Kazan

Turkish·
££££
·
Bronze Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Kazan

Bronze Award

“Quite a find among the tourist dross at the back of Victoria”, Kazan is all about Ottoman opulence – antique lamps and silk cushions may have given way to sleek contemporary looks, but the soft glow from teardrop-shaped lights and the privacy afforded by ornate screens create a seductively romantic atmosphere. The kitchen shows its class with a mix of Turkish family favourites and Ottoman-style specialities – so expect numerous hot and cold appetisers (try the ‘drunken’ calamari marinated in vodka), plus ‘fire grills’ and specialities ranging from hunkar begendi (stewed spiced lamb on smoked aubergine relish) to monkfish and prawn kebabs with bulgur and salad. To finish, check out delights such as dark chocolate ‘pyramids’ with pistachio ice cream or apricots stuffed with clotted cream and walnuts. At lunchtime, there are speedy set menus and mezze feasts to share – perfect with an ice-cold Efes beer.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
Turkish
Ambience
Quiet conversation, Traditional
Food Occasions
Breakfast
Alfresco And Views
Outside seating
Perfect for
Dates
Food Hygiene Rating

Location

93-94 Wilton Road, Victoria, London, SW1V 1DW

020 7233 7100 020 7233 7100

Website

Opening Times

Mon-Sun 12N-10.30pm (Sun -9.30pm)

Reviews

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10 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

13 February 2014  
Food & Drink 3.5
Service 3
Atmosphere 3.5
Value 3.5
Passable restaurant that does what it says on the tin
I went to this place as I could not find somewhere to eat near Victoria Station. I was not expecting much but the food was excellent. The waiter said that the lamb and chicken was halal so that was a positive. The service was poor as it took over 30 minutes for them to serve the main course. However, the decor was pretty and the atmosphere was not too bad either. I will visit this place again next time I am in the area.

Toby N

20 December 2013  
Food & Drink 1.5
Service 1
Atmosphere 1.5
Value 1
Not a Christmas treat
We went to Kazan for our work Christmas lunch and I hope that I never need to go again. Whilst I appreciate its never easy dealing with big parties (about 50 of us went) if you can’t handle them maybe you shouldn’t take the bookings in the first place. Service was really poor – it took 4 hours to get through 3 courses, and despite having placed all the orders in advance (so it can’t have been a surprise what they needed to prepare) people using the two different menus received their lunches at completely different times; so half the table would have food and half be sat there with nothing. The atmosphere wasn’t great; we were sat downstairs and the low ceilings, gaudy and tired décor, cramped space and it being too hot didn’t enhance the overall experience. I would grumble about the endless Christmas songs as well, but apparently one of our team supplied that playlist! Food is mediocre if you want to be kind about it; personally I’m not sure it’s that good. Yes, I accept I’ve been spoiled through going to the likes of Petrus, Pollen Street Social etc but this was really quite grim. I started with mixed mezze, which seemed to be a bit of everything; which is fine as an idea, apart from there wasn’t much thought of how things would work together and it was all a bit cold and greasy with a funny aftertaste that lingered longer than you’d like. Main course was minced lamb with mash; I appreciate I’m not an expert on Turkish food, but to me that didn’t seem very traditional. We didn’t get asked how we wanted our lamb – apparently slightly overdone was the standard – the mash was too sloppy and the salad looked like a poor afterthought from the supermarket bargain bin. Dessert was by far the best bit; the baklava was perfectly decent, firm and chunky with a nice taste of rose, the mint tea it came with tasted a bit more like toilet cleaner. Value for money is debatable – yes it was cheap, but if you hated most of it cheap doesn’t make it value. Last year we went to the Cinnamon club, it was no more expensive and was a far better experience. Avoid this.

Helen K

12 November 2012  
Food & Drink 4
Service 4
Atmosphere 4
Value 3
Although we were the first couple at lunch time. More people came in over the period we were there. The food was very good. First time at a Turkish restaurant. Plenty of choice to suit all tastes. Meal was well presented. We did not have a dessert so cannot comment. Will go again if in this area

Katy M

17 February 2012  
Food & Drink 1.5
Service 0.5
Atmosphere 1.5
Value 0.5
A friend recommended this place so I went there to treat my friend for special occasion. They sat us right next to the door even there was some tables available. They rushed us to order. Main courses came pretty cold. I had to wait 5 mins to get someones attention to send it back. All staff was chatting around the bar and not caring about the customers at all. Table next to us was waiting for bottle of water for 10 mins. After sending back my -charcoal grilled- food came back microwaved..! Tasted and felt like rubber. Nobody to complain for, no apologies. Overall very bad experince..!

Lauren C

18 July 2010  
Food & Drink 4.5
Service 4.5
Atmosphere 4
Value 4.5
We had the mezze starter which was a great way to try lots of different things Kazan have to offer on the menu. The food was superb – fresh and tasty and the staff were friendly. At under £100 for 3 courses and a good bottle of wine, we thought Kazan was excellent value for money and will definately be visiting again. Our own negative, but very minor issue, was that starters and mains came out very quickly after one another but at the end of the meal you didn't feel hurried to vacate the table and could let the meal go down. Highly recommended!

Ron F

28 February 2010  
Food & Drink 4.5
Service 4.5
Atmosphere 5
Value 4
Nice lively atmosphere, good food and friendly service.

Stephen L

23 November 2009  
Food & Drink 4.5
Service 4
Atmosphere 4.5
Value 4
an excellent meal, served by attentive staff who looked after us from start to finish. The King Prawn in Chilli and Lime starter was particularly good. We will definitely return to this restaurant when next in London.

Andy L

26 April 2009  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Kazan certainly lived up to all of my expectations. From the beautiful decor to the candle lit toilets, everything was perfect. Service was very attentive without being pushy, and good sound advice is available on the wine list and of course the food menu. The meats sold at Kazan are perfectly cooked, and the large selection of mezze's is a delightful way to kick off your meal. There really must be something for everyone on their extensive, mouth watering menu. 10/10 all the way in this gorgeous, good value for money little gem!

Emily P

23 October 2008  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 4
The food is gorgeous I went for the Tuna, which was cooked to perfection. Melt in the mouth. Even the bread is memorable. Staff very friendly and accommodating. Have been back a few times, and will a few more no doubt.

Phil H

10 October 2008  
Food & Drink 4.5
Service 4
Atmosphere 4
Value 4
This place just keeps dragging me back through the doors, for more of the Sultan's Delight—very tender lamb on a bed of puréed aubergine. Everything seems to work here (apart from the draught you are subject to if you sit near the door!). The food is good, the service also. The wine list is good value and the atmosphere is spot on. If I have a quibble it is that the starters don't quite measure up to the quality of the mains, so I often skip these. The mains can seem little pricey, but you don't mind when the food is so good. All in all I recommend Kazan to anyone who is happy to spend about £50 on top class Turkish food for two (inc. wine) in a good atmosphere. Sure you can get great Turkish food for a third of this price on Green Lanes and in Hackney (I'm thinking of Anatolya on Hackney road). However, it is to Kazan's credit that despite the excellent quality of many of those cheap Turkish eateries we are so blessed with in London it is still worth paying for the Kazan experience from time to time.
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