I took my girl for a date to Abracadabra in January for a first date. They sat us down in a booth decorated with Venetian style masks which I thought was cool. There weren't many people at the restaurant, in fact we were the only ones there for a fraction of our stay. I don't particularly like crowded places and I already had all the company I needed so it made it even better, very intimate. The staff were very helpful and well presented. We really enjoyed our food, it was my first Russian food experience and I loved it. She was impressed by the place. It's not like commercial restaurants where the main thing that makes them different from each other is the name and location. They explained us that the name ""Abracadabra" came up as the the restaurant has a magical feeling to it, and I have to agree...we're still dating :)

I invited my team from work to have lunch at Abracadabra restaurant because a friend recommended the food there. When we arrived, we were greeted by a jolly English man who said he is learning Russian. The décor is overwhelming, truly eccentric with each booth having its unique style. We sat at the large revolving table with a beautiful crystal chandelier above us. After a while and a few drinks we found the experience highly entertaining. We had traditional Russian spread starters and individual main courses and the food was delicious, nicely accompanied by Georgian wine. The restaurant was not very busy, but it did not bother us, it actually gave us the opportunity to bond.
The place is different indeed and the atmosphere is very unusual. It was as if we stepped into a movie with eccentric characters surrounding us, and yet we loved it. I was so surprised with the place that I did a little research after the dinner itself and came across this site.
Would I recommend Abracadabra? I would if you like something that is not mainstream, a bit odd and yet of high quality. Also it is a good place to talk confidential because it is not too busy and very private. I will definitely return.

Went here last week with some work friends for a leaving do. I booked before I read the reviews, after I read these reviews I was worried. However, we had a great night. food was good, service was attentive. We were sat at large circular table and after 10 minutes or so, we realised it was revolving. The restaurant was quiet. I'm going back in two weeks with a different group of people. Two others in my party said they would come back.

Where is the No Star button?! Appalling. Terrible. Awful. Dreadful. Inedible. No ambiance. Unwelcoming. Cold (freezing cold). No magic. No atmosphere. No people (well maybe two tables). Appalling again. And come on the Nietzche review down below - you don't fool us. That is the most blatant plug from the owner / manager / waiter if ever I saw one! Which Abracadabra in which galaxy were you eating at? Because it certainly wasn't the one in Mayfair. It looks like the last throw of the dice for a restaurant in its death throws. If this place is still open in 6 months I will be amazed - or very suspicious.... Don't waste your money people. If you want value for money go to McDonalds (I can't believe I just said that but it is true). And I reckon the food would be better as well!

I went for an office party a week ago or so. The food was revolting and we had the feeling the waiter hated us.

After a starter of soggy blinis (they forgot the sour cream), and dumplings (revolting), I didn't dare try dessert.

The coffee by the waiter's admission was instant because "their machine had broken".

It was so cold they tried to heat us up with an old fashioned heater blown under the table, and we were the only ones in there.

I do not understand why this place is still open.

One star, because I was pleasantly surprised I didn't die after this 'meal'.

Hi!

Our dinner last Saturday (18.12.2010) in Abracadabra:

I booked a table for 16 guests.

The food:
We eat delicious Borsh,
after then very soft and tender Chicken Kima
and great Honey-cake with ice cream.

The interior /decoration:
Fairyland and cubby place with privacy and extraordinary toilets.
I love it!:)

Atmosphere:
If you like to singing,
you can do some Karaoke.:)

After 11:00 PM is open the Hey Joe club under the restaurant,
where you can dance with nice girls.

I heard or read about some negative feedback's
but everybody is different and me and my group,
we enjoyed everything.

Prices:
Normal prices which you can expect if you are in the City
just you must be careful when you choosing drinks,
because they have bottles for few thousands of pounds...

Service:
Finally thanks to the restaurant manager,
he was very friendly and helpful.

I recommend this place for all categories
but specially for couples who needs privacy.

Where to start...? As soon as we walked down there I knew we were in trouble! But it was an office party so what are you going to do? Let's start with the junior staff being badly treated by the senior staff - doesn't set up a great atmosphere. The food was so utterly appalling I cannot even begin to describe it to you. I know it is Russian and Eastern European but that does not excuse the complete and utter drivel which was delivered to our table. Most of it was so overcooked we might as well have been eating cardboard. The chef would not know refinement if it jumped off the floor and bit him / her on the backside! And the prices they were charging were certainly Mayfair prices - just a shame the food couldn't match it. Completely lacking in atmosphere and our "magic table" moved once in the entire evening - about 30 degrees. If you are going to ignore all of the above then for god's sake heed this warning - do NOT order the dumplings! In fact, don't order anything - go and find yourself a nice restaurant with good food. Even reasonable food would be better than here. I am giving it 1 star because I can't give it zero.

