Harden's survey result
Summary
“Superb North African food is served in this dimly lit, bustly counter-style restaurant with bags of ambience” in Neal’s Yard, Soho, opened in 2016 by Leyo and Zoe Paskin as a follow-up to their nearby hit Palomar: “the hype is fully justified” (although “the fixed bar seating can be mightily uncomfortable if you’re tall”). And in September 2024 they are to expand to the Notting Hill/Bayswater border, with a 75-cover restaurant newcomer in a Grade II listed building on the corner of Westbourne Grove and Chepstow Road: it will feature a take on the popular kitchen counter format, in addition to an open-plan dining room and a cocktail bar.
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.
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?
Restaurant details
The Barbary Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Yes the hype of the food is fully justified. If you are tall best to go the sister restaurant next door. I found the fixed bar seating mightily uncomfortable and this took away from the overall experience. Yes the food is good, if pricey. The wine list too is not cheap, but where is in London at the moment. "
" It's a small place that does North African food all cooked over coal. Just had a couple of small plates, but can highly recommend. We've not been for 8 years and just as good as last time"
"Good value North African Food. Small but decent wine list. Noisy and bustly counter seating"
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £31.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £5.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 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 |
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