Wah Bey brings the class of Pakistan to London’s Gants Hill

SPONSORED CONTENT HALAL STATUS Fully Halal (HMC certified)

Togetherness is at the heart of sub-continental culture and is reflected in the food and how it’s served, and the environment it’s served in – Wah Bey

Anyone familiar with Gants Hill’s central roundabout in east London’s Ilford will know that it is blessed with a variety of Halal eateries.

Of all the restaurants nestled together on the five roads converging at Gants Hill station, however, there’s one that truly stands out.

Since opening earlier this year, Wah Bey‘s double-fronted property stands imposingly on Cranbrook Road during the day, before coming alive at night with its bright neon lights.

For owners Tariq and Sarfraz, this place isn’t just “the culmination of years of research”, but the dream of one day opening a restaurant that brings the wow-factor along with the authentic flavours of Pakistani cuisine.

During their travels across Pakistan, not only were the pair inspired “to stay true to what we wanted to do and to be the best we can be”, but added: “We truly want to deliver that authentic Pakistani food to everyone who walks through the doors at Wah Bey.

“We will craft our food and coat every customer with amazing hospitality that you can only find in Pakistan.” And that is precisely what they’ve achieved.

The name Wah Bey, which is the sub-continental way of expressing ‘wow’, accurately captures that first reaction when entering through its large, heavy-set wooden doors.

This fully Halal, HMC-certified, 80-cover establishment boasts a sumptuous interior, beautiful hand-crafted furniture, and a semi-open kitchen manned by accomplished chefs tasked with delivering a menu of classic Pakistani dishes, with emphasis on Wah Bey’s mouthwatering grills.

Wah Bey is a family restaurant serving ‘authentic Pakistani grilled food without compromise’

With a large dry bar, Wah Bey’s dedicated mixologist offers a selection of 15 beverages that range from classic mojitos and daiquiris, to an assortment of mocktails which include the restaurant’s signature.

There’s plenty happening in the Starters section too, with grills such as the classic sub-continental street food staple Chicken Lollilop, as well as a Dhaka Chicken of deep-fried small chunks coated in sesame, carrot and capsicum batter.

If you’re looking to get your taste-buds primed with a medley of grilled delights, then it has to be the Single Grill dish (below) which, coming with a pair of lamb seekh kebabs, chicken and lamb tikkas, chicken wings, and mutton chops, is ideal for two.

With Mains split up into Chicken, Meat, Vegetarian, Seafood, and Biryani, there’s plenty of exciting choices too, and without having to throw the proverbial kitchen sink either.

As such, you have dishes like the classic, slow-cooked Butter Chicken; Chicken or Lamb Badami Korma with almonds to add that depth of flavour and richness; Wah Bey’s Tawa Keema, which is made of “hand cut finely minced lamb cooked on an iron skillet”; Daal Maash with white urad lentils; the punchy Tarka Daal; and the Wah Bey Grilled Fish.

They also do a trio of Dum Biryanis too – Vegetable, Lamb, and Chicken – with that vintage pastry covering providing a touch of theatre when carved open to release that aromatic burst of steamy goodness.

With a quartet of grill platters to consider, the humongous Tawa Grill ought to be a Pakistani meat-lovers perfect date, with everything accounted for therein, including a lamb or chicken karahi and pilau rice.

As you can imagine, there’s plenty of excitement when it comes to the Chef Specials, with the quintessential Haleem and Nihari; Lahori Karahis, both on the bone and off; and the unique Balochi Sajji, which comes as a whole skewered chicken that’s marinated in Wah Bey spices, stuffed to the rafters with copious fragrant rice, before being cooked in coal.

For those seeking after the sweet stuff, then you simply cannot go wrong with either the delightfully creamy and luxurious Shahi Kheer rice pudding, or the decadent Gajar Halwa, or both.

In short, Wah Bey provides a unique experience which succeeds in drawing on the rich heritage of the spices and flavours of Pakistan, while all the while delivering on the renowned culture of hospitality.

Ideal for families, large groups and those looking to throw a surprise party, this place assures a unique dining experience amidst opulent surroundings in the humble suburbs of Ilford.

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Wah Bey
410-412 Cranbrook Road, Ilford, London IG2 6HW.

T: +44 (0)20 3325 1215 | W: wahbey.com | E: [email protected]

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 13:00-22:30