Meeraz in Tower Hamlets

I have been visiting this East London Institution for over 20 years, since the time when this restaurant occupied a much smaller place and you would have had to sit on shared oval tables. The food used to be absolutely delicious. And the trend continued for years, consistently delivering best Pakistani food in London, I always preferred Lahore over Tayyabs. I remember in 2018 I took my parents there when they came over to visit me in London, they were so impressed I had to take them again there for their famous dal-gosht! But that was then …. It’s a completely different story now. I recently paid a visit here with two of my good friends, both of whom are veterans of this restaurant. For one reason or another all of were back to Lahore after a long while - perhaps over a year. We ordered some of the legendary Lamb Chops, a Nihari, and Karahi Lamb. Some Nan and tandoori rotis. The Lamb chops were dry, over-grilled and very mediocre. The Nihari was flavourless gloopy mess of harsh spices. The Karahi Lamb tasted like super market readymade curry. The nan had very strong baking soda smell. We had to ask to change the roti as it was dry as a cardboard. Overall the immediate experience was very disappointing. I had a bad stomach from which I am just recovering, I had bloated gassy stomach for days after that meal, I felt it completely imbalanced my stomach chemistry, felt nausea for a whole week. My other two friends had more or less similar experiences, speaking to one of them I found out he also had similar bloaty gassy feeling for days, and had to run home after dinner due to uncomfortable upset stomach right away. I don’t want to get into dealing but let’s just say we both rush home to some unnatural call to the nature. Something has definitely changed. I asked the staff if they had a change of chef, but they denied. I have been to this restaurant many times, sometimes once a month over the years. I know the food. This not the food they used to serve. Its sad to witness the demise of such a glorious institution! I

Ordered on deliveroo- the food was atrocious! Naan bread burned to a cinder, mixed grill drowned in salt, pilau rice slimy and rotten-smelling, byriani rotten-smelling and weird texture. Truly disgusting food, this company should be ashamed to serve such food. Got a full refund from deliveroo thankfully and the food went straight into the bin!

Worst takeaway curry ever, I had Chicken madras which tasted like chip shop curry sauce with 5 pieces of chicken chucked in, and very, very expensive... Yuk... never again...

There are 3 Gunpowder locations in London. I went to the one in Spitalfields. It’s a very small restaurant that serves delicious takes on Indian food. Everything is creative and mouthwatering. I had the absolutely delicious kale salad - the kale is crispy! And the leaf wrapped fish with a creamy mustard sauce - very moist and tasty. From my reservation, they knew my birthday was approaching so I also got a dessert with a birthday candle - very thoughtful! The waitpersons and staff were extremely friendly and helpful. London is known for good Indian food, Gunpowder really stands out as a great example.

Really good food lots of flavor, beautiful views, very friendly staff. 2nd visit here. Certainly worth a visit if you love Indian food, with a difference. You will not be disappointed