Kazbar

Everytime I go to Kazbar I wonder where Mickey Mouse is hiding - this place is so very 'Morocco-land, Epcot Center' in every way. The food is fine (good variety of tapas), the sangria is nice, and the waitresses are made to wear a uniform of harem trousers, flip-flops, and bangles (even in the dead of winter). All that is missing is the Main Street Electrical Parade.

09/08/10

---

Has Kazbar lost its magic? We think so, and are extremely disappointed with a recent visit. Kazbar used to do great tapas and have a friendly atmosphere, and although it was usually a bit pricey it seemed worth it. My partner and I visited a few weeks ago for dinner at around 8.30 pm. It was not overcrowded but had quite a few tables with people eating. We ordered 5 tapas including the special (peppers stuffed with blackpudding and goats cheese), prawns, merguez sausages and houmous. The food arrived after we had taken literally 2 mouthfulls of our beer (note that we did not order food until we had received our drinks). It was lukewarm and very rubbery, and we were shocked at how small the portions had become - the merguez sausages in particular was a tiny portion drenched in sauce for an extortionate price. Bread was stale and the special was disgusting - soggy, tasteless and only warm on the outside.

The experience was so poor that we will not be returning for some time, despite the fact that we used to really enjoy this place. Sorry Kazbar, but until you improve on the food front and start competing with other restaurants we will not be returning for a meal.

ALS (Unverified), 22/04/09

---

Went there last night for a farewell dinner, and although the food was good the service wasn't the most attentive even though it wasn't busy (a couple or orders were wrong to boot). Not a big deal in the bigger picture, but it didn't used to be like this and a small adjustment here would be appreciated....

Sham (Unverified), 22/12/08

---

Tasty tapas, swift, efficient and friendly service, excellent (if a little pricey) drinks - the only problem was fitting 18 tapas plus bread and drinks onto one tiny little table on a busy Saturday evening - but with some juggling, we managed! For once I didn't find the slidey cushions on the sheer-plastered banquettes too inconvenient, the music wasn't intrusive and none of the other customers were shouting, which is always nice - and I ate so much (including baklava and a Kazbar spiced espresso for afters) that I was completely stuffed, which is not something one can always say after trying to build a main evening meal out of bite-sized snacks. All in all a rather pleasant affair.

Roo (DI Reviewer), 01/12/08

---

Okay, so I've always really liked Kazbar, despite the fact that everything is overpriced, because the atmosphere is so great and the drinks and food are quite tasty. But last night I met with a large group who were meeting to celebrate a friend's birthday. We all arrived early, before the dinner rush, and there were probably around 30 or more people in the group, all drinking and eating and spending loads of money. I'll also add that we're all young professionals, and had not come for a big student-party-type night out, and this was a week night, so we were attempting to avoid the weekend swell of patrons.

The food was so-so, the drinks were fine, but what shocked me was just how SURLY the service was. When they weren't ignoring us, the two girls serving were at best dismissive, and actually outright unfriendly at times. Just barely after we finished eating the first round of tapas, they uprooted an entire table of about 7 of our people and made them all squish together at another table, because one waitress "needed the table for someone who was waiting". Well, I'm sorry, but when you have a load of people spending money hand over fist, and someone walks into your restaurant and asks for a table, it is common practice to just say you are extremely busy with a large party, and that they may need to wait a few minutes. And the "someone who was waiting" was just a couple that easily could have sat at one of the free tables that seat two.

Then the other waitress came by yelling to find out who had ordered a cranberry juice. Everyone in the group called out trying to find out who had ordered it, but no one had or knew anything about it. The young lady then called out in an unbelievably loud and snarky tone, "Well, I'm leaving it here on the table and when you figure out who ordered it, you can sort it out yourselves," then she slammed the drink down and turned around and marched back to the bar. We were speechless. I understand that we were a big group and that it can get confusing, but we were a polite bunch and honestly didn't order the bloody drink. I don't know whether or not we were charged for it.

Overall, they treated us like we were a bunch of hooligans taking up their table space, who had only been ordering tap water all night. I've always been really excited to take people to Kazbar, but I doubt I'll ever going back after this rude behavior. Especially when two tapas and two drinks sets you back over £20.

I will add in fairness that some of the staff working last night were as friendly, patient, and helpful as you could hope for in a crowded trendy restaurant--shame about these two girls.

I've talked to a few more people about Kazbar, and the poor service seems to be a theme, with many people feeling rushed to leave.

Julia (Unverified), 07/11/08

---

I've always been a bit suspicious of tapas - nice for a snack but will they really fill you up? We investigated this at Kazbar last night, and I can happily report that with about three dishes each we were pleasantly full, and that the variety was great. I would particularly recommend potatoes with chorizo, manchego cheese with quince jelly, and the fabulous Gigantes (giant butter beans with a fresh salsa-style sauce). I found the chick peas with butternut squash and harissa a little strong on curry powder, but overall the tastes were delicious and most complementary.

