Nimkat
Iranian Restaurant in Bowes Park
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6 / 10 from 5 reviews
Address
2
Queens Parade
Brownlow Road
Bowes Park
London
N11 2DN
2
Queens Parade
Brownlow Road
Bowes Park
London
N11 2DN
Telephone
020 8889 6989
020 8889 6989
Cuisine
Iranian
Iranian
Region
Bowes Park
Bowes Park
All In London Review
Tasty Iranian food at excellent value in North London
A couple of dishes were not available (starters: salad olivieh - the potato salad with mayo, egg and chicken, and chickpea meatballs), however the dolmeh and ‘kashke bademjan’ ordered instead did not disappoint. The latter is a dish of fried aubergine with onions, garlic, and ‘kashke’ or dried yoghurt. The dolmeh had been cooked with slices of lemon, adding to the zest of the vine leaves.
Our kebabs consisted of skewers of minced lamb or chicken pieces with bones which had been marinated in lemon, saffron and garlic, cooked till tender and served with saffron rice or naan bread. Portions were generous and each dish ranged between £7 and £8.50, incredibly good value, and all very tasty.
Deserts were equally good; Iranian ice cream - which has a different consistency to what we are made to believe is ice cream over here – was infused with saffron and rose water, and served in a generous glass. The traditional ‘zolbiya bamieh’ is a very sweet, glutinous desert covered in syrup. Often served with tea, it is slightly too sweet as a large helping although my plate was piled high.
Wine is not on the menu however is available if asked for. I have noticed this at various Iranian restaurants in London, most curiously at one where alcohol was featured on the English speaking menu but not on the Farsi one so as not to offend more serious Muslims.
The staff were jovial and friendly, and so was the atmosphere. A group booking arrived - presumably for a birthday party - and within minutes proceeded to get up and dance right in the middle of the restaurant, even asking if we wanted to join in, prompting my mother (of Iranian descent) to remark “I feel like I’m back in Tehran”.
A three course meal with wine came to £75 for three people, extremely good value and worthwhile if you ever find yourself wondering through Bounds Green with an empty stomach.
Reviewed by Leila
Published on Jan 8, 2009
User Reviews
saeed1
Aug 19, 2011
The restaurant entrance is quite deceiving as it looks very small and not welcoming but once you get inside it is attractive and very welcoming. The nimkats are comfortable and those 3 “khareji” people who wrote that there is no atmosphere are totally wrong and the place is authentic and no grils swinging from the pole.! the kitchen is in view from the restaurant. The service is very friendly, polite . The food selection is very authentic and very delicious. Me and a friend of mine went there and I asked for Kabab Soltani ,and the lady politely said that the barg kabab is not ready and would I like something else and I chose something else, but when my food came it was a selection of Joojeh , Chenge, and koobideh kabab which was very nice and when the bill came I was very surprised because it was very cheap for both of us.I have eaten in many Persian restaurants and Nimkat is above average. The person who served us was very polite and courteous. The prices are reasonable.
Anonymous
Apr 13, 2009
I went there on an Easter Sunday, obviously not the best times for a Persian restaurant, but as it was close by to me in N7 I gave it a go.
From outside I thought it was a takeaway shop and immediately started making plan B in my head. After entering however is a small but charming place with an open kitchen.
The place was completely empty though, thus no atmosphere whatsoever, we could even hear the staff debating whether we were Iranian or "khareji" (foreigners). I must note that all three of us are Iranian.
The food was really good, but I had been told that it would "Just as good as Simorgh" in Covent Garden. Well, I must say that I would take my friends to Simorgh over this place anyday, as atmosphere is just as important as the food when dining out.
I think they must do a lot of take-out business but as a restaurant, I think there are better. Mind you, probably not in that area.
From outside I thought it was a takeaway shop and immediately started making plan B in my head. After entering however is a small but charming place with an open kitchen.
The place was completely empty though, thus no atmosphere whatsoever, we could even hear the staff debating whether we were Iranian or "khareji" (foreigners). I must note that all three of us are Iranian.
The food was really good, but I had been told that it would "Just as good as Simorgh" in Covent Garden. Well, I must say that I would take my friends to Simorgh over this place anyday, as atmosphere is just as important as the food when dining out.
I think they must do a lot of take-out business but as a restaurant, I think there are better. Mind you, probably not in that area.
Anonymous
Mar 22, 2009
A very disappointing experience. Bill will be a surprise and staff are just not the right people for a restaurant. We had booked a table for 5 and when we arrived they said we should be divided into two groups and squeezed on two different tables. In the web site it say live music which basically means a DJ only.
Food is good but over priced.
Food is good but over priced.
Anonymous
Jan 5, 2009
My wife and I went to Nimkat two evenings ago and were highly delighted with everything. Once you brave the unpreposessinng entrance and climb the few steps up to the restaurant, it is cosy and attractive and very welcoming. The tables are large enough to be comfortable, the small kitchen and brazier are totally in view from the restaurant. The service is very friendly, caring, polite and efficient. The menu is all Persian, very authentic and extremely delicious. I am English but lived in Iran for 13 years, have eaten in many Persian restaurants and Nimkat is up there with the best of them. The prices are reasonable. Three courses for two with coffee and soft drinks (no alcohol is served) was £35.00.
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