Restaurants

This fast-food falafel joint is the best place for inexpensive nosh on Old Compton Street. It offers a simple formula: brown or white pitta bread, a filling of small fried falafels, the option of houmous and/or fried aubergine, then your pick from a well-stocked salad bar that includes dairy-free coleslaw, couscous salad, pickled chillies and – our favourite – baby pickled aubergines, stained purple with beetroot juice. The meal deals are great value, such as the £4.20 meal which includes a soft drink and nice fat English chips, not the Low Countries frites you might expect. Not only delicious, Maoz is also kosher, vegan and is suitable for people who insist on eating food from places with the letter ‘z' in the name.

Time Out Cheap Eats in London Guide 2007