Normah’s London: The Hidden Malaysian Restaurant in Queensway Everyone Is Trying to Book

There are some restaurants in London that quietly build a reputation through word of mouth alone, and Normah’s is definitely one of them. Hidden away inside Queensway Market, this small Malaysian spot has been on my saved list for ages, and I’ve finally managed to get a booking.

Bookings only open once a month, and the whole system feels quite old school compared to most restaurants now. It took me a while to actually secure a table, but after visiting, I can say it was genuinely worth the wait.

The entrance looks slightly questionable at first, tucked away inside the market between Queensway and Bayswater Station, but somehow that just makes it feel even more authentic. You walk in wondering if you’re in the right place and then suddenly you’re hit with the smell of proper Malaysian cooking coming from the kitchen.

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I went with two friends and since we had no idea when we’d manage to get another booking again, we fully committed and ordered way more food than we probably needed. No regrets though because every dish gave us a proper taste of what Normah’s is all about.

If you’ve been craving authentic Malaysian food in London, this is honestly a spot you need to have on your list.

About Normah’s

Normah’s is located inside Queensway Market in West London, tucked between Queensway Station and Bayswater Station right in the middle of one of London’s busiest areas. Despite being in such a central location, it still somehow feels like a hidden gem that only people “in the know” have heard about.

The restaurant itself is quite small with around 10 tables, which definitely adds to the difficulty of getting a booking. Once inside though, the cosy setup actually makes the experience feel more personal and intimate rather than cramped.

One thing to note before visiting is that Normah’s is cash only, so definitely make sure you come prepared. It’s also fully halal, which makes it a great option for halal Malaysian food in London.

There’s something refreshing about the fact that Normah’s hasn’t tried to overly modernise itself. From the booking process to the market setting, it feels focused purely on the food rather than trying to create a trendy social media restaurant.

What is Normah’s known for?

Normah’s is mainly known for serving authentic Malaysian food that genuinely tastes homemade. A lot of Malaysian restaurants in London can sometimes feel toned down or adapted too heavily, but Normah’s feels much closer to what you’d expect from proper comfort food.

They’re especially known for their nasi lemak dishes, fluffy roti, curry laksa and fried chicken. After trying quite a few dishes myself, I completely understood why these dishes are constantly recommended online.

One thing I will say is that several of the dishes do lean on the sweeter side flavour-wise. Personally, I didn’t mind it because everything still felt balanced, but it’s something worth mentioning if you usually prefer stronger spice or savoury-heavy flavours.

I became obsessed with the fried chicken. It was crispy, juicy and properly seasoned without feeling overly greasy. It ended up being so good that we actually ordered extra chicken wings halfway through the meal because we couldn’t stop talking about it.

And then there’s the roti. I genuinely think this might be one of the best rotis I’ve had in London. It was soft, fluffy and slightly crisp on the outside, and honestly I found myself slowly saving pieces of it throughout the meal because I didn’t want it to finish too quickly.

What is the Experience like at Normah’s?

Dining at Normah’s feels very different from your typical London restaurant experience, but in the best way possible.

The first thing you notice is how small and busy it is. Because seating is limited, every table feels occupied with people fully invested in their meals. There’s no one rushing through dishes just for photos. Everyone genuinely seems there because they love the food.

The market setting also adds a lot of character. Walking through Queensway Market to find the restaurant almost feels like discovering a hidden spot abroad rather than central London. It has that slightly chaotic but comforting atmosphere that makes the meal feel memorable before the food even arrives.

The staff were friendly and efficient, especially considering how packed the restaurant gets. Since the seating is limited, everything moves fairly quickly, but it never felt rushed.

Normah’s doesn’t try too hard to be trendy or polished. It’s just focused on serving proper Malaysian food and letting the dishes speak for themselves.

Honestly, those are usually the places that end up becoming favourites.

What is the Food like at Normah’s?

We ordered a ridiculous amount of food because we wanted to try as much as possible, and thankfully it ended up being one of those meals where every dish brought something different to the table.

Nasi Lemak Beef Rendang (£15.99)

The beef rendang was definitely on the sweeter side, but the richness of the sauce worked really well with the rice and sides. The beef itself was tender and packed with flavour. It felt comforting and hearty without becoming too heavy.

Nasi Lemak Fried Chicken (£15.50)

This was one of my favourite dishes of the night. The fried chicken was crispy, juicy and genuinely addictive. I only wished the nasi lemak came with a bit more peanuts and crispy anchovies for extra texture, but overall the balance of flavours worked really well together.

Normah’s Assam Pedas Seabass (£16.90)

This completely surprised me because I’m usually not someone who orders fish at restaurants. The seabass was incredibly juicy and full of flavour. The sauce had depth without overpowering the fish itself, and every bite felt properly satisfying. Easily one of the standout dishes of the meal.

Normah’s Curry Laksa King Prawn (£16.90)

The curry laksa had a rich and comforting broth with king prawns throughout. Again, the sauce leaned slightly sweet, which seems to be part of Normah’s flavour profile overall, but it still tasted really good and felt comforting to eat.

Roti (£2.50)

Possibly my favourite thing we ordered. The roti was unbelievably fluffy and soft with just enough crispness on the outside. It was simple but done so well that it ended up becoming one of the most memorable dishes of the night for me.

Normah’s Crispy Chicken Wings (£9.49)

We ordered these after already trying the fried chicken from the nasi lemak because we became slightly obsessed with it. The wings had the same crispy coating and juicy meat, and honestly I’d happily order these again on their own.

Lemonade with Mint Leaf (£4.50)

Really refreshing and a good contrast to some of the richer dishes on the table.

Overall, the food felt comforting, authentic and full of personality. Nothing felt overly refined or complicated, which honestly made it even better.

What is the Price like at Normah’s?

For London prices, I actually think Normah’s sits in a pretty reasonable range considering both the quality and portion sizes.

Most mains sit between around £15 to £17, while smaller sides like the roti are very affordable. Depending on how much you order, you can probably expect to spend around £10 to £20 per person on a standard visit, although we definitely went over that because we ordered far too much food.

Considering how difficult reservations are to get and how memorable the food ended up being, it didn’t feel overpriced at all.

The only important thing to remember is that it’s cash only, which can easily catch people out if they’re used to paying by card everywhere in London now.

Final thoughts about Normah’s

Normah’s completely lived up to the hype for me. Sometimes restaurants become so popular online that the actual experience struggles to match expectations, but this genuinely felt worth the effort of getting a booking.

The combination of authentic Malaysian food, the hidden market location, limited seating and comforting atmosphere makes it feel really special compared to a lot of restaurants in London right now.

My personal favourites were definitely the roti, fried chicken and Assam Pedas Seabass. Those are the dishes I still keep thinking about afterwards.

If you’re looking for polished fine dining, this probably isn’t the place for you. But if you want proper Malaysian comfort food that feels authentic and memorable, Normah’s is absolutely somewhere you should try at least once.

Just make sure you book early and bring cash.