David’s Deli

One minute I’m asking a Londonite actor/​comedian friend of mine about the best shisha café in the city, the next we’re in West Hampstead waiting for Stephen Merchant (from the office) to pop in for some shisha. Alas the latter didn’t happen but an incredible evening was had none the less.
I feel calling this place a shisha café does it some disservice, it also acts as a Deli serving everything from Mezze salads, pies, bagels to cupcakes. I didn’t wasnt to spoil my appetite for Shezan later so opted for shisha and mint tea.
The place may not look like much from the outside but all the fuss about the Shisha was justified. Not too overbearing yet rich enough it really hit the spot acting as a perfect conversational horderve.
Yes it was Saturday night but the place was buzzing with locals. In fact it felt a bit like an episode of Made in Chelsea. (Sponsored mainly by the group of 4 future socialites on the table next to us) It mattered little as we bantered well into the night, discussing all things film, comedy and London. It was great to know he’s touring Manchester in the summer so I’ll be posting an event then (Keep your eyes peeled) My sentiments on London are ever evolving. There are so many cool places like this to meet people from all over the world and it is indeed one of the World’s central hubs of acitivity. At the same time there’s something inorganic and alien about it too. For now I’m happy as a visitor and my heart lies in Manchester. But who knows in the near future I could see myself living here. Establishments like this make this a distinct possibility.

Strange little corner…
As a non-​smoker I do not like being forces to smoke… Here is not option but to smoke, even if you just walk past the shop. The venue looks shabby and dirty. I agree with the other reviews that the service is good, but not sure…

We enjoyed a really good breakfast over here, and the service is wonderful! You feel like someone is hosting you in his own house.

So after reading all these great reviews, I stopped by David’s for coffee and breakfast on a Friday morning. There were a few guests sitting in the very nice outdoor seating area and I was looking forward to trying a Mediterranean breakfast and downing some coffee.
Sat down outside. The waiter/​owner/​cook/​dude saw me, took care of some other customers, and disappeared. I waited. He came back out, took care of other guests, disappeared again. I continued to wait. Saw him look over at me from the counter. After 20 minutes of being ignored, I’d had enough. Maybe he was swamped by the four other tables? Or some other pressing matter. Regardless, there are other places on the high street in which I’ve had quick, friendly service. See yaaaaaa…

A cute Middle Eastern café at the north end of west hampstead village on the corner of Mill Lane, and looking out over the little green.
The service here is fantastic. The owner beckoned me in off the street with an effusive welcome — something you don’t get a lot these days, especially in haughty London.
The Lamb Shwarma here is deliciously tender and spiced, served with salad, rice and yoghurt. Coupled with a carrot juice, it is making my New Year’s health drive a breeze.

LOVE this place.
The atmosphere in here is great.
The staff are extremely welcoming. I often come here with my cousins and they absolutely adore the place!
Cannot believe how friendly the staff are compared to other place in the neighbourhood!

Definitely the best deli in West Hampstead! Good food, fair prices and very friendly staff!

I am really torn over this place. I’ve had some great experiences here, but also a couple of nightmares. It seems to be an absolute hit or absolute miss.
The first time i went in i was new to the area. The guys were really friendly. One of the owners (Isias I believe) was very warm adn helpful. He gave me some good suggestions. My 1^st couple of times I just stopped for a coffee (an espresso) which is really good.
I’ve ate here several times and the food is excellent. Their cuisine is mostly middle eastern, but also has a Biritish touch. I’ve had an excellent middle Eastern breakfast and a beautiful chicken kiev. the service has been warm and friendly these times.
A couple of times I’ve visited the service has been terrible. Isias (?) seems to hold things together and the 2 times he has not been ther it has fallen apart. My friend refused to go back to the restaurant as the service was so awful. On top of this thye can’t make a decent capuccino for all the tea in China.
The place is really nice. Thye have lovelty out door seating and inside it is nice also. I’d recommend going, but don’t order a milky coffee. if you get them on a good day you’ll love, but I hope Isias is ther if you do decide to go.

First off, this place gets 10 stars for being run by THE most helpful, welcoming and friendly people! Oh my giddy arm, I cannot believe that a place in London exists where they would let me order food, eat it and then let me leave without paying (due to not having enough cash on me), trusting me to come back later after I had run my errands and gotten to a cash point!!!
Even when I offered up the change that I did have, they said I could just hang on to it and then pay the bill in full later if I wanted to!
Set right on the corner of West End Lane and Mill Lane, David’s is a family run business in the perfect location, with lots of seating, both inside and outdoors, with an awning to cover it, and plants surrounding the front area, separating you from the street a little. This would be the perfect place to come for breakfast/​brunch on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
The menu is extensive, with lots of meze options, as well as sandwiches, bagels, salads, pies cakes and cupcakes (the woman next to me ordered a small meze selection with pitta — I can’t imagine how big the large option would have been!). I opted for a salt beef bagel (which came with a pickle and coleslaw), which if I am completely honest, didn’t really do it for me, BUT I should have known this from the start, as this place just didn’t look Jewish enough to satisfy my salt beef bagel standards…
My cappuccino was good — nice and frothy. I was also pleased that they have the option of skinny or regular.
It’s nice that they have a big pile of newspapers and magazines to browse too — handy if you are on your own and don’t have any reading material with you.
In all honesty, I probably would award this place 3 stars for my bagel (and the fact that at £4.50 I think it was too expensive), but for overall service, atmosphere and enjoyability of experience it gets full marks.
David’s is Deli (ghtful) and I will be back!

Excellent place, friendly people and the food is really nice too… I cant give it 5stars coz they don’t have a pot of tea on the menu… i think it would be a great addition and i expect to go to such a place and have this option…
great décor — they even gave us blankets coz we were sitting outside :-)

A West Hampstead favourite. Great friendly service.

Really the best deli in a neighborhood saturated with alternatives. What sets it apart is the atmosphere: an endearing welcome and plenty of smiling return customers. Where else for lunch?

Definitely the best Deli in London! I would say that though as i work just a few doors away ! First class food, at unbeatable prices. First class service for speed and friendliness. If there was a national Deli award David’s would win it every time ! a must if you in the area.

Must be one of the best delis in London. Excellent service, great food and cheap too. Perfect on a saturday morning! I love the meze and the meatballs. Friendly environment and you only have to wait a few minutes for the food to arrive!

Great fresh food served with a smile at good prices. You can eat in or take away. The theme is mediterranean but they do a good cup cake and chicken kiev as well! Excellent for light breakfast.