Zayna

Anon

Without even listening to our order ... waiter asked us to order atleast one main dish for each person on the table. Otherwise he will not serve the food. Although our order was approx 60 pounds. 

On arguing with him.. that food will be waisted if each one of us cannot eat whole main dish. He said you can leave if you want. On asking for manager ... he said he was not around, cannot talk to us.

As it was 10pm we have limited options opened at that time. We requested a lot and then we were served food. 

Luckily food was tasty but this argument spoilt the whole mood.

never expected these conditions in a restaurant of this reputation.

Time and date of our visit - 10 pm 29th Dec

Schmenkie

Riz Dar has created a wonderful restaurant in Marylebone. Food is delicately spiced, wine list (originally tended by neighbor Philglas and Swiggot) offering great selections from around the globe, decor is splendidly blessed with a comfortable version of Pakistan meets Jaipur.

Lyndon J

A wonderful friendly restaurant serving excellent food. The staff are very friendly and attentive and I came away last night feeling very happy! I could see that other diners were equally contented. I shall return.

Alex G

It was a rare and beautiful thing to be greeted warmly and recognised by the manager of a restaurant that neither my dining comrade nor I had visited in more than a year. This set the tone for the rest of the evening. I would struggle to find any cause for complaint about this restaurant whatsover. The decor is beautiful, warm woods and comfy sofas; the overall feeling very intimate. The food is amazing and there may not be sufficient superlatives to capture it. There is a clear attention to detail; serious time and effort goes into the preparation of each dish and some items are apparently cooked for over 24 hours. All the spices are also ground in-house and the chef is happy to cook the dishes to the strength required by the table. We opted for a series of vegetarian dishes (it is a good touch that one can enjoy two half portions of any vegetarian dish for £13 – in other words doubling your options). Each was highly different and yet exquisite in terms of flavour commbination and texture. Okra is rarely prepared well, but Zayna showed how to do it properly, especially when mixed with onions and dried pomegranete seeds. The wine list had improved since our last visit and a bracing Domaine Champelou from the Loire acted as a perfect food match. Indicative of the Zayna approach, we also appreciated not having ‘service’ automatically added to the bill. In this case, there was no dount in our minds to recognise fully the experience we had had here.

Maria B

Zayna is an amazing restaurant! I really enjoyed my evening when I went and must say that the food and level of service was exceptional. I can't wait to go back and I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone. It is one of my favourite indian restaurants in London!

Noreen C

Zayna is our local Indian and we've visited many times over the past few years since it opened. The owner Riz only wants customers to do one thing when they visit, and that is to eat absolutely sublime, perfectly executed food. He has worked very hard getting Zayna the way it is, from completely refurbishing it with new kitchens, to the comfortable seating. Originally doing all the cooking himself he has now got a team of wonderful chefs who produce the most amazing Pakistani and North Indian cuisine to his exacting standards. Every ingredient is fresh and all the spices are ground in house. Some of our favourite dishes are Karah Murgh – Chicken cooked in a wok with garlic, onions, ginger and tomatoes, spices, coriander and yoghurt, Tandoor Jongha – King prawns marinated in lemon and garlic, Shipketa – a vegetable dish of carrots, cauliflower, peas, potatoes and turnips. In Zayna, they have a very simple outlook towards their customers (and one that more restaurants should and indeed could, adopt), and that is that you are there to have a good time with good food, they are always happy to see you and you are never, ever made to feel as if you are doing them a favour by stepping over the threshold. You want a dish more (or less) spicy? You can have it. You want your favourite meal that is not on the menu? They will make it if they can. You can't make your mind up between two dishes? Easy – just have half a half portion of each one. A vegetarian? Plenty to choose from! Your first time in an Indian restaurant? They will guide you expertly by asking what things you like to eat first, and then suggest what they have to suit. Nothing is too much trouble, the only thing that would upset the staff is if you didn't enjoy your food when you left!

Vik T

Came across Zayna's purely by chance – what a gem and what a find. Have been back 3 times and if you enjoy your food bit authentic and like a restaurant with good relaxin atmosphere and great food give Zayna a go. Vik

Stephen S

What a treat to find such marvelous food combined with impeccable service all at a great price! Owner Chef RiZ Dar presents a delicious menu of Pakistani/North Indian dishes. The subtle flavours and aromas make for an adventurous trip to the sub-continent. The restaurant is comfortable and un-cramped. Decorated in rich browns and a tapestry of warm colours, the setting could be just another attempt to put you in the mood; but the service makes the trip all the more worthwhile. Try the sweet mango salad, the Aloo Gobi and any of the ponderous curries. Oh yes, do not miss the marinated lamb chops – they set the meal off with a bang! We will go back again and again.

Antonio C

From the outset, I wasn''t expecting much – a curry place set on a side street in tourist central was never going to bother with great or even good food, right? Well, the cooking smells that greeted me at the door told a different story. Delicious grilled, spice meats set my nose fluttering and my expectations soaring. Nicely decorated with comfortable chairs and a well stocked bar the place had an air of quality that you don't always find in curry places. The waiter was very comfortable recommending which dishes to have and explaining the subtelties of their large menu. We all went for pan cooked dishes, and nobody finished without saying that it was the best curry that they'd had. Complex spices worked well with incredibly tender meats. Zayna has a great eye for detail – the waiter told us a bit about their home made ice cream, marination and special pea sourcing. On the plate these things justified their inclusion. This place is so good, I really hope it catches on – because it was fairly quiet : then again, I want to be able to get a table, so hope it doesn't get too popular.

thomas F

had a fantastic meal at Zayna on Saturday night. Quiet around 8pm and only started to get busy later on, but the quality of the food was outstanding and the staff really seemed keen that we enjoyed ourselves. The food has a a real subtlety of flavour and arrived in just the right amounts so you didn't feel stuff to the eyeballs. Try the Ishtu for main – far better than anything I tasted before. Very good indeed – this place deserves to be a success