Barru in Southend-on-Sea

With Southend having limited options for halal dining, this is a good choice. The experience the first time I visited was a nice. The food is decent, and the staff on shift were very friendly and welcoming, leaving me wanting to come back. However, my second visit was less impressive. I went with a group of 15 to celebrate my brother's birthday, and the server seemed visibly irritated, both in his facial expressions and tone of voice. Despite this, I wouldn't discourage others from visiting, as the server might have just had a bad day. Overall, I think it's worth trying for a casual meal.

Great food so well cooked and plenty of it. Cannot fault the service and staff. Highly recommended

What a great place!… we arrived at 22:30 and we still got served with an amazing food and service without any rush… the food -shish kebabs - was amazing! The manager and the staff were so friendly and welcoming! Thank you so much for the great experience! :))

Westcliff’s hidden Gem !! Spent an evening here with a large group of friends. Had the mezzanine as a private area. Some ate, some didn’t, such a relaxed vibe with great service to the tables or at the bar if you preferred. Mine and my mate’s food were off the scale in terms of quality. We had cocktails galore which were also top quality. Nothing was too much trouble for the host (Mido) or the chef (Ahmet). If you haven’t yet, get there for food, the drinks and the top quality service 5 ⭐️’s !!!!!

Fantastic food, great service, friendly staff and reasonably priced. What more can you ask for?! Was first time going and we'll definitely go back.

From entrance to exit faultless Food was quick hot and very tasty Catered for me a meat eater and partner a vegetarian. Cocktails were lovely and not overpriced Could not eat another piece portions size spot on

Amazing meal and atmosphere would fully recommend!!

Guaranteed a great meal every time. Go-to for Turkish food with excellent service.

Absolutely amazing!! Came here for a weekday meal and was blown away! From the moment we walked in, we couldn’t have asked for more. The service was second to none and the food was out of this world. Compliments to the chef! All the food was hot, so tasty and very reasonably priced. One of the best meals I have had. Will be back next week and definitely recommend! 5⭐️

The food was amazing. The service was very good, great timing with the starters then mains. Very friendly and respectful. Very nice setting and chilled music. Definitely recommend and will be returning.

Perfect service ! Very big portions and absolutely lovely atmosphere!

This was by far the worst restaurant I’ve ever eaten in. The food was unedible. The lamb sheesh was tough. This is not Turkish food and it’s not the way Food is cooked in Turkey even the chicken was tough but not as bad as the Lamb, the seasoning and spices were wrong. You have to pay £5 For hummus. The food was around £16. I can eat better food for less money, I can cook Turkish food better than these Turkish people, when we told them that the food was unedible and bearing in mind, I’ve never complained in my life they just ignored us for the rest of the time that we were there yet. Tried to charge me £100and £8 pound of that was a service charge, which I asked him to remove but he wouldn’t remove it take it from me spend your hard and money somewhere else. Their customer services skills are terrible too

Nice and no so busy at our time of visit.

Went here for my birthday and it was lovley the waiters were welcoming and friendly and funny ! The food was lovely to . Will definitely go back soon !! Definitely recommend 👌

Went to this restaurant today for my sons birthday table booked for 14.30 Arrived at 14.15 and it was not open they opened the door a 14.20 the restaurant was freezing cold Well now to the food had a hair in the yogurt dip the some of the chicken was raw which was left Asked for a Irish coffee after our ordeal which was bought to our table We’re the cream was off and had all curdled could not believe my eyes when complained they went to Sainsburys next door for fresh cream We’re I declined the offer of another coffee could not wait to get out of there very disappointed

Meat was overcooked and the chicken had too much flavour. Only had 1 person serving almost the whole restaurant. Arrogant waiter with next to 0 experience with customer service. Overpriced would not recommend

We were recommended by the hotel we were staying at over the christmas period, because unfortunately they were unable to provide food in the evenings. Thankfully they did, it was a great recommendation as the food was absolutely fantastic, the service was top notch, and all at reasonable prices. As early diners it wasn't to busy, but soon it started to fill giving a great atmosphere. We can highly recommend a visit and I'm sure you will return many times, I know we will, that's for sure. Chicken Sote and Sarma Chicken Beyti

The restaurant was drab and boring. There were 4 of us and we opted for the set lunch at 12.99 which included an alcoholic drink. The rude arrogant manager somehow presented us a bill of £97.A complete rip off. Food was tasteless and overcooked. Avoid at all costs.. rubbish place!

