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Namak Mandi

3.9 (11 reviews)
ModerateAfghan, Pakistani
Closed 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

Namak Mandi Photos

NAMAK MANDI ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for groups
Good for kids

Recommended Reviews - Namak Mandi

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The feast!
Sam L.

In Pakistan, that feast of 190 million minds on how to cook the best karahi and how to beat India at cricket, the only thing spreading around the country faster than the militant "Islamic" theology of the Deobandi schools of the north west, is the food that they eat! This is the so called "Namkeen cuisine" (trans. salty) of the North Western regions of Pakistan, in and around the historical city of Peshawar. This particular flavour - or, perhaps, an approach to cooking - has been rapidly growing in popularity around the country, so much so that even the restaurants offering "Western" dishes, have had to modify their menus to accommodate the demands of the public. Now what does this have to do with London and with Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver? Well, nothing on the surface of things; what's another "curry house" in Tooting, that hub of South Asian food? First, the British curry (e.g. tikka masala, vindaloo, balti, butter chicken) is legitimately good food, and yet so far removed from the real food of South Asia. Second, Tooting has some great British curry restaurants, but that's not why you would go there. Among them are a few excellent and authentic eateries with trying. Thirdly - and finally - Namak Mandi stands out as the only restaurant offering that authentic taste of the Northwest of Pakistan in addition to the atmosphere and ambience. So, you should go, and when you do, call ahead to reserve a place - upstairs - so you can sit on the carpets and cushions like we do in Northwest Pakistan. (The place is full in the later evenings and on special South Asian and Muslim holidays such as Eids.) When there, drink as much green tea as you can; get started with it, drink it during the meal, and after it. (It's on the house). Then order the Qabuli Pulao - that scrumptious national dish of Afghanistan, now indelibly a part of Namkeen cuisine after millions of Afghan refugees have lived in the region over the past forty years. It comes with a heavenly hunk of slow cooked lamb inside. Then order a Namkeen Karahi - the signature dish of the whole cuisine - whether lamb or chicken. Then order a chapli kebab (sandal kebab) to try the local take on a hamburger patty. The chopan kebab (shepherd's kebab) is as close as you'll get to authentic Afghan lamb kebab in London. Of course order naan, as it is the best and biggest naan around for a long way, and eat using your hands and naan, using the spoon to help if you need it. The vegetarian dishes are excellent too, especially the "tarka daal" This has become my favourite restaurant that reminds me of home in south Asia. Now it is not the typical British curry house, but an excellent cultural experience. Most of the staff speak Pashto, so here are the key phrases to impress them and show your appreciation: Hello: salaam alekum I trust you are well: bakhair hosay, zhwinday hosay! Excellent!: der-kha Thank you: der-manana Good bye: khudai pamaan

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5 months ago

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4 years ago

Grew up eating namak mandi in Peshawar - trust me this place is legit for Charsi tikay and lamb karai!

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11 years ago

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Maiwand Restaurant - Qabeli Palow - rice with lamb, carrots and raisins.

Maiwand Restaurant

5.0(1 review)
11.6 miFeltham

We went to Maiwand Restaurant one Sunday lunch in May with a group of friends, after being…read morerecommended this place. I have had Afghani food before and always really enjoyed it so was looking forward to trying a new restaurant. The atmosphere when you enter is very warm and calm, with beautiful decorations and lighting on the walls, and the service was courteous and professional. However, it was the food which will lead us to return to this place. The rice dishes were outstanding... with one vegetarian in our group, we had the rice with spinach but we also tried the rice with lamb. Both were excellent. The lamb was very tender in all our lamb dishes (we had three different ones) and the dumplings and starter pastries filled with leek and potato, which we have never tried before, were delicious. This is a great place for groups of friends to have a nice meal at good prices and whilst they don't have a license to serve alcohol, they do allow you to bring your own drink and there is even an off licence next door if needed. There is also parking directly outside the restaurant and also on nearby side streets. Having had a lovely, relaxing time at this place, combined with delicious food and good value prices...we will be back.

Photos
Maiwand Restaurant - Lamb kebab and lamb stew

Lamb kebab and lamb stew

Maiwand Restaurant - Bolani filled with leeks and potato - delicious!

Bolani filled with leeks and potato - delicious!

Maiwand Restaurant - Ashak - Afghani dumplings stuffed with leeks, coriander and spring onion - another excellent vegetarian dish

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Ashak - Afghani dumplings stuffed with leeks, coriander and spring onion - another excellent vegetarian dish

Namak Mandi - afghani - Updated May 2026

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