Giraffe

Food — Well it stands up to Giraffe Food — in that Giraffe food is nice, and as a Wheat/​Onion Garlic free person I was able to order the Burger without a bun and fries. And it came a nice medium rarer. I would say the portions weren’t generous — but then actually I was full by the end of my meal. The tea was served in a lovely pot — but not boiling water (coffee temp hot water) and the wheat free chocolate tart was immense, double a reasonable size. I had the mini mezze to share (knowing full well it was full of FODMAPS).
Service — the staff were ok… friendly — they have the 12.5% add onto your bill policy which was annoying — you never know where it’s going — so I took it off the bill and paid a cash tip to go the waiter.
Atmosphere — a little quieter than a regular giraffe — a bit less echoey — that said the coffee machine was really really loud! Oh and the seats — I couldn’t touch the floor. Apart from those small things it was a really nice narrow cosy Giraffe — my favourite I’d say.

Just visited them last night and food was great but the waitresses were amazing. So sweet and kind — my bf and I felt very welcome from the second we entered the door. They make sure to check up on you and that you have everything you need without being annoying. Only bad thing was even though they had the heat on, it was still very cold. But still the best Giraffe I’ve been to. Such lovely people!

Perfect «first night dinner in London while still jet-​lagged»! While the menu reads mostly «American», it’s very varied with a hint of Pacific Rim, Middle Eastern, and Mexican mixed into the sauces, flavors, and spices. The Chicken Kiev was outstanding, especially for those who enjoy garlic. The Classic Burger was made with ‘real beef’ — not the stuff you get in the USA at most burger joints. BBQ chicken quesadillas were devoured by my younger daughter (she didn’t share until the very last quesadilla). The grilled steak was not the big block of meat we see in the US at places like Outback, but like the burger, was obviously beef that was higher on natural breeding without chemicals. It tasted the way steaks did ‘back in the day’ — a little dry and overdone, but flavorful. Steak was a 3.5, other items, 5.
Waitstaff was friendly and caring, taking the time to chat about our trip. Also, as we walked in, the guy who met us at the door promptly told us they were having some problems with the lift in the kitchen, and therefore, the food may take a little longer than usual. And it did take about 20 minutes to get our orders, but the friendly mid-​city vibes took us in, relaxed our whole family, and we enjoyed the entire experience!
This was a block away from our hotel, and while still stateside, we had remarked that there was a restaurant named «Giraffe» right by our hotel — and Giraffe was the name of one of our favorite restaurants near our home. So of course, we headed there our first evening in London, and did not regret it one bit! Oh yeah, the Fries were amazing! Probably better than any fries we’ve had in the US for quite some time. Yep — they actually tasted like potatoes — and not the oil it was fried in.

Loved this place. As am American, this was a nice break for my family to have some good old fashioned burgers, fries, etc. Excellent place for kids, with a wide selection in the kids menu. Their «chili» dog was awesome. It’s not a traditional American chili dog, as the dog has chili peppers and an incredible home-​made relish. Great service. Definitely will be going back.

I used to go to Giraffe relatively frequently, before I left the country for a year. Since I got back, I hadn’t been back in, until now.
My wife and I were in the area and looking for a quick sit-​down dinner, and knew this venue was nearby, having visited in the past. We thought «we haven’t been there in ages, let’s give it a try» which shows that its definitely not a bad chain — I’m certainly very rarely disappointed by a visit to any Giraffe (perhaps their one at Kings Cross aside…).
I’m usually a big fan of their garlicky chicken «kiev» and mash, but on this occasion I was craving a burger. I ordered the kimchee burger, and it was very nice! Thicker than you’d expect from a restaurant with such a large menu (ie one that does not specialise in burgers alone) and a nice BBQ sauce. The star however, was the spicy mayo, which came with our (cajun chicken) starter. I made sure to keep a hold of it through the main course to ensure I had every last drop — delicious — just the right ratio of heat and creaminess.
This particular location is one of my favourites; I like the long, thin layout and the booths, which make it feel a little more private than some of the other locations, which are more open. You still hear the odd crying baby or crowd of friends, but that comes with the friendly, walk-​in style of Giraffe. The staff are always really chatty nice to talk to, though at busy times they can often walk right by you without noticing that you are finished with your meal or need to order. Forgivable though, when you are rushed off your feet at the weekend.
You’re never going to be absolutely blown away by all of the dishes, but with the cocktails and smoothie selection, choice of food, and friendly atmosphere, you could do a lot worse than Giraffe.

