Afghan & Pakistani Restaurant Illford - Watan

I'd had a lot of people recommend this place to me and tell me how good it was, so I decided to give it a try for myself. Unfortunately, the visit didn't get off to the best start due to a misunderstanding regarding my table. I ended up waiting for around 20 minutes, and when I eventually asked what was happening, it turned out a member of staff had assumed I was waiting for a takeaway order rather than a table. However, once the mistake was identified, the staff member quickly apologised, seated me, and did their best to put things right, which I appreciated. Once I was seated, the experience improved significantly. The food was very good, and I genuinely enjoyed my meal. The quality was clear, and it lived up to much of the praise I'd heard from others. My only other observation is that the prices are a little on the high side. That said, the food and overall experience were good enough that I still left satisfied. Overall, despite the initial mix-up, I had a positive experience. The staff handled the situation professionally, the food was enjoyable, and I would be happy to visit again. Another thing that’s out of their control is parking is an absolute nightmare so allow yourself some extra time to find parking if you’ve got a reservation.

Watan Restaurant on Ilford Lane is a solid choice if you’re in the mood for proper Pakistani BBQ and karahi-style cooking. Their BBQ family platter is huge — easily enough for eight people — and packed with variety. The standout for me was the chapli kabab: crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and seasoned just right. The 1kg lamb Charsi karahi is another winner. It comes bubbling hot, with that signature smoky, buttery flavour that makes Charsi-style karahi so addictive. The meat was tender, and the gravy had an awesome depth of taste. Ambience is simple but comfortable, and the staff are friendly and quick to serve. It’s a great spot for families or groups who want generous portions and proper desi flavours.

Visited for the second time and pleased to see that the standard of food hasn’t fallen. Ordered their mix grill and charsi karahi.. was sufficient for 6 people. The meat was well cooked and the karahi was delicious. Service was fast despite the long queue on a Saturday night. Finding parking was a challenge but we luckily found a spot not too far. Overall great experience. Will be visiting again. Reasonable price for the quality and ambiance.

We had the Afghani Mix Grill for Two and really enjoyed it. The chicken was very soft and tender, the lamb was good, and the rice was nice, although it’s a shame that butter costs extra. The complimentary sauces were a nice touch. The white sauce was excellent, the green sauce was tasty but a little watery and slightly spicy, and the red sauce was very spicy but good. The complimentary salad at the start was fresh but the portion was quite small. The customer service was excellent very attentive and thoughtful throughout. No service charge was added either, which was appreciated. Overall, a very nice meal and a place I’d visit again.

I ordered the Nihari, lamb seekh kebabs, chapli kebabs, Kabuli pulao, and the new fried fish dish, the name of which I do not recall. ​ ​Nihari: The Nihari was outstanding and is definitely up there in terms of restaurant Niharis. The lamb shank was a good size, and the portion was extremely generous. It was a flavoursome dish with good spice. I definitely recommend this to other Nihari connoisseurs like myself, as well as anyone wanting to try the dish for the first time. ​Lamb Seekh Kebabs: These were nothing special and actually quite forgettable as a dish. You would expect a Pakistani restaurant to have mastered the seekh kebab, but these lacked spice and that nice grilled, charcoal taste. While there was nothing offensive about them, there was certainly nothing spectacular either. You can definitely find a better seekh kebab on Ilford Lane. ​Chapli Kebabs: These followed a similar note to the seekh kebabs—nothing outstanding. However, they were made in a traditional style, which not all restaurants can boast doing. ​Fried Fish: This new menu item was a tasty dish that I really enjoyed. I did find the presentation really confusing though. I don't understand why grilled tomatoes and peppers were served with it; this is not something I've had with Pakistani fish dishes in restaurants, and I've eaten a lot of them. The presentation could use a rethink, but otherwise, it was a very nice dish. ​Kabuli Pulao: The portion was massive; you could easily feed two to three people with it. I can't comment on the taste personally, as I didn't have any, but my husband was happy with it. ​Atmosphere & Facilities: ​We ate at this place as a couple and had our baby with us; the restaurant is very baby-friendly. A nice touch was the dedicated handwashing sink, and the fact that you can see the kitchen from the restaurant floor leaves you reassured about their hygiene standards.