The 30 Best Memorable dining experiences in Ilford

“We went on Wednesday evening, we were greeted with a smile and showed to our table. The staff were extremely friendly and polite, and guide you with the menu. The setting is very nice and parking is easy to find. The food was quite tasty. We got the Calamari, Wings and the Prawn Tempura for starters. For the mains we got the lamb chops, wagyu surf and turf, wagyu sirloin and the wagyu t-bone steak.. and we enjoyed our food. Would I go back there again? YES! Our steaks were amazing and full of flavour,the customer service was amazing, and the overall experience was very personal. So yes, gets a 5 outta 5. Good hidden gem.”

“The food here was absolutely top notch everything was full of flavour. My favourite was the Lahmacun & Adana Kofte soft, juicy and meaty just the way it should be. The Lahmacun was thin and filled with toppings. Everything here was really enjoyable and it’s the perfect spot if you need a Turkish and wanna go with the family.”

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Had a great experience at Sahara Grill and wanted to give special mention to Abdur Rahman, who served us. He was very professional and, for a trainee, did an excellent job. He was attentive in a calm, subtle way, checking in on us during the meal and making sure we were comfortable without interrupting the experience. Little thoughtful touches showed his awareness and good service, which really helped us feel relaxed. Food-wise, everything was enjoyable, but the Angus short rib was a standout – absolutely a hit and easily the highlight of the meal. Overall, a very positive experience. Credit to Abdur Rahman and the team.”

“Nice colourful restaurant, staff friendly polite and quick service. Crispy broccoli and aubergine very nice..would like to try crispy chicken next time...huge spring roll. £45 for two people. Had 5 dishes.”

“I av been going there since they are open. 1 of the most underrated restaurants in the Ilford area. Never got disappointed with the food. Spicy nan topnotch as usual... very reasonable price... all the staff are very nice and friendly...”

“Probably the BEST experience I have ever experienced in a restaurant. Cannot fault their service at all- exemplary! From placing the order (where Fatima told us to order through the QR code so as to get the discount on the burgers), to receoving the food for 11, took about 15 minutes. Everything arrived piping hot and we all tucked in. Unfortunately, a mishap happened where a sauce bottle landed on and broke a glass whilst mid eating and fell on majority of the food on the table. Fatima and the manager (a young gentleman) could not do ENOUGH to rectify everything - taking away the affected food, cleaning the table and surrounding areas and replacing all the food within a few minutes. Honestly, I wish all food places were this fantastic. They behaved fantastically with my SEN nephew, even giving permission for him to perform his ritual of going around the kitchen etc before he left. All the food was exceptionally priced also. Fantastic job well done!!”

“Perfect place. Very cheap, very kindly people.”

“The pepperoni pizza was extremely delicious and huge thank you to the employees at Stone Baked for the excellent hospitality upon collection. I would definitely recommend Stone Baked to friends and family!”

“Me and my family, went out to celebrate our daughter’s exam result's. Prior to starting university, we had an amazing evening from the moment we arrived, nice seating, decor atmosphere. Most importantly the food was delicious and the portions were very decent, we had excellent time and would definitely recommend.”

“The experience was very good and the waiters are so friendly. I come here with my college mates or family and we always get good service. Food is lovely and tasty. Good price as well”

“We ordered biryani for my son's birthday, and it tasted absolutely delicious. It was mildly spiced, making it perfect for kids. The tandoori chicken was tender and perfectly cooked.”

“Great little cafe. Quality is good, friendly service, good hygiene and nothing is too much trouble. Excellent homemade dishes. Overall much much better since owners have changed. Happily recommend.”

“Surprisingly awesome experience! Didn’t expect this to become our local favourite but we went as a big group and all enjoyed it very much. The waiter was amazing, very attentive and polite, food was exceptional quality and décor lovely. Thank you guys very making our night so nice.”

“Was in the Ilford area running errands and spotted this restaurant just off Cranbrook Road. Decided to pop in for a feed as I’m huge fan of Mediterranean food but hadn’t tried Albanian cuisine before. I ordered the Beef Hot Pot with a side of olives. The hot pot arrived absolutely sizzling, so presentation was on-point. Wonderfully warm and soft bread rolls also came with the dish, which acted as the perfect accompaniment to the sensational sauce of the hot pot (tart, cheesy and lush - how I imagine an Albanian mum would make for her kids on a cool night). The olives were well-seasoned and the restaurant also has a range of Albanian drinks. Tried Bravo Strawberry which tasted like pure strawberry juice in a can. Nice option to wash down the feed. This place was a great intro into Albanian cuisine and I’d go out of my way to visit Tirana again when the mood strikes. 10/10 recommend.”

