Noura

While the food was excellent (lamb special of the day), the service was downright rude.

I have always enjoyed any visit to Noura. This branch is my favourite out of the bunch.
The décor and style make this place a great destination to come to for top-​notch Lebanese, but like anything in this area of town… you will be hinged over on the price.
I am little lacking in knowledge when it comes to the majority of Lebanese dishes, but I can wholehearted say that I have never met a Noura dish that I found less than superb. Additionally, if you are vegetarian, there are many great dishes for you too.
Service can be a little «facless» but is always swift and polite.
Like I said, the determining factor of this place is that it is great food, but far more unique and better value for money options exist off the beaten track.

Mixed Grill – enough said. Some of the best meat-​eating in the Centre of London. Often empty at noon – packed at 1 – really decent service. If you are in the mood for Thai, Mango Tree, next door is also great. 10 minute walk from Victoria. No need for a booking at non-​standard times. Feels almost NY-​like with white table clothes spread out in a large room. A dignified but not excessive lunch at a non-​shocking price. It isn’t neighborhood Lebanese, but it is good and it is business-​y. 60 – 100 pounds for 2 with a glass of wine and desert. For London, about normal.

We liked it! We had hommous (very good and creamy), falafel balls (good), and stuffed grape leaves. They brought the pita bread out first — perfect and warm — but the rest of the food arrived later. bummer. But it was good and we had a nice late dinner/​light meal.

Good food! But so posh it’s disgusting. I seriously think you can get better Lebanese food in East London for about a quarter of the price… and the expensive paper towels in the loo were a turn off. Maybe I’m just the kind of person who finds the posh atmosphere so unnecessary because it’s not like the dishes come out looking like some Master Chef finalist plate. If it comes out looking homemade, what’s the point of all the pretense?
Probably good for tourists.

Great Lebanese (from a guy who worked in Dearborn, MI for years).
This was our first stop after arriving in London famished, and wanting something other than pub food. Dropped into Noura’s unannounced, and after my wife made a comment in Arabic, we got a great table in the back corner. :)
I ended up with the tawook plate, and the chicken was done very, very well. Super tasty. Homemade bread. Great falafel. What’s not to like…
Ended up being about 70 pounds for the two of us, with limited drinking, fyi.

Meh meh meh. We decided to go here after reading the positive reviews, and our hopes may have been a little too high.
Seated right away, not a lot of people in the restaurant until a squawky group of about 15 came in and ruined the atmosphere. Not the fault of the restaurant, but should be noted that there is little to no chance for a quiet evening with the very open layout.
Service was… pretty dismal, even before the large group came in, but it was worse after. The waiter who seated us and took our order seemed almost offended that we were in the restaurant and barely gave us two words. The waiter who took our plates away later was a bit warmer, but proceeded to leave us without the check for 20 minutes after we asked for it, as he was tending to the large group.
And as for the food… we decided to go with the Noura Menu… 8 mezzes (NOTE: these are chosen for you. It doesn’t say this on the menu, and we witnessed at least two other couples who were unhappy about this as well) plus some kebabs and dessert.
The cold mezzes were mediocre at best, and most everything had some sort of pickled element to it, which I realize is part of the cuisine but made me think they generally lack fresh ingredients to choose better mezzes for their pre fixe selections. The four hot mezzes were better but still not mind blowing. The kebabs (chicken, lamb, and beef) were all good!
If I went again, which I probably wouldn’t, I think I’d stick with a careful selection of hot mezzes. Nothing pureed because the pita, while good, was very slow to be delivered (fresh! but slow). And nothing with spinach or grape leaf or anything leafy because it’s probably pickled.

Best of All of this chain…
Service is excellent… the food is very good as well.
Location makes it a perfect stop in after sight-​seeing and/​or pre-​drinking …
Highly Recommend… Kids are fine because there are bank seats and plenty… make reservations on weekends…

Yes, it’s a chain.
Yes, the location is a bit awkward.
Yes, the décor is half-​fabulous, half-​Footballers Wives.
But I LOVE it.
I love that I have eaten here maybe 20 times and never had a bad meal. I love the dishes, and the service and the way they leave you alone to enjoy those dishes.