Food has so much flavor using common foods and ingredients. As an American I struggled to find a place that I actually enjoyed but this place is one of my favorites. The place is a bit small and hard to navigate if it is really busy, but the inside is cozy and well decorated with nostalgic memorabilia. Servers are also very kind. My boyfriend and I shared the warms goats cheese, mezze platter and king prawn platter starters and the M&L main and it was more than enough food. read more

Mem & Laz - M&L Platter or something like that (the one with a ton of meats in the Mains section) - Seafood Near Me - London, XGL

Great vibe to dine with a couple of friends or even in a bigger group. It's cosy and homey and most of the staffs are friendly. They have a long list of hot and cold med starters.. Mostly basic things like hummus or babagonish or falafel or tzatziki... things like that. Tried their aubergine nest, which was sort of weird and didn't taste like anything at all. The mussels starter was quite alright, as well as the grilled calamari. Fell in love with their seafood casserole, where you get chunks of salmon and bits of shrimps and mussels here and there. Food isn't over priced and you get what you paid, have been here a few times and things are pretty easy and standard. Lovely! read more

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£7.99 2 course lunch menu is great value. Paid an extra £1 for the lamb - well worth it. Huge selection of dishes, great service. Fresh food but fast (fit in two courses in our lunch hour). read more

Mem & Laz - Starter: Hazlenut crusted warm goats cheese & salad - Seafood Near Me - London, XGL

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Another great evening at mem and laz! Visited with a big group for my birthday and the food, vibe and atmosphere did not disappoint! Service as ways a bit haphazard, but we were a pretty loud and rambunctious group so didn't really mind! Group menus were a great idea, and I had the mixed meze starter which was a full plate of all the best starters options: filo pastry, vine leaves, halloumi, hummus, tabs a roasted aubergine dip, served with fresh warm pitta bread. Yum! My main of roasted lamb and creamy mash was to die for, falling off the bone and served with richly flavoured gravy. Top off the night with a Turkish round of happy birthday and cake? Winning! read more

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I chose to eat here after reading the menu in the window and I couldn't wait to get inside. Mem and Laz has two restaurants right next door to each other so I popped into the one on the right. They only had one table left near the door so they kindly suggested we try next door. Next door was as brightly decorated as the first and was fabulously decorated with colourful lamps and posters. The place was packed so the wait to order food was a bit longer than expected. We ordered the mixed mezze consisting of houmous, pita, halloumi and a wide range of 'unknown' ingredients - it was lovely. I moved on to King prawns and baby prawns in a cheesy mix with rice. It was a strange mix but it worked so well! My partner had the mixed grill which looked and tasted great too. The bill came to £43 for two cokes, a sharing starter, prawns main and the mixed grill main - which I thought was entirely reasonably priced! I would definitely recommend this place for the friendly staff and tasty food and I will be sure to visit again in the very near future!! read more

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This is always one of my favorite spots to eat when in London. The generous and lemony chicken livers are my go-to dish but everything is lovely and the service is always friendly and welcoming. The interior is cozy and the prices are very fair, especially for London. read more

I really enjoyed this place as we were here for a works Christmas do and everything was on point with the food. The service was poor though as I had to repeatedly wave for the waitress and ended up going to the bar to buy drinks. I know they were really busy but one stop by every half hour wasn't on, hence the 3 stars. I'd come back though as the rest of the menu looked superb! read more

After my long flight from SF to London I was starving. My friend wanted to take me to Mem & Laz, one of her favorite spots for a delicious lunch. You can choose between 2 courses (appetizer and main) for 7.95 or 3 courses (add dessert) for 9.95 GBP. The portions were all huge and the amazing food made this one of the best lunch deals I've encountered in a long time. I chose the Warm Goat Cheese with hazelnut crust, roasted red onions and mixed leaves salad to start and my friend picked the Garlic Stuffed Mushroom filled with mozzarella cheese. The goat cheese had the perfect soft texture that was contrasted by the crisp mixed greens. We were basically full after those enormous appetizers. For my main dish I chose the Char-grilled Marinated Lamb with oregano, served with rice and salad. The lamb was really tender and tasted amazing. I was blown away that this kind of quality food was served during a lunch special.My friend picked the Spinach Wraps - spinach & cheddar cheese wrapped in pancakes with fresh tomato sauce & topped with melted mozzarella. Her plate smelled heavenly and she didn't leave a crumb on her plate. Mem & Laz serves an amazing mint tea (with fresh mint muddled in your tea glass) and offers brown sugar cubes to go with it. Now this is a place that I will really miss - it is worth another trip to London! read more

