Hafez — Restaurant in London

In my 18 years that I have lived in London, this is by far the worst Persian food I have had the misfortune to eat. We ordered this food to break our fast with and let me tell you, 3 very hungry people could not touch the food. The bread, Mirza Ghasemi & Kashk-e Bademjan were fine, not the best, but not offensive. The marinated olives were truly shocking & insulting, the quality were the cheapest of cheap olives you can find on the market, like rubber. It’s almost as if they think their customers are clueless and can get away with serving terrible quality. This extended to the Kubideh, usually a crowd pleaser & hard to get wrong, but let me start by saying the colour was grey, GREY! Never the less, we braved it and gave it a try and it was just awful & dry, we couldn’t touch it anymore. I’m not sure what they mixed in there, but it was really bad and truly insulting. Again, it’s as if they believe those who dine there do not know any better, and they can serve them what I can only describe as garbage. Truly the worst Persian food and Kubideh all of us have ever had. The rice was not good either, I don’t believe it was Persian rice & I’m not sure how they managed it, but even the Mast-o Mousir was below par. Finally the Barg was completely tasteless. We regret we gave Hafez a try, because clearly they do not respect their customers and serve them the lowest quality ingredients and food. Never again & I recommend everyone steer clear, because Hafez think you & your...

For reference, 5 years ago I gave this restaurant 5 stars and said "Excellent food and service. One of the best restaurants in the neighbourhood!".

Today, I had dinner there to celebrate my birthday and I've concluded I'll never go back to Hafez. This was my first time going back after the pandemic and it has certainly changed for the worse. There's plenty of good restaurants in the area and this is not worth it.

The food is still good, but the service is terrible. I had to stand on three occasions to actually have service, as nobody was paying attention to customers. That'd be fine, if we didn't have to pay a substantial service charge at the end! We had to remind them of our drinks twice (arrived well after starts and mains). This used to be a very welcoming place with top service and certainly appropriate for a birthday celebration. Now, I'd say you're better off going to a chain restaurant link Franco Manca which is around the corner. Apart from great food, there's trained staff there. We ended up packing our own leftovers in boxes, while the waiter was already washing up the floors (we were certainly not the last customers to leave, they were actually still serving food). We also gave up on having dessert since it took so long to get the attention of a waiter. I think that the worse of it all was the fact that the restaurant staff didn't seem to care at all about the bad service they were providing. Really great disappointment tonight. Big loss for the...

Review for Hafez Restaurant 📍 Address: 5 Hereford Rd, London W2 4AB

I had the pleasure of dining at Hafez Restaurant recently for lunch, and it was truly an exceptional experience. This charming eatery offers an authentic taste of Iranian cuisine, with every dish on the menu being superbly fresh, flavorful, and crafted with care. From the appetizers to the main courses and desserts, each bite was a delightful journey into Persian culinary tradition.

The staff at Hafez were incredibly friendly and attentive, ensuring that we felt welcome and well taken care of throughout our visit. Their warm hospitality added to the overall charm of the restaurant.

The ambiance of Hafez is cozy and inviting, with tasteful decor that reflects the rich culture and heritage of Iran. It’s a perfect spot for a relaxed meal, whether you’re dining with family, friends, or a larger group.

My brothers, relatives, and friends all share my love for this wonderful restaurant. It's a place I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking delicious Iranian food in London.

If you're looking for an exceptional dining experience with great food, a welcoming atmosphere, and top-notch service, Hafez Restaurant is the perfect choice. I’ll definitely be returning...