For pudding I had a chocolate mousse and Kazbar special coffee, which tasted and smelt faintly of singed cardamom and cinnamon. It was all very heady and the chocolate did a jolly good job of gluing up any remaining holes after the tapas. The baklava was reported to be light and less sticky than might have been expected.

The staff were friendly and seemed efficient but remarkably calm amid the extraordinary busy-ness of a Monday night. There were two birthday parties and a number of intimate tete a tetes under the fronds and canopies. Also the staff do appear to speak Spanish to each other, which helps the impression of having been transported to foreign parts. Also if you're female check out the copper handbasin in the ladies!

They have an interesting policy on allergy information. On the main tapas menu there are helpful N and G symbols to denote products which "may contain nuts" or "may contain gluten". However the bread and pastry dishes do not have a little G. Whether this is through slapdashery or because it's obvious these contain gluten I don't know, but if you are allergic to things I would recommend checking!

With a jug of Sangria, tapas, pudding and coffe the bill came to about £20 per head. This felt entirely reasonable given the quantity, quality and theatricality of the food and surroundings.

Jen (Unverified), 27/05/08

---

We went to Kazbar having heard very good things about it - and we weren't at all disappointed. It was extremely busy when we arrived so we sat in the bar and tried the lovely cocktails they offer. The table was ready very quickly and we were soon esconced on comfy chairs as if we were in Morocco! The food is great and not too expensive (although the portions are quite small so you need to order at least three per person). The staff are friendly and chilled out. I will definitely be paying another visit!

Nicky (Unverified), 27/05/08

---

I've been coming to the Kazbar for the last 4 years and I must say it gets better every time!

The atmosphere is just electric - step in the front door and you really feel like you're in another world. The staff are friendly, the tapas and cocktails pure quality!

I think the Kazbar is owned by the same company as the Grand Cafe, Lemontree and Cafe coco, all very different, but they all have that magical touch of great atmosphere and fantastic service!

I'm so glad they're all in Oxford!

jw (Unverified), 20/03/08

---

Afer being allured by the exterior every time I walked down Cowley Road, I finally managed to go to Kazbar a few weeks ago. Other than being moved by the waitress 3 times, there is nothing bad I can say about the place. The decor and furnishings are amazing, the cocktails are great, the food is diverse and delicious and the prices are reasonable for this sort of establishment. I could go there every day!

Tash (Unverified), 08/01/08

---

Having travelled a fair bit in my time I would have to say that I am genuinely yet to find a better all-round dining experience than Kazbar.

The decor is spot on for a nice relaxing mood, the music is louder at the bar and quieter in the restaurant which is a nice touch. The staff are all super friendly and funky. But the best bit is the quality and value of the food which is simply delicious with plenty of variety. I've eaten here at least a dozen times for various events and as yet we've never paid more than £25 a head with wine and cocktails - excellent!

James (Unverified), 14/11/07

---

Kazbar... ah, Kazbar! I go here frequently to meet friends for drinks (it's especially lovely when the sun is shining, not that we get that much here, but you should definitely head to Kazbar on such scarce occasions!) but I went recently for food and was certainly not disappointed. At the moment they have a fabulous half price offer on ALL food from 4-7pm, which means you can scoff lots of their tasty dishes and have a bottle of wine for about £20 for 2 (most dishes work out around £1.50 on this offer).

The staff are brilliant, helpful and courteous. It's one of those rare places where the bar staff seem to enjoy working, greet their customers with a smile and know their stuff (cocktails are pretty tip-top too). A lone lady was being bothered by a slightly over-bearing man last time I was there and the staff on duty kept an eye on her and made sure she was ok. I thought this was really nice and would feel totally comfortable taking a good book to sit there alone.

The tapas was the best I've had in Oxford - and I've tried lots. Rather foolishly I decided to give La Tasca another go recently and it was beyond appalling. I was slightly disappointed to discover that the prawns were off but apart from that, me and my partner did a pretty good job of sampling the rest of the menu. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole evening and had to be dragged away kicking and screaming. I will be going back, very soon!

