Harden's survey result
Summary
“Stunning in every respect” – this “tiny, dark, smoky, and cool” North African-inspired venue in Neal’s Yard is “a superb place where they really make use of the counter service to engage you in the cooking”. “No matter how many times I go I always need the menu explained” – “beautifully spiced” small plates (“a bit salty at times”) plus “great, unusual wines” all served by “enthusiastic staff”.
Summary
“Everything’s delicious beyond words”, say fans of Layo and Zoe Paskin’s “hugely fun” and stylish North African-inspired small-plates operation in Neal’s Yard, younger sibling of the Palomar. With “excellent bar food at a counter”, it makes the “best pre-theatre spot around”. Top Tips – “the Jerusalem bagels and squid are stand-out items”.
Summary
“Fantastic food and a great countertop dining experience” are twin highlights of Layo and Zoe Paskin’s casual younger sibling to The Palomar in Neil’s Yard, where inspired North African-inspired tapas are served at the bar in a vibey, intimate space. In autumn 2021, it will expand into the adjacent site that was formerly their posh coffee and light bite stop, Jacob the Angel (which they are relocating). ‘The Barbary Next Door’ will, we gather, be a place ‘you can pop by for a coffee, chilled beer or glass of wine’ as much as a meal.
Summary
“If fantastic food is your priority rather than comfort”, make a bee-line for The Palomar’s “fun” and “intimate” younger sibling in Neal’s Yard, which majors in “the most tasty and exciting” North African-inspired tapas, all served at the bar. “In theory this is everything I dislike in a restaurant: countertop seating only, loud music, and sharing-plates. But it blew every prejudice out of the water. The food was exquisite – lots of flavours I hadn’t had before – and the ones I had, perfectly produced. Fantastic wine, wonderful atmosphere; and despite being alongside fellow diners at the counter, it felt private and relaxed. A really special evening”. “I’d go all the time if only you could book!”
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Barbary?
16 Neal's Yard, London, WC2H 9DP
Restaurant details
The Barbary Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Good value North African Food. Small but decent wine list. Noisy and bustly counter seating"
"Exceptionally good service and Middle Eastern sharing plates at comfortable counter seats. Every dish was delicious."
"Never disappoints. Perfectly marinaded chargrilled meats, out of this world naans and bagels to scoop up exquisite hummus or labneh. Always have the knafeh if it is on the menu. The horseshoe seating means you have a great view of the grill action but if there’s more than two of you the person in the middle ends up at a tennis match. Service is always delightful. "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £29.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £5.00 |
| Service | 15.00% |
16 Neal's Yard, London, WC2H 9DP
Opening hours
| Monday | 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑9 pm |
Best North African restaurants nearby
North African restaurant in Covent Garden
Italian restaurant in Fitzrovia
Moroccan restaurant in Windsor
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
French restaurant in Covent Garden
International restaurant in Covent Garden
British, Modern restaurant in Soho
