London

Best for parties | Best for health hippies | Best for study breaks | Best for hangovers | Best for BYO | Best for a first date | Best before a big night out | Best for flirting | Best meal deals | Best pit stop | Best for girlie chats | Best-kept secrets

Best for parties

Adonis
A recent visit suggests that Adonis isn’t quite as handsome and well-oiled as when it first opened, but it’s still the best Lebanese in Fitzrovia. The prices are low and the Levantine meze dishes are still lip-smacking. The pickled baby aubergines stuffed with walnuts and garlic are a revelation, as is the kibbeh shamieh – lamb ground to a paste then mixed with cracked wheat to make Scotch egg-style cases. Vegetarian dishes are clearly marked; don’t miss moutabal – a grilled aubergine paste that looks like hummus but tastes like a smoke after an energetic tumble between the sheets.
56 Goodge St, W1T 4NB (020 7637 7687). Goodge St tube. Open Mon-Thur 12noon-11pm; Fri-Sat 12noon-11.30pm; Sun 12noon-10.30pm. Licensed. Average £15-£20.

Chowki, W1D

Chowki
More and more Londoners are discovering the delights of regional Indian cooking, and realising that real Indian food has as much in common with the day-glo gunk you get in high-street ‘tandooris’ as real British food has with tinned Spam. This ‘Indian Wagamama’ in central London showcases three regional cuisines every month. In October, prepare to navigate your way from West Bengal (Central) to Utter Pradeesh (Eastern) and Chettier (Southern). There’s a separate kebab menu, and plenty of choice for veggies.
2-3 Denman St, W1D 7HA (020 7439 1330). Piccadilly Circus tube. Open Mon-Sun 12noon-11.30pm. Licensed. Average £10-£15.

Café Japan
This small Japanese restaurant opposite the Golders Green clocktower has resisted temptation to expand, even though the shops and restaurants on either side have changed hands over the years. You’d probably walk past without giving it a second glance – were it not for the fact that it’s raved about in many guidebooks and people come from miles away to eat here. George Michael famously booked the entire restaurant for a private party. What’s the attraction? The spankingly fresh sushi and the black cod with miso (£13) that gives Nobu’s version a run for its money.
626 Finchley Rd, NW11 7RR (020 8455 6854). Golders Green tube. Open Wed-Fri 6-10pm; Sat-Sun 12noon-2pm, 6-10pm. Licensed. Average £15-£20.


Best for health hippies

Food For Thought, WC2 (image © Annie Collinge)

Food for Thought
This iconic no-frills vegetarian eaterie is popular with students, local shopworkers, tourists, and Hollywood stars treading the boards in nearby West End theatres. It offers vegetarian standards such as bakes and quiches done very well. Desserts include a legendary strawberry and banana ‘scrunch’.
31 Neal St, WC2H 9PR (020 7836 9072). Covent Garden tube. Open Mon-Sat 12noon-8.30pm; Sun 12noon-5pm. Unlicensed; no corkage charge. Average £10 and under.

Leon
Forget greasy pizzas and reconstituted kebabs, Leon does fast food with an organic twist. There are now eight outlets of the acclaimed café chain and the ever-evolving menus help keep interest fresh. You could conceivably while away a whole day here with their organic porridge for breakfast, healthy salads for lunch and popular sweet potato falafel wrap washed down with a glass of wine for supper.
Leon, 12 Ludgate Circus, EC4M 7OQ (020 7489 1580/www.leonrestaurants.co.uk). Blackfriars tube/rail. Open Mon-Fri 7am-11pm. Licensed. Average £10-15.

Radha Krishna Bhavan
The decor of this Keralan eatery resembles the ultimate tripped-out student boudoir with every type of kitschy knick-knack, from photographic wallpaper of sunsets to spooky kathakali performance masks. Thankfully culinary standards far outstrip those found in most student dwellings. Veggie dishes are all top-notch, with highlights including avial (tropical vegetable curry in coconut and yoghurt sauce), beetroot thoran (a spicy stir-fry with fresh coconut) and flaky Malabar paratha.
86 Tooting High St, SW17 0RN (020 8682 0969/www.mcdosa.co.uk). Tooting Broadway tube. Open Mon-Thur, Sun 12noon-3pm, 6-11pm; Fri, Sat 12noon-3pm, 6pm-12midnight. Licensed. £10-£15.

