Restaurants

This is the fast-food part of the many-tentacled Maroush culinary empire. Bains-marie behind a long glass counter that runs the length of the room contain a variety of warm meze, including stuffed vine leaves and falafel. But a likely eight-out-of-ten customers are here for the shawarma (döner), possibly the best that can be found anywhere in town. Whether lamb or chicken, both come with sliced pickle, sliced tomatoes, chopped lettuce and onion, and a garlic sauce. Ranoush also does good squeezed-to-order fruit juices – choose your favourite combination from the array of fruit piled up behind the counter. As much a social centre as it is an eaterie, the place is busy throughout the day with local, expat and visiting Middle Easterners, and it remains buzzing right through to the early hours of the morning.

Time Out Cheap Eats in London Guide 2007