SMOKY BOYS (Marylebone) — Restaurant in London

Review – Smokey Boys Marylebone (Visited 9th September 2025)

This visit was to the Marylebone branch of Smokey Boys, chosen by a friend. Their marketing promised bold, juicy burgers and flavour-packed steaks. Being a halal restaurant, we thought it worth a try. This review is specific to this branch only and does not reflect the whole brand.

On arrival, the restaurant looked presentable. The table was clean, so hygiene wasn’t an issue. However, when placing our order, the staff member at the till seemed disinterested and unwelcoming—setting the tone for what was to follow.

We ordered: • Steak & Chips – £20.50 • Smokey Platter for 2 – £45 • 3 Drinks Total: £73

Food Breakdown: • Drinks: Fine, no complaints. • Steak & Chips: Looked boiled, not grilled. No char, no colour, no flavour. Covered in sauce but still lifeless. 2/10 • Smokey Platter for 2: • Burgers – Bland, like frozen patties. 3/10 • BBQ Wings – Boiled then tossed in BBQ sauce, not grilled. 3/10 • BBQ Brisket Fries – Fries were okay, brisket was wet, watery, and flavourless. Had potential, but poorly executed. 4/10 (saved only by the fries) • Mac & Cheese – Arrived in a flimsy plastic takeaway pot. Looked unappetising. Didn’t even attempt it. 1/10 for presentation. my brother did try it and said No. • BBQ Corn Ribs – Average, forgettable. 5/10 • Haus Slaw – Surprisingly fresh and well-balanced. The only highlight. 6/10

Throughout the meal, the restaurant was empty, yet no effort was made by staff to check in, despite clearly overhearing our comments on the food.

Verdict: The marketing promised indulgent comfort food, but what arrived was bland, poorly presented, and underwhelming across the board. At £73, the value for money was simply not there. This branch urgently needs improvement—both in food quality and customer service—because as it stands, Smokey Boys Marylebone does not live up to the...

🔥🍔 Smoky Boys Restaurant – A Must-Visit in London! 🍔🔥

Whenever I’m in London, Smoky Boys is always at the top of my list for a great dining experience. The atmosphere here is just fantastic, with a vibrant vibe and welcoming staff that make every visit memorable. A special shout-out to my friend Apu, who always knows how to take care of his customers. If you’re lucky, he might just hook you up with something extra special!

As someone who is gluten intolerant, finding a place with gluten-free options that doesn’t compromise on taste is a real win. Their burgers with gluten-free buns are perfect, and it’s a bonus that all their options are halal. Whether you’re after a hearty meal or just a quick bite, Smoky Boys caters to all.

🍽️ Restaurants and Cafes Rating

• 👨‍🍳 Staff Expertise: 10/10 – The staff, especially Apu, are knowledgeable, friendly, and make you feel right at home. • 🌟 Atmosphere: 10/10 – Lively and buzzing, the perfect place to unwind and enjoy good food. • 🍴 Food & Drinks: 10/10 – Delicious food, with standout GF options and halal across the board. • 🚗 Parking Spots Availability: 9/10 – Parking is generally easy, but can get tricky during peak times. • 🧼 Cleanliness: 8/10 – Everything is spotless, but they lose a couple of points for the toilets.

🏆 Total Score: 47/50

👍 Pros:

• Gluten-free buns and halal options across the menu • Friendly, attentive staff • Great atmosphere for a casual meal

👎 Cons:

• The toilets could be slightly better maintained, but it’s a minor issue.

💡★ Pro Tip: Definitely grab some of their amazing dips with the fries, and if you’re visiting in the morning, don’t miss out on their breakfast menu – it’s the perfect way to start your day!

Smoky Boys is an absolute gem in London, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for great food with gluten-free and...

Visited this place for the first time with a few friends, from the minute we walked in, straight away we were put on a downer when told that there is a long wait due to a big online order which tbh was so unprofessional as we are physically in the restaurant. We placed an order for the starters, brisket and chicken wings and then was asked to pay upfront, it is extremely embarrassing for a restaurant to ask for payment upfront, seemed like they needed the money to go and buy the meat, felt more like a market stall request. The brisket arrived and was over cooked, chicken wings were just average wings with added flavour. We were then asked to pay for the main meal, upfront, and offered some free drinks while we wait, the drinks were an in-house brand and tasted horrible which explains why they were free. For mains we had steaks and beef ribs, both overcooked and a very low standard. This is a BBQ restaurant but i honestly feel they need to remove the B’s, none of the food was tasty, instead overcooked or underseasoned basic food. The whole experience was shocking, lighting is poor, restaurant is cold and tables are wobbly, felt more like a takeaway. Although Paolo tried with his best with the service, he could not make up for all the failures above. Don’t recommend this place at all, if my friend was not a kind person i would have walked out when they asked for payment upfront. Find somewhere better which serves...