I have to put this up to a 4. I went again recently - after a hiatus of about 4 years - and the menu is identical. So is the great atmosphere and the muffin bread & butter pudding. We had some splendid mussels and lingered for ages, and paid 15 quid a head. Happy. read more

Dined w/ a group of friends last week; it wasn't my choice and I didn't expect that much. But I was surprised! Bread with olives is really tasty and the texture of the bread was perfect. I ordered the mixed seafood rice plate and it was super yummy. It was huge, and I was full after half, but I kept eating b/c it was so good. Couldn't finish it, though! I'm full just thinking about it. Atmosphere is lively and waitstaff was pretty friendly. Can't complain. I'd go back for a casual evening out. read more

We popped in here on a lark one afternoon looking for something a little different. Their lunch pricing of £8.95 for a starter and a main is pretty fabulous. Throw in dessert and it's £10.95. We got the mozzarella stuffed mushroom and the spanikopita. Both were very tasty, though the first was really oily/buttery. To be expected from that much cheese, I guess! Great flavor. For mains, we got the chicken skewers, which were good, but straightforward -- no surprises. And the burger, which was a bit overdone for medium rare, served on a buttered and toasted ciabatta with cheese, but nothing else. All condiments were on the side, but because the bread was attached to the cheese like glue, I couldn't get it open to add lettuce/tomato/mayo/whatever. I added it to the bottom but overall, it was a bit dry and lacked flavor. The fries were good, though. The price was good, the location is good and the atmosphere is jovial and friendly. I've heard the pizzas are great and for the price, I'd go for lunch again if someone wanted to. read more

I was quite impressed by Mem & Laz. If you offer me a 3 course lunch for £8.95 with a a varied and relatively extensive menu to choose from, you are going to get a happy camper. If you choose to go al a carte, there is a wealth of Mediterranean dishes on the menu, both singular and sharers. You will need a fair amount of time to choose what you want because it all sounds so good. Sitting outside on a warm spring day sipping my pomegranate juice, I can say with conviction that while non of my three dishes deserves an award, they were still above average and superb value for money. As Erin said, Islington has too many eateries for Mem & Laz to attract my attention on a regular basis, yet if you are looking for a quick and affordable lunch or dinner in pleasant surroundings, you will be onto a winner eating here. If you are stuck on what dessert to have, the Hanky Panky Chocolate Cake is devine, without being sickly and the apricot crumble has that great combination of crunch and soft fruitiness. read more

Decent food, good ambience and friendly staff. We tried the two course for £7.95 and we were surprised with the portion size. Food was not bad but not memorable. I tried the Smoked Chicken and Avocado salad for starter and a chicken tagliatelle pasta with mushroom and white wine sauce. Good value for money. They add a 10% cover and I found the drinks slightly on the expensive side. read more

Mem & Laz - Smoked Chicken and Avacado Salad - Seafood Near Me - London, XGL

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Popular with students, young Islingtonians and couples, Mem & Laz (not sure about the name either) has a lively, busy atmosphere - it's probably best to get a table downstairs as upstairs is a bit too cramped. The broad range of Turkish-based Mediterranean cuisine (plus pizza) comes at very reasonable prices, especially for lunch, but is still more affordable than many of the neighbouring eateries in the evenings. The interior decoration is, as ever, hard to assess objectively - some would call it creative Mediterranean clutter, I might not be so kind, but either way it fits with the casual, lantern lit, relaxed atmosphere. The service is maybe a bit too relaxed at times, but it seems to be a conscious philosophy of the venue so again it works. Overall the food is good enough, and the menu is good value and diverse enough to keep people coming back. read more

