moment.

Perfect pre theater meal. Everything slayed, sauces were scrape-off-the-plate-good, but wine glasses were very small tho Dietary restrictions: They take dietary restrictions very seriously which is great to see!

Thanks for a great night out. The staff were all friendly, helpful and great to be with. Food was excellent as well. It will definitely be a highlight of our trip.

food was so good!!! everything was delicious so go hungry.

I do not usually give 5 stars, but my wife and I had an amazing experience. The food was incredible! The staff was extremely nice, the chef was chatting and laughing with us! The ambiance was also amazing. Being able to see them cook the plates for the other tables picked our curiosity and made us order plates we would not have tried otherwise. We will definitely be coming back! Edit: Editing my original review from 5 stars to 3. I went again with my parents with high expectations. As previously mentioned, we were able to order twice the first time we came. Once by reading the menu and a second time when we saw tasty looking plates going around. We were not allowed to do this this time. Even though we were on a Monday, we were rushed by the waiter and waitress. We had to order everything at once. We received our meat at the end of the service (after waiting 30min), and we were told, at the same time, that we only had 15min left with the table. We had to remind them that we ordered a dessert at the beginning. They then told us that they would do their best to finish our order before we had to leave... Unfortunately, we will not be coming back. It is disappointing knowing how great it was the first time

Moroccan Cigars 12 Spicy spring rolls with the texture of minced meat 7 spice lamb lib 24 The ramps are soft and flavorful. However, the flavor, spices, and yogurt sauce harmonize well and are delicious. Spices are not strong.

Brilliant evening at The Barbary. Staff were great, food was on point. Excellent all round

Great overall experience. We saw this place offered on Dorsia and did not know what the experience would be. The food and service with the back alley location provided a great environment that takes you out of an ordinary London dinner. Dietary restrictions: Gluten free

Just amazing. Intimate restaurant with seating at a bar surrounding the kitchen (but temperature is not hot!) Great service, great playlist, great vibes and even better food. Small plates sharing concept with good portion sizes. Star dishes: Labneh - the best labneh I ve had in London. Pata Negra - this iberico pork neck was so flavourful and tender, it melted. Chicken - really juicy with crispy skin Mango Nagheen - a bit like mango sago dessert. Light, fresh, not too sweet. Hashcake - great for pistachio lovers. Buttery soft and a good crisp to the pastry. 5/5 yum yums Insta: @howmanyyumyums

Exceeded expectations. We came here for a birthday meal. Book in advance to guarantee a counter spot, where youll be mesmerised by the chefs working their magic. The service was friendly, almost ninja-esque refilling of wine glasses and water glasses. Plenty of recommendations from the menu and advice on what would work well. The fishy moroccan cigars were a highlight, as was the lamb rib. Already thinking about when we can visit again !!

My favourite restaurant in London! I always come here because everything on the menu is delicious.

Everything is wow

Second time visiting The Barbary, food and service are still great!

Amazing breads and starters... Wasnt quite so taken with the mains. End up spending quite a lot. Bar stools are very uncomfortable.

Delicious food in an awesome atmosphere. Staff were amazing, and great vegetarian options! Highly recommend

Consistently great food since it opened several years ago Small plates, freshly prepared Quick service Absolutely delicious flavours A little noisy but thats what people like! So happy you can make bookings One of my favourite restaurants in London

Went back to Barbary after a good year+ since my last visit (used to go every other month). Felt like lots had changed, from food taste to staff. Used to be among my top 3 fav. restaurants in London - fell out of the podium yesterday evening. Food was great but not amazing like it used to be (miss the Israeli chef). Team/ service was excellent & caring, although felt a bit disjointed (eg., first drink arrived after starters were served. Second drink, a beer, as I finished my main).

Came here for my birthday as a surprise and I was NOT disappointed! Honestly will go down as one of the best meals of my life. The service was amazing and every element was just perfect, couldn t recommend more! I will be going back asappppp

One of the best restaurant experiences to be had in London!

