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The Archgate
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Budget choice
Slap-bang opposite Archway tube, on a grotty stretch of the very variable Archway Road, this is a welcome find: a small, friendly restaurant, prettily decorated with colourful Turkish tiles and hanging lanterns. Although the wide-ranging menu offers all-day breakfasts and burgers, Turkish food is the name of the game here. On our lunchtime visit, customers included local office workers tucking into charcoal grilled kebabs with relish, and a couple of OAPs eating a classic caff fry-up. Our selection of meze dishes, including crisp börek, lamb köfte, imam bayıldı and houmous, were well-made and satisfying, although the pan-fried squid was rather on the chewy side. Not only were the dishes freshly cooked, they were served out to us in noticeably generous portions and at bargain prices.
Time Out Cheap Eats in London Guide 2007
Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.
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Honest, well bred, artistic female who loves good conversation over a glass of whiskey or cup of tea, and champagne in louche establishments. I...
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This is my favourite restaurant! I go out of my way to get to The Archgate even though I don' t live in the Archway area.
It's easy to get to (opposite the Tube station), and suitable for vegetarians and non-vegetarians. There is quiet music, and the decor is beautiful. It's a very adaptable setting- great for quiet conversations between 2-3 people or bringing a large group for a celebratory evening (I've been there with 12 people before). Even on busy nights it's usually possible to get a seat right away without booking.
When the cafe isn't busy, I will often stop by the Archgate just to catch up with a friend over a drink. The cafe is licenced and serves all the drinks you would expect at a restaurant. The house wines are great, and reasonably priced (for London). In my opinion, the various coffees, teas and juices are excellent.
It is apparent that all the dishes are made fresh with high quality ingredients. I once brought a family of people who had grown up eating homecooked versions of all the dishes served at Archgate and they were astonished... they felt the food was totally authentic, and equal to their grandmother's recipes! The food arrives quickly even on busy nights, and it's always as hot/cold as it should be.
The bill is always less than I expect when I eat at The Archgate cafe, and the food is always better than I can imagine.