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Carob Tree

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15 Highgate Road, NW5 1QX Full details & map

Restaurant: Greek

 

Time Out says   12 Users say 4/5 Rate it

Posted: Oct 24 2011

Packed as soon as it opened a couple of years ago, Carob Tree is now less of a hotspot, despite its enviable position opposite Hampstead Heath and a smart modern decor that avoids taverna clichés. Could it be the welcome? We, and another party, arrived to an empty restaurant towards the end of lunchtime, to the staff's clear dismay; only when the waitress accepted we were staying did her mood switch to friendly and helpful.

The specials board set above the open-plan kitchen proffered Cornish brill for two, French sea bass, grilled jumbo prawns and beef moussaká. Cypriot dips and sauces, says to the menu, are made in a prep kitchen to Carob Tree's recipes - the rich, almost caramelised flavour of the aubergine dip was far superior to anything from a factory, and served with a generous basket of hot pitta. A squeeze of lemon shot the spicy chargrilled pastourma sausage into the realms of the heavenly; potato salad arrived chilled, but wasn't the worse for it.

Combined with a bottle of chardonnay (the cheapest white), it was a delightful meal. With more cash to flash, we might have had chargrilled veal chop or lamb cutlets, but part of this restaurant's appeal is that you can have enjoyable food whatever your budget.

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Carob Tree details

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Address

Carob Tree

15 Highgate Road NW5 1QX

Transport Gospel Oak rail or bus C2, C11, 214

Telephone

020 7267 9880

Lunch served noon-3pm, dinner served 6-10.30pm Tue-Fri. Meals served noon-10.30pm Sat; noon-9pm Sun

Main courses £3.20-£20

Credit cards MC, V

Facilities

Tables outdoors ( 10, garden ), Babies and children welcome ( high chairs ), Booking advisable, Available for hire, Disabled ( toilet ), Vegetarian menu

Carob Tree map

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Comments & ratings 4/5 (Average of 12 ratings)

By Cristina - Mar 22 2012
5/5

I've been to this restaurant several times and oh my god the food it's amazing ... You can taste the freshness of the ingredients awesome wine too!!! Great service and the staff it's always very friendly!!! I defently recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves good food and a great atmosphere...

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By Lapaine - Mar 21 2012
5/5

In The carob Tree as i write this and all i can say is absolutely fanatastic on all counts!!!!!!!!!!!

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By Jonathon - Mar 19 2012
5/5

Took my mother and family for a mothers day lunch and cannot believe what a great time we had the restaurant was full of families having a great time and the service was helpful informative and always attentive. We opted for the meze starters followed by a selection of grilled meats and fish with salad and rounded the meal of with Greek coffee and complimentary baklava. What can I say absolutely excellent fresh food simply done with good old fashioned service that is hard to find these days.good luck to the carob tree they deserve their success.

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By jackie - Mar 17 2012
1/5

i have been to the carob tree twice.1st with husband had fish which was very basic and a Greek salad which was very poor(im not greek but my Greek salads are very good)2 nd time for a hen night service very poor meze for every one which they recommended some had drinks we were amazed at the final bill !!!!!! could not believe it.won' be going ever again.

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By simon foster - Feb 24 2012
5/5

Excellent meze tonight and good service considering how busy it was

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By Tellina - Feb 23 2012
5/5

Visited carob tree last night with friends and was very impressed with the quality of produce used and presentation of the dishes. To put it simply it is good food based on good ingredients not hiding under sauces and polite and attentive service
Highly recommend

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By RPC - Feb 20 2012
2/5

Read the reviews and thought would give it a try. The food is okay - average (perhaps because it was a Sunday) but the service not the friendliest. Won't be going back there are better places around.

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By steve wharram - Feb 6 2012
5/5

amazing food, great price very friendly atmosphere reccomend it 100%

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By Lucyloo - Jan 18 2012

I have been to this marvellous restaurant many times and have always received a great welcome. The food is superb and the service second to none.

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By Darty - Jan 13 2012
5/5

The best, and friendliest Greek in north London

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By Jason - Jan 1 2012
5/5

We're regulars and can't get enough of the place. They always use the freshest ingredients - really, really superb fish on the charcoal grill, always good sized portions.

A good sign that they close up between Christmas and New Year due to the fact they can't get hold of the quality of food they need.

Like all good Greek restaurants The Carob Tree is really family friendly - kids are very welcome. And it's full of North London Greeks, that's also got to be pretty telling.

