Masgouf is an Iraqi restaurant at 5–6 William Street in Knightsbridge and the flagship of a business established in London in 1997. Its name comes from the Iraqi tradition of splitting whole fish and slowly roasting it upright beside an open fire.
The signature sea bass follows that fire cooking method, using a restrained seasoning of oil, salt, lemon and tamarind or tomato so the smoke and fish remain clear. Lamb kouzi provides another centrepiece, cooked slowly with spices until the meat is tender enough to pull apart.
Soups, cold mezze and hot starters allow a table to build towards the grills and Iraqi main dishes. Hummus, moutabal, kubba, cheese or meat bourag and crisp potatoes provide contrasts of creaminess, spice and texture before fish, kebabs or slow cooked lamb.
Iraqi tea and traditional sweets complete a meal shaped around sharing and generous hospitality. Masgouf is particularly rewarding for groups because its namesake fish and larger dishes create a natural focal point while the mezze fills the table around them.
Address: 5–6 William Street, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 9HL, England
Masgouf Menu
Soup
LENTIL SOUP (شوربة عدس)
CHICKEN SOUP (شوربة دجاج)
VEGETABLE SOUP (شوربة خضار)
Cold Starters
MIXED COLD STARTERS (مقبلات باردة مشكلة)
HOUMMOS (حمص)
Crushed chick peas, sesame sauce and lemon juice
MOUTABAL (متبل)
Grilled aubergine, seasoned with sesame sauce and lemon juice
TATZIKI (جاجيك)
Yoghurt with chopped cucumbers, mint and garlic
TABOULEH (تبولة)
Parsley, tomatoes, lemon juice and olive oil
VINE LEAVES (ورق عنب)
Vine leaves stuffed with rice, parsley, tomatoes, onion and spices
FETA CHEESE (جبنة فيتا)
GREEN SALAD WITH CHEESE (سلطة بالجبنة)
Salad with feta cheese, olives and fresh mint
MIXED SALAD (سلطة عربية)
A selection of salad leaves, tomatoes and cucumber
TOMATO & ONION SALAD (سلطة طماطم و بصل)
Chopped tomato and onion with lemon juice and olive oil
FATOUSH (فتوش)
Arabic salad mixed with fried Lebanese bread and pommogranate
WATERCRESS SALAD (سلطة جرجير)
BEETROOT SALAD (سلطة شمندر)
Pickles
Olives
Hot Starters
MIXED HOT STARTER (مقبلات حارة مشكلة)
KUBBA MOUSIL (كبة موصل)
Crushed wheat stuffed with meat, served fried or boiled
KUBBA HALAB (كبة حلب)
Mashed rice stuffed with mince lamb, herbs and onion fried rice
PATATA CHAP (بطاطا جاب)
Mashed potato stuffed with minced lamb and herbs
BOURAG CHEESE (بورك جبنة)
Filo pastry filled with fried cheese
BOURAG MEAT (بورك لحم)
Filo pastry filled with minced lamb and fried herbs
FOUL MODAMAS (فول مدمس)
Hava beans boiled with lemon juice, garlic and olive oil
CHICKEN WINGS (جوانح دجاج)
Marinated in garlic and lemon. Grilled over charcoal
FALAFEL (فلافل)
Balls of chick peas, broad beans, herbs, fried served with sesame oil (tahini)
FATYER SPINACH (فطاير سبانخ)
Pastry stuffed with spinach, pine nuts and herbs
ARAYES (عرايس لحم)
A Middle Eastern dish of spiced ground meat stuffed in pita bread, then grilled to crispy perfection.
HALLOUMI CHEESE (جبنة حلومي)
HOUMMOS WITH MEAT (حمص باللحم)
HOUMMOS WITH CHICKEN (حمص بالدجاج)
SPRING ROLL (بورك خضار)
CALAMARI RINGS (كاليماري مقلي)
PATATA HARRA (بطاطا حرة)
Cubes of potato, mixed pepper, chilli, garlic & coriander
Grills
MIXED GRILL SPECIAL (مشويات مشكلة)
A sharing plate for 3 People. Iraqi kebab, chicken cubes, lamb cubes, lamb chops, and chicken wings
MIXED GRILL (مشويات مشكلة)
A delightful mix of assorted meat and chicken, perfect for grill lovers.