Canela
This friendly Portuguese and Brazilian café just off Covent Garden’s Neal Street has a converted warehouse feel. The dining area is dominated by a chiller cabinet over which the food is served; within it you’ll find a wide range of rustic, savoury dishes. Portuguese snacks, including chicken-stuffed coxinha (a pointed, deep-fried parcel resembling a drumstick) are priced at an enticingly low £2, with main courses such as chorizo tart and vegetable lasagne a very reasonable £6-£7. There’s also an impressive selection of gluten- and wheat-free cakes. Large glasses of fresh berry and apple juice are as popular as the strong black coffee.
33 Earlham St, WC2H 9LS (020 7240 6926). Covent Garden or Leicester Square tube. Open Mon-Sat 9am-10pm; Sun 9am-8pm. Licensed. Average £10 and under.

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Hummus Bros, W1F

Best for study breaks

Hummus Bros
This innovative café has proved a huge hit with the Soho set. The formula is refreshingly simple - you order a bowl of hummus with bread and a choice of toppings. The food’s all surprisingly tasty, tables are communal and it has a friendly atmosphere, smiling staff and is a favourite with touring celebs. David Schwimmer became a regular during his recent West End stint.
88 Wardour St, W1F 0TJ (020 7734 1311/www.hbros.co.uk). Tottenham Court Rd tube. Open Mon-Wed 11am-10pm; Thur-Fri 11am-11pm; Sat 12noon-11pm. Unlicensed; no alcohol allowed. Average £10 and under.

Imli
If the words ‘Asian street food’ conjure up images of cockroach kebabs and tasteless steamed buns, don’t worry – this offshoot of Michelin-starred Tamarind specialises in the lip-smacking snacks sold at India’s roadside stalls. Mumbai-style chaats are a speciality – they’re like a cross between tapas, canapés and dim sum. We recommend sev puri, papdi chaat, and pau bhaji. The curries have, as yet unfulfilled, potential and the new tasting menus are great if you have time for some serious skiving.
167-169 Wardour St, W1F 8WR (020 7287 4243). Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus tube. Open daily 12noon-11pm. Licensed. Average £10-£15.

Square Pie Company, W1A

Square Pie Company
A Square Pie fits the hole in a round belly perfectly. From laid-back market stall origins at Spitalfields, the company has expanded across the capital to glitzy destinations like Selfridges Foodhall. Venture through the carrier bag-toting crowds and you'll find a cavalcade of beefy options, plus varieties like chicken, leek and ham, lamb and rosemary and ‘Friday Fish Pie'. Vegetarians will be satisfied with mushroom and asparagus pie with onion gravy. Our favourite detail is that Maris Piper potatoes are mashed skin-on. To drink, there's scrummy Chegworth Valley apple juices. The best pies in London, no lie.
Selfridges Foodhall, 400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB (020 7318 2460/www.squarepie.com). Bond St tube. Mon-Friday 10am-8pm; Sat 9.30am-8pm; Sun 12-6pm. Average £10 and under.

Story Deli
Slap bang in the heart of Shoreditch this industrial chic eatery is the perfect place to sit back and watch the nu-rave hordes go past. There’s limited seating and it’s always packed, but it’s worth waiting around as the food is exceptional. Snacks-wise there’s an excellent line-up of breakfast dishes, pastas, salads and cakes. But the thin-crust pizzas are the main event. Crispy and authentic with innovative toppings they’re a far cry from the Dominos fare normally associated with students.
3 Dray Walk, The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL (020 7247 3137). Liverpool St tube/rail. Open daily 9am-6pm. Unlicenced. BYO. No corkage charge. Average £10 and under.

