Kahani

Decided to try Kahani after seeing posts on instagram. Unfortunately I was left dissatisfied and disappointed. I hate giving negative feedback and try to see the positives. I hope this feedback is taken onboard and seen as constructive rather than insulting. There was no one to greet us/sit us down when we entered. I had to go find the member of staff. However apart from this the service was very good. The decor was excellent however there was no one else at the restaurant when we arrived so I cannot comment on the atmosphere. One bit of advice here I would give is that they should spray the restaurant with a form of fly killer as there was an abundance of fruit flies which were flying around us and amongst our food. It was very off putting. When mentioned to the staff they just disregarded it as normal because of the fruit!? I then had to ask the staff to remove the empty plates to discourage the flies. Food ordered: Teapot Gol Gappe: Gappe were burnt and hard but the water was nice but could have been a bit more tangy. Seekh Kebab: A bit pink inside but nice taste. Grilled Wings: good portion and very nice taste. Chilli Chicken: was ok, good presentation but chicken was on the harder side. Charsi Lamb: Well seasoned and presented. The only problem? You could smell the meat needed some more spices to hide smell as off putting. Haleem: could only taste the wheat and grain. Not the meat. Very well presented. Let down by taste. Mango Daiquiri: Very nice and refreshing Strawberry Mojito: was nice but not cold enough and lacked slightly in taste. Note to Management: you have a great idea and have spent a vast amount on advertising. My advise is to sit down and try all your dishes. Only slight improvement needed and you will be on to a winner. **Edit** Great response from genuine people. Will definitely revisit again.

What surprised me straight away was the crowd. I was half expecting a few Bengalis and Pakistanis to roll up in an RS3 or a BMW with a balloon in one hand chatting about Bushras in Bradford while their wives sit at home watching Turkish dramas. But no, the vibe was way more relaxed and the crowd was lowkey and respectful. Definitely not your usual shisha circus. It was a great experience from start to finish. The place is clean, well laid out, and has a chilled welcoming vibe. The lighting is just right, the seating is comfortable, and there is a solid mix of music playing throughout the evening. They also had live entertainment while we were there which added a nice touch without being too much. It is definitely the kind of spot where you can actually relax and take your time. We asked the waitress for shisha recommendations and she was spot on. She suggested the blueberry and raspberry mix and another one with frozen apple and blueberry. Both were excellent choices. The blueberry and raspberry was fruity and sweet without being overwhelming, smooth and easy to enjoy. The frozen apple and blueberry was even better in my opinion. The apple gave it a cool crisp edge and the blueberry added just the right amount of softness and sweetness. The flavour came through clearly in every pull and the setup was done properly with no harshness and no rushing through coal changes. It lasted a good amount of time and stayed smooth throughout. Kahani also serves food and desserts and the whole menu is halal which is great to see. We did not try the food this time around but it is good to know you can have a full meal or something sweet if you are there for a longer evening. I did go for a nonalcoholic mango mojito which was probably the only letdown of the night. It was far too syrupy. The drink felt heavy, more like mango squash than a proper mojito. The mint and lime were almost nonexistent so it lacked the fresh sharp taste you expect. It looked good but the flavour just did not match up. I would not order it again to be honest. All in all Kahani is a solid spot for anyone looking for good shisha a clean setting and a calm atmosphere. The staff know what they are doing and the flavours are clearly thought out. Just maybe give the mojito a pass and stick to what they do best. I will definitely be back.

Had a fantastic time at kahani cafe the food was delicious and beautifully presented. The vibe was elevated even more by the lovely team. Kshitij and Navneet I think there names Those 2 were very young and well behaved guys They were very sweet and helpful, and the manager was incredibly kind too. I even got to hold their adorable honey parrot on my request such a cool experience 😇 The interiors are stunning, easily one of the best-looking spots in London. Definitely worth visiting with friends or family.

This is from Saudi Eats in London, with 80k+ followers across social platforms. Instagram & Tiktok: saudieats.ksa We recently visited an Indian/Pakistani restaurant in East London, and it turned out to be a real gem. From the moment we stepped in, we were captivated by the stylish and welcoming decor. Thoughtful touches, like the birds in the back creating a serene atmosphere, and a projector playing kids’ shows to keep little ones entertained, made it a place where every detail was designed with care. Hands down, it has one of the best ambiances we’ve experienced in the area. Now, let’s talk about the food—absolutely bursting with flavor! We tried the Nihari, lamb chops, haleem, and a few other dishes, and every bite was a treat. The Nihari stood out with its rich, deep flavors, perfectly balanced without being overly spicy. And their Karak chai? A dream—smooth, strong, and oh-so-comforting. But the true star of the meal was the parathas. Seriously, these were next-level—flaky on the outside, warm and soft on the inside, and just downright delicious. It’s not every day you find parathas this good. If you’re looking for a place with incredible food and a stunning atmosphere, we can’t recommend this spot enough!

Food was so delicious, especially Samosa chat. Ambiance is wow. Service facilitators Shilpi and Mehak were kind and helpful.

Amazing staffs Amazing food Karak chai was good had 2cups Desserts 🩷💜 Will definitely come back For shisha & the new mocktails The best highlight was kahani herself (parrot) although I was abit scared. ❤️

Nice, tasty & good service. Just felt like the service charge was not necessary at £8. Other than that would've been 5 stars.

Absolutely one of the best in Ilford. The food is so fresh and not covered in holiday. Very tasty and authentic. I like all the menu. All the friends I have taken there have absolutely loved the food.