Mem & Laz - Seafood Near Me - London, XGL

Absolutely love Mem and Laz! Great place to go with a group of friends. We always go for the three course meal, which is extremely good value for money. The food is delicious, service fast and friendly! I would always recommend reserving a table to avid disappointment, especially when going out with a group! It´s a cozy place, but seats are limited. I will defnitely be back! read more

Such a great restaurant off Upper Street. It has a massive menu but this doesn't in any way reduce the quality of each dish. You can go for just a main or a mezze and have a really cheap but beautiful dinner or go the whole way and have a massive 3 courser. The starters are all so good - mushrooms especially. And for main dinner the moussaka; both meat and veg, are incredible! Big portions all served really quickly. There are a lot of staff - all are great and up for helping you decide what to choose. At the end of the dinner once we'd paid they bill they offered us a shot of baileys or amaretto which they haven't done when we've been before but they seemed to all be in an especially good mood this time! read more

Hit and miss. Some food is good. The mix mezze platter is amazing. We had kofte, lamb chops and mix meat. Wasn't too impressed with the kofte unfortunately. Baklava is simply not good. The fresh mint tea was very disappointing to say the least. It was just hot water with mint leaves and a lemon slice. That is no mint tea. read more

Usually packed, Mem & Laz is a good restaurant to call a local. Slightly odd combination though - pizza on one side and semi-Turkish on the other. Not that anyone minds, London is a big mesh of cultures anyway. I went with a party of six and general consensus was, in between stuffed mouths of lamb, white bait and salads, " tasty", "good" and "not bad". The place was packed and quite noisy. I'm not sure if I would like to come here on a date - just in case you're asking - but it's a good crown pleaser place. Decor? What are those hanging lanterny things? mmm, just as the food; good and not bad but certainly no contender for design of the month. read more

A wonderful evening. The restaurant is beautifully designed and a lot larger than you'd expect from the outside; crossed over two floors and sporting a balcony dining feel. An incredible selection of food and what we ordered was delicious. Fantastic service from our waiter and although we did dine quite late (10pm) we were never rushed even though we were still finishing drinks past midnight. A delightful find and will definitely be going again. Although I went with a girlfriend, it would be an ideal place for a date; impressive and very reasonably priced. read more

Came here for lunch with my mother and friend after reading about it on a top-ten list, it's a nice place! I ordered the moussaka (veg) and fish cakes, which were part of a 2-part lunch deal that I thought was very reasonable. All the food was great, and the place is so cutely decorated! I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here, but if I was in the Islington area and looking for lunch I'd recommend stopping by. read more

Mem & Laz - Seafood Near Me - London, XGL

Meh. Mostly unimpressed by Mem & Laz. I came here with a friend on a Saturday night without a booking and the restaurant seemed fairly busy, but they were able to seat us outside immediately. I'm not sure if I just ordered the completely wrong dish, but I had the aubergine parmigiana and didn't enjoy it. It was fairly bland and nothing sticks out in my mind about this dish. I'd consider venturing back if only because I can't believe it's as bad as the aubergine would lead me to believe. read more

A favorite of mine. While service can be hit or miss, the owners are gracious and helpful. Even helped store a birthday cake for me when I was actually taking my business across the street. Just recently sat by the open-air, windowed front as a light rain pittered down, sipping a glass mug of fresh mint tea. Lovely. The lunch and dinner specials are a fantastic deal, especially considering the amount of food served. The mussels are a superb starter. Any of the lamb dishes are fantastic (incredibly tender and flavourful). The seafood pasta is delicious. And don't even get me started on their homemade chilli sauce. Yum yum yum. read more