I am not sure if all those people with nice reviews went to the same Abracadabra that I did , or there is another one in the same building or I was really really unlucky, because it was the worst meal of my life. I don't think I need to add anymore. The decor, yes different, but that doesn't mean great and again the food, the worst ever, oh my God! I don't even have words to describe it. The toilets, yes interesting but also, weird, mostly the taps, I was wondering, Am I in a restaurant or what?! If you are curious about the place have a beer (quite expensive though) and look around, but if you care for your stomach, don't eat. I wouldn't recommend Abracadabra to my worst enemy. Terrible. I put one star because I don't' know how to put none.

I wanted to try this place out after reading about its 'unique' style.

It was deserted when we arrived (and left), to be fair probably partly to do with it being Wednesday night.

The decor is rather kitsch and has probably seen its better days. There was a TV/stereo in our booth but it wasn't working, I assume this is what was once the 'individual jukeboxes' that I read about online.

The food was 'OK' but nothing special, we went for the Russian menu (they also have an English menu with burgers etc). I had red caviar for starter (when in Russia) which was nice, and my g/f had a mushroom thing that seemed to be microwaved (crusty top, nuclear hot inside). Then I had meatballs - which was very homely but not mind-blowing and my g/f had the duck which was OK and came with the obligatory enormous heap of red cabbage. Bottle of wine was also OK, nothing special. Total bill was £75 (£12 of that was caviar though).

The staff were very friendly and accommodating too.

I'm glad I tried it out, but I can't help thinking that for £75 you can probably get a LOT nicer food, and really the decor although amusing is just a bit knackered these days.

The club downstairs looks fun, but was shut when we went, maybe that's what keeps the place going? Or maybe you should just visit at weekends?

Went there for my husband's 40th and it was fab. I'd booked the revolving table and we had the party menu as there was 10 of us. We all had a great time - the staff were really friendly and had decorated the table and put up banners and had a Happy Birthday message on the small TV screens around the place - also pre-ordered a cake which was huge and really elaborately decorated. The interior of this restaurant & club are outstanding - it's definitely got the "WOW" factor, even the toilets!! We all had an amazing night - couldn't fault it at all!

Fiona Beresford

I must say that there's nothing similar in its innovative approach to decor anywhere near the many countries that I have been visiting. Glamorous and inspiring.

A piece of art. I heard that it was created by students from Royal College of Arts, London. I enjoyed it.It's definitely worth trying!

It's an experience that challenged all my senses.

Hi there,

Not sure why everyone is slagging off the restaurant. I was there couple of weeks ago, and i loved the venue it was just so different from other places and I am taking off my hat and saying well done- not everyone would have b***s to make it so unique.

Food- portions are big, you will not stay hungry, that's for sure. I loved golubtsy and cold soup and hot blinis...so yammy...=))

Staff- were very polite, what ever we asked they did no have a problem to get it for us.

Thank you for a nice meal and time.My friend is thinking about he venue for 1st September and I will definitely suggest her Abracadabra restaurant.

Miss Lucy Kiss

I would just like to say how impressed me and my crowd of friends were last night when we stumbled across Abracadabra Restaurant when wlaking through Jermyn Street.

We had the private dinning room because there was 15 of us and we wanted it to be more private,which you do not get in alot of restaurant.

We tried a varied amount of Russian dishes ranging from borsh,herring in fur coat,olivier,chicken kima and honey cake.

The overall venue,food service and seating couldn't be better. Anybody wanting to try something different then go and try it for yourself.

Miss St James and friends.

We were there on Friday night. Only 3 tables were occupied. Service: Waiters were friendly and helpful.

Food: Starters were good (just difficult to spoil salad and salted vegetables).

Mushroom julien was quite nice and bigger portion than it is usually served.

Fish kebab was not bad, but from frozen fish. Traditional Russian pelmeni were absolutely awful!

They were from the shop and the quality was absolutely not acceptable. Russian minced burger (kotleta) was just a classic beef burger and had not much to do with Russian food.

Wine prices are average, but vodka prices seems to be slightly high for such place (or they are bringing menu from the club).

At the same time there was 1 shot free.So the place is not recommended to go to try Russian cuisine as many dishes looks to be semi-prepared food.

There are other places in London which offer more authentic Russian food.But if you want to spend romantic evening in empty place and food is not important to you this can be a right place.

I would highly recommend Abracadabra to my friends as we had a wonderful
meal which for the West End was reasonably priced, the drinks selection
is vast and the waiting staff were knowledgeable and friendly.
It makes a change to find an establishment whose decor is fun and
Magical. We will certainly be going back soon.
Thomas.

this place is ssooo jokes.
although our group were the only people in the entire restaurant, it was fun and the staff made it even more enjoyable.
later in the night you can move down to the club where you will find people who have mysteriously appeared in the venue??
the bathrooms are trippy and the whole atmosphere is silly.
very crazy night out, i recommend going to another venue afterward though.

I just wanted to stop by and say what a wonderful time i had on saturday 1st Nov. It was a last mintue choice to at here and have drinks at the bar. The staff was very much on hand and cater for every need we required. I will be returning again for anothr great night.