Small and cozy place. There is a kitchen and all people are sitting around the kitchen in a round setting. It s not a big place where you can go as a large group for conversations. It s a place to savour and enjoy flavours from Africa. Food is on the spicy side. Love their chicken, Harissa and Houmus. Will recommend their Naan break for flavour. Sweets (chocolate Baklava) was sort of ok. My partner who is a vegetarian had only 1 option for mains which is Halloumi and the taste of it she found ok. Vegetarian options: Few veg options but you will get by

If its not the best restaurant in London, it wont be lacking. We ate twice during our stay after the recommendation of a friend and the truth is that she was not wrong. We practically tried the entire menu and everything was delicious. Highlights include the pata negra, chicken and pita bread with their sauces. Not to be missed every time you go to London.

Loveeeed it!! Food was sooo good and it s such a cool place

Excellent food and great service. Didnt know I would like north African food but it was delicious! The restaurant is more laid back and can be a bit crammed. Had the best chicken (chicken mashwiya) in my life (so far) here about 2 years ago.

Just go already.

It was recommended by a YouTuber, and it was difficult to make a reservation at this restaurant, so I made a reservation in advance before visiting London, but I was disappointed that it didnt live up to my expectations. The atmosphere itself was really nice. The portion size seems a bit small, so I think I should order 3-4 plates.

So glad we came. Really enjoyed dinning here. Food was amazing and service even better! Mind you, there is only stools to sit at the counter, while you can see how the chefs cook your food. Dishes are recommended for sharing. The Pata Negra dish is the best thing you ll try in a long time. We were so excited to try the dishes that even missed to take pictures!

Still thinking about this months later! I think it s my favourite restaurant in London - not that I ve visited so many, but the food is truly delicious, the staff was so friendly and I had a really lovely evening. An absolute treat and I hope I can return.

Amazing food with a great wine list and friendly, relaxed service.

The food is ok, nice flavours but ridiculously small portions for the price. We paid £170 for 2 people and left hungry. All that also given that you are sitting on stools and are elbowing your neighbours. I d say it s just not worth the money.

Great little counter place with stunning food.

Probably one of my favorite restaurants in London at the moment, love the counter service with the kitchen right behind where you can see everything. Great food and team.

What an amazing little place this is. Food top draw, service impeccable and vibe even better. You will not be disappointed I promise!!

food unlike anything i ve had in london! the service was amazing and the food was too.

Lovely little place tucked away. Imagine a small c-shaped bar with stools (you sit at the bar to eat) with the kitchen behind the bar with the chef and team interacting with you. Food, very good. Staff very attentive and friendly. I ll be honest the stool (which is welded to the floor or bar) was uncomfortable which spoilt things slightly.

Light bites and drinks, very helpful staff and tasty food, will go back for dinner.

Our dinner at Barbary was quite average and didnt fulfill our expectations. The restaurant is located in Neals Yard, which is a lovely area, and the bar setting is cool, but its quite loud inside. The food was good but not outstanding for the price. Everything had a lot of garlic, and the eggplant spread had so much garlic that it was just not enjoyable. When we mentioned this to the waiter, she simply said thats how its supposed to be. The service was also not as it should be. While the food came quickly, it arrived in a random order, with sides coming alongside appetizers. Additionally, the Italian waiter seemed a bit annoyed by us, making it uncomfortable to ask questions. Overall, the experience was disappointing, especially because friends had highly recommended it to us. I wouldnt go back; it felt more like a been there, done that experience.

Great place for an authentic North African restaurant with a modern twist. Upbeat vibe with music and atmosphere in keeping with the theme. Fardan (hope Ive spelt that correctly) and Cesar were really helpful and easy to talk to.

Food was amazing, was most surprised by the broccoli which was delicious!!! Very similar vibe and food as Palomar (which is another 5 star for me). Will definitely go here again!

This is one of my favs. The Barbary was full so I went next door to the Barbary next door. Similar menu and flavors. Both are incredible Food

Wonderful and beautiful experience

This is one of best restaurants in London, maybe the best.