Food was excellent, service was good. A useful restaurant to use as do close to the cliffs pavilion

We came here as a couple after seeing their special lunch offer on a board outside. We went inside, waited a few moment then was greeted by a member of the team. I said we would like to have your lunchtime special, he said fine and showed us to the table. All seemed great, we were asked what we wanted to drink and handed menus, we then chose what we wanted and waited for our meal. To be fair, the meal was great, could not fault that, food tasty and hot. The restaurant however was extremely cold so you had to eat your food quickly. I kept my coat on for the majority of the time we were there, I don't think they can afford the heating costs at present. At the end of our meal, we asked for the bill to then be shocked as we had been charged full menu prices and not the lunchtime offer which would have been half of what we had been charged. I questioned this to just be told, but you ordered from our menu, I said yes because that is what you gave us to order from, I clearly said before we sat down that we wanted the lunchtime offer, but he completely dismissed this by insisting that we ordered from the menu. He then pointed out that the lunchtime offer was right at the back of the main menu but this was not pointed out to us when we were handed the menus. We left there feeling like we had been completely ripped off and scammed as we had been encouraged in from an offer shown outside then not had that offered to us inside. Be careful to other diners, as this is clearly just a way to get you in the door then you are charged full menu prices.

Had a lovely dinner here before the theatre. Friendly staff, very attentive. Food was very nice. Great prices! Was very chilly in there though. Most people had their coats on!

Been to this restaurant a few times now and always loved it. However, last night was slightly disappointing as when asked if we could swap rice for chips ( as we have done every time before) we was told we can no longer do that but could order chips extra! The rice wasted and I feel a bit mugged off that we had to pay more money to get the meal we wanted. Also my sons order was messed up and he ended up eating on his own when everyone else was finished! Can’t actually complain about the food as it is really delicious and we took our 2 year old grandson with us and staff were very friendly and accommodating to him. The tables are a little close together and it was a bit awkward sitting so close to the next table and I feel that table of people felt the same as we overheard a comment! Think we may have paid our last visit to Barru last night so are on the lookout for another Turkish restaurant 😢

Beautiful meal and amazing service, I will be returning x

Brilliant place, the staff are super friendly.

Not good had a lot better out of 10 I’ve give it. 5 it’s been generous, but I go again no just got home OMG 1.5 hours later spent 20 mins on the loo never again

We went on a weekday as a sudden Visit The manager or owner whoever he is, just very racist. From the beginning when we were placing the order, he asked that's it! And asked this is not enough for 4 of us. My friend said the 2 children who are 6 years old won't have anything as they had already eaten. Although we were 6 but there were 2 children under 6 and they already had their meals so we went from a quick grab. Can you ask your customers that this is not enough order? It was almost £65+. The order of the main course with the lamb was overcooked. When asked he came as if he wants to have a fight, asking what exactly is wrong, when explained he said this is how it is and that we should have asked how we wanted our meat. I don't think I have come across anywhere where you usually ask as that should be something they should clarify rather than assuming. i said that he has not been nice and not that you didn't make us feel welcome. He just didn't acknowledge and what he did is to go on and started talking about us, in front of us to other customers!!! He says that he is owner of 2 restaurants!!! I really hope you learn a little compassion and customer service. Just really sad

We went a big group, we were well looked after, i loved my chorizo and halloumi starter. The restaurant has a nice feel about it. I'd definitely recommend a visit.

