Giraffe Restaurant, Kensington, London

The last time I was in London an old scribing associate wanted to pump me more about the old/new Scarlet Pimpernel act they've been trying to introduce here in Paris ever since Moses got lost in the rushes without his GPS system - I assure you, that's no Bull. No, nothing to do with reintroducing Monsieur La Guillotine, more about stopping British art mercenaries from rescuing 'Blighty Fine Art' that ended up in the Louvre (Another story - for yet another time)

Being more British than I can ever claim to be, but wearing a size 22 as opposed to my size 6, I hesitated when Penelope Pit-stop (name obscured to protect the gastronomically guilty - after all, she had stopped more times for lunch than King Arthur had taken out his sword) wanted to meet at the Giraffe Restaurant in Kensington. Having been to the 'Crazy Elephant' in Singapore, a rather exciting Blues bar type eatery, I reassured myself that while my friend Penelope may look like a large 'Jungle Creature,' it didn't mean I was headed into 'Fast Food territory.' I'm aware a name means squat in this world and Giraffes are tall elegant creatures after all. Having said that, I once ended up in an Australian Restaurant called Tukka which indeed cooked Bush Tucker where Kangaroo, Wallaby, Emu and even Crocodile were served. So, names can mean something... sometimes.

"Can one eat Giraffes?" I asked myself as the taxi sped into Kensington, "because that would really get up my Goat!".

Upon entry to this colourful establishment I seized a menu for a quick 'gander.' To the untrained eye it seems to only serve upmarket 'Subway' faire. But the décor belied this. Even though it had a very American Theme-Park-ish, almost Universal Studio Back-lot feel. The menu is really quite diverse and different - I was impressed! Highly Priced Gourmet-Burgers with unusual ingredients like lamb, delightful spices and healthy vegetables and along with the design element to the place, the burgers are Themed as well. Greek styled lamb with Feta Cheese and Middle Eastern Falafel with the Turbaned Works and not forgetting their All American Rodeo Chicken and Classic Beef for that hearty appetite for when you're out in London herding the children around town for the day. So, while it could be seen as merely a Burger-Heaven for those who are enthralled with 'American Fast Foods' but with an awareness to health and doing away with the excessive grease, there are also meals for vegetarians and people who suffer from food allergies with encouragingly healthy salads.

So these chain owners. Yes, it is a chain - are doing something right in my book. They are not out to fatten up the peon-fodder of the nation, but to actually supply non-porky-fying sustenance. Needless to say, I was impressed by the concept, even though my size and disciplined appetite kept me to the delightful salad dishes. And, that was even after walking in saying that "I could eat a horse...um, Giraffe" but of course I didn't, it's still there.

After the meal, I noted my lunch-companion was still only a size 22, which given her appetite, was a definite endorsement to the joint!

After watching Delia Smith's Waitrose advert for pancakes, and colleagues mentioning how they enjoyed cooking pancakes for pancake day, I had a massive craving for them. My boss mentioned that the best place locally to get some is Giraffe restaurant. Luckily, this one on Kensington High Street is a couple of minutes from Kensington Gardens. So, after a long walk in the park, decided to go and get some food here. At first, I resigned myself to not being able to order the pancakes as it's on their breakfast menu only (and I arrived at lunchtime). I tried my luck, and the waiter said he'll ask whether they can make me some specially. Luckily, they did and I had a plate with a tower of pancakes piled on top of each other with bananas between the layers and blueberries on top. One word - DELICIOUS :-) It does get a bit crowded inside as a lot of families with kids go here, but it didn't bother me. I was particularly impressed with the male waiters, very friendly and one even came to say goodbye as he finished his shift. I'm already planning my next pancake fix :-)

Very good food i had the BBQ Baby Ribs and the wife had a Falafel burger, one of the best restaurent i know they are chain but they hv the quality & the standred are very high i love it clean ,LOVE,EAT,LIVE ..................... will be back again

I’m a bit of a regular here. Well not really, but I’ve gone four or five times and don’t regret it. I think it has a good vibe, the food is (mostly) good and the portions are large to me. I love the Giddy Giraffe smoothie and the fact that any wine can be had by the glass. The selection isn’t too bad either.

The staff are helpful and generally efficient. And the music is fine if not exactly exceptional.

That said, I do think some items on the menu such as Chicken Kiev are very average. And the fish finger burger, though delicious, does seem a bit fast foody for a restaurant. Specials aren’t always available.

