The Village Somali Restaurant in Hammersmith and Fulham

I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the young lady Farhiya and the gentleman (possibly the owner?) who went above and beyond to make our experience wonderful. This review is a few weeks late, but I felt compelled to share. We had a toddler with us who, as toddlers do, made a bit of a mess. Both of these staff members handled the situation with such kindness and grace. They not only cleaned up quickly but even moved us to a different spot, turning a stressful moment into one where we felt completely comfortable and welcomed. Their warmth and understanding truly meant a lot to us, and we couldn’t be more grateful. On top of that, the overall atmosphere of this restaurant is fantastic. It has a genuine, family-like vibe, with everyone smiling and creating such a lovely environment. The space was immaculate, the service was quick, and the food was absolutely top-notch. Huge thanks to the entire team—you can tell everyone here works together to make it special!

First time here and first time trying Somali food with my friend and was not disappointed! Lots of flavour and very easy to eat and enjoy (though I do wish the meat dishes we ordered were a bit warmer and the salad didn’t have balsamic vinegar dressed all over but served separately!). Very nice vibe too and lovely service! Thank you 😊

Amazing!!! Absolutely loved it

Attentive and welcoming staff, restaurant is clean with nice modern design cosy setting downstairs, the food was amazing so many delicious flavours it was such a treat to experience there food, great quality, couldnt be happier, will definitely be going back, highly recommend!!!

Great service, nice ambient, fantastic lamb

It’s downstairs. Cute spot The linguini sauce wasn’t good Good portion sizes Chicken wings and samosas (beef) were good

The most delicious and authentic Somali food. First time trying Somali food and picked this resto (looking at Google reviews)as we were going for a play at the Riverside studios. And gosh, what flavours, completely blown away. Succulent slow cooked lamb x2 ordered by friends , I had a filleted fish - seabass. Now I would never eat filleted fish, but came back so impressed with the perfectly cooked fish, crispy skin and tender white fish drizzled with the sauce. 1x chicken with pancake, 1x chicken steak. We all had broth infused perfectly cooked rice and a portion of what is the most delicious polenta. The portions are huge, the mains are all served with rice and salad. Average was 20 per person with soft drinks. They also gave us this lip smacking, fiery green salsa, you have to ask for it. Wish I lived closer. The service was so good too. Food presentation was 😍. In today's day to eat such yummy food at such reasonable prices, is unheard of . They don't serve alcohol, but don't let that put you off, have your drinks before at one of the pubs and then nourish yourself on the stellar food. They also serve a few pasta dishes thanks to the Italian influence as it was once an Italian colony. Trying out different cuisine is also a lesson in history.

Delicious food and very friendly service. The team went out of their way to accommodate me as a vegetarian - I had delicious veggie samosas and bean fritters to start and then a veggie stew and linguini for a main. Very generous portions so we took the rest away with us to enjoy tomorrow.

Delicious food and friendly service! The chicken pancake was especially good

Excellent food and service. Jibril was an amazing host. I thoroughly enjoyed the lamb and the rice and will definitely be back again!

Everything about my experience was horrendous. The worker was a young girl who had so much attitude for no reason and wouldn’t really take our order.

Probably the best Somali food I had in a long time. So underrated!!!

Our host was a welcoming gentleman. As we had never visited the restaurant, or tried Somali cuisine, he explained the menu to us and made recommendations. We really appreciated this. The food we had was cooked to perfection and the mocktail - strawberry lime, topnotch The decor is beautifully done. Overall it was a great experience and we will definitely be back again!

Fantástico restaurante familiar. Gran servicio y comida muy sabrosa. Esta fue nuestra primera vez comiendo cocina somalí y fue increíble. Volveremos cuando estemos en Londres.

Chef omar, presented the best food a somali rice with lamb shoulder

Tongue is tingling. Food is not too heavy but satisfying. Friendly staff. Coming back.

Found this place randomly whilst walking past. As soon as we walked in, we were welcomed. Service was brilliant. The restaurant was quiet and the other customers who were there were very friendly and vocal about how nice the food was. Honestly, they were not wrong. The food was amazing, and I could not recommend it anymore. Amazing food, amazing service, and lovely customers. Would definitely come back.

