Berber & Q

Food — Awesome.
Ambiance — Awesome.
Service — Awesome.
The restaurant reminded me of Brooklyn, so it ranks high for me. It’s under an archway, creating a unique and pretty cool space. Although it was busy we were able to grab a seat (for 4) fairly quickly. The staff was really friendly and attentive — service like in the states. Food came out right away. Everything ordered was on point. Seasoned perfectly. The grilled cabbage was the winner. Sounds boring, but it was delicious. The lamb kefta was pretty good as well. Portions are big. A great place for vegetarians. All the mezze were interesting and tasteful. I will be back.

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 don’t 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 watching 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.

Clearly, food from the Mediterranean is in right now. New, chic spots are opening up all throughout London, and if Berber & Q is an example of it, I hope this trend continues.
This is a cool, dark, spot in the railway arches. It’s usually packed and they don’t take reservations. They also won’t sit you until all your party has arrived, so just be aware of that.
The menu is one sided and meat heavy. We did a bunch of shared dishes, including the cauliflower (which was seasoned a little too tartly for my taste), chicken and wings (both damn delicious) and the Mejadrah, or fried lentils, meat and other veggies which was seriously amazing. I would have eaten three bowls of this and still wanted more. We also did the hummus and crème fraîche, which went so well with hot delicious pita.
The food came out quickly, the service was nice, and the really tasty. It’s not a cheap meal by any means but it’s a quality spot for a quality meal.

Some great meat platters. Be prepared for the meat sweats. I actually want to go here for brunch as it is very different to a dinner menu.

I give this establishment a low score for one reason: the owner seems more intent on giving the customers a «hip» experience rather than good food. Some of the food was incredibly tasty and I highly recommend the crème fraîche dip with bread and the beets with whipped feta. The sweet corn was very nice as well. The lamb was tender. But I would get it all to take away. The ridiculous booming of the music was at nightclub level. One of my dining partners had to leave and stand outside because the throbbing bass was affecting his digestion. If you absolutely hate your date and don’t want to talk to them or family you loathe, then this would be a perfect place to avoid any dull or awkward things like conversation.

This place was very busy on a Wednesday night despite the sunshine outside and the fact they have no outdoor space. We waited an hour next door but one for our table to be ready. They didn’t make a fuss that our full party weren’t there before they put our names on the list which I appreciated.
When our time came, we entered the dark, arches and got a table by the wall. The aircon was blowing hard and the arches channel the cold air down onto those sitting next to the wall so wear a jumper or jacket even if the air outside is warm. The music was so loud we were unable to hear the people opposite without leaning over which didn’t make it a very relaxed meal.
The food comes with all sorts of flavours and garnishes all over it. A lot of it was excellent but some garnishes didn’t work so well and the flavours contrasted a little too much. There was plenty of food in each dish, however, and lots of things to like.
They have two toilet cubicles and an awkward waiting area behind the door so queuing was a problem.
Cocktails were delicious and the beer was good but the loud music is enough to stop me rushing back for dinner with friends. Part of having a meal is having a conversation for me but if you like near-​club levels of thumping music and don’t mind throwing a jacket on to sit down then the food here is 4 stars.

Under the arches buzzing Mediterranean restaurant. Delicious cauliflower, eggplant and lamb meat. Crisp beer. Acceptable prices. Only remark: sometimes too many ingredients were thrown at the dishes.

Had heard about this place through a daily email and decided to check it out with the chap. The place is in a railway arch so its not huge and it was pretty busy but the staff here are all really really nice and happy to chat and assist.
The food was nice and came on a sharing tray with both meals together along with salad and grilled pepper tomato and onion. We tried the pork belly and merguez sausage from the meat main with additional mixed and red onion pickles. These I highly recommend and were needed to cut through the rich meat Also, a special shout out to the pitta which was light and fluffy.
They have a cocktail menu and the ones we tried were nice enough but initially we were more interested in the wine menu. It had a heading called ‘funky. orange. fresh’, Intrigued we asked our server and it turns out you can get orange coloured wine which he was kind enough explain to us and let us taste although it was not for me! Very ‘cleansing’
Sounds good, so why just three stars you say?! Price.
The pork belly came up with just one inch wide strip and at £16 I felt robbed! We all know you can get six times that amount in tescos for something closer to £3.50 and even if it was organic (not) then it would be slightly more justifiable but only a teeny bit. There were three skinny sausages in the small portion (£9) and when it came up we had one pitta to share!!! One pitta for £25 worth of food! Come on guys! Not cool! I think they’re riding the east London wave and will probably do well by location but be warned, you will be hungry later and much poorer!