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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value

Details

CUISINES
Lebanese, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Egyptian, Arabic
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
Reviews (27)
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Traveller rating
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All reviews mixed grill portion size cooked to perfection mezze shahi portions plate
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Reviewed 22 September 2023

This restaurant has been gone for ages! Sadly before I had a chance to try it. Replaced by some sort of "fusion" place.

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 8 June 2023

The hotel staff were helpful and accommodating. It was all inclusive which made it even better. Will definitely revisit

Date of visit: June 2023
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Reviewed 1 July 2022 via mobile

If you’re partial to a spot of Middle Eastern cuisine El Shams won’t disappoint. A group of us dined out on a wonderful spread of hot and cold home made mezzes followed up with a mixed grill cooked to perfection and a couple of cold...beers to wash it all down with. The presentation is as good as the pics!More

Date of visit: July 2022
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Reviewed 23 April 2022 via mobile

Lovely lunch inside this small and very friendly restaurant. The mezze dishes were all really tasty and good portion size.

Date of visit: April 2022
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Reviewed 11 April 2022 via mobile

Visited a couple of weeks ago Always best to book as it’s very small Friendly staff and quite quick service A good menu choice and the food was delicious The toilets again could be made nicer as they weren’t the cleanest I wish they didn’t...have the TV on the whole time during dinner!More

Date of visit: April 2022
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Reviewed 31 January 2022 via mobile

Second time going there so it must be very good Portions are big my husband who usually finishes his plate couldn’t. Staff pleasant and very friendly Everybody should try it Definitely book very few tables

Date of visit: January 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 23 December 2021 via mobile

Delicious delicious delicious. My sister recommended it and it didn't disappoint. Great service, great food, great wine and cocktails. Very happy indeed. Also discovered they have their own app so we can order from home too. I shared a hot mezze selection with 2 others...and the special mixed grill with others. Perfect. Will definitely return, and have already ordered takeaway.More

Date of visit: December 2021
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 19 December 2021 via mobile

Family of 6 adults enjoyed a wonderful dinner, food and service hard to beat. The mixed grill did for Sunday lunch as well

Date of visit: December 2021
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 12 December 2021

Fantastic. Can’t express how fantastic they are. Food is amazing. 2nd time and will defo be going back. Thank you for everything

Date of visit: December 2021
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Reviewed 21 November 2021 via mobile

Visited a few weeks ago for a good friends birthday. Didn’t know what to expect as I had never tried Lebanese food before. My goodness! The food was stunning, full of flavour and portion sizes impressive. Lovely atmosphere and staff were so friendly. Reasonably priced...and house wine was fab! Will absolutely return. Thank you!More

Date of visit: November 2021
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Reviewed 14 November 2021

We used El Shams to cater for my dad's 70th birthday party and everything was perfect. Dealing with Paul at El Shams to ensure everything was as we wanted for the party and Paul made sure we got exactly what we wanted at a reasonable...price. On the day of the party the catering came on time, all packaged very well and easy to sort out. The food was cooked perfectly and tasted wonderful, all the guests complimented us on the quality of the food. Thanks again to El Shams for helping us have a wonderful time. I would recommend to consider El Shams to cater for your party etc.More

Date of visit: November 2021
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Reviewed 14 November 2021

What can I say, El Shams was booked for my birthday get together, the organisation and communication was fantastic. 20+ people including kids for lunch. My expectations in large groups are always lower than a meal for two but WOW the team pulled it out...the bag. The food was presented beautifully, plentiful and outstanding in taste. The kibbeh was amazzzzzing and the baba ganoush was one of the best I have tasted. The juicy chicken wings kept coming and our belly’s were filling. The mains did not let us down either the most flavoursum succulent chicken taouk with seasonings I just couldn’t put my finger on, an aubergine dish that I could’ve eaten all day long, along with rices, shawarma, a mild curry dish, falafel and prawns. The vegetarians and vegans were equally happy and all the kids found something they liked. We travelled from West London to Purley as El Shams was strongly recommended and I would do it all over again. Thank you so much to Nicky and the team for an amazing birthday lunch. I can not recommend this restaurant highly enough, if you are blessed to live near by you MUST check it out. 10/10More

Date of visit: November 2021
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Reviewed 27 October 2021

Dining at El Shams recently was a really good experience. From the moment we walked in we had a great warm welcome from Paul AKA Jamal. Food was wonderful with generous portions but the warmth of the welcome and continuing excellent service will have me...coming back and oftenMore

Date of visit: October 2021
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Reviewed 24 October 2021 via mobile

We have heard good reviews so thought we would try for ourselves. Lamb, pan fried sea baas with saffron rice and salad was delicious, followed by cheesecake and ice cream. All delicious and reasonably priced. The restaurant is small inside but cosy, looking forward to...going back to their new premises. Would definitely recommend and go backMore

Date of visit: October 2021
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Reviewed 10 October 2021

Having heard great reports of this newish restaurant, we had a birthday celebration meal here. We opted for an inclusive meal with a Hummus starter and then a plate of meat, meat, meat and more meat with saffron rice and a salad. It was cooked...to perfection and whilst we were told we could take home anything we did not eat, i am afraid that we both left nothing at all for another day. Washed down with a lovely bottle of Malbec, we really enjoyed the meal, and the owner was on hand to talk us through the various meats, how they are cooked and how this has been a dream of his for many years. His only problem now is that the restaurant is to small for the customers he has already has. We will certainly be back, either here or at new premises! Thanks for a very pleasant night.More

Date of visit: October 2021
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EL SHAMS, Purley - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about El Shams

El Shams is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 5
  • Service: 5
  • Value: 5