Hadn’t been back to this Giraffe location in a long, long time and had a really great meal. The sushi rice salad with salmon is amazing. Not sure if this is new, newish, or I didn’t take note of it before I learned to love sushi-​based things, but it was a knockout. The husband enjoyed his burger and the service was good (if a little slow, but they were to-​the-​gills busy). Glad to know this place is still a good one.

Fast service and great employees. Always checking up on you if you need anything and good is great. Conveniently across from royal gardens hotel. Starbucks close by and hair cut place next door. Clean and well kept.

There are a bunch of these restaurants in the area, but it didn’t feel like a chain at all when I was here! I have two Vegan family members, so this is a great spot for them.
I visited here with them for dinner and started with a spiced winter beer that was delicious. For dinner, I ordered the Farmer’s Market Vegetable Burrito. Spicy and amazing! Couldn’t tell there was no meat; it was so good! My friend had the BBQ Chicken Quesadilla — smokey and very good as well. If I’m ever in the area and need a quick, but cheap, but delicious meal, I’ll for sure stop here again!

I’m from California and I was visiting my friend who lives near this café. One of the best meals of my life. Everyone there is so nice and friendly. I sat outside and they even gave us blankets since it was a little windy. Next time I go to the UK I will defiantly be stopping by here.

This place has potential. It’s spotless, has a great staff who goes above and beyond (provided us with a mobile phone charger!), and has a delicious sounding the menu.
But the problem is that none of the dishes are really that tasty:
*The deconstructed sushi bowl (can’t remember the exact name of this dish) was just okay. Love the concept but the dish was very bland and the seaweed was chewy.
*My husband ordered something chicken related and wasn’t impressed with the meat quality. The dish looked great but I guess he said it was missing flavor?
I really want to love this place so maybe I’ll give it another try at some point?

Unilocal needs «Other» cuisine category for here.

After seeing Kensington Palace and the Gardens we were ready to eat.
Considering the pound exchange rate, one good meal would be enough in cost and share the platter. With that in mind we spotted Giraffe which looked so vibrant and fun and very family friendly.
The Full Brunch looked like a good deal. It came with free range fried, poached or scrambled eggs, smoky bacon, Heinz baked beans, sausage, crispy potato wedges & toasted artisan sourdough —-Sound like a lot of food? You bet and just a great deal to share for two… all of this for 8.25 pounds. I say we lucked out and enjoyed their peppermint tea and cocktails to boot ;-)

This place rocks for kids. It is one of the most kid friendly places I have seen, in the US or Europe. And the food is pretty consistent for American fare. For the kids, the menu is pretty good, and not too expensive. The pizza sticks and hamburgers were a hit. They have crayons and drawing paper, little plastic giraffes and balloons to give the kids.
There is even a street level changing room, which is very convenient. The other bathrooms are downstairs. We come back to this restaurant every time we go to the Princess Diana Children’s Garden (playground) in Kensington Park (see review).
If you’re travellng with little ones and are in the neighborhood, check this place out.

