![Zomato]( "Recensione")
My boyfriend and I went her for his birthday. Having been before he highly recommend Shabeen.
Having been (and fell in love with) South Africa last year I'm always on the look out for somewhere or something to take me back. Shebeen didn't disappoint.
Firstly, the staff were lovely and welcoming. No pressure to order.
We started with a couple of (imported) Castle Lager, personally there's nothing worse than a crappy imitation lager so this hit the spot.
I was warned not to get a started, by all means, one between two if you're really hungry would work but I'm so glad we didn't.
The OH went for the rump steak, lion size, this steak was bigger than my face!!! It came on a wooden board with a ridge for collecting the juices (A+), accompanying this was some potatoe wedges, onion rings (large), side salad and he went for the 'Monkey Sauce' * It was seasoned beautifully and cooked med/rare as requested.
After much humming & hawing, I went for the Shebeen burger with cheese. Again, this came with all the above and again, it was about the size of my face.
I even had to give a quarter to the OH to finish.
Two large mains, two Castle each, £52.
I can't wait to go back and try a few of the authentic dishes, Bunny Chow anyone?!
*no monkeys were harmed in the making of this sauce.
Like steak? Then were shebeen?! This place has the biggest steaks I have ever encountered. Full chopping boards full of red meaty goodness. All the accompaniments are also really nice. Calamari is good to start...but save room as you will be full to the brim. The full T-bone looks like a cow cut in half!
Oh my god! I'm going to have to wheelbarrowed out the door of Shebeen writing this review. First time here. Heard loads about it but never walked in until now. So my husband had the 'stew' (I really can't write or pronounce their dishes so I'm not going to try). I had the steak. It comes in 2 sizes; cheetah (small) and lion (big). My gosh! I sure don't feel like a cheetah now. More like a over-stuffed sloth. It sure is a big steak. All yummy for sure. Even the Monkey Glands sauce that is recommended with the steak (no monkeys were harmed in the making of my dinner). Yummy! Coming back for sure...as I have my eye on the ribs that the the next table beside me ordered.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Colombian Citrus Tomatoes
Shebeen Restaurant, Edinburgh - Wednesday 16th July 2014
A table for 9 was booked and we were a little disappointed that we had to give our order 24 hours in advance. In true food club fashion however, we examined the menu and made our choices. Then we played the waiting game.
We climbed the colourful staircase and entered the African themed room and took our seats, preparing for a meat fuelled extravaganza. As is tradition, the evening started with some refreshments. Ice cold Windhoek lager was served and very much enjoyed.
The waitress confirmed our pre-order and unfortunately there was an error – lamb instead of beef and as it was pre ordered this couldn’t be changed – Although the fault was probably at our end, this could have been avoided without the pre order but we battled on with another round of Namibia’s finest brew.
The starters arrived and the proportions were of delightful stature. I shared the Fanagalo with a fellow critic and when it comes in a bucket, you know you’ve made the right choice. Packed with a selection of Ribs, Meatballs, Sausage, Pork Belly & Beef Sosaties – Deliciously filling. Calamari was also a good choice, pleasingly fresh with a crispy batter and accompanied by a generous helping of garlic mayonnaise. A Beef Sosatie was devoured with a sweet relish which mingled perfectly and lamb Samosa – Soft, crispy and interesting to taste South Africa’s take on this world wide favourite.
Another round of Windhoek and a well timed rest before starting our main courses. The majority went for Steaks and you had a choice of size between a Cheetah (small) and Lion (Large). Being manly men obviously we all opted for lion. Succulent Steaks served on a large chopping board and partnered with a side salad, grilled mushroom, chunky chips (suspiciously like Potato wedges) and crispy onion rings. As the size of the steak suggests we ripped into the meat like Lions on the African plains. Fantastic food, extremely filling and very tasty. The Mixed grill was ordered which consisted of a mouth watering lamb chop, mini rump, homemade sausage & a fried egg. The final main to arrive was the Bunny Chow with lamb instead of beef. Although not what was pre-ordered it was still a great dish. Soft lamb in a beautiful Durban curry served in a hollowed bread for a satisfying belly filling experience.
Feeling rather plump and full of meat and beer we did the right thing… Throw in the towel…. NOPE! Another round of Windhoek and the dessert menu please.