Behaviour of the manager was horrible, unprofessional, rude and not civilised at all. The waiter offer one table then he changed that they have booking at same time but we were the only customer there. We are good waster so order whatever we need but manager was very unprofessionally asked that’s very low portion. Are we going to order anything else. If you have minimum order threshold you can write on your menu or outside. Don’t judge people by their order amount. We complain about lamb rib which we can’t cut with knife. He just denied and explains that it was medium cooked and standard if you need well cooked you have asked before though they don’t ask us anything before. Don’t even say sorry or change the rib moreover shouted with us. Afterward gossip with other customer about us which is totally unethical. They also denied to provide tap water which is illegal if you serve alcohol in the premises.

Food was not great but the manager was very rude and unprofessional. We complain about food was not cooked properly but he denied also state we don’t know the basic of food. If we need well cooked we need to tell before but they don’t asked anything prior the order. They don’t change the food.

Great meal for my sister's 30th birthday. Food was delicious, very nicely presented and portion sizes were very good. Waiter was attentive, friendly and had attention to detail (flower on table was a lovely touch!) Will definitely be back again soon.

Had amazing night at barru for large hen party of 32. Food was lovely and large portions. And not overpriced. Staff were amazing, couldn't of pick a better place to have my best friends hen do. Highly recommend for a great night. Will definitely be going back very soon .

What can I say the place is lovely and so is the food but if you go as a big group be careful. Charged service charge at the bar when we ordered separately and they charge for double spirit measures when you don’t order them and a friend was charged for a bottle of wine when they had 2 glasses, so be careful what you order, what you get and what you pay for. Food was lovely but would not return at the rip of drinks and they know what they are doing.

We had a very enjoyable dinner at Barru last night. Recently under new management, Mido and the wonderful Chef, were so friendly and welcoming. They really made my birthday special with a cocktail and a surprise Turkish treat with a birthday candle. They even sang me happy birthday. Which was a lovely surprise. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. We enjoyed listening to the Jazz pop music being played while we ate. It was our first visit to Barru and we will definitely visit again, and recommend it to friends. 5 Stars, Thank you !

We was there today at 5 o'clock and I can say the dinner was amazing the service was too. It was my wife's birthday and they really looked after us. The whole experience was perfect, we all said the baklava was so fresh and taste home made. I wish I caught the name of the gentleman that was serving everyone because he was a charming and SO helpful! Thank you for a lovley evening we will be back.

Had a lovely dinner at Barru. Food never disappointing. Such a good vibe inside. We went for a spontaneous meal out and wanted something light for a warm evening. The food came quickly and was very tasty. Staff were friendly and tentative. We did not feel rushed and enjoyed our meal thoroughly. Would definitely go again.

Been here a few times in the past and just finished a delicious meal again! Found out it’s under new management now and sometimes that’s a worry but the service was so attentive and fast. Food was fresh and delicious as I remember it. Great sized portions and very authentic! Reminded me of being in Turkey! Highly recommend - will definitely come again! Thanks so much!

Felt like I was in Turkey! Delicious, Fresh and authentic food! Under new management and much better than before! I highly recommend!

Been here a few times in the past and just finished a delicious meal again! Found out it’s under new management now and sometimes that’s a worry but the service was so attentive and fast. Food was fresh and delicious as I remember it. Great sized portions and very authentic! Reminded me of being in Turkey! Highly recommend - will definitely come again! Thanks so much!

Family friendly atmosphere. Mido was absolutely amazing. He was such a charming person. Enjoyed the food a lot. Probably the best Turkish food I have tasted in UK. Worth it!

Just left here and what a lovely restaurant. Messaged when booking mentioning it was my partner and I anniversary, they laid flowers and balloons with out asking. The food was absolutely delicious as well. 100% recommend!