Mem & Laz has been a long standing resident of Islington. It's continued success even secured it an expansion into the building next door. Now there is more space to enjoy this excellent food fest without the hustle and bustle of Upper Streets main road. Situated next to Sacre Coeur, reviewed by the lovely Valentina last year, this brasserie gives you a second reason to visit the quiet side Theberton Street, off Upper Street. We were lucky enough to visit on the first day of what seemed like Summer with blue skies, dizzying temperatures heights of......14 degrees :/ and not a hint of rain on the horizon. We sat outside and it felt like we were in some hot southern European city. The menu is big. The scrunched up small writing allows for over 60 dishes I'm sure. That said, this did not impact the speed of service or standard of food. I can be a little bit stuck in my ways when it comes to med led menus - you will find me order stuffed mushrooms or garlic prawns - just look at past reviews. Guess what I did, I'm sorry. But my dining companion shook things up a bit with mussels and chicken breast with an interesting sauce. Just to re-cap, I had king prawns sauteed in tomato, garlic and chilli served with rice to start. He had mussels in cream, garlic, shallots and white wine sauce. He is a chef, so expect critical eyes when it comes to good - but he proudly said that every mussel was open, the sauce was light and tasty and definitely a yes from him. The started came with fries, which put the fear of god in us, as we wanted to make sure there as space for main. This gave us the perfect excuse to take our time dining and take in the sunshine. For main course, I had grilled calamari with rocket. Whilst the calamari was a little bit to tough for my taste, I still enjoyed it. He had grilled chicken breast with honey and mustard dressing, with a side order of Turkish spicy sauce. The chicken was tender, the sauce was interesting (I have normally make it with pork chops), and the spicy sauce, well, make sure you have a glass of water nearby as its not for the faint-hearted. All in all, Mem & Laz continues to keep the locals and visitors happy. It is one for all seasons, with the intimate seating inside for the winter and the terrace seating outside for the Summer. And at £48.02 for two courses, beer and two glasses of wine (inc service), you cannot go wrong. The problem I have now is which do I choose when I come to Theberton Street in the future, Sacre Coeur or Mel & Lax. Decisions, decisions. read more

I've eaten in this place once and been in the restaurant twice - the food was fine except my friend asked for a medium rare steak and received it well done, with not much apology when this was brought up. The second time I went to eat in there I didn't even get to sit down before I was insulted by a member of staff. When being shown upstairs to a table by a waiter this guy turned round to my male friend and remarked on four girls sat at a table: "Aren't they all gorgeous girls? Wouldn't you like to take one out?" My friend responded: "I already have a gorgeous girl thank you." Referring to me. At this point the waiter looked at me and said: "Not so much." Regardless of how I look, or how much hospitality experience I have, I don't think that's how you're meant to treat paying customers. Needless to say we didn't eat there and I will never be setting foot in the door again. read more

After finding this restaurant on yelp and happy about the DEAL I was told when the bill came that they are not on YELP?!?!feel like I've been scammed:((((( read more

Mem and Laz serves a wide variety of good quality Mediterranean food at decent prices. It isn't fancy. It certainly isn't downmarket. But it's honest. The atmosphere is always good and the place is always busy. The seating arrangements mean that they really cram you in, but once you realise everyone is having a good time, you don't mind. The beer is good. There's a good selection of wine. And the food was lovely. I had lamb cutlets for a main the last time I went, and they were delicious. Worth going back for, which I will be doing very soon. A very good alternative to Gallipoli. read more

This is a usually full-to-bursting cafe/restaurant just off Islington's Upper Street which serves lovely, Mediterranean-style food. In summer time there are tables lining the street outside and it's great to sit in the sunshine, eat well and watch the world go by. At this time of year inside is cosy and welcoming, if a little packed downstairs (they have crammed in as many tables as possible, so expect a bit of chair banging as you try and get a table). There's a room upstairs which is also available to book privately for groups. Food wise I've never been disappointed. It's good value, delicious food - the sardines are great, and you're give a good-sized portion! Service is friendly, polite and there's an upbeat atmosphere about the place. read more

This place might just become my new favourite restaurant in N1. It's got a great vibe about it, cheap as chips, great service and good food. Portions were huge too which always makes me a happy diner. I really couldn't fault it. There's a number of other restaurants nearby which are empty...and yet this place on a Monday night is heaving. They've obviously got it right and have even bought the restaurant next door so they could expand. (My fellow diner was an avid fan and told me their entire history over the last 4 years). They also do this really good lunch menu with two course for under a tenner. It reminds me of Bistro 1 in Soho, but with a bit more character and a much wider menu. Yum. read more

