AMIRI RESTAURANT & LOUNGE — Restaurant in London

Absolutely Appalling

From start to finish, this was an utter disaster. The sheer incompetence in service, lack of basic professionalism, and subpar food made for one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had.

It started with an untrained waitress who was being guided by a supposed "team leader" on how to set the table—yet they still got it completely wrong. My knife faced the window, while my friend’s pointed at him. If this is what passes for training, the standards are nonexistent.

Ordering was equally chaotic. We specifically requested chaat as a starter and steaks as our mains. A different waitress took our order, but when drinks arrived, one of the glasses was disgusting—covered in visible marks. I had to ask for a replacement, something that should never be necessary in a decent restaurant.

Then came the food—except not as we ordered. Instead of our starters, the steaks arrived first. To make matters worse, they were both wrong. My medium-well steak was the same as my friend’s supposed medium-rare—completely overcooked and lacking any distinguishing qualities. If that was their "special marinade," they may as well have served plain, unseasoned meat.

Adding to the incompetence, we weren’t even given steak knives. Five minutes into struggling with regular knives, another waitress finally asked if we needed proper ones—this shouldn’t be a question, it’s basic common sense.

By this point, we had given up on any semblance of good service. My friend, who is French and takes his steak seriously, simply ate his well-done steak in silence rather than complain. There was no point.

To salvage our meal, we ordered fries from someone who appeared to be a manager. Ten minutes passed—nothing. We followed up, waited another ten minutes, and still nothing. At that point, we decided to leave.

Then came the final insult: the bill included both a service charge and the fries we never received. When I pointed this out, the manager looked surprised—clearly clueless about what was happening in his own restaurant. His response? “It’s okay, I won’t charge you for the fries.” As if that was some kind of favor. No one should be charged for something they never received, and with service this atrocious, they should be paying customers to dine here.

The only remotely acceptable things were the Coke and Coke Zero—because they didn’t come from the restaurant. The chaat had some flavor, but that’s about it.

A total waste of time and money. Avoid this place...

UPDATED 6.10.2025

Still wonderful! And even better than two months ago. I love this lounge. Lovely and kind staff here made some new improvements in the meantime which make their service even better than before. I have visited many shisha lounges around the UK and you are my best now!

6 stars, my friends! ;-) They have developed a must-visit lounge, indeed!

UPDATED 13.8.2025

Amazing!!! Thank you for getting the lesson, my friends. You have made huge changes and it is fair to change my review. Now you made from this new shisha lounge the place worth visit with no doubts.

Now not only the food is great but the service is excellent, too. I will definitely be back when to London again. And I can recommend this new shisha lounge to anybody else. Nice and warm atmosphere, gorgeous interior and very good kitchen make this place one of must-visit for everybody who likes shisha. Or at least the Turkish or Indian cuisine.

My friends, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. You seem to go for being one of the best shisha lounges I've ever been to. Go for it!

Thanks.

(Of course I happily change the rating from 3 stars [5/1/3] to full five stars)

Original review from 10.8.2025

Maybe the atmosphere would be better when the service would go well. I am one hour after a dinner, still do not have ordered drink, my my shisha is almost cold and the empty dish is still on my table. How would work it here in case of full restaurant when now, with only four tables occupied the service is as horrible?

UPDATE: In past ten minutes there were three members of staff to apologize. Given them another chance but no, I returned the score back to original 3 stars (5 for a delicious food, 1 for a service) and never visit this place again. (Ok, not never, we made a deal to visit after a while again for another chance. :-))

Hey, employees! Could you, please, respect your manager and do what she tells you to do or change the workplace? It cannot be done this way. Somebody is trying to build a nice new shisha lounge in this area and you are destroying it! Work well, listen to her or get out! And to you, my friend manager: don't listen to their excuses. The work can be done more effectively and everybody will be satisfied - not to much wasting time and energy by running around, just look to the other tables when...

If you’re searching for a place that effortlessly blends luxury, ambiance, and outstanding hospitality, Amiri Lounge should be at the very top of your list. Let me break it down Amiri Lounge is beautifully designed, with an atmosphere that exudes modern elegance and comfort. Whether you’re there for a relaxed evening, a special celebration, or a casual meet-up, the setting adapts perfectly. The lighting is soft and welcoming, the music is tasteful, and every detail—from the décor to the layout—feels thoughtfully curated. Their signature mocktails are creative and refreshing—perfect complements to the menu. But great food alone doesn’t make a place unforgettable. What truly sets Amiri Lounge apart is how you’re treated while enjoying it. 🌟 Aiman – The Heart of Amiri Lounge ,,🌟Salal - the brain of Amiri lounge Both of them gave us all the experience of a lifetime. We had one of the best times here. Thanks to them for making our event memorable. From the first greeting to the final farewell, Salal and Aiman’s service was flawless and top notch. What makes Aiman stand out is not just professionalism, but genuine warmth and a sharp attention to detail. She remembered names, preferences, and even suggested pairings that perfectly matched our tastes.

She has a calm, confident presence that makes guests feel relaxed and looked after—without ever being intrusive. It’s rare to find someone who can anticipate what you need before you even ask, but that’s exactly what Aiman does. Whether it was offering a more private table when she sensed we wanted a quieter corner or surprising us with a complimentary dessert to celebrate birthday Aiman’s service went above and beyond. It’s clear she doesn’t just do a job—she takes ownership of the guest experience, and it shows in every interaction. Amiri Lounge is an outstanding venue in its own right, but it’s Aiman who made the experience unforgettable. In a city with no shortage of lounges and dining spots, it’s rare to come across service that leaves such a lasting impression.

If you’re considering a visit, I highly recommend you ask for Aiman and Salal. Trust me—you’ll understand the difference when you experience...