Moro

It's rare to go somewhere in London where the service, ambience and food are all amazing and in equal measure. Having spent a lot of time choosing a restaurant for my mum's birthday, we settled on Moro, and did not regret our decision. From the moment we walked in, the service was attentive and personal. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. All in all - this restuarant deserves 5 *.

Service was professional, attentive and really lovely but the food was such a disappointment. Bland and mostly not hot (as in temperature hot) enough. I wouldn't go there again.

I generally agree with the TO reviews. The three star rating on Moro though completely puzzles me. I am a regular visitor of this restaurant and I do love it. For me, it is a Clerkenwell institution. When I have friends coming over from abroad, I bring them here. When I need to give three reference restaurants in London, I include Moro in the shrotlist. I bought their recipe book (for me and also for my mother) and try as best as I can to re-create their enticing food at home. Take a look at the menu. It is consistently updated for the season, it is varied and full of character. There is never a straightforward choice in the starters or mains. I always need to deliberate a bit what will constitute my order. As a fair mirror of its menu, Moro’s wine list is rich and original. Its selection of Mediterranean wines forces me to explore more exotic grounds, as I am more familiar with other production areas. The staff is generally quite helpful in providing guidance, though a dedicated sommelier probably would help even further. I always thoroughly enjoy the substance poured in my glass though. The food is truly outstanding. It all starts with the bread they cook themselves in their wood-fired oven (quite rare in London) and that they bring to the table as soon as the order has been taken. It’s biblical; elementary pleasure for the palate. The accompanying olive oil is of the finest quality. Then the starter. Last Saturday I had what they call Botifarra, or blood sausage in Catalan. The meat was impeccably seasoned, and wisely served with braised, caramelised apples. The portion was finely calibrated in quantity too. I then had the wood-oven roasted chicken as a main. I consider this as their signature dish. The bird comes out from a long, hell-ish session in their special-built oven, as a tender, juicy, full-of-flavour little thing that melts in your mouth and delights your senses. The aubergine salad and couscous were perfect companions to the piece de resistance. I am not a big fan of deserts, so I am not too affected by the only weakness I would concede to Moro. I am told however that their yoghurt cake with pistachios and pomegranate is absolutely delicious. I am extremely surprised by the chorus of negative comments on service. I always found it very friendly and timely. We had two children during our last visit and they couldn’t have been kinder. So overall, I find it a bit shocking that TO rewards one of the best cuisines in London with just three stars. Not only superior cuisine because it is delicious food, but also because it is researched (am sure this comes from numerous trips in the Mediterranean area), subtle and unique. It is, I find, vastly unfair.

Recalled really enjoying a meal here on my one previous visit several years ago so returned yesterday expecting more of the same only to be disappointed. In a nutshell: portions were meagre, food lacked interest, prices (mains in particular) were unwarranted. What really soured the experience, however, was the arrogant and dismissive attitude of the maitre'd who really ought to examine whether the service sector is where he really wants to be!

Have been to Moro on and off for 15 years. We went again last week. Excellent as ever. Fine friendly service, knowledgable staff and food that is exceptional: interesting, flavoursome, inviting. The best bread in london. A wine list with dozens if interesting well priced spanish wines. I see a lot of negative reviews but I cannot understand why. Every time I go it reminds me of what a great restaurant should be.

After all the hype it was one of the most disappointing meals I have had in London in 15 years. I work in hospitality and found the service slow, food very average, over priced and bland. If you are after the north African flavours mentioned on the website you will be dissapoipnted.

Went to Moro on a Sunday lunchtime following a recommendation but very disappointed. Couples were seated at tables on a long row with not much space between, to be expected when a place is brimming with clientele but the place was only a third full. Food was uninspiring and presentation boring, lentils on a plate with three slices of pork, a couple of chunks of aubergines and a highly oiled salmorejo sauce did not warrant the extortionate bill, altogether a very uninspired visit. Won't be going back.

Went to Moro for the second time for my boyfriends birthday and it was lovely. The staff were so friendly and happy to serve up a birthday cake that I'd brought with us after the meal. The food was incredible and completely worth the money. Moro has an unpretentious, friendly, and welcoming atmosphere. Wish I could afford to eat there every day!!

The food was great, much enjoyed, but the service was risible. We waited 45 minutes from the end of the starter to the mains being serviced. Every single time we wanted a drink we had to flag someone down and my wife even had to get up and interrupt three waitresses chatting to get the bill. I was really disappointed and couldn't imagine recommending Moro.

It's hard to find good tapas but unfortunately I wouldn't recommend Moro - expensive, food too salty, ridiculously small portions and very arrogant staff. Seems like a place resting on it's laurels!