Bonego - Balkan Bar & Restaurant (Macedonian Restaurant) — Restaurant in London

I came out to Caffe Bonego for a meal on Saturday with my best friend.

we shared a vibrant and zesty Greek Salad bowl with refreshing cucumber bites, sweet and juicy tomato wedges, and red onion rings fresh to the crunch! And generous chunks of tangy fetta cheese with a sprinkle of oregano on top. And zingy olives. This fresh, delicious Mediterranean salad I shared with my friend was listed as a small portion, but seriously, it was as big in size as it was in flavour let me tell you, it was flavoursome and plentiful, I know it's only a Greek Salad but details matter, clean, fresh ingredients matter, Saturday was roasting HOT and that perfect Greek salad capturing the essence of the Mediterranean I could have just come out for that salad alone to quench me and left, but I am glad I didn't. Because my main was flawless. I went for the Chicken Skewers.

They came out sizzling and lightly charred, just how I like it! And the chicken placed on a bed of delicious roasted and lightly crisp vegetables, of baby potatoes, a variety of orange and green sweet peppers, courgettes, mushrooms, onions, and garlic, and topped with mixed Italian herbs and cracked sea salt.

The choice of veggies and the crisp roasted texture with the herbs and spices perfectly complimented each other and brought a flawless balance to the dish. The chicken chunks were tender-tasty and delicately charred, the perfect dish to end a perfect Saturday summer evening.

I am a foodie at heart, and I think eating out is not merely about food but the experience, the freshest fish, meats, veggies, and salads, and the perfect ambience. That is why I love Caffe Bonego! because that is everything they do.

I have eaten a few times here over the years, but this is my first time leaving a review. This is my favourite eatery in the bush for all the reasons above, but what makes this place special is the incredible team that works here. You can see the beautiful connection they have with each other, including the chef, too! And that transfers to the customers. The reception and welcome is always warm, friendly, and conversational.

I have also experienced that even in their busiest of times somehow they still radiate with good cheer and humour to the guests/customers and are attentive all the while. And when they have live music, wow, you're in for even more of a treat

because this place comes to life even more, just like a relaxing evening in the Mediterranean with live music, great food, and an electric ambience!

Well done and thank you team Bonego keep doing what...

Upon arriving at the cafe, we were met with a dated ambiance that lacked the cozy and inviting atmosphere we had hoped for. Nonetheless, we were willing to overlook that if the food made up for it. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

We decided to order a variety of dishes to get a taste of their offerings. The burek, while edible, lacked the flavor we expected, leaving us feeling underwhelmed. The cevapi, which we were eagerly looking forward to, were overcooked, resulting in a dry and tough texture. It was a shame since these dishes are meant to be savory delights.

The lepina, on the other hand, was a major disappointment. It was as hard as a rock, making it practically impossible to enjoy. This traditional bread should have been a highlight of the meal, but it ended up being the biggest letdown.

To add to our frustration, the service was incredibly slow. We waited for a whole hour for our food to arrive, leaving us hungry and impatient. The staff seemed overwhelmed and disorganized, leading to a lackluster dining experience.

Despite our initial excitement, we left the cafe feeling unsatisfied and disheartened. It's safe to say that we won't be rushing back...

Bonego Balkan restaurant is an all-round feel good experience. From the friendly sit-down, to the dining experience that’s like being invited to somebody’s house, to the great value, huge portions and flavourful cuisine on offer. The clientele was also international, which was also welcoming. Visited Nov 2024 and had amazing cevapi (pan fried kebabs), sarma (mincemeat and rice stuffed cabbage leaves) and shopska salad (similar to Greek salad but better). Didn’t have room for desserts but I’m sure they’re lovely. There’s a small selection of dry packaged goods like biscuits, candies and ajvar to one side. Only thing I’d say was that the background music seemed a bit out of place for a Balkan restaurant (think early 2010s...