I loved the food me and my 3 other friends felt accommodated this was the first time experiencing Somali food and we really appreciated the waiter and cashier thank you very much for an excellent experience

Went myself on a Saturday afternoon. The server was very friendly and professionally recommended some dishes as I was not familiar with Somalian cuisine. I really enjoyed the village lamb slow-cooked to fall off the bone, the sides including the rice and corn maize with creamed spinach soup, and to finish it off with a cup of sweet Somalian tea. Great relaxed ambience.

¡Oh mi palabra, este lugar es fabuloso! Desde que entramos nos hicieron tan bienvenidos y la comida es absolutamente delicioso! Después de no haber probado la comida somalí antes de que nos recomendaron el especial de cordero del pueblo y realmente era tan muy especial! Literalmente delicioso y cayendo del hueso, servido con una porción de buen tamaño del arroz más sabroso que he probado. Tanto sabor a través de todo el plato sin dejarse dominar por ningún elemento. Mi hija tomó el pollo con pasta y dijo lo mismo... ¡5 estrellas! Las mejores calificaciones para todo el personal, desearíamos vivir más cerca ya que estaríamos aquí todo el tiempo... Si estás pensando en ir, deberías.

Fantastic food, and great atmosphere. Really enjoyed myself.

Best somali food in the UK hands down (and I haven’t even been to all of them). That’s how confident I am in my statement. Shoutout to Sabirin, the service was so good, I’ll never stop recommending this restaurant to people, and it’s all because of her 💋

Fantastic food, clean and cosy atmosphere, friendly service

incredible food, chips were a bit soggy though but still seasoned well and everything was delicious

I had a meal today. What a nice food in resealable price .very Delicious 😋 . What a good place . Sure will go back again

I was recommended by my friend who has eaten here. I was very impressed with the combination of grill salmon with creamy mash potatoe... the waiter was extremely attentive... I shall be returning very soon .. lovely atmosphere & lovely environment clean & crisp.

Best experience of the years, best Somali food experience.

Comida muy deliciosa con un gran y amable servicio. Todos mis platos eran muy sabrosos y los precios son muy razonables. Definitivamente volveré y les contaré a otros sobre esto.

My GOD this has to be some of the greatest lamb shanks I have ever tasted. I was searching for restaurants in Hammersmith today, and came here out of curiosity. The waiter greeted me enthusiastically and brought me downstairs, which was surprisingly chill and cozy, well-lit with large dangling lightbulbs and decorated with artificial greenery. The waiter asked me what food I would like and I confessed to him this was my first Somalian meal. He recommended me the Village Lamb Special, which I happily ordered. He then came back with two small plates of sauces coloured in green and red, explaining the sauces and their flavours. He told me to wait for a few minutes. The long-awaited dish finally came, along with a bowl of rice. The lamb was luxuriously yellowish and well-plated with the combination of salad. And it was SO tender—the meat literally fell off from the bone whenever I touched it with my spoon! Amazed, I asked the waiter, and he explained that the lamb had been marinated and soaked for over three hours. It merged perfectly with the sauces and rice, it was full of flavour without ever being over-eager. Great layout, great waiter, great food, reasonably priced for its exceptional quality, honestly a very delightful dining experience that should surpass a lot of Michelin restaurants.

Best experience of Somali food! The chicken escalopes were well marinated and fried. The sambuus had flavours to die for. We were especially impressed by the portion sizes. Already looking forward to the next time we come back here!

Amazing food & top tier service! 10/10 would recommend, have been here twice and will be going again... The aesthetic & vibe is great especially since the renovation! You won't be disappointed

Hidden gem! Delicious food, bursting with flavour in everything from the rice to the salad. Do not hesitate to try this place.

Amazing authentic Somali food with great service and hospitality. Would definitely come back!

Had an amazing evening at The Village! The food was amazing -- great flavours and sauces (including a homemade sauce that was incredible), and definitely get the date cake for dessert. Everyone there was so lovely, really friendly service. Enjoyed it and will be going back.

Delicious food and the staff were so friendly. Would definitely recommend.

Food was 7/10 alhamubarik ppl were extra lovely and professional. Interior was nice and aesthetic. Cleanliness was top tier too I recommend the tiramisu and the Somali savoury pancake with chicken! Chef recommended and I wasn’t disappointed!!!!!