“Delicious food, friendly staff, fun ambiance and overall a great experience. Loved the pizzas.”

“Single-handedly the best Chinese restaurant I've had the pleasure of ordering from. The service, food, and delivery times are a exemplary. My partner and I haven't been able to even contemplate ordering elsewhere since our first oder (and we're quite a few orders deep now!). Compliments to the staff across the board, we have, and shall continue to sing your praises and recommend you to our friends.”

“This is a great expense, one that could be tried by anyone. There are some great choices available for starters, soups or mains and desserts, this place truly has something for everyone. From the outside it looks like a hotel lobby restaurant or something you'd find in central London. Inside is a nice looking banquet hall. The food is delicious and consistent, I've had 3 courses that I was equally pleased and impressed by. My favourite was ciorbă de burtă (tripe soup), although the sarmale (stuffed cabbage) was also really tasty. Don't forget about papanași (doughnuts?). 9/10 would go again, thoroughly recommended.”

“Had a nice meal here for my Aunts birthday. It was quite busy but not noisy. The fixed price lunch menu was good value. The a la carte looked a bit pricey! I had the ribs my aunt had the salmon. We were served by the delightful Alissa and really enjoyed the food and the ambience. Recommended.”

“Absolutely loved this place. The food was amazing and the customer service was very good. I would definitely recommend to visit this place for the best smash and chicken burgers.”

“Very impressed with the food, price and service. If you are pressed for time as I was, and you can't take on their breakfast challenge I recommend the 'All in breakfast sandwich '.Bacon, egg, hash brown and sausage, bloody loveleh!”

“I had a wonderful dining experience at this establishment. The food was exceptionally delicious, with each dish freshly prepared and full of flavor. We were pleasantly surprised to receive complimentary baklava, which was a delightful touch. The pricing was very reasonable, especially considering the high quality of the food. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with tasteful decor that added to the overall charm of the restaurant. Additionally, the facilities, including the restroom, were impeccably clean. The staff were extremely friendly and attentive, contributing greatly to our positive experience. I left very satisfied and would not hesitate to recommend this restaurant to friends and family. I look forward to returning in the future.”

“Smacks is hands-down one of the best burger spots I’ve visited in a long time. The moment you walk in, you’re hit with the amazing smell of freshly grilled patties, and the atmosphere is warm, casual, and inviting. I tried their signature burger, and it was perfect—juicy, flavorful, and stacked just right with fresh toppings. The bun was soft but held everything together, and the sauce added that extra kick without overpowering the meat. Their fries were crispy, golden, and clearly made with care, not just tossed in as an afterthought.”

“Food is great. We had 2 burgers, fries and bom-bom chicken. Have to admit, it was absolutely amazing. (And I am not a burger fan) buns, meat, sauces were of high quality. Definitely the best burger take out we’ve had in this area ever.”

“This Caribbean shop has become my go-to, especially in the winter. I usually order from them on Uber and the food just tastes so homey and comforting. I honestly buy their soup every couple of days because it’s that good and it’s the kind of meal that warms you right up. I’ve never had an issue with the quantity either. They’re always generous with the dumplings, potatoes, carrots, sweetcorn, and chicken. The flavours are amazing every single time. I’ve nearly tried nearly all of the food items by now”

“Amazing food great hospitality. Everything was top notch.”

“Superlative Ambience atmosphere qnd Genuine Aromatic Thai Food. Everything is 100% tasty and Halal. Service is excellent and Noodles are just right. Prawn need careful cooking not to get chewy and chef was careful. And succulent beef was wow. Amazing. Full Marks.”

“Fantastic Service from Rafaela Today! I stopped by Old Maypole today and was genuinely impressed with the service Rafaela provided. She was welcoming from the moment I walked in and helped me with exactly what I needed. Her attention to detail and friendly attitude made the visit so much smoother. Truly top-notch service—thank you, Rafaela!”

“Been going here since I went to school 25 years ago. Very friendly people and the best chips around. Their chilli sauce is awesome too.”

“Been a customer ever since they opened (five years) and they’ve never disappointed. Their recent fiery burger is genuinely one of the best burgers i’ve had. Their rice is alright, could work on the taste, make it a bit flavourful. Their full chicken is a go-to, extremely flavourful. Also, their staff is always friendly, especially the store manager, she always goes an extra mile to do more than has to be done.”

“Love there battered sausage and chips. Really can't stay away from this fish shop for to long. I really enjoy battered sausage and chips and I will next time try something new it wouldn't shock me if the fish and chicken and pie are just as beautiful. The staff are quick at dealing with orders and always friendly got great communication skills the chef is blatantly working hard cooking up peoples orders it's in a great location as well.”