The food was so delicious. We could have eaten anything on the menu, really difficult to decide. Decided on the green chermoula chicken, pulled lamb shawarma with sides of smokey aubergine and burnt lemon and Israeli salad. Great that all the mains are served together on a large tray so you can share with loads of dip, leaves and the most amazing pitta. Great atmosphere, friendly staff who are happy to explain everything. You must experience this great place! 😋
Favourite restaurant in london - food and service are great and the restaurant itself is always buzzing! You have to wait a bit but you can have drinks at the bar or they'll call you so you can have a drink next door at trip. Well worth the wait. Definitely get the broad bean humous, the lamb and the roasted cauliflower!! Some of the best dishes I've had!
This is a great restaurant with Israeli food. Similar to meditarinne food . We ordered chicken, de boned and lamb along with grilled bone marrow . Accompanied by fresh baked pita bread.
The draught beer was perfect.
Quite laid back atmosphere.
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Berber and Q is one of my favourite restaurants in London. The vibe is low key but attractively lit. The cocktails are pleasing albeit trying a little too hard. But the true star is the food and the value thereof. The menu is divided into 3 sections of 4 - 6 dishes: dips, mezze, and meats. You order a selection of these to share (pretty much mandatory) and it all comes out together attractively arranged on large wooden board/platter(s). The flavours are a hoi polloi of middle eastern deliciousness - just read the menu and trust me it is all very well executed. I should qualify by saying these are big powerful flavours, not for those who prefer subtlety (I myself am happy with either). If you aren't a meat eater you can dine extremely well for around £10 (plus drinks!). Consequently it's very easy to over order - my fiance first visited before me and ended up literally sick from doing just that and then being unable to stop sampling the deliciousness before her.
Added bonus: if you're a board gamer book a table @before/after dinner at draughts next door for access to a huge games library and drinks/small eats while you play.
Only negative: service can be a little slow so I've docked 0.5 points...but then again that could be said about half of Londons better restaurants.
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Laid back vibe in railway arches with exposed brick and farmhouse style tables. Attentive service. As you are seated you are brought a bottle of tap water, and a jar of toum, or white Lebanese garlic paste. This sauce was fantastic.
We had a late lunch of mixed pickles, aubergine chreime, and smoked short rib. Smoked short rib is really a dish for two to share. Quite a lot of meat dressed in a sweet date glaze on a pita and garnished with salad and copious amounts of dill as well a little roast vegetable. I liked it, but my companion felt the meat was a little dry. Tasty glaze. The whole roast aubergine with almonds and sour cream was served cold and utterly delicious. Pickles were nothing special. I had expected more exuberant spicing in a North African joint. In general, great attention to detail in design and execution of the dishes.
Good value for the quality of the food. We ended up taking home some of the short rib and pickle. A very big lunch for two with a glass of wine for 40 quid.
There is a shortage of decent eating places in the no man’s land that is Kingsland road, between Hoxton and Haggerston, after the Vietnamese cafes. Dukes Brew & Que kicks in just past Haggerston station as you enter a flow of more pubs and cafes, but there is little else around, or at least I thought. Recently google has become my friend and having searched the area to pick up some suggested dining spots before a camp musical at The Glory, I saw this Berber & Q place and checked out the website.
Berber & Q is extremely good. Great food, wine, service and atmosphere.
We went as a group of four early on a Sunday night, and were lucky to get a table without waiting, as the restaurant was already packed. After joking about how the North African barbeque joint with craft beer and bearded staff was "peak hipster", we were seriously impressed by the quality of every part of the experience.
The food was exceptional. The harissa hot wings are good enough to make the trip for. We took out waiter's advice and had two types of lamb and were really impressed by the difference in flavour and texture that the chef achieved. We got all of the veg mezze bar one, and the star of the meal turned out to be the whole head of cauliflower. A bottle of orange wine added to the novelty and went extremely well with the food. Go to Berber & Q.
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There is a shortage of decent eating places in the no mans land that is kingsland road between Hoxton and Haggerston, after the vietnamese cafes. Dukes Brew & Que kicks in just past Haggerston station as you enter a flow of more pubs and cafes, but there is little else around or at least I thought. Recently google has become my friend and having searched the area to pick up some suggested dining spots before a camp musical at The Glory, I saw this Berber & Q place and checked out the website.