Nice place, food delicious, service very good . Thank you

Such a beautiful place. The food is amazing and the staff are like family, this place will always be home.

Exceptional Somali cuisine in London! Delicious flavors, cozy ambiance, and friendly service. A must-visit for food enthusiasts!

Absolutely exquisite experience at this Somali gem in London! From the moment we stepped in, the warm hospitality and aromatic scents welcomed us. The ambiance is cozy, perfect for a memorable dining experience. Each dish was a burst of authentic flavors, from the succulent grilled meats to the fragrant rice and flavorful stews. The presentation was impeccable, and the portion sizes were generous. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable, guiding us through the menu with genuine enthusiasm. A must-visit for anyone craving a taste of Somalia right in the heart of London!

Amazing food! Fantastic service! Will definitely be coming back

Really nice food, good portions and good price

Delicious food! We got the chicken pancake and it was fantastic. Well served with care. Would recommend the place.

Food was terribly 😔 cooked I use to come here regularly I don't kno what can kinda management has taken over it use to be a somali restaurant now its Ethiopians or Eritrean don't kno but the food had dramatically changed ravioli raw undercooked pasta sauce on pasta was straight from the jar to plate I don't even think it was cooked🤢🤮 the meat was fairly done okay and the service was great but the kitchen needs replacing ASAP I use to eat breakfast lunch and dinner here I use to take my dates here to impress them now its just 🤢🤮 food poisoning

Absolutely great service lovely food 10/10

Lovely lamb shoulder, tender as a tajine;))

Tried Somali food for the first time – it was tasty! Service was great, and the staff were really friendly.

Excellent place. Great food/ great service

I booked for a meal with my colleagues at work.They told me everything is ok for the date and time.Two days later they told me they have some other people coming the same time.That they are sorry.That’s really bad and disappointing.

ما شاء الله .. طعام لذيذ وطبخ نكهة عربية يمنية ممتازة

When we arrived we was told lamb shoulder and lamb shank are sold out. We ordered the prawns, samosas and chicken wings. The meat in the Samosas was genuinely fridge cold, the prawns tasted like tomato prawns and bland. The wings were average but by far the most edible out of the starters. The mains we ordered were the battered butterfly chicken with mixed linguine and lamb fillets with rice. The lamb fillet was nice, the rice was very bland. The chicken tasted like something out of a freezer packet and the linguine did not taste of anything whats so ever. The service and hospitality by the owner was good but that’s as far as it goes. Unfortunately I would not recommend this place if you want genuine homely Somali food. We left the restaurant after spending £50 for 2 people and went and got takeaway from around the corner as we was still hungry and hugely disappointed.

Very tasty food with amazing staff and place look very cool, so good that even such a famous person love to come back there again and again.

First time and very impressed! Food was 100%, the service was way more than you expect from a Somali restaurant. Feels very home like. Jibril (hope I spelled the name right) has very good interpersonal skills and the way he spoke with us felt like we have known each other for sometime. Overall very good.

Wow amazing food amazing staff they treat you like family great restaurant definitely I will be back. Thanks

We had the opportunity to dine with 50 cent for an exclusive dinner event in the village. The staff are super welcoming and particularly to the owner who called us prior to the event to reinsure us about the event and details for the night. We had our welcoming non alcoholic drinks and dishes were so well prepared and delicious. The kitchen was not equipped for a group event and we had to wait for a fair amount of time for our main dishes, but the lamb shank was worth the wait. We only knew about this restaurant of the 50 cent exclusive dinner event, however, we would definitely be back soon to try out more disheh. I highly recommend this restaurant! Amazing food and service!

One of the best food spots in West perfect Somali cuisine and the aesthetics is just beautiful

Excellent service and friendly. Recommended to everyone.

Friendly Service & Excellent Food!! Great portions too.. 😊

Great atmosphere to experience Somali culture and great traditional food!

What a great find on Hammersmith main road! Delicious food - recommend the chicken pancake with sides and sauces!

First time trying the village and all I can say is WOW, amazing hospitality and the food is impeccable, I definitely recommend anyone who wants to try tasty somali food, THIS IS THE PLACE!.

great food, great customer service and great atmosphere

Booked Village for a baby shower and had a really great experience. They were extremely accommodating with great service. Price is good for the portions. Would recommend the maze soor with lamb shoulder and the wings too!