As some other reviewers mentioned, you can register on the Giraffe website and get vouchers redeemable at a branch of your choice (usually two-for-one if you order dessert or some such). I have done so, because I think I’ll keep coming.

Giraffe is an enjoyable restaurant. The food tasted good but some of the things did seem to be overpriced although I’m sure they did taste good. The deals (which I missed out on) do seem to be much better value for money, so I would recommend looking at that before you go if possible. The restaurant has a good vibe, thanks to the friendly and helpful staff who dont hover round the table but came over enough times to check our table was doing ok. A nearby table was celebrating a birthday when I went (maybe I saw cccecilia28!!) and they got the whole restaurant to sing happy birthday and had sparklers flying out of the cake. It was really great. So overall it is a fun restaurent with good food so check it out!

Recently went there with a large group of friends and had a really good time. The staff were very helpful with our strange requests and complicated orders although they did get a bit confused. The restaurant is a lively place to be with orange decor and it boasts food from around the world. The food was really good, great for kids but a little over priced. All together a good even though.

Just went there for an 18th birthday, friendly and helpfull staff, but really overpriced for what the food is. Such as pitta bread and humous is about 6 pounds. It boasts it has food from around the world, but its not really much different too any other restaurant.

I like the chain as much as one can. It offers tasty and often healthy food. Almost always 2-3 good veggie options though the meat dishes are very good too. Smoothies or mocktails have always been nice. Definitely wide ranging cuisines on offer.
Inexpensive so not a bad choice mid week

I went to this Giraffe restaurant last month and this was my first visit to the Giraffe chain.

For a fastfood tyoe of restaurant, we were very impressed. The menu has a healthy twist to it which makes a change…and the staff were very friendly.
We took the 6 - 7pm early dinner offer and what a great deal - I think we paid under £ 10 each for a 2 course meal with a large glass of wine - great value in Kensington. Will go again!

After reading other reviews of this restaurant, mine are very different. To me, this restaurant is very average, and for the same price, you can get much more tasty food elsewhere in London.

I like some aspects, like its modern angle, and the variety of Cocktails, which lend towards making it a good restaurant for a party. However, back to the food, the portions are fairly small, the food wasn’t that hot when we were there, and it just wasn’t that amazing. I think this maybe because their range of dishes is too diverse that the quality is reduced, although its a nice idea to have a really international menu. But by doing so, I felt, the chilli beef lasagne, and the thai curry, as examples, compared more to frozen ready meals, than good, tasty, fresh restaurant food.

Personally, I would rather go to a restaurant which does one type of food really good, than eat here. It just didn’t seem good value for money to me at the end of the day.

I was in this restaurant late summer this year with my 2 children. It was very child orientated and my kids thoroughly enjoyed their visit there. The meals were reasonable priced for London and because we were there at early evening we took advantage of their early evening menu. The choice was very good and the kids menu was healthy as well, which makes a a change from chicken nuggets!! The staff were very friendly and nothing was a bother for them, they interacted with the kids very well. If the kids got bored they had a selection of books that the kids could read, which I thought was a nice touch. Would definately go back here when I am back in London. You can also join their website and there is offers online too.

Everyone has already pointed out the main features of this chain resataurant -

world food
very welcoming for kids
organic style things
cocktails in the evenings
good vegetarian options
burgers
curries
juices

I do like the quality of the food and drink but I do think it's a bit pricey to charge over eight quid for a burger (and more for extras) and there are cheaper alternatives out there for a similar quality.

I used to come here for a delicious healthy-ish meal before grabbing cocktails at the bar next door when it was a salsa club. It's changed now so I haven't been recently. A good location for a post-shopping on Kensington High Street drink, with a bit of life in it.

This fun venue has several outlets throughout the city (and the UK?). I attended a work function here and although the food was ok I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here. Still, it has a bright and lively atmosphere.

I went for an early dinner at this branch of Giraffe, in the less interesting part of High Street Kensington; not great location, but decent menu (burgers, asian dishes). Food is good value. Very good place if you have children, they are made more welcome than adults!
Service was a bit patchy, but overall ok.

great place for taking the kids. lots of high chairs, balloons, crayons, bright colours. still clear DINKYs!! excellent menu, trading on a "world-food" vibe, so you get everything from burgers to thai curries to mexican wraps. despite my prior comments, it does actually grow up after 8pm, and there's a fab range of cocktails, beers & wines. An early evening happy hour does entice in the single crowd, but beware those screaming kids!