Kunafa Tea Restaurant — Restaurant in Bradford

My Review in November 2023 (Good Food but Congested and Expensive - 4 stars) Good, tasty authentic Middle-Eastern food, cooked by a Syrian family. However, space is tight - we were all sitting cheek-by-jowl with other customers literally 3 feet from us, one of who was coughing away. Price high, quite out-of-proportion with the food served. No parking, just on-street on a very busy road next to a traffic signal.

January 2025 Update (3 stars) We visited again last night and found that while there has been a refurbishment (externally and internally – they have updated their seating and have increased their seating capacity too – the overall impression is that it seems to be going downhill. This is because of the following:

PROS • Unlike previously, now more reasonably priced as compared to similar places nearby (for instance, Meza Restaurant on Legrams Lane and CZN Burak Gurme on Great Horton Lane). It appears that Kunafa are now feeling the pinch of competition. • Recent refurbishment outside (new paint, lights, etc.) and configuration inside (better seating, more capacity) gives it a much better appearance. • Staff friendly • Service reasonably quick • Menu choices expanded and are reasonably authentic • Portion sizes have shrunk (we tried their Kunafa and Hot Mezze Platter (for sharing)

CONS • Remains on an extremely busy traffic light • No parking other than a small, tight street next to it which is already full of cars, none of them belonging to the place’s patrons • No disabled access – especially germane to me • The eponymous dessert after which the restaurant is named – Kunafa – is not genuine anymore (we tried the original in Mini size); it wasn’t hot, did not have the crispy cover made of vermicelli thin pasta, did not have the syrup on it, had a very miserly few grains of crushed pistachio on it. The size seems to have been reduced too. Immeasurably better Kunafa is available within a few yards of the place. Really disappointing. • Of most valid concern is the fact that it is now a cash only place. This is a very unfortunate trend increasingly seen in many Bradford eateries recently. The reason invariably given by these establishments is “card machine out of order”. This situation then lasts for months and years. The reason behind this seems to be self-evident, in my opinion. Here too, the same reason was given – but how does one balance that wit h the fact that they have a small cash machine installed indoors. In other words, they are not planning to go back to optional card payments again. Further irony – the cash machine was out of money!!! They did say we could do a bank transfer, but no one really wants to fuss with that. This is a self-destructive policy for such places, because no one should go to a fun experience – in this case eating out – with wads of cash on them.

I do not think we shall be taking our custom...

Great experience - high quality and freshly made to order.

Tried the fried Kebbe as a starter which was nice, had a real authentic meat mince flavour, not many spices but just overall, a meaty flavour.

As the main we got the levant mix grill which for £36.50, I felt was overpriced but given the location of where it is in thought, i can understand why they had to price it that way. Everything on the plate was delicious apart from the lamb chops which lacked flavour and was overcooked (literally a reason why I didnt give 5 stars for the review as I was looking forward to a flavoursome, juicy lamb chop). The lamb tikka was brilliant, some of the best Ive had. You can choose 2 sides along with this main. We chose fries and bread. This meal, id say would be good for ONE hungry person looking to try a bit of everything or a good starter for 2.

The desserts were great especially the dubai chocolate special (not sure if thats what its called) which was a bed of that pistachio filling with ice cream on top and a side of rich chocolate sauce to pour over as you like. Kunafa was good but the baklava was mediocre, nothing special.

Washed down with some arabic tea with mint on the side which was so refreshing (if you like “turkish tea” that are available in other places then this is the tea to get from here).

The staff here are lovely and very attentive. Look very smart, friendly and easy to approach, especially the waitress.

Parking - you’ll have to look for parking beside the place or behind which isnt much of a walk anyway. Bare in mind the place isnt huge so for the amount of parking available, its...

A Delightful Fusion: Kunafa Tea Restaurant's Cheese Kunafa Review

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Nestled in the heart of the city, Kunafa Tea Restaurant offers a unique fusion of Middle Eastern delights and tea. On my recent visit, I had the pleasure of trying their cheese kunafa, and it left me thoroughly impressed.

The moment the cheese kunafa arrived at the table, it was a feast for the eyes. The golden layers of crunchy pastry encased a luscious filling of melted cheese. The presentation was picture-perfect, with a drizzle of sweet syrup and a sprinkle of pistachios on top.

Taking my first bite, I was greeted with a delightful combination of textures and flavors. The outer layer was crispy and caramelized, providing a satisfying crunch, while the melted cheese oozed with a creamy richness. The sweetness of the syrup balanced perfectly with the savory cheese, creating a harmonious blend of sweet and salty notes.

The cheese kunafa at Kunafa Tea Restaurant showcased the mastery of their pastry chefs. The quality of ingredients used was evident, and the attention to detail in the preparation was commendable.

The restaurant itself had a cozy and relaxed ambiance, making it an ideal spot to unwind with a cup of tea and indulge in delectable treats. The staff was friendly and provided attentive service, ensuring a pleasant dining experience.

If you're a fan of Middle Eastern desserts or looking to experience the magic of cheese kunafa, I highly recommend paying a visit to Kunafa Tea Restaurant. It's a haven for those seeking a unique and satisfying...