The experience we had here is just beyond belief. We was never greeted by the waitress just was told any table is fine She got our orders wrong and didn’t even apologise for the mistake that was made. Not attentive at all had to keep calling her over. There was a live singer which we couldn’t even hear ourselves speak. The food was okay but not something to be hyped about, it was very bland After paying our bill we left and no one said goodbye. Overall not good

Katherine the manager is the best thing about the place. The entertainment great but the food. You might want to think twice! Soooooooo not impressed. Love you Katherine 😍 💗 💓

Don’t go Worst Turkish restaurant I have been no wonder it’s a 1 star Service is all over the place clearly staff are not trained Food had no flavour We have been here once before and everything was perfect we come back 2 weeks later and everything from start to finish was a disaster, will not be returning

We had a lovely meal here last November so we thought we would go back. What a disappointment! Starters were fine but the lamb shish we had for our main last time was nothing like it this time. Lots of bread hidden and soaked in a gravy at the bottom of the bowl with tiny, tiny scraps of lamb on top. It was one of the more expensive dishes (£18) and absolutely unrecognisable to the lamb dish we had last year. I know the cost of everything especially food has sky rocketed but a dish of mainly bread isn't what you want when you go out for dinner. No wonder M&S meal deals are selling so well!

The best turkish restaurant in Southend

I will never ever use this restaurant AGAIN!!! We placed a order and my son is a pescatarian and ordered falafel and calamari to which the rice and calamari was missing from order, spoke with the manager to who said he will redeliver the missing items! When this did turn up there was still no rice but had hummus and tzatziki!! Call the manager back to after a short conversation, we was told he is not making any money out of this as he has had to deliver twice and “we got what we got”. We used to use this restaurant a bit however it is obvious that management has changed!

Meet up with a few friends for an early birthday get together. Food very tasty and staff attentive and helpful. Have no doubt will visit again

Don’t waste your time. Had a table booked for 19:30 for 4 people on Wednesday 24th get a call from the restaurant at 19:11. To say inform me that unfortunately the restaurant is having to close due to an issue. Found that odd as we...

Where do I start! This event was for a leaving do and I wanted somewhere that could accommodate between 20-30 people, I called and spoke to the lovely Madalina who got a bit confused so said the manager would call me back. I didn’t want...

Really enjoyed the visit and the food was great. Live music was awesome.

We had my sons 30th birthday meal at Barru. The food was excellent and the staff were very helpful and nothing was too much for them. The singer was excellent. Thank you to everyone at Barru for a great night.

The happiness and energy that comes after a nice dinner, I've been in this beautiful restaurant, I really can't stand still after dinner, and a very beautiful singer woman is the night's bonus

Been twice before and loved it. This time wasn't quite the same.

Went to this place pre-covid and never made it back until now. That was a mistake! Service was attentive, rapid and engaging, food was absolutely amazing and the cocktails (I never had one but the rest of my party did) were evidently equally good. We all had different starters and mains and there wasn't a bad dish. Also had a live singer who was bloody brilliant and definitely enhanced the night. Back there soon I can safely say

Ordered a small platter which was suppose to have chicken thigh but instead I was given chicken breast without warning and no compensation was offered for this error. Also the food was mostly dry and not to my liking. Won't be eating here again unfortunately.

Had dinner here last night as a group of six. All the food was fantastic, the service was great and the live music was fantastic. We sat around chatting and were not rushed. Can’t wait to go back.

Very friendly and really nice food order set meal for two which we got for the strater cold meze,hot meze,than for the main plenty food and all the food are so tasty and lovely coctail,definetely recommended .

Very friendly and really nice food order set meal for two which we got for the strater cold meze,hot meze,than for the main plenty food and all the food are so tasty and lovely coctail,definetely recommended .

Ozzy is a fantastic waiter, really made our service great. Was very friendly and would definitely return to this restaurant. Food was amazing and service was even better!

Great customer service , delicious lamb like Turkish delight nice cooked tender , friendly welcoming friendly service , reasonable service lots of different choice on the menu , definitely recommend

Such a wonderful evening. The owner went out of his way to make us feel so welcome. Highly recommend!! Food was great too!!

