Al Casbah — Restaurant in Cambridge

A Tale of Two Algerian Gems: Al Casbah & Bedouin – A Must-Visit from Leeds! As someone who travels from Leeds for work in Cambridge, I can confidently say that a visit to either Al Casbah or Bedouin is an absolute must every time I'm in town. I strongly believe these two outstanding Algerian restaurants on Mill Road are related, perhaps as sister establishments, and they are genuine gems. They consistently deliver authentic Algerian flavours and a dining experience that sadly, many Algerian restaurants in Leeds could learn a great deal from. It often leaves me wondering why others struggle to be true to themselves and their cuisine.

Al Casbah: Casual Perfection, Charcoal Grills & Unwavering Quality Al Casbah is a consistent favourite. I've been there numerous times, and honestly, I'm still searching for something to complain about! The grilled dishes, cooked to perfection on hot charcoal, are a definite highlight. Every bite speaks to the freshness and quality of the ingredients.

The atmosphere at Al Casbah is a beautiful blend of casual comfort and professional service. While it can get busy, leading to a slower pace for food at times, I actually appreciate this; it's a testament to its popularity and the fact that everything is cooked fresh to order. What truly makes Al Casbah special is its authentic, family-run vibe. On one memorable visit, I even saw a waiter taking orders while carrying a baby – a charming, heartwarming moment that, along with kids happily doodling at the bar, simply adds to the warm, inviting atmosphere. It’s clear this is a place where professional standards meet genuine, heartfelt hospitality, with a team that is consistently extremely polite and professional.

Bedouin: Hearty, Grown-Up Flavours & Perfect Couscous Just a stone's throw away, Bedouin, which I also believe to be closely related to Al Casbah, offers a slightly different, yet equally captivating, experience. The food here feels more grown-up and hearty, with a greater emphasis on rich tagines, comforting soups, and exquisite couscous.

As someone who is often disappointed by the quality of couscous in UK Algerian restaurants – which are generally a poor imitation of what one could truly call the Algerian national dish – I can confidently say that the couscous at Bedouin is simply perfect. It's a rare find and a true taste of authenticity that really sets it apart.

The Verdict: Unbeatable Value and Authenticity Both Al Casbah and Bedouin exemplify the simple yet crucial recipe for success: good service, quality food, and an extremely polite and professional team. They consistently deliver on these fronts, making them stand out. Considering the high quality of the food, the inviting atmosphere, and their prime Cambridge location, both restaurants offer excellent value for money.

I truly wish I lived closer, as these two restaurants are a shining example of how to maintain authenticity and provide an exceptional dining experience. For anyone visiting Cambridge, particularly if you appreciate truly authentic North African cuisine, a meal at either Al Casbah or Bedouin is an...

240408 Another lovely meal with friends. Grilled King Prawns are well marinated and grilled to perfection. Borek comes with crispy pockets of juicy dough and tender minced lamb.

Couscous Royale is gorgeous. The meat selection is almost identical to the grilled platter but the flavor and texture is so different. The chicken and lamb can be easily pulled apart and melt in mouth. The couscous is moist, and the tomato sauce is beautiful. The vegetables (carrots eggplants and radish?) are great too.

Chips are surprisingly crispy and delightfully salted (and with skins!!). I usually enjoy chips plain, but the garlic sauce is irresistible :)

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I’ve been thinking about trying the place in store after getting a grill combo at last year’s Mill Road Winter Fair and wasn’t disappointed : Literally emptied all plates.

The mixed plate (brochettes casbah) is of great value. The sausage is so flavorful— can’t imagine I almost missed it if I ordered two skewers. The lamb and chicken are nicely seasoned and relatively tender. The rice is very aromatic without being too salty.

The starters/sides: Hummus is on the more garlicky and less silky side. Not my favorite type but still tastes fine.

Baba ghanoush has a distinct lovely smokiness (probably thanks to the charcoal grill), but personally I’d prefer more tahini in it, as is the case of hummus. The addition of balsamic vinegar is an interesting innovative touch. I haven’t seen in anywhere else.

The tabbouleh is really refreshing.

Fig tart is lovely (similar to the other place’s :) The chocolate ice cream is tasty and not too sweet. I wonder where it’s from?

Service is pretty friendly and prompt (except one of the chairs has a sharp nail but it’s really not the restaurant’s problem.) Good...

I have been here before with good experience, but I won't be coming back again - here is why:

Firstly, 1.We waited 30 minutes for some falafels. And Terrible service from a grumpy indian waitress, who even gave us a dirty look when we ordered, and was not very helpful towards us, even though we were polite and smiling! This place needs a new waiter/ess who has respect and kindness for the customers. Absolutely appalling service from the waitress serving us on behalf of this small restaurant, and I am mortified by how a waitress has such lack of manners in a restaurant, towards kind customers.

Secondly, The only good thing about the meal was the drinks, so actually no good thing about the meal itself at all. Falafels for starters were DRY, and un-pleasant. It doesn't take a genius to make some good falafels, but apparently you just can't get what you pay for in this place anymore.

Lastly, Paid over £10 for a 'main course' of 'lamb'. Turned out to be half a plate of rice and salad, with only 1 lamb skewer, which was also dry! 90% rice salad and 10% lamb on the plate. You can hardly label this as a lamb main course at that rate. Very disappointing for someone who was looking forwards to a nice filling meal at a place that they had previously enjoyed, but never again.

They say that a busy restaurant is always the best place to go, obviously, as it must be serving great food and with good customer service! But this place was packed, and it was an absolutely bad experience, and so I cannot reccomend it because of this.

Save your money, do your research on another place that actually has good service, and get your...