Haweli Restaurant ® Norbury — Restaurant in London

Haweli – 4 Stars with potential - Some things to work on though.

Decor & Atmosphere The decor is genuinely lovely – clean, stylish, and welcoming, with a great vibe that makes it feel a little special. It’s a comfortable space to enjoy a meal, whether with family or friends.

Service The staff are friendly and polite, which makes a big difference. During my second visit, our order wasn’t placed correctly, which meant we ended up waiting a long time. However, the waiter was apologetic and kindly offered some complimentary kheer to make up for it – a nice touch that showed good customer care.

Food & Portion Sizes When the food hits the mark, it really hits. The Rogan Josh on my first visit was packed with flavour and cooked beautifully. Portion sizes are generally generous, and the food is fresh. That said, consistency is an issue – on my second visit, the Rogan Josh (which I ordered as the first experience was great) was full of fatty cuts and didn’t taste as good. The masala fish portion was noticeably smaller than before too. Keeping things consistent across visits will make a big difference.

Menu & Pricing Here’s where things feel a bit unbalanced. Curries and naan are fairly priced and on par with places like Dawat, Royal Mahal, and other Tooting favourites. But some pricing jumps out as mismatched: • Plain rice is £4.99, while biryani is £11.99 – a big jump compared to the usual £3–£7 range in Norbury/Tooting • Fries are £2.99, which is fair, but masala fries are about £4 more – not really justified • Mixed grill is £39.99, but for that price you’d expect masala fish included (as Dawat does, for cheaper and there one is famously good!) and a bit more value overall • Drinks are £2.50 for basic multipack cans, which is fine, but for the price, it would feel more premium to get glass bottles for a place like this or at least 330ml cans that aren’t multipack versions

Menu variety could also be improved – I didn’t see dishes like korma or dopiaza, which are popular classics and worth including. Also, it would be great to see a broader Rubicon selection (guava and passionfruit, please!).

Final Thoughts Haweli has a lot going for it – a beautiful setting, kind staff, and fresh food when it’s done right. Really respect that they don’t charge a service charge like Spice Village and Watan does - Please keep that going!

….But it needs to work on pricing consistency, food quality between visits, and menu variety to really stand out locally. I want to see it thrive, and with some small but important tweaks, it definitely can. Will probably visit in a few weeks, as the second visit was nothing special compared to the first.

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An Unforgettable Butter Chicken Experience

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of dining at a local Pakistani restaurant that completely transformed my understanding of what good food and great service should feel like. I went in expecting a casual dinner, but what I experienced was something far more memorable—centered around a dish I’ve always enjoyed but never truly loved until now: butter chicken.

From the moment I walked in, the ambiance of the place set the tone. Warm lighting, subtle Indian music, and the scent of spices in the air all hinted at something special. I was greeted with a genuine smile by the hostess and seated quickly. The staff was attentive but never overbearing—checking in just enough to make sure everything was perfect. They seemed to genuinely care whether I was enjoying myself, which added to the comfort and ease of the entire evening.

But then came the butter chicken.

Served in a modest copper bowl, it didn’t need any dramatic presentation to impress. The aroma alone was enough to make my mouth water. The sauce was a deep orange, thick and velvety, clinging to tender chunks of chicken that practically melted as soon as they touched my tongue. It was perfectly balanced—creamy, tangy, rich, and mildly spiced, with layers of flavor that unfolded with every bite. You could taste the slow simmering of tomatoes, the buttery depth, and the fragrant garam masala that brought everything together in harmony.

I paired it with warm garlic naan and a side of basmati rice, both excellent in their own right. The naan was soft with just enough crispness on the edges, and the garlic was fresh and aromatic. Every scoop of butter chicken on naan felt like the kind of culinary luxury you’d want to experience again and again. It was comfort food taken to an entirely new level.

What made the night even more remarkable was the staff’s attention to detail. They noticed when my water was low before I did. They asked how spicy I liked my food and made sure the dish was tailored to that level. One of the servers even offered a small complimentary dessert at the end—a warm gulab jamun—which felt like a sincere gesture, not a tactic. I felt cared for, not just served.

It’s rare to walk away from a restaurant experience feeling not only full but also uplifted. The butter chicken wasn’t just delicious—it was the kind of dish that reminds you why people fall in love with food. Combined with the warmth of the staff and the thoughtful service, the entire experience left a lasting impression.

I’ve had butter chicken many times before, but this one redefined it for me. It wasn’t just a meal; it was a memory. And I already can’t...

I had a very disappointing and unacceptable experience at this restaurant due to the extremely unprofessional conduct of the staff, particularly the manager, Taha. When I asked about the restaurant’s written policy on a particular matter, instead of responding professionally, Taha became rude and dismissive. He walked away and instructed staff to “kick me out” of the restaurant, telling me to leave. Shockingly, he even attempted to make physical contact with me, which I found highly inappropriate and unacceptable behavior for someone in a managerial role. A short while later, another staff member named Jalal called me regarding the incident. Unfortunately, his behavior was equally, if not more, concerning. During our 15–20 minute conversation, Jalal threatened me multiple times instead of handling the matter professionally. I remained calm throughout, which can be verified through the video and audio evidence I possess. What made the situation worse was Jalal claiming to be the manager, despite Taha presenting himself as the manager only minutes earlier. Rather than acknowledging the misconduct he witnessed, Jalal chose to defend his colleague. He went further by making disturbing remarks, stating that he is from a country “where everyone fights,” and implied that he would show me “his other face” if I continued the conversation. Such statements were intimidating and highly unprofessional. Jalal also made disrespectful personal remarks about my appearance, referring to me as “baby-faced” in a threatening context, which I found extremely offensive. As I was leaving the restaurant, he went as far as to ask for my exact location in a threatening manner and repeatedly told me, “I will see you soon,” which felt like a direct intimidation. This behavior is completely unacceptable and raises serious concerns about customer safety at this establishment. I have video and audio proof of the incident but, out of goodwill, I have chosen not to publish them publicly for now. Instead, I await an official response from Haweli before taking...