My husband and I popped in for lunch and ordered the 2 course meal, my husband had a beer. The food was outstanding and presented beautifully. The ambience was great with a contemporary décor. Everything cost £26 including service, which was excellent value for money. Next time we visit Southend, we shall be returning to Barru.

Visited lunchtime on the 18th. We where the 1st customers in so service was really quick. Both my friend and I tucked in to the lovely breads and sauces. We both opted for the iskender..which I've been raving about to him for some time. Absolutely...

Huge letdown. No ambience, restaurant was too bright, weird decor, loos are dirty and dingy. Food very bland, tasteless and not fresh. Waitresses kept making mistakes with the meals. Tables messy, dirty cutlery. Serviettes and candles brought out at the end of the meal. Asked twice for desert menu and never got so just left. Manager was unfriendly and staff unwelcoming. Never going back and would not recommend.

Valentines evening meal, we thought, would be a nice experience. Unfortunately we found the background music odd, lighting to bright and a confused service getting the candle at the end of the meal, and no offer of a sweet menu after asking twice. The food ok, but not exceptional tbh. For £70, which is fairly chunky sum for a meal for two, I’m afraid it didn’t really hit the mark.

We popped in on a saturday afternoon and went for the Barru Special (enough to serve family of 4). The food was really nice. Service could have been better as it was not that busy but felt bit slow (always feels more slow when u have kids asking, how long every 3 mins!!) Would visit again and highly recommend. Also there is 2 hours free parking outside on main road and food is Halal (asked waitress)

Truly amazing service on a very busy Saturday night. The food was absolutely incredible, we ordered a shared hot meze starter and a sharer chicken main platter. We would highly recommend both dishes, one of the best Turkish restaurants we’ve been to! Great staff and atmosphere, the live singer was brilliant too! Thank you very much, look forward to returning!

We selected to eat here before our show at Cliffs Pavillion, it was an easy 10 minute walk. My mum and I had a lovely meal here. The food was delicious and so were the cocktails. We both enjoyed our meals and the cocktails were...

Food was tasteless order was cold and all food came out one at a time Service was slow and no communication from the staff Will Not be going there again and it’s certainly not like the advertisement food doesn’t look like that

We were in the area several months ago, wanted something to eat, and visited Barru on the off chance as my partner did not really want a Thai, which is our usual failsafe. We were very impressed with the quality of the food then, and...

Arrived in disarray last evening for a pre-booked meal and needed to be served quickly. as welcomed even though we were late and served quickly and efficiently by charming staff for whom nothing was too much trouble. The food was excellent and reasonably priced. As...

Went last night for the first time and it won't be the last. Food was absolutely amazing. We ordered a chicken platter for 2 and a lamb dish, it was a good size portion of different flavours. The bread was lovely and served nice and warm. Staff were friendly and attentive. Lovely relaxing atmosphere, would very much recommend.

Food was amazing, waitress attentive. Only downside is it is currently cash only. There is a cash machine next door at Sainsburys but I took out an amount and had to go back to take put more as didn't cover the final bill.

Our first order, it wont be our last! We definitely want to visit the restaurant now. Delicious food, huge portions and brilliant service. Thank you!

Very good service and good food is the best turkish restaurant in southend

AMAZING FOOD. Fresh and tasty. The salads, the bread and sauces everything was simply superb. The mains were a good size and good priced.

Food was quality. Service was quality. Hygiene was good too.

Food was nice but nothing to shout home about. Service was okay but main course arrived before they’d cleared the starters. They had a live singer on which was way to loud and definitely not suitable for a Turkish restaurant.

Our first visit to this restaurant and would definitely return Service was very good and food was excellent. We also enjoyed the female singer.An enjoyable evening .

Came here for a family lunch on a Saturday. It was really busy but the service was really good. The food is so lovely - had combi shish and both the chicken and the lamb were cooked to perfection. Huge portions, all fresh and so...