Loved everything about this little gem which was recommended by a friend who is a local and a big fan of Mem & Laz. Great food, decor and ambiance. Went there on a Tuesday night and it was jam packed. Try their amazing chicken wings with their home-made chillie sauce...spicy but oh so good! Servings are enormous and packed with lots of flavour. Service is wonderfully welcoming & efficient. Will be back if I'm in the area and would love to try their breakfast. read more

Friendliest place in Islington. It's no accident it's busy every day of the week. And you know what? I just had the most perfect mashed potato ever, bar none - not "as good as" - *better than* mum makes! read more

I returned to Mem and Laz recently, or rather their next door front ''La Vita E Bella''. Pardon? I hear you ask... Well, over the past two years Mem and Laz has grown and taken in the restaurants either side. In the process creating a huge interlinked back, with mezzanine, basement banqueting suite, and i assume a giant kitchen somewhere serving Italian, Indian and Turkish foods. So for example you could walk into mem and laz go around the back and pop up in la vita bella. Its really quite incredible in that respect. Anyway, I was there on a Sunday and fancied a roast lamb meal. Now, in my time in England I have embraced the search for a good roast (I have largely come to the conclusion that the best is made at home) but sadly what they gave me was the worst roast i have ever had! Honestly! Its swiped two stars off my review because i am genuinely offended at the disrespect they have shown to the great English tradition. I ordered roast lamb. What i got was a doner kebab soaked in gravy. one brocolli floret and three circles of carrot and five green beans, oh and one yorkshire pudding. Last but not least- It didn't have any god damn roast potatoes!!! I felt like crying and writing a letter to the Queen in complaint, someone needs their citizenship revoked (forget treason and burning flags, this is far worse!). I was so depressed on my way home. Anyway, sort it out lads, please !!! read more

I booked a room for 30 people 2 weeks before the date of the dinner and paid the deposit of £300 as asked. The day before my booking (the 28th sept) which was my actually birthday I get a call from the restaurant saying that my room has not been booked as I have not paid my deposit. so, I sent them via email proof of the deposit and the date it was sent which was the 10th of September. The lady called me back later during the day saying she has not seen the proof and that I should send it to her via WhatsApp (Highly Unprofessional). I sent the proof and heard nothing back. But this had already caused me stress on my actual birthday. So, the Saturday (29th) arrives and my guests start arriving just to be told that there is no booking under my name, when I heard this I was both upset and embarrassed as I knew that I did all that was required of me. My sister was also there so I sent her the photos of the proof of payment and they finally gave us a table, even though I booked a room. After all that I didn't think it could get any worse, but it did. The service was terrible, the lady serving was so rude and acted like she didn't want to be there. we waited 30 minutes for drinks and an hour for our starters. I was not impressed at all. I asked a member of staff if I could put the cake I have bought into the fridge, he said it was no problem but failed to tell me that there is apparently a £27 charge for keeping the cake in the fridge. so, the service continued as horrible as it was. We all finished our meals they bought the cake out and a few moments later the bill arrived. As I was not happy with the service I asked the lady if the service charge can be removed and she proceeded to tell me that she has a family she needs to support, and the service charge is the only way she makes money. I didn't know Mem and Laz only pay their staff via service charge????? I highly doubt they do. I then told her that the service was not good at all and that she was rude. she then said if you don't pay the service charge I will take £70 out of your deposit for the 7 people that couldn't make it last minute. she said this was the "policy", but this was not explained to me at the time of the booking. I was so shocked, never in my life has someone tried to guilt trip me into paying for the service charge. I myself have worked as a waitress and would never do that. She then told me that they also charged me extra for the cake being in the fridge. she then said it would be £1 extra for each take away containers that she gave my guest. she did not explain this before but apparently this is "policy". she also said that there is a £1 charge for using the pdq machine but because she is "nice" she didn't charge us for it but apparently this is also "policy". I have never heard of such nonsense in a restaurant before, and where did all these new policies come from. I asked to speak to her manager, he came and told me the same thing and said that they had prepared another table that they did not give to anyone because it was for my guests that didn't show up. I found this quite funny seeing as there were 5 available seats on the table so why would you prepare a whole other table of 7? they didn't, he was just saying this as a means to take more money for me. I got so exhausted and frustrated that my birthday was ruined so I ended up paying the service charge as I just wanted to go home. I am still really upset at how they handled the whole situation, it is not compulsory to pay for service charge. If the service was good I would have no problem paying for it. Can you imagine the lady then came to me after and said she is not happy that I told her manager that she is rude, and the service was bad? The only good thing I can say about this place is that the food is beautiful, but the service is so poor, it's not worth it. My birthday was ruined but at least I got my £300 deposit refunded to me. Never again will I come here or recommend it to anyone again nor will my guests. read more