IRAQI KEBAB (كباب عراقي)
Minced lamb, chopped parsley, onion & tomato
CHICKEN KEBAB (كباب دجاج)
TIKKA KEBAB (تيكا لحم)
Grilled pieces of tender lamb fillet served with onion and grilled tomatoes
TIKKA CHICKEN (شيش طاووق)
Chunks of chicken breast marinated in yoghurt and garlic
GRILLED CHICKEN (فروج مشوي)
Grilled baby chicken served with herb tomato onion and garlic
MAKHSOOS (مخصوص)
Skewer of minced lamb wih another skewer of your choice (Chopped fillet of lamb or chicken cubes)
LAMB CHOPS (ريش لحم)
Marinated Lamb chops, grilled over charcoal
Iraqi Dishes
Maklouba (مقلوبة)
LAMB SHOULDER (كتف لحم مع الرز)
Served with rice (for 3 people)
Dolma (دولمة عراقية)
KOUZI (قوزي)
Knuckles of lamb served on a bed of rice mixed with saffron raisins & pine nuts
BIRYANI (برياني)
KABSA (كبسة)
Served with rice
STEW WITH RICE
Fish & Seafood
MIXED SEAFOOD PLATTER (مأكولات بحرية مشكلة)
A sharing plate for 3 People. Sea Bass, salmon steak, Silver pomfret, calamari, and king’s prawns.
SEA BASS MASGOUF (سمك مسكوف)
Traditional Iraqi-style grilled sea bass, offering a unique and authentic flavour experience.
Sea Bass (سمك مسكوف كبير) 2Kg
(Sharing plate for 2 or 3 people) Iraqi-style grilled sea bass, offering a unique and authentic flavour experience.
FRIED FISH WITH RICE (مطبق سمك)
Crispy fried seabass paired with fluffy rice for a delightful main course experience.
SEA BASS FILLET (سي باس فيليه)
Delicate sea bass fillet, expertly prepared for a fresh and flavorful main course experience.
SILVER POMFRET (سمك زبيدي مقلي)
Crispy fried silver pomfret, a delicacy with a light, flaky texture and mild flavour.
SALMON STEAK (سلمون ستيك)
Tender salmon steak, skillfully prepared to enhance its natural flavours.
KING PRAWNS GRILLED (روبيان مشوي)
With lemon and coriander
KING PRAWNS FRIED (روبيان مقلي)
With lemon and coriander
Stew Fish (مرق سمك)
Tilapia fish fillet stew, comes with a side of rice
Stew Prawns (مرق روبيان)
Succulent prawns in a rich, flavorful stew.
Wraps
chicken cubes wrap
Tender and juicy chicken fillet wrapped in warm flatbread.
Lamb cubes wrap
Tender and juicy lamb fillet wrapped in warm flatbread.
Iraqi Kebab wrap
Tender minced lamb wrapped in soft bread
Chicken Kebab Wrap
Tender minced chicken in a flavourful wrap.
Side Dishes
WHITE RICE (رز ابيض)
Steaming hot white rice served alongside your favourite dishes.
Bagella Rice (رز باجلا)
Flavourful rice with broad beans and dill
KABSA RICE (رز كبسة)
Flavourful Middle Eastern-style rice dish.
FRENCH FRIES / CHIPS (شيبس)
SWEET POTATO FRIES (بطاطا حلوة مقلية)
IRAQI BREAD (خبز تنور عراقي)
Traditional Iraqi bread, freshly baked to perfection.
Desserts
BAKLAWA
Layered pastry filled with nuts.
MOHALABIEH
Traditional Middle Eastern pudding dessert.
Drinks
YOGHURT DRINK
Traditional Middle Eastern yoghurt drink.