Let Down by Poor Hygiene in Prep/Serving Food Overall rating 2/5 Hygiene 0/5 (see details below) Atmosphere 3 (the bar seating is fun, but was let down by the hygiene issues) Food 2/5 (deducted 2 points for hygiene issues) Friendliness 4/5 (staff were polite and attentive) This was a real disappointment in the hygiene department, I really wanted to like The Barbary (especially as it came highly recommended by a friend). I had the misfortune of having a front row seat to witness all the poor hygiene issues in the food preparation and severing department. Frankly, I am surprised others have not picked up on this in the comments section - though to be fair I probably had among the best seats to watch everything, even peak inside the back kitchen doors occasionally. From seeing one of the chiefs scratching his backside and then continuing to cook and touch our food and serve it with those same unwashed hands (without taking a break to the back-kitchen, where I presume there may be a sink to wash one s hands), to none of the chefs washing their hands after touching other items. NOTE, I rarely saw tongs or other utensils used to remove things from the containers, it was almost always bare hand (which I would be fine with except there was no effort in the hygiene department). I also saw a container for creme for our dessert being opened and the chief bending down to grab something and his hair touching the tub of creme that was opened in the process. I feel these are all basic hygiene issues even a untrained cook (such as I) know better than to open a tub of food and then bring my face and hair right up to it. The lid could have easily been put back on instead and chief bent down to avoid the issue all together. These are just a few of the instances I saw This may be among the most egregious hygiene issues I have seen out in the open. I admit I do not typically make an effort to review/share ratings of places I visit, but after witnessing what I did yesterday, I felt compelled to share my experience here. The food was OK, but I will not be returning again considering the hygiene.

Unreal vibes and service. I will 1000% be back. Get the, chicken lamb and chocolate bakalaw. Amazing date spot and would highly recommended for any foody. Expensive but worth it !!!

Wow, what a restaurant! Ive never had an experience like this. The setup - sitting around the grill - is new to me, but it worked great. You get continuous service throughout your meal. The service was exceptional - the staff were very helpful and very friendly. 11/10 The food: we were given some recommendations by the staff. We had the Moroccan cigars and breads and dips to start (the yogurt and pistachio dip was SO full of flavour - my personal favourite) We then had the black salmon, chicken and potatoes. The fish/meat had a lovely flavour from the charring on the grill. And to finish, we shared a chocolate baklava. All of this food was enough to leaving me feeling borderline too full. It was just the right amount. Id been looking to come here for a while. The food, experience and service exceeded my expectations. Id highly recommend visiting The Barbary - well be back to try Next Door soon

Whoever thought of this business model is a genius. £144 for two people for 55 minutes and some grilled food. The three stars is a bit harsh but reflects the price to value of this restaurant. At half the price, I think it would be four stars. Have to agree with some of the other reviewers that the food lacks variety. Yoghurt is prominently on display in three of the dishes I had. When you include Service £12 for a half a courgette does seem extortionate. Again when you consider Service, £34.50 for a pork kebab is a bit greedy. The price of gas has gone up on those grills but I did get the feeling that this place is firmly targeted at American tourists who are reading their reviews in the same place. Definitely not a tourist trap along the lines of a steakhouse that will go nameless but I did wonder if we were the only Londoners. Service was very nice although, I was twice asked to order everything at once. Asked me once and when I say it s OK I ll take my time no problem. Asked me twice and you are being pushy. The modus operandi is very obvious here. Quick turnaround. At £144 for two people, that s without a bottle of wine and no dessert, I reckon they could get three or four sittings. Decent wine list but frankly I don t know what represents good value for 125 mL of wine which is what you get by the glass. Although curiously this isn t marked on the menu. Final point, this place has a Spanish feel and whenever some of the staff wanted to comment on some of the customers they turn to Spanish. Be careful some people may speak Spanish and not have an accent. Charging these prices is just poor value but given the turnover I witnessed I don t think these owners have anything to worry about.