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Pho, EC1

Best for beating the hangover blues

Jerk City
This Caribbean caff, formerly known as Mr Jerk, may have had a name change and a makeover but the vital ingredients remain the same. All the carnival staples are here, such as saltfish fritters, beef patties, jerk chicken, prawn roti and other hearty dishes. We can recommend the mutton curry, which has rich and spicy flavours and is served with your choice of roti or rice ’n’ peas. The sweet, creamy, and lively Guinness punch is a must-try, as is the soursop juice. Be warned that it gets very busy at lunch; try and sneak in when all the suits have trooped off back to their desks.
189 Wardour St, W1F 8ZD (020 7287 2878).Tottenham Court Rd tube. Open Mon-Sat 10am-11pm; Sun 12noon-7pm. Licensed. Average £10 and under.

Pho
Pho, correctly pronounced ‘fer’, is a beef stock and noodle soup that’s a staple street snack in Vietnam. It’s also the name chosen for this Clerkenwell café specialising in Vietnamese street food, which was set up to appeal to people who haven’t tried Vietnamese food before. It differs from more conventional Viet caffs as the owners are an English couple who go to great lengths to explain all the dishes. Not only does it help you sweat out your hangover but it’s also reputed to help cure the common cold. A truly magical foodstuff.
86 St John St, EC1M 4EH (020 7253 7624/www.phocafe.co.uk). Farringdon tube/rail. Open Mon-Sat 12noon-3pm, 6-10pm. Licensed. Average £10-£15.

Two Brothers
Leon and Tony Manzi are the eponymous brothers who own this 18-year-old fish and chip restaurant. They claim to be the first to take fish and chips upmarket – an idea that’s been much imitated since. Cod and haddock are the firm bestsellers but more adventurous punters can try jellied eels, cod’s roe, tasty salmon fish cakes, sea bass and even rock eel. Fish comes steamed, battered or even coated in matzo – a favourite with their Jewish regulars. Their smart restaurant attracts everyone from Madonna to Tracey Emin and three-times-a-week regulars from the local Jewish and Japanese communities. They also sell an own-label wine.
297-303 Regent’s Park Road, N3 1DP (020 8346 0469). Finchley Central tube. Open Tue-Sat 12noon-2.30pm, 5.30-10.15pm. Licensed. Average £10-£15.

Mika
Some of you may not know but sushi is an excellent hangover cure, as long as you stay off the sake, that is. This small Japanese canteen located at what the owner describes as ‘the arse end of Notting Hill’ is a local gem. Despite the basic matt black decor and wooden tables the ambience is surprisingly welcoming, the food is fabulous and cocktails are made with fruit fresh from Portobello Market. The service can be a bit over-zealous at times, but if you’re suffering from a hangover that can be a blessing.
78 Tavistock Rd, W11 1AN (020 7243 8518/www.mikalondon.com). Westbourne Park tube. Open daily 11am-10.30pm. Licensed. Average £10-£15.

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Best for Bring Your Own

Patogh
Folk loitering outside this rustic Persian café are waiting for tables or takeaways – despite being spread over two storeys, Patogh is undeniably cramped. First-rate skewers of grilled lamb, chicken and fish sizzle temptingly on the chargrill in the little ground-floor kitchen. The starter dips and pickles are fine, but main courses – served with rice or superb seed-studded taftoon flatbread – are huge so you may want to go straight to those. One of London’s worst kept culinary secrets!
8 Crawford Place, W1H 5NE (020 7262 4015). Edgware Rd tube. Open daily 12.30-11pm. Unlicensed. No corkage charge. Main courses £10-£15.

