Type “restaurant Watford” into a search engine and you get a long list. This article is here to help you decide whether ours is the one for tonight: what kind of place Tarboush is, what the food is like, what it costs and how to get a table.
Who we are
Tarboush is a Lebanese and Mediterranean restaurant at 57 Market Street, Watford WD18 0PR, in the heart of Watford. We have been here since 2010. The idea was simple: create a place where people could escape, relax, meet friends and enjoy incredible food in a welcoming atmosphere. The name comes from the traditional fez hats - tarboush - worn in the cafes of the Middle East, where friends gather to share mezza and sip coffee.
The food
Lebanese food is one of the great sharing cuisines. A meal usually starts with mezza - small plates for the whole table:
- Cold mezza such as Hummus, Moutabal and Tabouleh Salad.
- Hot mezza such as Falafel, Grilled Halloumi Cheese and Batata Harra.
- From the bakery, sambousek pastries and Kibbeh.
Main courses come from the charcoal grill and the rotisserie: Lamb Shish, Chicken Tawouk, Lamb Kofta, shawarma, and a Mixed Grill for those who want a bit of each. There are slow-cooked Moroccan-style tagines - lamb, chicken or vegetarian - Lamb Chops and a Grilled Butterfly Seabass.
If the names are new to you, our guide to mezza explains every dish and how much to order.
What it costs
Mezza is priced to be ordered several plates at a time, and the main courses include rice or salad. Every dish is listed with its current price on our menu page, so there are no surprises when the bill comes. For groups of six or more there is a set menu at a fixed price per head.
Bring your own bottle
One thing that sets us apart from most restaurants in Watford: for alcohol we are bring-your-own, with a corkage charge per person drinking alcohol. Bring the wine you actually like; we provide the glasses. What we make ourselves are fresh juices, milk shakes, tea by the pot and Arabic coffee.
Four rooms
The restaurant is made up of four dining areas, each with its own vibe: the lively all weather Garden Room; the relaxed Lantern Room beside the open kitchen; the Moroccan Dining Room upstairs, which suits groups; and the Tent Room, like a Bedouin tent, normally recommended for private parties. You can see each of them in 360° on the home page.
Is it right for…?
- A quiet lunch on your own? Yes - solo diners and couples get the same warm welcome as parties.
- Vegans and vegetarians? Yes: 20 dishes are marked vegan. See what to order.
- Halal and allergies? Our menu caters to everyone - vegans, vegetarians, halal and guests with allergies. Allergens are marked on every dish; tell your server what you need.
- A birthday or a work night out? Very much so - read about group dinners and parties.
- A meal after the Harry Potter studios? Many visitors do exactly that - here is how.
Finding us
We are on Market Street in the town centre. Watford High Street station (London Overground) is about 600 yards away and Watford Junction about three quarters of a mile. There is a map and directions on the contacts page.
Opening hours and booking
We are open Sunday - Thursday 12pm (noon) to 11pm, Friday - Saturday 12pm (noon) to 12am (midnight). You can book online for up to 12 people; for a larger group or a full room call 01923 248898. Deposits are required for bookings of 4 or more after 5pm, Wednesday to Saturday.
And if you cannot come to us, we can come to you: we do catering for offices and private events across the area.