Amazing food and experience at the Barbary. Great to be seated at the counter to watch the chefs at work. The staff were super friendly and helpful, and took time in explaining the menu and shared their recommendations. Was also great to be able to chat to the chefs

I think the food is fine, but I was looking for authentic Middle Eastern/North African food in London, and it didnt taste like home. More European fusion.

The Barbary is an incredible find! Perfectly located close to Covent Garden, the place has a unique vibe and amazing energy that makes for an unforgettable dining experience. The welcoming atmosphere and the bar seating add a special touch, with the attentive staff always looking after you. The food is absolutely exquisite. While all the sauces were outstanding, we particularly loved the salmon, and the pata negra is a must-try. This is definitely my new favorite place in London!

A hidden gem!! The food is fantastic, and the service is top notch. So fun to sit and watch the chefs cook what a fun atmosphere!!

The staff were wonderful, the food was delicious and the atmosphere was buzzing - overall, TIP TOP! Keep up the great work.

Used to come here back in 2018/2019 when the portions werent tiny like they are now. Came back in April 2024 and the portions are absolutely tiny. After spending £100 between two people (without alcohol) we still left hungry. Pathetic what this place has become. Also, be mindful the Barbary next door is NOT the same and the ambiance is terrible. Service was great but food was sufficient only for a light nibble. Not worth coming back again, which is truly sad because this was my favorite place in London. Shrinkflation is the new thing and is evident by their portions (and 15% cover charge).

This was one of my best restaurant experiences ever, not just in London, but in my life. That moment when you dont know what to choose from the menu because everything sounds so good, then you make a choice, and every dish is incredibly tasty so much so that I closed my eyes in pleasure after every bite. Seriously. Its a fantastic place with a great atmosphere for dates. I especially want to highlight the following dishes: Hummus Tatbila & Spinach Borani with bagel, Lamb Tirshi (melts in the mouth), tahini miso broccoli, and the most interesting dessert Ive ever tried Knafeh.

Very nice food but I didn t like the setting of the restaurant. No proper tables, just stools around the counter where food is prepared. Music too loud and no space between each customer. Over priced for what it offers. It s really a shame as the food is delicious.

The Barbary is just a great time all round. The kind of place you go after having a thoroughly terrible day, perch yourself at the bar and order yourself a Paloma, a bottle of white wine, all the breads and dips and chat to the chefs until your mood has lifted and its turned out to be the best kind of day in London. Literally every dish we tasted was superb, but certain plates are deserving of the label must order. From the breads/dips menu, the Jerusalem Bagel and Spinach Borani are unmissable. From the sides, you will regret not ordering the Jaffa Style Cauliflower. And from the meat, the Pata Negra is so worth the price. The desserts similarly fail to disappoint. Sure, the Hashcake is deserving of all the hype, but the Knafeh (a blend of spindly sweet vermicelli style noodles, a sweet mozzarella, pistachio and Mascarpone) is absolutely unbelievable. As we sat there nursing our many, many drinks, some tourists wandered in and promptly wandered out claiming it was too loud. I dont know how anyone who could find the vibe, which included Brandi Carliles Right on Time, anything other than completely intoxicating. But there we are, each to their own.

Kiren is amazing!!! & Alex - both incredible FOH. Free dips and shots too!

I rarely give a bad review but here we go After reading countless great reviews on the Barbary while dreaming of my London vacation from my work desk in the USA, I thought this would be a great choice in Neal s Yard. I was wrong. The food was very bland and expensive for how bland it was The whole experience seemed rather rushed. We were basically told to order as many small plates as we thought we would need for the whole meal because it might be 30 mins before we could see another small plate. Which is understandable for a small team. But the idea behind small plates is to try some wonderful items and then keep ordering what you fell in love with our food came out (2 meat plates and 2 bread plates) and both left much to be desired I thought maybe we would order more if we loved something but I felt it was a loss. And even more so after seeing our bill for 100 pounds. We did order 3 drinks. (1 wine and 2 beers, still not much) A total disappointment on one of our last nights in London.

Amazing food, the octopus is.the best!

