Mazar Restaurant — Restaurant in Leeds

Review of Mazar Restaurant, Leeds

I recently visited Mazar Restaurant in Leeds, hoping to enjoy an authentic Afghan dining experience. Unfortunately, the visit fell short of expectations, largely due to disappointing service and a lackluster atmosphere that could easily be improved with a bit more warmth and attentiveness.

On arrival, service was slow from the beginning. Though they provide complimentary lentil soup, which was a nice touch, it was hard to overlook the lack of engagement from the waitstaff. A little friendliness or even a simple smile would have gone a long way in enhancing the atmosphere, especially given how long we ended up waiting. Even after finishing our soup, our main order was delayed, with other customers who came after us being served first. It required asking twice just to get an update, and there was no follow-up to check if we needed anything else.

We ordered mantu both as a starter and as a main course, but the experience was underwhelming. The starter portion was simply four plain dumplings with no sauce, and I had to ask for it to be brought separately. When it finally came, the sauce was missing the traditional touch of mint, which left it tasting incomplete. As a main, the mantu was better but couldn’t make up for the earlier disappointment.

The lamb chops kebab was definitely the highlight of the meal—tender and flavorful. However, it was served with only a few chips, which seemed inadequate for a main course. Similarly, the chicken tikka kebab came in a portion so small it felt like it could have been a kid’s meal, accompanied by a sparse amount of rice and chips.

The lamb Carsi Karahi was another letdown. Unlike what the menu described, it arrived without the expected sauce, leaving just ginger, peppers, and lamb bones with fat. The flavor was oddly sweet rather than the spiciness promised on the menu.

Salads, typically a vibrant part of Afghan meals, felt like an afterthought. The presentation and decoration lacked appeal, taking away from the dish's usual appeal.

To top things off, the price didn’t feel justified. At £1.79 for a can of Coke that tasted off, it seemed overpriced for what was being offered. The overall experience left me disappointed, especially as I’d looked forward to discovering the flavors of Afghan cuisine here.

Would I recommend Mazar Restaurant? Honestly, no. The quality didn’t match the price, and the lack of attention to service and detail was discouraging. Small improvements—like quicker service, more attentive staff, and better presentation—could go a long way toward creating a better experience. For now, though, I’ll be searching for another Afghan restaurant to experience authentic Afghan cuisine. No parking if you...

Ordered a delivery few days ago for the first time from this place we usually order from their next door Afghan neighbours who are usually very good but last few times they let us so we decided to try Mazar. The order was last which I personally think was not their fault as they use 3rd party Just Eat Drivers. Anyhow, the Kobeda Kebab was very dry in fact very very dry and had a strange smell to it, it might just be me since everyone makes different ways in different places so it might just be me but it was definitely dry. The charsi karahi could have been cooked a bit more as it was slightly hard to tear the chicken down. The Lamb Chops were Definitely Not Lamb 100%, they're more like mutton or old sheep chops. Lamb Chops are supposed to be juicy and tender but these chips were rubbery and full of fat. The naan breads were too thick and a bit Doughy meaning not Cooked Properly From Inside. The rest was pretty much ok, we had Qabauli Pilau which I would say was definitely better then their next door Afghan Neighbours. These guys can definitely concentrate on their green mint/chutney a bit more even though it was still not bad. All in all not very bad but slight concentration can be much better by the staff or management. I'm sorry if I was harsh but that was my personal honest...

Disappointed Regular – Standards Have Dropped

I’ve been a regular customer at this place for quite a while, but after my most recent visit, I won’t be coming back—and I definitely won’t be recommending it to anyone.

🍽️ The Food: Just Average

The food was okay—nothing terrible, but certainly nothing special. For a place I’ve supported for a long time, I expected better. It felt rushed and lacked the usual care that used to make it stand out.

🧑‍🍳 The Service: Shockingly Poor

The real issue, though, was the service. I honestly don’t have words for how bad it was. I had to get up and walk to the counter myself just to ask for things, more than once. No attention, no courtesy—it felt like we were being ignored. As a customer, that’s just unacceptable.

🔄 What Changed?

Back when Mazar (I believe he’s the owner) was around, things were completely different. You could feel the pride in the place, and the service was always on point. Unfortunately, that standard is clearly no longer being maintained.

❌ Final Thoughts

Long story short: I left disappointed and frustrated. This used to be a place I looked forward to visiting, but now it’s lost what made it worth coming back. I won’t be returning—and I can’t recommend it to...