The Cedar Restaurant — Restaurant in London

We have eaten here several times. I'd say the food is better than average and some things are better than others but gene really ok - nothing to write home about though. The reason for the 2 stars is the service though which can get from being really pleasant to non existent to down right rude. A few weeks ago I made a quite large order for take out as we had some friends staying and didn't want to cook. When I went to pick up the order I had to wait quite some time as it wasn't ready - not a problem, they're busy and hopefully would mean the food is nice and hot. When I arrived home and unpacked thebfood it turns out that two items were missing - I called immediately and the manager asked whether I wanted to come back and get the missing food. Since it was close to 10pm by this point an draining outside I said I'd prefer it he just gave me a refund on my credit card to which he replied that he wouldn't do that and I had to come and collect the refund in cash but I could do this at my convenience. He gave me his name and said he would leave a note for his colleagues so everyone would know about it. I went tomight to get the refund as he had suggested and was treated by the general manager/head chef like a criminal. First I was asked to come back on a day when the guy I spoke to was in and when I said that wouldn't be possible he called the general manager/head chef who asked me what was missing from my order from a few weeks ago. I explained what was missing and he tried to give me those things. When I said I wanted my money back he said the he knew about this but the "manager" I spoke to said I wanted to come in to collect the missing food...I have no idea why he would think that I want two random mezes three weeks after they had been omitted from the order I made, but I insisted on a refund. At which point he put his hand into his pocket and begrudgingly handed me a ten pound note. This awful piece of customer service means we will never...

The food is packed with chargrilled flavour and very plentiful. We always over-order and have enough to take home to feed us again the next day. We found the Malvern Rd branch last year when we stayed with friends and wanted to come back again this year, and couldn't understand why it was always shut when we turned up after 8pm. So I stopped in earlier today to check opening times and the guys said tonight they shut at 8:45. When we diligently showed up just before 8 though, all the lights were off. What the ! we thought. The mystery was promptly solved when one of the guys came out and offered to drive us to the Cedar Restaurant proper, on Fearnhead Road. Turns out the Malvern Rd one is more of a butcher shop, where they prepare their meats and send out deliveries. Explains why the guy last year said not many folks eat at the Malvern Rd one, while we sat outside tucking in like the tourists we obviously were. The lovely Syrian man drove us 2 mins up the road, delivering us safely to the Fearnhead Road restaurant where we finished our night full and happy. It was quiet inside, just a few local expats eating and chatting. Inside the place is well laid out, and you can see into the kitchen which looked spotless and orderly. There are some interesting vintage photos of what I presume was Beirut and the Lebanon from a few years ago adorning the walls. The staff were efficient and helpful, not fawning and working their tips. We did tip of course, and were gifted a small box of baklava unexpectedly in return as we left. Genuinely welcoming, and did I mention the food is delicious, and the portions extremely generous? Now that we finally know where the actual restaurant is, and its opening hours, The Cedar is another habitual restaurant for us whenever we're...

A first time order via Ubereats, after a long hard week, we hoped for an ok meal if not an amazing dinner and it was a pleasant surprise.

Lovely fresh food with some good items. The mixed grill was beautiful, the tabouleh and green salad was fresh and tasty, The bread was scrumptious and soft. The sharwarma was delicious with quality chicken and a good balance of spicy and pickled flavours. We order a few things to try and experiment and gauge what might be favourites

Considering it was a late order, the restaurant were great at dealing withsending out good quality food which was healthy.

Not everything was perfect, the chips were poorly packed and were not eaten. . The olives weee far too salty. The chilli sauce good do with more spice and heat.

On the whole we enjoyed our meal. I imagine eating in would be even better!

Review update

The second order via deliveroo was a disappointment I couldn’t understand the difference in quality. My hubby didn’t enjoy it at all, I was hungry so I ate some of it it. It turns out the Kensal Rise branch is not as nice as the West Hampstead branch. They also sent the food to us on a bicycle which consisdering the distance was just ludicrous! It came cold and had to be reheated! There was zero chilli in the shawarma. They’re also mean, portion sizes and bread was less than the West Hampstead branch. If we tried this first we’d have avoided trying again.

Edited December 2024 Tried the West Hampstead Branch for a second time. Not a nice experience, no flexibility with the order, and then to our horror my hubby found hair in his food!...