Abracadabra has changed its menu recently it would seem. It now has a fantastic New Oleans theme to it. The best steaks this side of the USA. I had the Beef Rib. It was mouthwateringly delicious.The 3 hour braising and the barbeque coating made me drool on every mouthful. I took half home in a doggy bag for the next day. A true two for the price of one meal. My companion had the veggie option. A Cheese and Roasted Shallot Kebab on a bed of Hertage tomato salad with sauce viege Roasted hard cheese in a crispy Parmesan and thyme coating. She said it was the tastiest veggie dish she had had in a long time We shall definately go again The Jazz & Blues music transported me back in time to a holiday I once had in New Orleans

I would strongly advise you never to visit this restaurant. I would give it no stars, but the site won't allow me to...Being called ***** by the owner, is what we got in reponse to a query over the wine bill. Having asked for house red, white and rose, we were presented with a bill for rose at 40% more than we were told it would be. When the stripper arrived for the stag do that we were sharing the venue with, the owner again showed his class by telling us to leave, so "we wouldn't get any thrills from the stripper." As if a group of 18 girls would... Keep away and tell anyone you ever come into contact with to do the same.

I often read restaurant reviews and think ‘Oh, those complaining customers are just grumpy old men/women, I’m sure X restaurant isn’t THAT bad’. I am not normally a complainer and will put up with bad service and sub-standard food sometimes and just remember to not go back to a particular place. In this instance, last night’s experience has led me to write a review so that if anyone reads this they stay well away from this restaurant.

This is an absolute disgrace of a place to dine. A mixed group of 10 went out for a celebratory meal there and expected something pretty decent. Some of the courses (the pasta) were good, but the burgers were shocking, as was the battered fish. The medium rare burger was charred, and the well done burger was like eating a piece of wood. Also the batter on the fish was wet and soggy, like it had just come straight from the microwave. The food was sent back to the kitchen and the next thing we knew, we were receiving some hostile abuse from the Eastern European manager, that we were all wrong and his food was perfectly edible. Even if we'd have been drunk, I think I would have still been shocked by this tirade. ISN'T THE CUSTOMER ALWAYS RIGHT ABRACADABRA?

Following this appalling behaviour from the manager, and as is well within our rights, we then refused to pay the full amount. Abracadabra "revised" the bill and knocked off a burger. As we felt so strongly about the horrible food and treatment we had received, this still wasn't good enough, so we all put in a sensible total amount based on the aforementioned factors. The next bit beggars belief. We were then IMPRISONED in the restaurant whilst the manager demanded we paid the full amount. Two doormen stood by the door, locked it and wouldn't let us out. That in my book is bordering on kidnapping. The only way we were eventually let out was to pay Abracadabra’s "revised" bill. Again, that in my book is bordering on extortion.

This restaurant is quite surreal, it's got a very seedy feel to it, it felt like we were in Amsterdam. The food was below average, for a Saturday night, there were only 2 tables (including us) in the restaurant.

The nightclub is downstairs, apart from the 6 of us, there was a group of Russians having their own party, the nightclub gave the birthday girl the microphone and she took over the dancefloor for 20 minutes for her own talk show. We were then asked to leave the dancefloor as we were in her way!

I have never been to anything like this before and can honestly say, I will not be returning. October 2007.

The visit to Abracadabra was sadly not a pleasant experience. The non smoking laws that have been brought into England and Wales apparently seem to be broken at this restaurant with the staff telling us that the owner is personally against the non smoking laws and doesn't care about non smokers.



So, we had to sit next to people smoking throughout the meal while the staff did nothing. I won't visit again the place is run by a very unprofessional lot and their boss having a personal problem with health legislation should not be taken out on customers or staff. I don't advise anyone to visit Abracadabra, their attitude and air stinks.

My family and I visited London for a weekend in August and I can honestly say my children, wife and I have never had such an entertaining meal.


The service was second to none, the food was delicious and our children really enjoyed the turning dinning table and the Alice in Wonderland toilets. The floor of colours was an amazing sight among so many quirky attractions. The owner of Abracadabra even came over and said hello.

My daughter and I recently visited Abracadabra for lunch after shopping. It must have been the harlequin holding the sign that attracted her. I gave in to my better judgement and had a lunch in the unknown. Abracadabra is so overpriced it’s unreal. No wonder we were the only suckers there!


The menu consists of an all day breakfast as a starter and ludicrously priced pizzas and burgers which cost the best part of £20.00 a go. If that’s not enough to turn you off, then the staff are. Teenage girls in suspenders and an awfully rude overweight man in a pink suit leering over them, set against a stomach churning decor were enough to put our table off our meal. Abracadabra is definitely not one for the diary. Lunch with my daughter for £40.00 a head and a headache.

Abracadabra is a good family venue. Plenty of choice and lots of tasty options for everyone.

The atmosphere at Abracadabra is always fun and relaxed - a little on the pricey side but worth it for a thoroughly enjoyable night.