Five star eating, quick service , an event

The food, the food, the food. Oh my lord this was incredible. We loved V so much we asked her to order our entire meal and we were not disappointed. Will be back again soon!

Exceptional experience with some very good food

Waw. Just waw . A simple high bar, wrapped around an open kitchen in which a 3-person kitchen team, a bartender and a 3-person server staff take care of all who venture here! The food is astonishing and simple at the same time. Beautifully balanced flavours that are both familiar (hummus, labneh, squid, naan..) and exciting. Every dish has this edge you are hoping for but don t (know how to) expect. A special mention of the spinach borani and the expertly done knafeh. If I did have one remark it would be that, from where I was sitting, every passer-by had to graze my back which was.. a minor inconvenience. I m pretty sure it s only the case in that specific spot in combination with a full house, though. I will 100% visit again.

Superb restaurant. Food was fantastic. Service was excellent. Vibe was great. Would definitely recommend

This is the second time I ve visited the Barbary (first time was 2016) and it was as wonderful as the first. Most incredible food (literally off the scale). Waiting staff are an absolute dream and work like an incredibly well-oiled machine. Chefs/Kitchen staff appear very relaxed and friendly and everyone just looks like they enjoy what they re doing - just goes to show that chefs don t have to scream and shout at each other to produce excellent food! Loved every second, will be coming back without doubt (also keen to try the Barbary next door for perhaps a slower meal experience).

Exceptional food with 5* service. We tried half the menu and loved every dish! Highly highly recommend. This is now one of my favourite places to eat in London. I will definitely be returning.

Server was nice but I found some of the food too spicy for me

The best place for a special occasion

Friendly servers

Amazing food and service! The guys momo, alex and the Italian chef in the kitchen have created a really nice atmosphere around the lunch. To come back

The Barbury is a restaurant that caters for foodies who like tasty and vibrant flavours without compromising on being healthy. The restaurant is tiny with a thoughtful layout, diners are seated at the bar which is home to the bar at the front and behind that making up the centre or heart of the restaurant is the kitchen. So everything is on show and you can literally watch your food to plate process. 2 of us ordered: 1 bread, 1 dip, 1 side 1 bokados 1 fish dish, 1 meat dish, 1 vegetarian 1 dessert to share The Moroccan Cigars were an absolute smash hit, delicately flavourful without being too greasy. Black Dalmon dukkah was again well done Cauliflower Jaffa style was a bit overcooked to my taste personally The chocolate baklava was tough to share purely because I could have quite happily had this all by myself Service is great with staff explaining the menu. The vibe is lively and edgy, which is what my partner and I look for. You may find the cramped dining and immersive cooking experience noisy or overwhelming- so it depends on what you look for. I will definitely be going back and taking friends as this is exactly what I look for in a dining experience Vegetarian options: The menu is split into Land / Sea / Earth so it s easy to pick out vegetarian options

Went yesterday for my 2 year anniversary with my partner. 10/10 dining experience. Amazing food, great to watch a professional kitchen at work. Special shout out to Alex who was so friendly and guided us so professionally through the menu. Couldnt recommend enough.

This is my favorite restaurant in London. Make sure to order the Jerusalem Bagel with Spinach Borani, Pata Negra, and Cauliflower Jaffa Style.

We had a great night at the Barbary - best meal of 2024! Shout out to Momcilo who chatted to us all night and took us through the dishes. My favourites were the Cauliflower and the chocolate baklava.

Such a great menu and fun experience! Definitely be sure to request seating at the main counter in front of the chefs. Only con would be limited cocktails on the menu.

Amazing service, great vibe. Food is mostly awesome, though the portions are a bit too small. Highlights: cauliflower and chicken. Opt for the bagel, not the other bread.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Barbarys take on Middle East/ North African cuisine. Everything we ate was cooked to perfection. The octopus was a visual treat. The salmon flaky and moist. But the star was the shawarma. Is it authentic? No! Should it be called Shawarma? I dont know or care as all I could think about was how much my taste buds were enjoying this experience. Good choice of desserts too.

