Adana Restaurant Ilford — Restaurant in London

We called in yesterday before arriving just incase they were busy. Were told they were still opening up and they'll be able to seat us. Werent informed of any issues at the restaurant.

When we arrived we were seated immediately, however keeping in mind how cold it is out, the restaurant was FREEZING. We informed them of this numerous times and asked if they could turn the heating up- the guy who served us really didn't seem to understand as he'd smile, nod and do nothing. We figured we just needed to wait as understandably as they just opened it'd take a while to warm up- but we were wrong. It was unbearably cold but too late to leave by the time we realised it wasnt going to change as they started cooking. We had a baby and young child with us who we were especially concerned about being sat in the cold for so long. Only as we left had they informed us the heating is not working, they could have informed us earlier, and really they should have stayed closed as they got this fixed but instead they didn't show any concern for customers.

On another note we were informed the half chicken would take a little while to be ready and asked if we'd like to receive all the food together to which we agreed. They didn't say it would take an hour to be ready...which I think would have been sensible of them to specify. So it was a very long wait for food. Other than the chicken everything else was just warm, not hot, which meant in the very cold restaurant the food too went cold fast. The koftes and shish were extremely salty. Chicken was okay.

Canned drinks are a bump at £3 each, you can't get tap water but bottled water is an option (we asked as I don't recall seeing it on the menu- but i could have missed it).

When we were leaving they asked if the food was okay. My mum answered "very cold" lol. We didnt complain because, as i mentioned earlier the guy serving us didnt understand anything. He did smile loads though. Plus they werent helpful about the extreme cold issue so i wasnt expecting any helpful response to the food issue. Its the next day and we all have terrible stomach pain (our meals at adanas was the only food we all had in common).

Atmosphere was poor- looks like a half complete restaurant (ceiling looks like they started working on it). On top of that subpar food and zero comfort made for a really poor experience.

Obviously very disappointed- went for a family meal to celebrate a graduation after Adanas was reccomended but definitely...

Definitely Will Not Be Returning - Poor Service, Unsanitary Practices, and Raw Food I definitely won't be going here again. Our visit was plagued by multiple issues, from initial order mix-ups to serving raw food and receiving an unacceptable response from the staff.

Order Errors and Unhygienic Practices Upon arrival, we ordered a chicken platter grill and a portion of ribs. After a long wait, we were served a mixed lamb and chicken platter, which we didn't realize was incorrect until about five minutes in. The most disturbing part occurred when a worker realized the error: they took the platter we had been eating from and gave it back to the original table it was intended for. This is extremely unsanitary and unacceptable.

Excessive Wait and Uncooked Food We were told our correct chicken platter would take "10 minutes" to prepare, but it actually took a staggering 40 minutes. While waiting, the five of us shared the portion of ribs. We quickly discovered that two of the ribs were bloody and raw in the center, and the rest were mostly fat. When we immediately notified the waiter about the raw meat, his response was shocking. He stated that it was "normal" and that we should have mentioned we wanted it "cooked all the way through." This is a completely unacceptable defense of serving uncooked food. He offered to bring two new, well-cooked ribs, which we accepted.

Refusal to Remove Raw Food from the Bill Our chicken platter finally arrived, and we quickly finished what we could, ready to leave. When we asked for the bill, we asked the waiter to remove the ribs due to them being raw and inedible. He refused, stating, "No, it's not our fault; most customers like it like this."

Another staff member then falsely claimed, "You all ate the ribs," even though we had informed them immediately after discovering the raw ones. I have never experienced a restaurant that serves raw food, handles order mix-ups so unhygienically, and then refuses to apologize or remove the item from the bill. The staff's response and customer service were unbelievable and unacceptable. Avoid...

A Fusion of Turkish and Indian Flavors. I had a wonderful experience at Adana Fancy Spicy Turkish Café, where they skillfully combine Turkish and Indian cuisine—a trend that is becoming increasingly popular. The flavors were absolutely incredible, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well these two culinary traditions complemented each other.

Exceptional Food & Flavors. I ordered the lamb shish kebab with rice, and it was simply outstanding. The meat was so tender it melted in my mouth, and the sauces were bursting with rich, aromatic flavors. Their freshly baked bread, straight from the oven, was warm, smoky, and had that perfect wood-fired aroma—the kind of bread that makes a meal feel extra special.

The tea was another highlight—served in a generous portion with fragrant cardamom, adding a comforting touch to the meal. This place is perfect for couples, small groups, or even large gatherings—there’s plenty of space, and the portions are good size and satisfying.

A Minor Drawback – Cleanliness of Tables. The only issue I encountered was the cleanliness of the tables. I had to ask multiple times for mine to be properly wiped down. The staff cleaned it with a single cloth, which only spread the dirt around rather than truly cleaning it. So I needed to ask a second time to wipe a table with a clean cloth. Generally, a second wipe with a fresh cloth would make a big difference in creating a more pleasant dining experience.

Despite the table issue, the food was outstanding, the service was friendly, and the location is very convenient, right by the bus stops. I sincerely hope the owner takes this feedback into account because the restaurant itself has so much potential.

If you’re looking for delicious Turkish cuisine with a unique Indian twist, rich sauces, and perfectly cooked meat, this is definitely a place worth visiting! Highly...