Queen of Sheba London — Restaurant in London

I am really surprised to see so many good google reviews for this place. Maybe the friends and family of this restaurant have done them a favour.

After living in the middle east, I have become a fan of Yemeni/Arabic food. Hence, I took out my family (group of 7) to eat out at this horrible place. It was a surprise for my family as they have never been to an Arabic cuisine before.

This surprise soon became a disastrous experience for me as I was the host.

Where to start:

First of all,
Their food portions were shockingly small for the price. I understand that this restaurant is in central London but this does not mean that you charge extra for location and provide small portions. You either charge more for a decent size portion or lower the price for a smaller portion. But this was a double whammy and was an embarrassment for me as I took my family after travelling for one and a half hours.

We ordered the following: 1 Mixed starter platter. This was by far the best dish that was provided to us from the restaurant but the excitement declined as soon as the bread arrived. The breads were burnt, not cooked and still had coal stuck underneath. On top of this, we had to constantly ask for the refill for the bread as the waiters were just hanging around the till counter and nowhere to be seen near the seating area.

1 mix grill (Big). This was £50 and had 2 skewers of minced kebabs, one skewer of chicken shish (5 pieces) I skewer of Lamb shish (5 pieces), 5 lamb chops.

1 Lamb Mandi. This was for £19.5. It came with three pieces of bones with hardly any meat on them (meat was equivalent to a chicken drumstick).  This came with two plates of rice and for what reason (I do not know, Did they expect us to eat the rice on their own).

1 Lamb Kabsa. This was for £19.5. This also came with around three very small lamb pieces (meat was also equivalent to one rooster drum stick). This also came with two plates of rice for god knows what reason

2 Lamb madfoon. Each of these were £21 (total £42) each madfoon plate had two lamb shanks that can easily be mistaken for a chicken rooster drum stick. They were surprisingly small and we all doubt whether they were actually lamb shanks or something else. They both came with two plates of rice.

1 fahsa. This was for £16. The size of this dish was as big as a small tea cup. Again, the bread we got with this was uncooked and burnt from underneath and still had coal stuck to it.

After ordering the food, I asked the manager/waiter if this will be enough for 7 of us and he assured me that yes it will be enough. The bill came to be around £200 and it was so not worth it. Their hospitality and customer services were also not good as they had to be called over to our table to ask/order anything. We did not feel welcome at all.

I will not recommend this restaurant at all and will not be going back. Only if my experience was good, I would ve been their regular customer. My search for an authentic good Yemeni/Arabic restaurant still continues and I will hopefully find...

From the moment you step into Queen of Sheba London, you are transported to the enchanting landscapes of Yemen. The decor is a beautiful homage to Yemeni culture, with intricate patterns, warm colors, and elegant furnishings that evoke a sense of history and tradition. The atmosphere is further enhanced by soft, ambient lighting, creating an intimate yet vibrant dining experience.

The food is nothing short of mesmerizing. Each dish tells a story and is crafted with authentic ingredients and flavors. The menu boasts a delightful array of traditional Yemeni dishes, from the rich and aromatic lamb mandi, which melts in your mouth, to the perfectly spiced chicken zurbian that is a feast for both the eyes and palate. Vegetarian options, such as the fragrant lentil soup and refreshing fattoush salad, showcase the diversity of Yemeni cuisine, ensuring that there’s something for everyone.

The experience is elevated by the impeccable hospitality, with Abu Ahmed standing out as a true gem. His warmth, attentiveness, and knowledgeable recommendations enhance the dining experience, making you feel not just like a guest but part of a family.

As you savor each course, be sure to leave room for dessert. The selection is exquisite, with highlights including the honey-soaked baklava and the velvety kunafa that bring a sweet conclusion to an already unforgettable meal. These delightful treats are beautifully presented and reflect the rich culinary heritage of Yemen.

Queen of Sheba London isn’t just a restaurant; it is a celebration of Yemeni culture, history, and cuisine. With every bite and every moment spent in this magical setting, you feel connected to a rich tapestry of tradition that is truly extraordinary. Highly recommend visiting...

I went last night and I ordered the 'mokhbaza' which is essentially grilled fish served usually with yemeni tomato garlic chilli, with "holba" and a specific- and delicious- type of Yemeni bread; not in this restaurant: disappointingly they serve their "mokhbaza" with rice, and that's it. So when they tell you this is authentic, in afraid they're mistaken. I had to order the holba separately and the bread + got added to the Bill.

It's because it's practically the only Yemeni based restaurant in London, the owners feel they can do that- for location rate reasons maybe? A place like this up north, namely Birmingham or Sheffield would serve twice as much in both categories; quantity and quality.

Update: went in again today (big mistake); service was extra slow, waiters clueless, unprofessional and toilet unpleasant, so was the food which was horrible; does not taste like Yemeni food at all. One of the xustomers told the waiter that it was "the driest chicken he's ever had)". After a disappointing meal I went for a dissert bint al-sahn) and it was clear that it had been taken out of the fridge where it had been for days, heated in a microwave and slapped on the dish for my poor stomach.

The bill; If only you saw the bill and how it was structured; basically it had numbers which were the numbers in the menu (instead of the names of the dishes we took) , no adding no subtracting just an over-inflated price at the bottom of the receipt.

When I walked in I asked if they accepted cards and they said yes, so I sat down and ordered. When I asked for the bill they asked me to walk to the cash machine next to tesco's because their machine wasn't working.

Utter shambles.

Unhygienic, slow, tasteless food and an absolute...