I had an incredible experience at The Village! The restaurant owner's warm welcome and accommodating service set the tone for an amazing dining experience. The food was absolutely out of this world, with flavors that left me speechless. I can't recommend this restaurant enough!

Good good, great service and I will recommend this place to anyone that would come🤝🏾

Food was amazing, staff was really nice and attentive. Will come back

Chicken pancake was very tasty and service was great

Great food great service couldn’t ask for more. Highly recommend!

Good food and good service Keep up the good work 👍🏾

Absolutely lovely food with exceptional customer service. Must try Somali food

The basis and hilib ismail was best today service was excellent I can't express my experience today top top 👌

Food is absolutely amazing! Freshly made with so much flavour, definitely will come back

What really stood out about this place was the service, me and my group of friends were really looked after. The food was exceptional too one of the best I’ve had. Would definitely recommend.

Excellent food with superb service

Amazing food and the customer service was top notch. They go above and beyond !

Great food and great service. Would totally recommend!

One of the best meals I’ve had. The white cream pasta with salmon was 10/10. The hospitality was great, would highly recommend this restaurant.

Food and drinks were all 10/10. It was a pleasure introducing my traditional food to my none Somali friends. Especial thanks to the chef and the waiter, will certainly return again.

Always amazing service , fave place to go

At first slightly confused by the small entry and one table you’ll soon walk down the stairs to find the most amazing Somalian food in London. The owner and chef came out to give us some tips on what to order and what pairs best. We have incredible homemade sauces, lamb that I will be back for, and a warm welcome from the family that runs this restaurant.

Lamb shoulder was amazing with the rice. Best Somalian food I’ve ever had. Definitely coming back!

I had a great experience, the food was amazing. Great customer service, the gentleman was very pleasant and polite.

Amazing food and amazing service

Quality food and quality service. Very much enjoyed our time at the Village.

Amazing food and phenomenal customer service. Would defo recommend to a friend.

Food was amazing . Great customer service and I am really happy with everything. 10/10 would recommend

Nice food- great and friendly environment

I loved the restaurant to the max 👊🏽

The service was excellent and the food was delicious. We were served by Jibril who went out of his way to accommodate us. Will definitely be returning soon InshaAllah!

Having not tried East African food before, this was a fantastic first experience. Staff were helpful explaining the menu and were very friendly. I've seen other reviews complaining the portion sizes were too small so it seems they've listened to this feedback as our portions were generous. We had the lamb shank and the chicken pancake with sides of rice and maize, which was all delicious. We will definitely be back.

First time i’ve been back in a while and this place never fails to disappoint me! I’m a shy person but from the moment i opened the door I was greeted with smiles and pleasantries! The owner was soo soo polite and was checking to see our food was all okay. They even let my friend pray there too and were nothing but helpful and polite! Thw food came out so fast as well I was shocked by how fast the service is! The food was amaaazingg!! I had eaten nothing all day and it was just soo filling! If it wasn’t so far from my house I would be at this spot everyday! It’s so cosy and you just feel so comfortable! Was having a bad day but honestly this place is the best and i would recommend it to everyoneeee!! Even when we were leaving they gave us sweets! Best place in London and I hope to return as soon asssssss!!!

Had a fantastic meal whilst waiting for a show - staff are lovely

Best Somali food in london. The customer service was really good. 100 percent would recommend

One of the best somali Restaurants we went to so far in London. The service was very good, the young man was very polite, helpful and friendly. He took his time explaining there different dishes. We came from Germany and found this place by accident, but can only recommend! Went to it twice and will definitely go again! Thank you very much.

Amazing food and great service. 100% recommend.

Went here today on my lunch break and it's amazing and the staff are very nice the steak and rice was incredible

Great food, very friendly staff. Cannot recommend enough!

Food was so flavourful and lovely staff members, definitely will be coming back!

Good food and excellent service 👌

The service was really good unfortunately the portion sizes were small compared to other Somali restaurants the salmon was half of what I usually get . In terms of the taste it wasn’t seasoned like previous somali food I’ve had and the meat didn’t fall of the bones(haneed) -their also wasn’t a sharing option which is cost effective and what we look forward to at other Somali restaurants - too expensive - not big enough portions for the price - not the best seasoned/taste Good service, comfortable chairs