The food was amazing and service was perfect. Often in middle eastern / North African restaurants you find yourself eating the same tahini and labneh flavours but at The Barbary every dish is different making you just want to try the entire menu! The service was great, ask for Momo when you go there and let him choose for you. We enjoyed all of his recommendations for both food and wine. Overall a great experience sitting at the counter over looking the kitchen and distracting the chef with my questions, she remained friendly and interactive which made my experience (being a chef myself) incredible!

An intimate eatery with top-quality food and a fantastic dining experience. The open kitchen design allows you to see the chefs work their magic. We thoroughly enjoyed every dish we ordered- especially the Jerusalem bagel with ikra & chicken masabacha. The octopus was fresh, but the curry sauce was a little overpowering. Dessert (hash cake) was a slight letdown, but it doesnt draw away from the fact that everything else was spectacular.

Great experience with eating at the table overlooking kitchen and chefs. A fresh take on Persian cuisine. Atmosphere was energetic and vibrant with all staff fully engaged with their diners from the chefs to the front of house. However, felt food was overpriced for what it was for example the house naan which is essentially a flatbread charged at £6 per person. A little much perhaps The meat filled cigars were delightful as was the chicken which melted in the mouth. Lamb was on the chewy side felt short changed when the diner next to me had bigger skewer portions. Hashcake was delicious with a hint of ghee. Glasses of wine could have been bigger and in better quality wine glasses. Some improvements could be made to this establishment but for some part of it the vibe was fresh and kinetic. Probably wouldn t come back.

Absolutely fantastic menu and super cute and charming space. The servers were also lovely and helped with guiding me on reccos. My faves were the naan, Moroccan cigars, and cauliflower!

Would easily have given this a 5 if it wasn t for the arrogance and sheer rudeness of the maitre d and disingenuous nature of other staff. It is shocking that the guy who is the first person you interact with is unpleasant, crass and so sarcastic to the point that we were tempted to cancel our booking. Did also feel pushed to order more food when it was clear to me the amount we d ordered was more than sufficient for us (could be related to the discretionary 15% service charge). Food was delicious (we shared 5 plates) and I loved being sat around the tiny kitchen watching the chefs at work. It would have been better if the chicken didn t arrive so much later than the rest of our meal as our breads were cold by then. The prices are on the higher side but to be expected for the area and number of covers. If the staff weren t so awful, would likely return to try some of the other bits off the menu as this was the first visit. I thought our experience may have been an isolated incident but looking through a few reviews, this seems to be a regular occurrence. ___ Edit: no changes following several rounds of feedback unfortunately.

It s been 5 months since we visited London from the US and my boyfriend still talks about how amazing the za aluk was This was our favorite restaurant. We loved everything we ordered including the falafel, bagel, naan, chicken, cauliflower, and grilled halloumi. The staff is excellent and the cozy environment is fun. Wish there was a location in the US!

Lovely restaurant with an open kitchen design. The moroccan cigars and the lamb are absolutely amazing. Would definitely come back in the future.

We were early birds , so the first in to dine , very warmly greeted on arrival . Love the decor , interesting non alcoholic cocktails available . There isnt a huge menu , but I find this is better as the restaurant can more easily concentrate on offering great plates of food , which they do and there is enough choice and variety on show . We will be back !

The food was really tasty and there were plenty of vegetarian options. It s small plates and the creativity and deliciousness reminds me a bit of abcV, my favorite restaurant in NYC. We took the server s suggestion and tried two dips - the roasted eggplant and the labneh - both were great. The falafel on hummus was very nice, as was the salad and the cauliflower. My only regret about this place is there s no substantive vegetarian protein, so we had to go get protein shakes afterwards to make it a full meal. I hope they will add some proper vegetarian protein to the menu. Vegetarian options: There are several vegetarian plates, but there is no substantive vegetarian protein (falafel does not contain enough protein for a meal).