Talk about a hidden gem. This little mews tucked under the overground bridge just before Haggerston station has a couple of drink/food spots (including Draughts) built into old station brick alcoves. The menu boasts a solid meat offering. A one pager that simplifies the process. No reservations. First come, first served. Even as a table of two they dont sit you until your full party arrives.
So i sat at the bar to wait for my friend. Whilst initially quickly welcomed, it took some time for the bartenders to engage. They open at 6pm, I was here at 6.30pm, so it was not like it was mad busy. Luckily wathcing the open plan kitchen and enjoying aroma of bbq food kept me busy. Also note, mobile signals are intermittent in this little spot - so ensure whoever you are meeting has good directions.
The main courses are served on metal trays. Choose your grilled and smoked meets cooked over charcoal and it comes with a salad, grilled pita, spicy salsa, green pepper and cumin salt. The meat filled menu which includes delights such as smoked pork belly, short rib and home made sucuk sausages. Sides and starters with an eastern influence. I went for hand pulled lamb mechoui and Jacki opted for the harissa hot wings. We shared a s side of urfa roasted pumpkin with green harissa, yoghurt and pecan.
The food is quick and wholesome. The vibe is pretty chilled, even when it gets busy. It has a warmth about it, especially when its cold outside. The bar does a good selection of unique cocktail infusions as well as offering the classics (I had a dirty martini). If you live local, definitely worth a visit. In fact, even if you don't, the overground gets you to this spot with ease, so make the commute.
The foodie scene is ever expanding and the fun of this means you get to travel to new places for the next best thing. The London sprawl has taken east London and Stoke Newington and Dalston have fully immersed themselves as a destination for food lovers, bar hoppers and trend setters. Berber and Q, which brings with it "Mezze from the East, Music from the West". Grilled meats and smoked food is lavished upon its dining guests and with the vibe of East London and music to match, the restaurant has a buzz about it.
You’ve probably had it up to your eyeballs with how much we keep banging on about how Berber & Q can do no wrong. Our latest review on their Shukshuk Bar partnering up with Crate Brewery in Hackney Wick being the latest instalment (read our review). Well we had heard that they had started doing brunch at their original railway arch in Haggerston – and with it gave us a chance to introduce a newbie to the cuisine as well.
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There are some places which open to such incredible reviews, you become sceptical. "What's the catch?" I find myself asking, and can it really live up to the extreme expectations now set? As it is, how I see the review process working is like this:
- Reviewer goes to a restaurants and loves it. Expectations raised.
- Said reviewer then uses sensational and exaggerated vocabulary to communicate said love in the most romantic way possible. Expectations raised again.
- Reader reads review which conjures up images of the most amazing meal to ever hit their lips. Astronomical expectations set.
In this respect, a positive review almost becomes a curse as the only way the experience can go is down; I've fallen victim to this before myself where a place with rave reviews left me feeling disappointed. That though is not Berber and Q - oh no, and far far from it.
Taking inspiration from the cuisines of the Middle East, North Africa and the Ottomans, the team have comfortably settled into their home under the arches a stone's throw from Haggerston station where the sight of a queue of eager patrons has now become routine. Here, the aroma of beautiful mezze and chargrilled meats reigns supreme and sets you on your way to a gastronomic journey - and as the tray (I repeat TRAY) of mains arrived, I could tell that this was going to be quite the journey.
Harissa hot wings, house-made merguez sausage, smoked pork belly with pomegranate molasses BBQ sauce, smoked short-rib with date syrup glaze and special of Moroccan lamb mechoui was the order of the day and I can honestly say, I don't know which I loved more as all were prepared and cooked with the utmost respect for the ingredients and their natural flavours. The short-rib was superbly tender and moist as it fell off the bone whilst the merguez sausages were an explosion of flavour with every bite.
Not to be forgotten are the mezze options which are an absolute hit. Dishes of the cauliflower shawarma, tahini & rose, Turkish yogurt with sumac onions & barberries and the always solid hummus with mesabaha & pine nuts were my pick of the bunch and on any other day, just these 3 with some of Berber and Q's fresh pita would've been enough for me.
But still I tried to remain sceptical - this was an incredible meal but how could I be sure?
