Harden's says
October 2021 opening from the team behind Berber & Q, an "evolved big sister" restaurant in Queen's Park.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“I’m addicted to their hispi cabbage!” – Josh Katz’s marvellous Queen’s Park three-year-old sits in a mews at the “über-trendy end of Lonsdale Road”; and everything about it hits a surefooted note as a “high-quality” neighbourhood spot that actually draws fans from miles away. “Every dish is a winner” with “very interesting flavours” permeating the “excellent, small Middle Eastern plates”: “such as aubergine, merguez sausages and beans, grilled chicken and wondrous za’atar-strewn bread and dips; and there’s a wine list full of interesting bangers”. Even fans can find it a bit “crowded” (with some of the seating at a communal table), but on most accounts it’s a “great place for a leisurely meal of sharing plates”. No reports as yet on its new spin-off in Fitzrovia, which opened in the middle of our annual diners’ poll in April 2024.
Summary
“Interesting Israeli/Middle Eastern dishes” served in a “fun, vibey setting” have created a big winner for the Berber & Q team at this Queen’s Park two-year-old: a “great neighbourhood addition”. “There are super veg options, but also fab meat and fish ones too”. “The large shared table might not be for everyone” although there is also some more conventional seating (mostly for couples). Top Tip – the small terrace in summer is particularly “nice, as there are no cars outside”.
Summary
“A great addition to Queen’s Park” – this October 2021 newcomer from the team behind East London hipster favourite, Berber & Q, gives them another hit on the other side of town. “Everything about this place is spot-on”: from the charming staff, to the “excellent atmosphere”, to the “delicious and inventive Israeli-style cooking”… “it was one of those meals that I did not want to end”. Quibbles? – “some might dislike the lack of tables with much privacy, or the trendy wine list full of options you have never heard of!”
Summary
Coming in October 2021, from the team behind Berber & Q (Josh and Paul Katz and Mattia Bianchi) – a big sister restaurant in Queen’s Park. The newcomer is to be more of an all-day operation, starting from breakfast, with an offering that evolves through the day. Seating will incorporate communal tables and a counter facing the open kitchen, where – as at its siblings – much of the cooking will be over a wood fire, delivering food (including flatbreads) with bold flavours from the Eastern Med and North Africa; there will also be a list of 60 wines curated by Bianchi.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Carmel?
Lonsdale Road, London, NW6 6RR
Restaurant details
Carmel Restaurant Diner Reviews
"If you come for lunch pop over first to the bakery directly opposite (called "Don't tell Dad"!) which has the flakiest pastry ever. Carmel itself is not all 5 as it would be noisy when full. The team are seamless from arrival to departure handing over effortless to each other so you feel you are in the hands of the house not one person. Food is in the more common style of Ottolenghi and Coal Office with lots of aubergine and great bread. There is fish and meat but you can have plenty without them. Start with the Meze which gives you the bread and amazing Tzatziki (smoothest ever with subtle taste) and creamy baba ganoush and grated tomato. We declined the olives and unlike anywhere else, they brought us a replacement dish. Perhaps it was our choices but there were a lot of creamy textures! "
"Mediterranean food was superbly executed. We ordered badly in that 2 of the 3 dishes were too similar but will know better next time. Hispi cabbage was delicious, limited desserts. Booking essential. "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £51.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
Lonsdale Road, London, NW6 6RR
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am‑11 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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