Afghan, Pakistani, Indian and Middle Eastern dining

I've lived around Ilford Lane for a while now, it's home to loads of halal restaurants but I've never managed to visit Watan, I've been to the one in Southall around 5 years ago and wasn't impressed. However, every time I go past the one in Ilford Lane there are queues going out the door.

The weather was nice yesterday and we just fed and changed the baby so I said let's go for a walk and check it out for lunch.

The menu has a lot of options (swipe 👉 for menu) but I decided to stay on the safe side and try a Afgan Mix grill for £32. I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting much from here.. But I was pleasantly surprised!

The kebabs tatsed really good, the first bite of each different item was full of flavour and juicy, they have been marinated in well balanced spices, seasoned well and more importantly not overcooked, something that used to be typical in places like this. Finally, chefs are realising that cooking meat to medium makes it tender, soft and taste better overall. Also, they don't remove the fat off the lamb chops, which means you get that flavour hit from your first bite. Lamb chops, lamb tikka, chicken tikka, seekh kebab and reshami kebabs, every item was good

It's served on a gaint naan and comes with 2 types light and delicate rice. Portions are good, we had plenty of food left over for take away.

Overall, for a first time visit and quick lunch I was impressed and enjoyed the meal. Lunch time was good to visit as it wasn't busy, I see why its busy in the evening as there's not many tables, maybe 45 people max. Decor isn't fancy, modern and clean and the service is basic.

And yes, I know I should of tried the Chapli Kebab.

All food halal. No alcohol. No service charge added. I paid for my meal, not a invite.

Food 8
Value 7
Atmosphere 6
Service 5

@halalfoodguy's review of Watan Ilford on Instagram

Watan

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely Fantastic!
I had an amazing experience at Watan! The food was bursting with authentic Pakistani flavors — rich, perfectly spiced, and beautifully presented. Every dish tasted freshly made and full of depth, from the tender kebabs to the flavourful Chicken Karahi. The staff were incredibly welcoming and attentive, creating a cozy, family-friendly atmosphere. You can really tell they take pride in their cooking and hospitality.

If you’re craving genuine Pakistani cuisine, Watan is an absolute must-visit. I can’t wait to go back!

We visited this restaurant on Tuesday night around 10:30 PM. The service was excellent, and the food was delicious. The seating area was very comfortable, and the staff treated us with great respect and hospitality. It was my first visit, it was little expensive 🤭 but I would highly recommend this place to everyone.🫰🤤

A good restaurant but needs to work on it's hospitality, management and taste. Detailed information below.

Taste : 2 / 5
Hospitality : 1 / 5
Ambience : 3.5 / 5
Area: congested tables

Reviews on the food:
- chicken wings and chips, wings were tasty but too small. Instead of promising 10 wings and serving mini wings. Rather give 6 or 8 wings that are big.

- Chicken saag didn't have the taste. It was too bland. But considering the place I would say it's not bad to eat bland food.

- Lamb chops. This was the WORST dish I ordered it felt like the chops were just overnight marinated with lemon, pepper and a lil ginger garlic paste and just tandoor roasted. I asked the waiter to talk to the chef and ask him to improve it mentioning a few spices and a method of roast. He went back and informed maybe his shift leader and I see them 3 look at my table and having a discussion but not working on what I said.

The tables are very closely kept to one another, people passing by happen to stumble passing by. No space for waiters themselves to pass by.

The food was fresh, tasty, and full of flavour. A special mention to Sana for her excellent customer service — friendly, attentive, and made the visit even better. Highly recommend!

I visited Watan on a Tuesday evening around 8:30 PM, and as always, the experience was excellent. We ordered the large platter, chapli kebab, paneer curry, chicken karahi, and keema naan—and every single dish was bursting with flavor. The taste is consistently 10/10, and Watan rarely disappoints when it comes to the quality and seasoning of their food.

That said, when the place gets really packed, the food might not come out sizzling hot temperature-wise—but it's still warm and delicious. It's something to keep in mind, especially during peak hours when the kitchen is clearly under pressure.

The ambiance can also get hot and humid when it’s full, which may be uncomfortable for some. But honestly, the amazing food makes up for it.

Price-wise, it’s a bit on the higher side. I’ve noticed they’ve increased prices generously over the years, which is understandable to an extent, but it does push it into the “slightly expensive” category for what it is.

Overall, Watan delivers fantastic food, and if you can handle a busy atmosphere and a bit of heat, it’s absolutely worth a visit.

Order from Watan Ilford