Alounak Restaurant is a long established Persian restaurant at 44 Westbourne Grove in Bayswater. Serving the neighbourhood since 1995, it offers an informal and welcoming setting for Iranian cooking prepared on the premises with fresh halal ingredients.
The starters introduce classic Persian flavours through dishes such as mirza ghassemi, hummus, salad olivieh and halim bademjan. Aubergine, garlic, tomato, herbs, walnuts and kashk appear in rich combinations, while warm bread and mixed plates encourage diners to share several tastes before the main course.
Kebabs are cooked to order, with chicken, lamb and minced meat choices served alongside fragrant rice, grilled tomato and traditional accompaniments. Chelo khoresh bademjan, mixed kebabs and chelo kabab barg show the range between slow cooked stews, individual grills and generous meals designed for several people.
The relaxed dining room welcomes both leisurely meals and convenient collection orders, with service continuing from midday until late throughout the week. Alounak does not serve alcohol, but guests may bring their own wine, making it a distinctive choice for family dinners and informal gatherings in Bayswater.
Address: 44 Westbourne Grove, Bayswater, London W2 5SH, United Kingdom
Alounak Menu
Starters
Kashke Bademjan
Fried aubergine mixed with whey and mint oil, topped with fried onions and walnuts.
Mirza Ghassemi
Smoked aubergine mixed with egg, garlic and tomato, topped with fried onions.
Salad Oliveh
Traditional Persian chicken and potato salad with pickled cucumbers, peas and mayonnaise.
Mixed Starter
A selection of three starters: kashke bademjan, mirza ghassemi and salad oliveh, served with taftoon bread.
Mast-o-Khiar
Yoghurt mixed with cucumber and mint.
Mast-o-Musir
Yoghurt mixed with Persian shallots.
Hummus
Chickpea purée with tahini, garlic and lemon juice, topped with olive oil.
Tabbouleh
Parsley, tomato, onion and bulgur wheat salad with lemon and olive oil dressing.
Dolmeh
Vine leaves stuffed with rice, herbs and minced meat, served cold.
Salad Shirazi
Traditional Persian salad of diced cucumber, tomato and onion with a lemon and olive oil dressing.
Bread
Taftoon Bread
Traditional Persian flatbread baked in a clay oven.
Taftoon Bread with Sesame
Traditional Persian flatbread baked in a clay oven, topped with sesame seeds.
Charcoal Grills – With Rice
Chelo Kebab Koobideh
Two skewers of minced lamb kebab served with saffron rice and grilled tomato.
Chicken Boneless
Marinated boneless chicken breast kebab served with saffron rice and grilled tomato.
Chicken Special
Marinated chicken breast and minced lamb koobideh kebab served with saffron rice and grilled tomato.
Chelo Kebab Barg
Tender lamb fillet kebab served with saffron rice and grilled tomato.
Chelo Kebab Chenjeh
Marinated lamb pieces grilled on skewers, served with saffron rice and grilled tomato.
Chelo Kebab Soltani
Combination of one skewer of lamb fillet (barg) and one skewer of minced lamb (koobideh), served with saffron rice and grilled tomato.
Mixed Grill
Selection of kebabs: lamb fillet, lamb pieces, minced lamb and chicken, served with saffron rice and grilled tomato.
Chelo Kebab Koobideh (Single)
One skewer of minced lamb kebab served with saffron rice and grilled tomato.
Chelo Kebab Bandeh
Lamb chops marinated and grilled, served with saffron rice and grilled tomato.
Charcoal Grills – With Bread
Kebab Koobideh with Bread
Two skewers of minced lamb kebab served with taftoon bread and grilled tomato.
Chicken Boneless with Bread
Marinated boneless chicken breast kebab served with taftoon bread and grilled tomato.
Chicken Special with Bread
Marinated chicken breast and minced lamb koobideh kebab served with taftoon bread and grilled tomato.
House Specialities
Lamb Shank
Slow-cooked lamb shank served with dill and broad bean rice.
Gheimeh Bademjan
Lamb and split pea stew with aubergine in a tomato sauce, served with saffron rice.
Ghormeh Sabzi
Traditional Persian herb stew with lamb, kidney beans and dried lime, served with saffron rice.
Zereshk Polo ba Morgh
Saffron rice with barberries served with a piece of chicken in tomato sauce.
Vegetarian Dishes
Vegetarian Curry
Mixed vegetable curry served with saffron rice.
Baghali Polo
Dill and broad bean rice served with salad.
Rice Dishes
Plain Rice
Steamed basmati rice.
Sabzi Polo
Herb rice with dill, parsley, coriander and chives.
Baghali Polo
Dill and broad bean rice.
Zereshk Polo
Rice with barberries and saffron.
Side Dishes
Grilled Tomato
Charcoal grilled tomato.
Grilled Onion
Charcoal grilled onion.
Chips
Portion of chips.
Yoghurt
Plain yoghurt.
Desserts
Baklava
Traditional pastry with layers of filo, nuts and syrup.
Persian Ice Cream
Saffron and rosewater ice cream with pistachios.
Soft Drinks
Doogh
Traditional Persian yoghurt drink with mint.
Still Water
Bottled still water.
Sparkling Water
Bottled sparkling water.
Coca-Cola
330ml can.
Diet Coke
330ml can.
Orange Juice
Glass of orange juice.