Dr Mukti (DI User), 10/10/07

---

My boyfriend and I spent an evening in Oxford wondering about not knowing where to eat. I had looked at a few places recommended online and as we walked past this place I remembered it and mentioned to him that I had seen it recommended. It was rammed at 9.30 on a friday night and thinking we would never get a table we walked on to look for somewhere else. When nowhere looked as inviting as this place we went back hoping that they might fit us in with no booking. We were asked to squeeze in and wait at the bar for a table, asked what we would like to drink and depite it being 3 deep at the bar the bar man managed to reel off the merits of the particular spanish beers on offer that we were uming and ahing over. When we got our table, which we didn't wait nearly as long for as we had expected to, it was in a cosy corner with a low table with the seats cut into the wall with cushions creating a very Moorish atmosphere. The wine was fantastic, the service chilled yet attentive despite the fact that they were still getting people trying to get in for a table at 11pm (and they were still making room for them) and the food was amazing - exciting, spicy and filling - just what we wanted! We left eventually with smiles on our faces and a lovely warm glow and with a recommendation that if you only ever go to one restaurant in Oxford - go here (we ate at the Old Parsonage (supposedly fine dining) the next night and didn't have half as satisfying an experience as we did at Kazbar).
So there you have it - go - it's good!

Rachel (Unverified), 15/07/07

---

We arrived for lunch at 14:00 and left when they closed (around midnight) on what I can roughly remember to be our 5th visit. I can't make up enough excuses to go to Oxford. Kazbar is the only place I take people to for lunch, dinner, drinks, whatever reason I can find.

After having a 3 week European and UK visit my friends let me know that it was their best meal out in the 3 weeks.

If you don't get this place you have no soul. It is lovely and in all the time we've been going there we have never had a problem with service. The people are incredibly friendly, the food superb and I have never tried the sangria, only because I always get stuck on the mojitos which happen to be the best I have ever had.

Yareli (Unverified), 27/04/07

---

I and a friend were her early on Monday evening, 12 March 2007. We were in Oxford from Manchester for one night only and sought out somewhere to eat near to our destination (the Cowley Road).

As luck would have it we stumbled upon Kazbar just before opening time, and a few drinks in another nearby bar brought us back some 45 minutes later. I can say it was a wonderful experience and one I would repeat without having to think about it.

The décor is marvellous; the scents great. The ambience is perfect - even down to the oddly rising coffee pot on entering the gents! Unlike some other reviewers here, we received excellent service: attentive, couteous, pleasant and generous in everything she did. It also helped that our waitress was a vision of loveliness, of course, but I offer no apologies for noticing.

If there is one thing I would mention, it's that the portion size is a little small. If you're used to other venues or going for anything other than a snack, order more than you might have, or prepare to anyway. Next time I'm here, I'll be back.

bodders (Unverified), 16/03/07

---

Had a really nice couple of drinks in here last summer when they open out the wooden shutters onto the street. Was impressed by the laid-back atmos and took advantage of a special offer of a free tapas (limited choice) with two drinks. Staff are of the neanderthal breed with long dread-locked hair and worn out clothing but this strangely adds to the laid-back feel. Didn't eat properly but the menu looked good. Was pleased to find this place not as pretentious as I always thought it was.

Joe B (Unverified), 14/03/07

---

Great food, cool staff, amazing atmosphere, excellent prices. the only suggestion I would make (as a twentysomething with perfect vision) is turn the lights up a bit - we had to use the torch feature on my mobile to see the menu!

Jill (DI User), 31/12/06

---

Is the place pretentious - not at all. Kazbar is one of the few places in Oxford where you can find a great atmosphere and not worry if there will be a fight at the end of the night like all your typical George street places. Kazbar is also not overpriced.

Gibbs (Unverified), 30/12/06

---

I completely agree with Dinah. We spent well over £100 only to be asked to leave after an hour because they needed our table. Food was good though!

mookie (Unverified), 09/11/06

---

I cannot agree whatsoever with the former reviewer. I have been frequenting this place for five years plus, both pre AND post extension. There have been a few minor problems at times with speed of food output, mainly when the extension was first opened, but I have NEVER experienced poor service in this place and in God knows how many visits, I have had just two dishes I would not order again - one five years ago (manchego cheese a little past its best) and one last week ( an underseasoned chicken tagine).

As for being overpriced, I do not know where Critical Dinah (sic) usually eats, but last week my wife and I had the most expensive white on the list, nine tapas dishes (including the most expensive-Boquerrones) a bottle of mineral water and some bread - the cost was a mere £40. You may be able to eat for less at DJ Wetherspoons or the Hungry Horse, Dinah, but would you weant to ?

Keep up the good work on Dawson Street, guys.

Peter McGunnigle (Unverified), 24/10/06

---

Some of the least helpful service on the Cowley Road, which can include embarrassing scenes if the manager appears to feel he has lost control and starts haranguing diners.

Overpriced, pretentious, rude - and it's a shame, because the place looks nice and the food isn't bad at all.

But decor is no substitute for politeness, and the way you get shoved around spoils the menu.

I speak as one who eats out a great deal: this one is to be missed.

Critical Dinah (Unverified), 29/09/06

---