Log in to My Time Out for your personalised guide to what's on in London. It's fast, easy and FREE!

Maghreb

Follow Maghreb to receive updates on special offers here.

What is 'following'?
189 Upper Street, N1 1RQ Full details & map
Special offers

Bistro: North African

 

Time Out says   1 Users say 4/5 Rate it

Posted: Oct 31 2011

The orange glow from Maghreb makes a cheery sight on Upper Street; the welcome is equally warm, with owner Mohamed Faraji often on hand to greet diners. Past experience tells us his kitchen is at its best when cooking the Moroccan classics that comprise most of the menu.

A good way to sample a range of these is to order the mixed meze starter. This brought to our table little plates of houmous, marinated olives and artichoke, zaaluk (steamed aubergine with tomato, coriander and preserved lemon), stewed lentils, and carrot and orange with cumin. Unfortunately, the accompanying bread was burnt.

Mains (grills, seafood, tajines) are generously proportioned, and while some could be more robustly flavoured, everything is solidly done. Moroccan kebab with couscous had chunks of tender, marinated lamb, gently spiced; the large selection of tagines includes lentil and pumpkin, and a more unusual venison with redcurrant and caramelised quince.

Throw in drinks (pleasingly, there are several classy Moroccan wines to sample) and things can seem pricey, but the £14.95 two-course deal balances things out. Not Islington's most exciting restaurant, but a dependable and welcoming stalwart.

Special offers

2 courses £12.95

...from a set menu ( 3 courses £16.95). Includes Vat, excludes service. Please note: Maghreb Restaurant will open lunch times for parties of 10 people or more.
Offer available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 18:00-23:30, Friday, Saturday 17:00-23:30, Sunday 17:00-22:30
Offer covers Min 1, Max 40 people
Offer valid until Mar 18 2012

Please book this offer through the booking panel below.

15% off food

...from the a la carte menu. Includes Vat, excludes service and drinks.
Offer available Monday to Friday 18:00-19:00, Weekends 12:30-19:00
Offer covers Min 1, Max 6 people
Offer valid until Mar 18 2012

Please book this offer through the booking panel below.

Book now

Maghreb details

Follow Maghreb to receive updates on special offers here.

What is 'following'?
Address

Maghreb

189 Upper Street N1 1RQ

Transport Highbury & Islington tube/rail

Telephone

020 7226 2305

Maghreb website

Meals served 6-11.30pm Mon-Thur; 5-11.30pm Fri-Sun

Main courses £9.50-£14.50. Set dinner £14.95 2 courses, £18.95 3 courses

Credit cards AmEx, MC, V

Facilities

Babies and children welcome ( high chairs ), Booking advisable, Available for hire, Takeaway service

Maghreb map

Share your thoughts

  • or log in into My Time Out
  • *
  • *
  • Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.
* Mandatory fields for leaving a comment

Comments & ratings 4/5 (Average of 1 rating)

By ByeByeBlues7 - Jun 4 2011
4/5

Can't really say that I like Moroccan food that much, but Maghreb impressed me quite a bit. Both the meat tagine and the vegetarian one were very tasty. I actually ate better here than in Marrakech!! Very friendly and attentive service. Quick too. We came here on a Tuesday, so they were not too busy, maybe that helped. Anyway, recommended.

Report
By JRP - Mar 15 2010

Awful service

Went there for my 30th birthday and had a very large booking of over thirty people. The food was quite good, though not the greatest Moroccan I have tasted. Unfortunately, the following day after paying the bill I was contacted by a waiter, who proceeded to tell me that he had made a mistake of over hundred pounds on the bill and that unless I was prepared to help him the money would be docked from his wages.

Disappointed by these seemingly fraudulent turn of events, I contacted the manager, Mr Faraji, who maintained that I had done nothing wrong, but that the money was to be docked from the waiter unless 'I helped him out'. Besides feeling slightly harassed and upset at such bullying/guilt tripping tactics, I was surprised that the manager would confess to such bad treatment of his staff. The whole experience put a sour taste on visiting the restaurant. I shall certainly never go there again and would not recommend.

Report
By JRP - Mar 14 2010

Went there for my 30th birthday and had a very large booking of over thirty people. The food was quite good, though not the greatest Moroccan I have tasted. Unfortunately, the following day after paying the bill I was contacted by a waiter, who proceeded to tell me that he had made a mistake of over hundred pounds on the bill and that unless I was prepared to help him the money would be docked from his wages.

Disappointed by these seemingly fraudulent turn of events, I contacted the manager, Mr Faraji, who maintained that I had done nothing wrong, but unfortunately money was to be docked from the waiter. Besides feeling slightly harassed and upset at such bullying/guilt tripping tactics, I was surprised that the manager would confess to such bad treatment of his staff. The whole experience put a sour taste on visiting the restaurant. I shall certainly never go there again and would not recommend.

Report
By Sharmila - Mar 14 2010

Bad Management/Bullying tactics

Bullying tactics witnessed - avoid this restaurant like the plague.

Report
By JRP - Mar 14 2010

Went there for my 30th birthday and had a very large booking of over thirty people. The food was quite good, though not the greatest Moroccan I have tasted. Unfortunately, the following day after paying the bill I was contacted by a waiter, who proceeded to tell me that he had made a mistake of over hundred pounds on the bill and that unless I was prepared to help him the money would be docked from his wages.

Disappointed by these seemingly fraudulent turn of events, I contacted the manager, Mr Faraji, who maintained that I had done nothing wrong, but the money was to be docked from the waiter nevertheless 'unless I help him'. Besides feeling slightly harassed and upset at such bullying/guilt-tripping tactics, I was surprised that the manager would confess to such bad treatment of his staff. The whole experience put a sour taste on visiting the restaurant. I shall certainly never go there again and would not recommend.

Report