Restaurants

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West

Central
Ali Baba
An Egyptian family-run affair just off Edgware Road. Try the robust national dish of molokhia – a soupy stew served with rice and lamb. Around £25 for two with service. No corkage charge..
Ali Baba, 32 Ivor Place, NW1 6DA (7723 7474). Baker St tube or Marylebone tube/rail.

Comptoir Libanais
Bright and beautiful cafe serving great Lebanese food. Come as a group and grab a variety of meze to share.
Comptoir Libanais 65 Wigmore St, W1U 1PZ (7935 1110). Bond St tube.

Food For Thought
Grab a seat in the cramped-but-cosy downstairs room and dig into the inventive vegetarian and vegan fare. Nourishing stuff. Around £25 for two with service. No corkage charge.
Food For Thought, 31 Neal St, WC2H 9PR (7836 0239). Covent Garden tube.

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Golden Hind
This Greek-owned institution serves some of the best fish and chips in the capital, with plenty of local character. Around £30 for two with service. No corkage charge.
Golden Hind, 73 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2PN (7486 3644). Bond St tube.

Patogh
The urban elite would probably turn their nose up at Patogh’s austere decor, but the food is the where all the effort goes. Simply stellar renditions of bold Iranian dishes. Around £40 for two with service. No corkage charge.
Patogh, 8 Crawford Place, W1H 5NE (7262 4015). Edgware Road tube.

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Five Hot Chillies
Contrary to its name, here you’ll find authentic Punjabi cooking that won’t scorch the tastebuds. Plump for the juicy lamb kebabs and dishes made in the traditional karahi – an iron wok. Around £25 for two with service. No corkage charge.
Five Hot Chillies, 875 Harrow Rd, Sudbury, Middx, HA0 2RH (8908 0666). Sudbury Town or Sudbury Hill tube.

Karahi King
This is the place for big and bold Punjabi dishes, cooked before you in an open kitchen. Don’t expect anything too healthy. Around £30 for two with service. No corkage charge.
Karahi King, 213 East Lane, North Wembley, Middx, HA0 3NG (8904 2760). North Wembley tube/245 bus.

Masa
The most authentic Afghan eating experience, but you need to get to Harrow to experience it. Around £25 for two with service. No corkage charge.
Masa, 24-26 Headstone Drive, Harrow, Middx, HA3 5QH (8861 6213). Harrow & Wealdstone tube/rail.

Nauroz
This charming community caff serves some of the best Pakistani and North Indian curries and dhals in greater London. Around £25 for two with service. No corkage charge.
Nauroz, 219 Field End Rd, HA5 1QZ (8868 0900). Eastcote tube.

19 Numara Bos Cirrik
Tempting Turkish meze and exceptional grills are what keeps us coming back; the adana kebab with fresh spices, sumac and cumin is a main draw. Around £30 for two with service. Corkage £5 per bottle.
19 Numara Bos Cirrik, 34 Stoke Newington Rd, N16 7XJ (7249 0400). Dalston Kingsland rail.

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Cah Chi
Be prepared for the full-on flavours of Korea – fiery kimchi, spicy fried squid and the famous marinated barbecued meats. Around £40 for two with servive. Corkage 10 per cent of bill.
Cah Chi, 34 Durham Rd, Raynes Park, SW20 0TW (8947 1081/www.cahchi.com). Raynes Park rail.

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Tay Do Café
A tiny, canteen-style Vietnamese caff that delivers good renditions of dishes such as banh xeo (a turmeric-coloured rice flour pancake). Around £25 for two with service. Corkage £1 per person.
Tay Do Café, 65 Kingsland Rd, E2 8AG (7729 7223). Old St tube/rail.

Tayyabs
A lively institution that’s best known and well loved for its exciting and unapologetically bold Pakistani cooking. Around £25 for two with service. No corkage charge.
Tayyabs, 83 Fieldgate St, E1 1JU (7247 6400/www.tayyabs.co.uk). Aldgate East or Whitechapel tube.

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West
Dock Kitchen
What started as a pop-up operation has grown roots and plans to stay - for a while at least. It's open for breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch and dinner on Thursday and Friday, and changing internationally themed menus keep the cooking interesting. No corkage charge.
Dock Kitchen, Portobello Docks, 344/342 Ladbroke Grove, W10 (8962 1610/www.themoveablekitchen.co.uk).
Ladbroke Grove tube.

Alounak
This colourful restaurant buzzes with young and old alike, seeking authentic Iranian dishes. Around £35 for two with service. No corkage charge.
Alounak, 10 Russell Gardens, W14 8EZ (7603 7645). Kensington (Olympia) tube/rail.

Blah Blah Blah
A sprightly establishment that has stood the test of time. Expect fresh and exciting vegetarian dishes with influences from all around the world. Around £35 for two with service. Corkage £1.45 per person.
Blah Blah Blah, 78 Goldhawk Rd, W12 8HA (8746 1337). Goldhawk Road tube/94 bus.

Mohsen
Regulars to this Iranian eatery usually opt for the excellent dishes of the day, such as a traditional baghali polo ba mahiche (lamb shank on rice with dill and lima beans). Around £40 for two with service. No corkage charge.
Mohsen, 152 Warwick Rd, W14 8PS (7602 9888). Earl's Court tube/Kensington (Olympia) tube/rail.

Polanka
A Polish deli-restaurant that’s immensely welcoming and a good purveyor of the classics – pierogi, sausages, pork. Around £30 for two with service. Corkage £3 wine, £6 spirits.
Polanka, 258 King St, W6 0SP (8741 8268/www.polanka-rest.com). Ravenscourt Park tube.

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