Having seen a good review in the Evening Standard and heard one on BBC London's Robert Elms show, I thought I'd give this place a try...8.00pm on a Saturday night, in we go looking for a table for four. We just about got in the door where around a dozen or so other 'new Dalston' types were all stood too with a waiter assuring all that tables would be ready soon. Half an hour later we (and four others in front of us) were still standing - no seats to wait on in the Mangal! During this time I noticed how cramped the whole place was with tables squeezed alongside the toilet doors and the ocakbasi itself, with all the resulting flames, smoke and sparks. Worst of all though was the table for four beside the continually opening and closing front door - with the dozen-or-so waiting soul all literally standing over it. The people in front of us had the nerve to ask the waiter when did he think a table would be ready. He rolled his eyes and told them they should have booked a table! Time to leave...

A week later I was passing and decided to give it another go. The same scene of people standing in the doorway, waiting for a table, greeted me but all I wanted to do was book a table for four persons for the following week and so slipped by them and spoke to the waiter behind the counter. "Oh no" he replies "we don't take bookings for tables for only four. Too small. Just come. Wait five minutes that's all". I told him I had waited thirty minutes the previous week and HE himself (well, same it was the guy) had advised booking. "No no, wait only five minutes" he says again. I gave up at this point and told him not to worry about it and turned to leave. "Okay, okay" he says, like he was about to start the biggest chore imaginable, and pulls out a book from under the counter. "See" he says, pointing at entries on the page "Six, six, six. Only six. Now you believe?". And put the book away!What I do 'believe' is this has to be the most laughably over-rated kebab shop in t

We had a really bad experience at Mangal 1.

We were rushed to our table and left for 30 seconds to review the menu. We asked for 5 minutes more to look at the menu and the waiter looked very put out, then came back 20 seconds later and tapped his foot until we ordered.

The food arrived very quickly, a basket of bread pretty much thrown on the table and we were left to it... for 10 minutes.

The waiter came, gave us out bill, advised us that they needed the table and started taking our food away whilst we were still eating!

It was hilarious! We'd been there all of 25 minutes. I spoke to the head waiter on the way out and there was no apology or anything.

The food was OK - nothing special, and the cuts of meat were pretty ordinary.I wont be returning! 1/10.

Excellent food but tarnished by the poor and lacklustre service, a result of the good reviews and word of mouth of the last few years. Recently got into a misunderstanding about how many dishes I'd ordered, leading to an argument with the waiter, where a simple apology from him would have sufficed. When the order did arrive, it was thrown onto the table with disdain. All the more disappointing since i was a regular - will not be going again.

I enjoyed a lovely (and very hearty) Turkish meal at Mangal and it was served by extremely friendly staff who clearly put the customer first. I felt we received excellent value for money too which is always nice in London.


I can, however, neither confirm nor deny the rumours that it is run by Mrs Mangal from Neighbours fame. But I hope it is.

I'd heard some really good things from friends about Mangal so decided to take my girlfriend along one evening.


I can very happily say that everything I heard was true - Mangal is a sublime place to dine and very affordable. If you like Turkish food, definitely go.