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By Daniel - Dec 18 2011
5/5

Wow! Wife and I had superb evening at Carobs Tree last night. It was our first time there and it was better than we expected even though it was highly recommended long time ago by few of our friends. It started with very worm welcome by the owner and his staff so they easily get 10/10 for that. I have been in restaurants with better athmosphere and interior design but spending the night at Carob Tree will not going to make you feel out of place no mater how posh or fussy you are so I would still rate it with very high 8.5/10. They have very friendly but profesional staff with impeccable manners and knowledge of what this place can offer. Their mix of providing excellent service without being very intrusive is just about perfect which is always a bonus if you are trying to have some meaningful conversation with whoever you are spending the evening with therefore staff gets 10/10. Undoubtably the star man and the heart beat of this great restaurant is (Louie) the owner himself who we thought was a real character, extremly friendly and welcoming person so he gets at least 11/10 from us. When it comes to food we ordered grilled king prawns for starters and seabass/halibut fish for mains with potato salads which was 100% right down to our taste...absolutely delicious!!! The fish was very very fresh and cooked/grilled to perfection with no gimmicks just plain and simple like it should be. The quality of the fish was remarkable considering this is not fish only restaurant and the portions are big enough to fill up nicely even the hungriest, which is not always the case with fish dishes. When you top that with excellent range of white wines they have on offer you really will struggle to find much more enjoyable meal no matter where you are in the world. We even received small complimentary dessert from the owner which was just "iceing on the cake" moment for us. For food/drink experience it's an easy 10/10...absolutely fantastic. It's not the cheapest place you can find but with the standard they offer it still makes them a great value restaurant also there is enough choice on the menu to suit anyone's budget. All in all we had wonderful night out and by picking Carob Tree as our destination for the evening I'm sure I scored few important points with my better half which in my view is priceless...I'm sure all gents will agree. It felt like we went to our friends house for a dinner and considering this was our first time there I think it really speaks for itself. Needless to say we are definitely coming back for more in the near future and we can't wait to try something else on their menu next time. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

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By Robert - Aug 4 2011
5/5

Ate at the carob on Tuesday night on the terrace the restaurant was full inside and outside yet the staff were relaxed and friendly under the pressure of serving and looking after everyone.The food was as usual excellent plain grilled good quality fish and tasty salad rounded off with juicy watermelon.really nice evening had by all.Highly recommended.

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By Captain Dimitris - May 21 2011

I being in restaurants all over England and Europe (France,Belgium,Spain,Portugal,Italy and Greece). I can assure you that their is no way to find the same fresh food especially fresh fish and fresh jumbo prawns, any were, but if you do you you must be prepared to pay double or more. The owner and the stuff are most pleased to serve you and they are more satisfied when you are. Simply one of the best restaurants and good value for money.

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By Michael Jawett - Feb 24 2011

We have been to the Carob Tree a few times and found the decor and whole ambience very cool and modern especially for a Greek restaurant, which we loved. The staff were really friendly and very helpful plus they were knowlegable which was a welcome blast. The food was very good, not incredible but as good as anyother Greek restaurant that we've been to and better then most. Overall we would definatly go back and have recommended it to friends and family.

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By anna - Jan 2 2011

visited carob tree christmas eve with friends and had a seriously enjoyable evening.atmosphere was buzzing,food
was greek with a modern twist not your average greek kleftico restaurant.And the staff really seemed to enjoy their jobs friendly and professional.we all had meze to begin followed by steaks and fish with greek salad and believe it or not grilled olives.will definately be returning to order all the other fab looking dishes that the menu had to offer.superb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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By Michael - Nov 14 2010

What a place sets the standard for Greek restaurants

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By fiona - Nov 8 2010

really enjoyed the whole package! cant wait to go back and will recommend to friends. hope it prospers and does well! deserves to!

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By Tony Tsindos - Aug 2 2010

The ONLY Greek restaurant I've found in the UK that serves food that tastes like my Mum's food back in Cyprus. Great food, friendly service, nice ouzo, awesome baklava !

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By helen savva - Jun 21 2010

went to the carob tree yesterday to celebrate my husbands 40th birthday and fathers day.there were 14 of us and we truly had a marvellous time the food the service and buzzy atmosphere made it a great time for all of us i would recomend the carob tree where ever i go

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By helen savva - Jun 21 2010

went to the carob tree yesterday to celebrate my husbands 40th birthday and fathers day.there were 14 of us and we truly had a marvellous time the food the service and buzzy atmosphere made it a great time for all of us i would recomend the carob tree where ever i go

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By london foodie - Jun 21 2010

great location for a simple freshly grilled seabass or any of their excellent fish with a cold bottle of wine and very good staff bliss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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By david levy - Jun 21 2010

excellent fresh food service faultless the best greek restaurant in london

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By Daniel Papadamantiou - Jun 14 2010

The worst service and food throughout London. I would not recommend it to anybody. Not Greek at all....

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By Mike - Jun 6 2010

Your review is quite poor or things have changed. Carob Tree is much better than you make it. The food is fresh and authentic. The service is great and it is light years ahead of the other restaurants you rate with the same rating. I would recommend it to any Greek food lover.

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By Sue - May 30 2010

What a great establishment, the restaurant food and service are fantastic, delicious healthy food , and the staff just want to please, nothing is to much trouble.
Highly recomend,

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