Namkeen — Restaurant in London

Myself and a friend went there the other day,. We arrived without a booking and got seated straight away, which is always a good thing.. there is ample seating, which is very comfortable, however it's not arranged adequately around the edges of the restaurant.. people need to stand up and move from their table to let you out.. I did mention this to the manager as we was leaving, not in a bad way, just a gentle nudge.. He did state that they have ordered booths for along the walls, which I think will be more suited. So food wise... before we even ordered, 2 poppadoms, and a generous plate of salad, and a large cold bottle of water, and rather than the usual chutney trays (that you always need to ask for more) they gave us a bottle of mint, chilli, and mango to use, which presented as clean and cold. We ordered our starters, a portion or pakoras, and a portion of chicken tika.. I have to admit, the pakoras were so fresh and tasty, absolutely 10/10, chicken tika not so much sadly.. it was nice but bland, maybe they could do with some extra seasoning. I give it 7/10. For our main dishes we ordered, keema aloo, peshawai nann, lamb korma, 1 chapati, pilau rice, and a side dish of sagg. The keema, was nice, my suggestion would be to not use large strips of ginger, maybe cook it longer with ginger so you won't need the big strips to flavour it so much, I loved the little kind of traditional dish it was served in, however because of how small it was, i found it difficult to eat from using my nann and fingers other than that .. I would give the keema a 7/10.. the peshawai nann, was cooked perfect in the sense it wasn't burnt or left sat to go crispy.. it was soft and full of flavour, this is down to my own taste buds, maybe not so much filling, I found myself opening it up and scrapping it off. I give the nann 8/10. The Lamb korma (which I don't eat) my friend said it was amazing, and trust me, she's fussy, she gave it 10/10.. the pilau rice, I personally found a bit bland, it was cooked to perfection in the sense of texture, I do think they could make it more authentic, as in make it as afghan rice like they would at home, which I have to say is so so tasty. So for the rice I give it an 8/10. Even though we was both full up, we ordered the kheer as a desert, just to see ... now I don't normally like it too thick, but this came really thick, creamy and full of pistachio, it was full of flavour, that even though we was bursting at the seams, we just didn't want to stop eating it. I would rate it 9/10..When we did eventually finish, I asked them to pack everything what we didn't manage to eat for us to take away with us, and I ordered a chappli kebab roll to take away for my son... he gave it 9/10 and said it was the best one he has had yet.. the bill came to around £75.. so a little bit pricey, maybe they can offer just a couple of little deals, especially with finances the way they are atm.. OK so as far as service goes, our waiter Shafi was amazing, he came across as very attentive, checking if we needed anything, was the food ok, and the table service was great, so I would rate that and him as 10/10.. I give that score, as there is absolutely nothing they could have done better, the service was perfect.. the overall cleanliness of the open cooking stations, services counters, restaurant and all the staff, was impeccable, that also gets a 10/10... for my overall score of everything I give an 8/10. I will be going back maybe in 2 weeks to try a few different dishes, and will update my review then... I highly recommend giving this restaurant a try, it's not somewhere most people can afford on a weekly basis, but definitely for special occasions ... Great...

Namkeen, Tooting – A Flavorful Experience with Room for Small Refinements

Our recent dining experience at Namkeen in Tooting, London, was a delightful exploration of authentic Peshawari and Lahori flavors, set in a warm and welcoming environment. The restaurant boasts a clean and comfortable space, tastefully decorated to create a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. From the moment we arrived, the attentive and courteous staff made sure we were well looked after, setting a high standard for service throughout the evening.

We started with the Pani Puri, which delivered the expected crisp freshness and tangy burst of flavor, serving as a refreshing and exciting opener. Next came the Mix Grill Platter, offering an assortment of beautifully cooked meats. The meats were tender and well-grilled, although we found that the lamb chops could benefit from a touch more seasoning to truly elevate their flavor.

The highlight of the evening — without question — was the Chicken Charsi Karahi (½ KG). The karahi chef at Namkeen clearly knows his craft; the dish was a true masterpiece. Perfectly cooked chicken, bathed in a rich, aromatic tomato-based gravy with the right balance of spice, garlic, and green chilies, made this karahi stand out as one of the best we’ve had in London. It showcased the deep flavors and rustic authenticity that Charsi Karahi lovers seek.

The Peshawari Chapli Kabab also impressed, offering a flavorful, juicy bite with the characteristic seasoning and texture one expects from this beloved street food classic. Paired with freshly baked Peshawari Naan and Plain Naan, the mains were thoroughly satisfying and authentic.

For dessert, we indulged in both Lahori Falooda and Kheer. While the Kheer was creamy, fragrant, and rich — a comforting end to the meal — the Lahori Falooda fell slightly short, lacking the depth of flavor and richness we were hoping for. A slight enhancement in its sweetness and flavor complexity would bring it up to the high standards set by the rest of the meal.

In summary, Namkeen offers a standout dining experience with top-notch food, excellent service, and a welcoming atmosphere. The Chicken Charsi Karahi alone is worth the visit and is a shining testament to the kitchen’s authenticity and skill. While there are minor areas for improvement — particularly the seasoning on the lamb chops and the flavor of the falooda — these are small points in an otherwise exceptional experience.

Highly recommended for anyone seeking true Peshawari...

I am so-so about this place. Biryani takeaway is £2.99 which I thought was a good way to try their food before organising a dinner. I only had a bite - it was not flavourful, but the main problem is it was super oily (photos attached). The other issue was I ordered a lamb biryani and I basically got two very bony pieces with no meat on them. It was also microwaved when I asked for it cold (I like to heat it on a plate) because heating in a plastic container that probably isn't microwave safe!!! I was really disappointed - I basically just ordered lightly spicy rice and just didn't finish it. I know it was only £2.99 but I won't try it again.... maybe not for a long time anyway. If you're the new kid on the block you are competing against the restaurants and chai walas that are already super popular on the high street and priced similarly so you got to make people want to come back. My friend came here for lunch every day for about a week and he also recommended it to some others at work who spent money there, which the owner knows about and he didn't even get a thank you or something to say thanks. They don't understand how business works. Decor is ok, but outdated. I like the open grill kitchen but they have raw meat right next to the cooked rice area - it is separated but they should really separate it more as it feels icky. Staff are super nice though although basics just aren't there. I might return if I hear some people say...