EXTRA STARS FOR BAR BUDDIES COCKTAILS. :)
Decided to give it another whirl for my birthday dinner and dinner is good, MAINLY for the half price happy hour cocktails and no one looks at you funny for ordering alcohol (whereas they do when it’s lunchtime…)
Anyways, I tried the apple and elderflower martini, a bit too sweet and strong for my liking, but i really enjoyed the cucumber breeze, it was like a minty breeze in the mouth. I think that may be my favourite cocktail. (i think I’m starting to like gin… which I blame being a londoner for… I totally understand why victorian london loved gin so much, Charles Dickens was missing out when he condemned the gin drinking public) We also ordered a plethora of daiquiris, brambles and mojitos and also some virgins to try. (It was half price selected drinks, we got a bit too happy!)
Also I hate those tiny tiny little straws you get with martinis :/​I like normal sized straws. That’s sounding weird now.
To soak up the alcohol, I decided to go for the baby back, baby back, baby back (half portion ribs) Ribs were good, slaw too creamy and chips were chips. Again nothing to shout home about. Also shared a plate of nachos, which weren’t that great, jalapenos weren’t hot enough. :/​
£18 per person each, inc cocktails and service charge. Not bad.

Stopped on my way back to the hotel and ordered the first thing to look appetizing. Rodeo burger with onion rings bacon and BBQ sauce and house salsa which made the burger taste like a sloppy joe. I ordered a side of sweet potato fries and water (still). Reasonable prices and delicious portions.

Spend more than a day in London and you’ll quickly realize that a large portion of the affordable dining scene has been taken over by trendy chains of American burger restaurants (think Red Robin in the US if that helps). Giraffe is one of those chains.
While not bad by any means, Giraffe doesn’t really offer anything that can’t be found just a tad bit better at other chains. The atmosphere is trendy and the service attentive while keeping a laid back vibe, but bills higher than 10 pounds really should bring you more than an average sized burger that relies heavily on the table-​top sauces.
While Giraffe does offer some unique options and a good vibe, London’s best burger is only a few tube stops away (Byron at South Kensington), and common chains like Ultimate Burger offer far great portion sizes for much less money.

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!

This is a chain restaurant in London but doesn’t feel like one, they don’t rush your meal or rush you out of the restaurant. The atmosphere is busy and can be loud but it has a good vibe. and is great for groups and families.
The menu selection is extensive has many many different options from differing cuisines so can accommodate a group of people who all like different food.
The average price for a main is £6−10
The drink cocktail selection is good

I’m a bit torn with what to rate this place. On one hand the prices are very good, the food is ok and the service is better than average BUT at the same time it is a wee bit too ‘American’ for me. That being said they have the one of the best falafel burgers in town and if you are in the mood for a yank burger they aren’t too bad either.
The place could be a bit cleaner considering this one is in Kensington. It tends to be crowded on the weekends and the service is pretty fast.
I’ve ate here maybe 5 times and each time it «hits the spot» food wise.
I’d say its not a good «London» restaurant but its value for money, easy to do and consistent.

It was late evening and I was in the mood for something fairly quick and since I had walked past this restaurant several times, I decided to check it out.
I ordered the Herby Chicken Schnitzel BLT Burger. It was good, the chicken moist and flavorful. The service was great, they came around and replenished my beer when needed. They also brought me the paper to read.
For a casual meal, the Giraffe was okay.

Das Giraffe Restaurant bietet internationale moderne Küche im besten Sinne an. Von Thai Curry bis zu amerikanischen Burgern — alles ganz vorzüglich. Die Bedienung ist sehr nett und zuvorkommend, obwohl das Restaurant bislang immer voll war, wenn ich dort war.
Die Preise sind kensingtontypisch gehoben, aber noch okay. Unbedingt noch Platz für einen Cocktail oder Smoothie lassen. Ich kann den Müslismoothie sehr empfehlen! Manchmal gibt es auch Käsekuchen zum Nachtisch. Habe ich aber noch nicht getestet.
Das Restaurant ist barrierefrei. Es gibt aber keine Behindertentoilette. Aber gegenüber ist ein großes Hotel. Die dürften eine haben.