Went there last night 10/9/22 with my girlfriend to celebrate my birthday. Food was amazing & atmosphere was great too. Service was first class & will definitely be going there again.Would totally recommend

I went there today with my friends, we all ordered starters which was ok, then my main meal I ordered a chicken shish, it looked nice but was cold, so I called the waitress and told her, I had obviously cut into the chicken, but all they done was warmed it in the microwave, and I know that’s what they done as the food on my plate was still in the same position as I gave her the plate which isn’t good as it was chicken, so I told the waitress that this isn’t good and I don’t want it. But instead of asking me if I would like something else, she took my meal away and then had a miserable face the rest of our stay. So wouldn’t recommend this restaurant at all, been to a lot of Turkish restaurants and never had this bad service ever. Very very poor service

Really nice here been before but this time i had some ribs tough and fatty pointed it out but did not seem to bothered them so I took them home for the dog.

Decent but the seating area are very close to other tables

I ordered a delivery from Barru. The delivery was fine, the food was ok, but we found the quantity very poor for the price. Despite neither of us being big eaters, who actually find over-sized portions off-putting and wasteful, we found these insufficient. Disappointing, I wouldn’t order from here again based on this experience.

What a great restaurant, the food is excellent you get such big portions and it’s absolutely tasty. There is a variety of food and drinks on the menu so there is something for everybody there. The restaurant itself has a really nice atmosphere we went...

Reasonable price, good service, very quiet when I went in during the day, seems a shame because if it’s not busy it will probably close. Very special foods

Mycket bra restaurang. Kan varmt rekommendera den, mycket mat till bra pris👌

Great food, beautiful restaurant amazing service they even let you keep the desert jars 5*

The best food! Amazing vibe and the most exceptional customer service!

Awefull food not fresh at all don’t recommend at all … girl from service (waitress) didn’t show any respect even didn’t say goodbye…

Terrible service , old Meat !!!!! Never ever visit this restaurant!!!

Been to this place 3 times now. 1st time i felt the meat was a little under cooked. But starters i had was ok. So gave it another chance. 2nd time i went was no problems at all from food to service. 3rd time i went would defo be my last. I Orderd a adne kofte and the meat was 100% off to where it tasted wrong. It smelt wrong but the waitress insisted it was freshly prepeard in the morning. Plus two starters i wanted could not be done as they said they was changing the oil. Ber in mind i got there at 2pm. Was offerd a free replacement to take away to make up for the kofte that i did not eat. But i diden't want to trust it so just paid the bill and left. Won't come here again.

Went for friends birthday meal , every one raved about the dishes they had chosen. The restaurant also had a card machine issue but contacted us before hand to warn us. More impressive was I forgot my coat and they looked after it for a couple of weeks. Lovely honest people

Would highly recommend Barru if you want a fab, fun filled night with fantastic food and great entertainment. We celebrated our friend's birthday here last night.. Food was excellent, great cocktails, and the staff were very friendly and welcoming. A special thanks to our waiter who looked after us. We will definitely be back.

Amazing Food , very nice location and pleasant live music . Strongely suggested 😉

Great food and good location before a gig at Cliffs. Highly recommend

Appetisers were great. Got the Barru special meat platter. The chicken wings were delicious! However, the lamb rib was quite over cooked and chewy. Also quite uncomfortably cold in the restaurant, probably need a stronger heater 😅

Me and my friends had a pre-show meal here last night, we arrived late but was given a warm greeting, the service was good, cocktails were amazing and the food was delicious! Also got a discount when we showed our theatre tickets. Would highly recommend this place and I will be booking more pre-show meals here in the future

Love this place, amazing fresh and flavourful food, cooked fresh. Huge amounts with all the trimmings. Good valve, vegetarian friendly. High recommend. More of a couple's venue but I would be comfortable to take children. Small but very friendly. Looks like it could be a lovely bar of an evening.