Plenty of option from here! Chicken wings for started and The pan fried chicken is to die for! My boyfriend and I went here 3 days in a row because it was that addictive, we didn't get a dessert but seen other people's and it looked delicious!! read more

This place is good for what it is....a decent med place with cute ambiance and ample outdoor seating. I think 3 out of the 4 dishes we got were laddened with feta cheese and evrything was accompanied with iceburg lettuce. The food was good--I can't complain and it was a nice meal, but nothing memorable. Also the saddest fig was on our plate--if you don't have good fresh produce, don't put it out. At the end of the day 60£ for two for food and a mediocre bottle of wine won't earn you 4 stars..... read more

Its so easy to miss this little restaurant among the rows of eating joints in Angel. I for one surely wouldn't ever have gone in if it had not been for the recommendation of a friend staying around there. It was Angel right ? But as soon as i went in, its not Angel anymore. The ambience reminds me more of Covent garden or mid-town manhattan. The theatre posters (old and new), the noise, the music ... everything. Its different from the other places around ... and i am sure others think so too. It was the only establishment in that alley that was crowded that sunday evening. I have been to quite a few turkish places in London. I would rank the hummus here at among the very best. Too bad they charge for it :( I had the grilled mediterranean kofta, served with rice and salad. It was very good, and it was made better by the extraordinary chilly sauce. I absolutely loved it. My friend ordered the Filo parcels - parcels of feta cheese served with grated parmesan, sour cream and salad (basically samosas filled with cheese). He strongly recommends it for any veggie. The quantity was generous. Didn't really have any space left in my stomach and so couldn't try the desserts. But hey ... that gives me a reason to go again. :) P.S: They don't take bookings as far as i know read more

I mean, come on, 3 courses for a tenner?!! proper good food too!!! I had chicken wings and rice for starter, chicken and taglitelle for main and banoffee pie for dessert! like OMG WOW GOOD VALUE. you'd be insane to miss out.. read more

Came here for dinner, but the mezze plate was so much food, we just shared that and a bottle of wine, followed by dessert. The place is tiny, even though there's an upstairs, and when we first arrived, we were at a two-top surrounded by loud, annoying drunk people on both sides. One of the waiters moved us away to a larger table because we didn't have enough table space, but probably also because he could tell we were annoyed. Anyway, the mixed mezze had a ton of great food. We just ordered the starter version (with 7 kinds of mezze) and I can't imagine how much more food the entree version would be (with 13 types). My favorite things were the grilled halloumi, stuffed pepper, and the diced aubergine. Oh, and if they ask you if you want bread for the table, the answer's always yes. It was so delicious and baked fresh. Ended the meal with a baklava (topped with ice cream) and a snifter of brandy. read more

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I really loved the atmosphere here. We came here for a girls night and we got great service, food, and a wonderful ambiance. We started with hummus and I got the mousakka for dinner. Both dishes were great! read more

Following me posting a review as to the restaurant's response to my email describing my food poisoning(as per my previous review) i got this email from the owner: "We are to busy to spend time in front of computer sir we are more dedicated to customer service and good quality food so we are serving more 5000 people a week in this street so enjoy your sad life Kind regards mem" Nice response! I shall enjoy my 'sad life' at other restuarants in future. read more

this is a great place for group dining. the menu is huge, and so are the portions. i loved the tzaziki to start, as well as the flat breads. i shared a greek salad and the sea bass w/ my friend, and both were light and yummy. the only thing i don't like is the 2 hour limit. if you're in the middle of having a good time, you're forced to leave, which is dumb in my book. read more