So I returned, this time for a quiet brunch; away from the tantalising smells of the barbecue and a menu devoid of any of my previous favourites. In the broad light of day, we started again - the outcome was still the same.
The "Full Israeli" brunch for 2 was phenomenal; mezze plates of hummus, honey feta, Israeli salad, tahini, avocado, boiled egg, baba ghanoush and yogurt & date syrup were served with fresh pita and provided a tantalising array of flavours for the palate to explore. Relaxed by day, Berber and Q provided the most comfortable of environment to watch the day pass you by as you pick away at the feast laid out for you and sip on Turkish tea or coffee (or even a cheeky cocktail for those braver souls).
However, as with any popular "no bookings" restaurant, you have to arrive within half an hour of opening to get a table straight away otherwise, prepare for a lengthily wait.
Now in writing this review, I know full well the irony which I have fallen victim to but I feel it is justified. The meals really were that good and I would tell that to anyone. Right now, I'm telling that to you. I've raised the ante in Berber and Q - it's your move now.
Also follow me on Twitter @annixontong and @wetrykai and on Instagram @annixontong.
It’s not the sort of place I frequent often is Haggerston, but it’s starting to become a lot more enticing with the addition of Tonkotsu East and now this, Berber & Q. It’s housed in a railway arch, naturally, and it’s ethos is neatly summed up on the website “mezze from the east, music from the west”.
First time trying Berber & Q and really enjoyed it! We ordered the hummus/pita, aubergine, brick chicken, and steak, all were very tasty. Our server was super friendly and attentive. The atmosphere was nice but the restaurant was playing spiritual music which didn’t seem congruent with a bbq themed restaurant.
Quality food in a cool restaurant beneath a railway arch. The steak and chicken was great, but I wasn’t a big fan of their drink options (eg no draught beers). Overall, a good dinner option though.
Great vibes at Berber &Q. Good for large groups and has a quick service format. Seating is rustic and good for an early dinner before a night of drinking. Staff are friendly and super polite. Great range of middle eastern inspired food. Good to reserve as it gets quite busy. The open kitchen gives you a feeling of being one with the restaurant. Cash and cards are accepted. The restaurant has this original brick clad interior and the lighting takes the ambience to the next level. 4 stars for the food since the focus on drinks and food can be improved since not the best quality ingredients were used. The espresso martini tasted like a it was made the previous day
Food here was amazing. Lamb was falling off the bone. Will be definitely coming back here as the food is up to the hype! Great food and greats service.
This place is excellent! I've walked past it ignoring it for many years, thinking it's an American steak house vibe - based on the sign in the window. This couldn't be more wrong. When you enter you step into a different world with great atmosphere. I've had a great mescal cocktail and the food was mind blowing. Service was also very good. Very underrated place! Get the aubergine!
Absolutely fantastic! Jaw dropping plates of flavour, with lots of surprises along the way. Who knew creamed aubergine could taste so good. I had the Berber Souk cocktail (if you like margaritas then get this!). Also the lamb is a must try with your favourite friend! This place is 10/10 for any social friend or family gathering, but make sure you book to avoid disappointment.
We came for a mid week dinner and as there were 7 of us, our server was patient with our requests and was honestly able to tell us if we had ordered enough or too much and make good recommendations. The portion sizes are on the smaller side for the price so that is one drawback. We shared the marinated olives, harissa and zhug (ok, can be skipped), grilled zaatar flatbread (good), hummus (so good!), crispy artichoke hearts, scorched mackerel (not to my taste), attila ganoush (good texture and flavour), squid with aubergine zaalouk (loved this), grilled halloumi with pumpkin (really nice), tajine with beef kefta (good), smoked pork neck with gherkins (meat fell off the bone and was tasty). For dessert, we had the cheesecake and tahini ice cream which I thought could be missed.
So good - everything tastes smokey from the grill and just delicious. They’ve got plenty vegetarian dishes but also for meat fans. Love the environment- great and laid back time
Fantastic middle eastern/ mediternian food with reasoable prices. All mezes were decent but my favs were ganoush and artichoke. Slow cooked lamb neck also great as a main.
Possibly the best middle eastern restaurant in London. Cannot say enough for this place. Very cool atmosphere and quality of the food is outstanding. Strongly recommend.
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