Shisha Bar & Restaurant - CROYDON PARK

I visited Shisha a long time ago and enjoyed the food, but was unfamiliar with knafeh. Now, with more knowledge, I returned with two others and were seated upstairs, which I didn't know about before. Everything we ordered was delicious. The lamb dumplings were a unique option that I enjoyed, and the haloumi chips were a great idea. My burger was okay, but the others loved their steak. The knafeh was a new and delightful taste experience - I could have easily eaten a large portion by myself! The prices are a bit high, but that is the only downside. Instead of searching for their food truck or street stall, just come here.

I found the menu disappointing, as I was expecting traditional Middle Eastern dishes like mezze and pide, but instead they offered burgers and ribs. However, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by the Wagyu beef burger and the chips and dips I ordered. The burger came with fries, which was a rookie mistake on my part, and the dips didn't really complement the chips well. I believe the dips would have been better served with bread or even with gravy for the chips. Despite this, the service was nice and the decor and ambience were great. The restaurant is known as Shisha to me, even though the Bar Grill in the name should have been a dead giveaway. Overall, not what I expected, but still a decent dining experience.

Honestly, I initially came for the knafeh but ended up falling in love with the sticky date pudding. It was absolutely amazing - soft, warm, and topped with cold vanilla ice cream that melted perfectly. The combination was fantastic and truly made the dessert outstanding. The pudding had a rich flavor but was not overly sweet, and I simply couldn't stop eating it. The knafeh was served in a large portion, and it was clear why it was priced at $12. My craving for knafeh started after trying it from a food truck, which goes to show that food trucks can be incredibly successful with just one main offering. While Shisha's version wasn't as good as the food truck's, it was still impressive. If you can only try one dessert, make sure it's the sticky date pudding because it is a true winner!

The highlight of Shisha is the friendly and always welcoming staff, along with good quality food and a tempting menu. My only complaint is the coffee, just too weak for my taste. Overall I recommend this place as a weekend lunch/brunch/breakfast spot in a convenient location.

On a chance at the last minute I made a booking and nothing was too much trouble. Service was friendly and knowledgeable. We had something we needed to be out for, so asked for recommendations on what was going to be good within our timeframe. We ordered and everything arrived when it needed to. Gorgeous lamb cutlets and super flavoursome chicken from the grill. Knafeh for dessert was a real treat and well worth trying. We wish we weren't so rushed, but we will come back, and bring friends to share this great venue!