Amazing food and great service. Staff was very helpful and it s fun to watch them cook the food knowing front of you. The naan, hummus were great. I honestly would skip the morocccan cigars next time opt for more dips. The broccoli was amazing along with the bass and lamb as well. Would highly recommend!!!

Stefano, the chef was incredibly friendly and all of the staff were fantastic. The food was simply sublime. Weve been many times before and this visit did not disappoint. Highlights were the Moroccan cigars, octopus, cauliflower. The wine we chose after three sample glasses was superb. Again, the staff could not be more helpful in making sure we selected a bottle we liked. Absolutely love this place. Only suggestion would be to serve some Israeli wine. Apparently its no longer available as it didnt use to sell. We would definitely have gone for an Israeli bottle if there was one. Vegetarian options: Cauliflower aubergine halloumi

A unique and incredibly flavourful menu, along. With a great dining experience that puts you in the kitchen as chef prepares your meal in front of you. Every dish weve had is fantastic, but I did travel from Toronto to have their Dukkah salmon.

Great food and service.

Cosy counter top dining experience. For appetizer, we had the Naan and Jerusalem bagel to pair with zartar. Bread were fluffy and tasted even better with the provided spiced. For main, we had octopus which was pretty underwhelming as the charred/grilled taste wasn t strong enough. The chicken was not bad but the iberico pork stands out best. Dessert - go for the knafeh!! So so good! Was afraid it might be too sweet but the flavour was well balanced between the cheese, chocolate and the crispy outer layer pastry. On the other hand, hash cake was a slight letdown.

Have been coming for years and never disappointed!! Book to eat at the bar- the chilled atmosphere, great service and oh my- the food is all a taste sensation! Love watching them cook with passion and great teamwork, every dish made with care, cocktails, wine, starters through dessert options are wonderful- something for everyone. Thank you team! Dietary restrictions: Staff knowledgeable about dietary restrictions ensuring I was ok every step of the way, thank you Thescos!

The food is great no doubt, but the portion sizes are a joke, unless of course you want to spend £75 a head.

This is not a North African restaurant, it s Israeli owned. Colonisers just be colonising cuisine and masquerading as usual.

Everything we ordered was delicious. The eggplant dip was my favorite!

Some tasty dishes, fun atmosphere. Stools are horribly uncomfortable. Overall, I far prefer Bubala but would return to the Barbary if in the area.

Cozy Atmosphere. Friendly, Patient staff. They walked us through the menu, catered to our allergies, and checked in with us periodically throughout the night. All the dishes we had were delicious.

Really nice food and lovely service.

Simply the most wonderful food, drink and atmosphere -fantastic experience & will definitely be back to try the rest of the menu.

MIND BLOWN. Made my top 3 of favourite restaurants in London. Cauliflower was an absolute star, as well we the Broccoli special. Dips were incredible & the service was top notch. Will be back again! Only thing to note is that it s a bar set up, so less ideal for big groups! Would recommend for a party of 2 (and will be back!!!) it was so good I forgot to take photos

Brutally efficient staff. Pleasure looking at an oiled machine while enjoying quality ingredients, handled with the best care.

The Barbary is a fun, friendly restaurant with excellent food. Definitely a stand out in London. Dietary restrictions: They were very careful about a sesame allergy, everyone from the chef to our server.

My sister made a booking after our Sunday art venture. Our booking was at 3pm and the restaurant was packed throughout the entire time we were there. So advanced booking is def recommended. The restaurant was very vibe, majority of the seats were around the kitchen where we can see chefs in action either at the robata grill or at the tandoor clay oven. We ordered the naan e Barbari (twice), the Moroccan cigars, the Ikra and humus dip to begin with. Then the chicken masabacha and the cauliflower - these two are must order, the chicken could be the best I ve had, it s so flavorful, tender but with texture. By the time I finished the meal I m already thinking of booking my next visit :) Dietary restrictions: Catered for shellfish allergy

Excellent food, great service. The entrées were awesome, well sized. The main dish works well with this, being a bit on the small side. Short menu and to the point, everything turns oit good this way. A bit noisy place, but not too bad.