The Capetonian Crumble came piping hot and full of exquisite fruits and crumbling crumble. Served with a vanilla ice cream complimenting the dish perfectly. A refreshingly refreshing Peppermint Crisp Torte delighted the pallet and was a heavenly end to filling meal. The majority of us selected the delightfully named Melktert. A sweet pastry filled with a creamy, almost porridge like filling. It was heavy yet heavenly and was supported by a small yellow Tomato. After discussions with waitress, we were advised it wasn’t actually a Tomato but we all know it was and aptly named it “The Colombian Citrus Tomato”.
Another great night and very much enjoyed – We were probably the loudest in the place so apologies but we like to create a vibrant ambiance wherever we go. Good value and good service.
Dankie
Jadine Arnold - The Punk Rock Princess
+4.5
AMAZING! This is such a fantastic place, having grown up in Africa when seeing this place I felt i was at home, the steaks not to mention hunter gold beer and Windhoek Larger, I felt so happy. Like I was being taken back in time. The layout and feel of the place is lovely, never too busy and a nice family or date night to go to... on the pricey side but so worth it if you love meat and Africa, somewhere i chose everytime to celebrate on a special occasion!
An excellent venue for what is a relatively niche cuisine. In a city where Chinese, Italian and Indians dominate, this is a welcome break from tradition.
The decor is wonderful to say the least, and the food menu is a treat to behold. The array of food that is unavailable elsewhere is terrific and a fantastic change from the tired same old order in your run of the mill restaurants.
The Boerewors Roll was, to say the least, a behemoth. The gargantuan sausage barely contained within the confines of the bun. The Bunny Chow, which my friend had, was, as he described it, much better than an Indian.
The choice of drinks is cracking as well, with South African soft drinks available to buy, as well as a good selection of beer from the African continent.
Outstanding meal. A big surprise. Great place for a steak and more. I had the bunny thing spices and delicious. I also had some if the ribeye. Quite good don't miss it. Please click 'like' if you like my reviews...
I have one piece of advice if you intend to eat at Shebeen: don't eat a lot beforehand. Be ravenous when you get here. The food is so amazing that you will want to eat everything. The portion sizes may make this difficult, no matter how empty your stomach. The South African atmosphere and friendly staff are the "pepper on the steak" here. Always my top choice for a special meal.
Enjoyed the atmosphere, and South African music, they have some authentic, tasty, South African dishes but... they are a bit pricey. The other down side is they only open from 5pm to 10 pm on a Sunday and during the week. For those that don't know 'shebeen' is an unlicensed/illegal bar in the townships of South Africa.
South African restaurant in the heart of Edinburgh, not many around in the UK so was delighted to stumble across this place having not tasted wors in some time, ordered the boerewors straight away and it was pleasantly received! Very quirky little place as well definitely had a little feel of SA going on the staff were great, fully accented and very polite! I witnessed other meals being brought out and the portions were generous to say the least. If you're a saffer its a familiar feel with all your favourites and of you're British go and get a taste of real African food. A totally unbiased 5 stars from me. Amazing, thank you, very lekker, and please come to Newcastle. 🇿🇦👍😁🐃🦏🦒🍖🍗🥩🌭🍻🍽️🇿🇦
Food was great here and told by my south african wife that authentic too staff were very friendly and the food is amazingly filling please try the bunny chow it's a curry inside a loaf wow that's all I cal say at that but wow. So if in edinburgh and want something different but safe this is the place to come and see and eat recommended
Cute little restaurant, would recommend booking! Staff very friendly and happy to accommodate my gluten and milk free request. Good sized steak for price, not the best steak I've had in Edinburgh, slightly chewy.
A top notch steak restaurant that has a nice, laid back feel to it. The service was exquisite, and presided over by excellent waiting staff
Never imagined I'd enjoy a sauce named 'Monkey Glands' but the waitress really sold it. The food, whilst pricey, comes in enormous proportions and is well worth it. I am usually not a fan of rump steak but the standard here was excellent, and only makes me want to try their rib eye and sirloin all the more.
Huge steaks at great prices. Cooked perfectly, ribeye medium and rump rare. Seasoned excellently. Very nice atmosphere, was very busy when we went in but they managed to get us a table. Prompt service and friendly staff.
One of the best steak I’ve ever had. Highly recommended if you’re in the area. And excellent service from Brad.
Huge portions all of high quality. Staff super interested and quick. With big smokes even though v busy. Love it.
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