The Cardinal Bar & Kitchen — Restaurant in London

We had the pleasure of dining at The Cardinal Bar and Kitchen in London, tonight and it was an experience to remember! From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was warm and inviting, with a sophisticated yet cozy atmosphere that made us feel right at home. A special shoutout to our waiter, Mr. Shah, who truly went above and beyond to make our evening exceptional. His attentiveness, friendly demeanor, and impeccable service were second to none. He made sure we were comfortable and well taken care of throughout our meal, adding a personal touch that made our dining experience even more special. We started with the tomato soup, which was a perfect blend of rich flavors and creamy texture. It was the ideal way to warm up on a chilly evening. For the main course, I opted for the Salmon dish, and it was nothing short of exquisite. The salmon was cooked to perfection, tender and flavorful, with a delightful combination of herbs and spices that elevated the dish to new heights. Every bite was a testament to the quality and care that goes into the food at The Cardinal Bar and Kitchen. The presentation was beautiful, and the taste was simply divine. It’s clear that the chefs here are passionate about their craft and dedicated to providing an outstanding culinary experience. Overall, I cannot recommend The Cardinal Bar and Kitchen highly enough. Whether you’re looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy a fantastic meal, this restaurant is a must-visit. And if you’re lucky enough to be served by Mr. Shah, you’re in for an unforgettable dining experience. Thank you to the entire team for making our evening...

Visited late Saturday afternoon. From the onset, the service was impeccable. Friendly, engaging, attentive, and professional throughout our meal (apologies for not asking for names).

The menu is quite a mixed fusion of different cuisines.

We ordered the mezze platter and Salmon Tataki for starter. The nicely presented mezze was delicious, one of the best mezzes I've eaten in long while (even from some authentic Mediterranean restaurants).

A nice selection, smooth hummus, perfectly browned halloumi, the Imam Bayaldi and bruschetta mezze dip were bursting with flavours. An array of complimentary flavours and textures served with soft toasted pitta. That alongside the refreshing Salmon Tataki with its delicate citrus ponzu sauce was surprising filling.

In hindsight, we both wished we had just stuck with the starter instead of ordering additional dishes; one because of the filling starters and two because the Salmon Mie Goreng and Shashuka were underwhelming

The goreng had too many contrasting flavours and quite overpowing garlic, and the salmon was slightly overcooked. While the shashuka just lacked flavour, I could not finish the dish.

Scanning another table, I couldn't help but order the Pistachio cheescake. It was a rich, creamy decadent and not too sweet with the nice contrast texture of crispy kunafa pastry. A generous portion and very filling.

Overall, the starters, dessert nicely made 2-4-1 amerreto sour cocktails, the relaxed atmosphere and great customer service made for a nice meal

I would return again on a sunny afternoon to avail of the mezze platter and...

I rarely write negative reviews, but after my experience at this restaurant on Boxing Day, I feel I have no choice. I booked through the First Table app, which offers 50% off, but even with the discount, the experience was not worth it. Honestly, I’m baffled by the positive reviews—some of them must be fake because our visit was shockingly bad.

Our reservation was at 12:30, and we were the only people in the restaurant. Despite being absurdly overstaffed, there was little to no service. No one came to check how everything was, and we felt completely ignored even though the staff had nothing else to do. On top of that, they still managed to mess up our order, and the waiter argued with us and tried to pin the blame on us. That level of unprofessionalism is absolutely unacceptable.

The food was appalling. The Bao buns were especially worrying—my brother and I were genuinely concerned about what was inside them. Whatever it was, it had a strange, unpleasant flavor, and frankly, it’s not something I’d even give to a dog. The roast beef sandwich wasn’t much better—it was poorly made and tasted bad. The fish was the only thing that was remotely edible, but even that was far from good.

Finally, the prices are outrageously high for what you’re served. Even with the 50% discount, it felt like a complete waste of money.

In summary, it was a terrible experience from start to finish. Poor food, awful service, and unjustified prices. Save yourself the trouble and stay far away...