Mirch Masala
Mirch Masala (meaning ‘chilli and spice') has had a refurb. But fans of this no-frills canteen needn't worry: the tables are still wipe-clean, the stainless-steel kitchen is still visible through the back, and the BYO policy is still in place. A free basket of poppadoms is plonked down on your table when you arrive, giving you time to consider your order. There's no need for rice when the nan breads are so sublime. People come here for the karahis and the ‘deigi' (which just means cooked in a big pan) dishes, both of which can be spiced to taste, mild or hot. The must-try dish is a starter of Mirch Masala fish: boneless, even chunks from a large fillet of coley, rubbed with spices then fried.
1416 London Rd, SW16 4BZ (020 8679 1828). Norbury rail. Open daily 12noon-12midnight. Unlicensed. No corkage charge. Average £10-£15.

Singburi
Husband-and-wife proprietors Tony and Thelma have built up Singburi from a chip shop offering some Thai dishes on the side to a much-loved neighbourhood restaurant. The menu is fairly standard, with the usual red and green curries, pad Thai and so on, but all is of high quality, and four or five dishes are outstanding. Don’t leave without trying the tom kha gai (chicken and coconut milk soup), gang panang nua (dry beef curry) and roast duck curry. Thelma runs the place with friendly efficiency, greeting many of the regulars by name, and if you’re lucky, with an affectionate kiss.
593 High Rd, Leytonstone, E11 4PA (020 8281 4801). Leytonstone tube. Open Tue-Sun 6-11pm. Unlicensed. BYO. No corkage charge. Average £10 and under.

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S&M Café, N1

Best for a first date

Mandalay
Despite the Edgware Road location and unromantic shop-unit setting, this Burmese café is a welcoming, cosy destination. It’s run by two Burmese brothers who both clearly love food. Show an interest in the ingredients or dishes of their extensive Burmese menu and you’ll get a full explanation. You’ll also be guided around the menu to ensure that your meal takes in all the sharp, hot, salty and sweet flavours that make up Burmese food. And what food it is – like a spicy mix of Indian, Thai and Chinese – although that doesn’t really do justice to this extraordinary cuisine. Fingers crossed the date is a good as the food!
444 Edgware Rd, W2 1EG (020 7258 3696/www.mandalayway.com). Edgware Rd tube. Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm. Average £10-£15.

S&M Café
Don’t let the name put you off, this is a great date venue for people of all predilections. Ordering is a breeze, leaving ample time for intimate chit-chat. Simply choose your sausages from a lip-smacking list (of butcher’s classics, gourmet experiments and veggie variants), then choose your mash and gravy from smaller lists. Done. If the date goes to plan you could even return for their bargain breakfasts – stretching from boiled egg and soldiers (£1.50) to the full English (£5.50) – which are a hit with hungover Londoners lamenting the closure of the capital’s classic caffs. The Islington branch, in particular, preserves the 1920s blue-and-chrome interior of the previous occupant, Alfredo’s, a much-loved café in its day.
4-6 Essex Rd, N1 8LN (020 7359 5361/www.sandmcafe.co.uk). Angel tube. Open Mon-Thur 7.30am-11.30pm; Fri 7.30am-12midnight; Sat 8.30am-12midnight; Sun 8.30am-10.30pm. Licensed. Average £10-15.

LMNT
If you’re stuck for conversation, LMNT’s decor is always a good fallback. Despite the straightforward Modern European menu, the decor here is an intriguing hotchpotch: woven canvas blinds, carvings of figures from Greek mythology, a large Tutankhamen bust and raised tables that almost look like treehouses. Dishes such as sea bass with paprika mash, and halibut in creamy prawn sauce, are hearty and amazingly good value, plus there’s an extensive specials board. Sit in a large kiln-shaped alcove, romantically lit with flickering candles, and nobody will accuse you of being a cheap date.
316 Queensbridge Rd, E8 3NH (020 7249 6727/www.lmnt.co.uk). Dalston Kingsland rail. Open daily 12noon-11pm. Licensed. Average £10-£15.

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Gourmet Burger Kitchen, WC2

Best before a big night out

Lemongrass
We love this contemporary Cambodian restaurant in Camden. A single chef working with his woks in a tiny back kitchen conjures up such spicy, French-inflected delights as leek-filled pancake, whisky prawns, asparagus stir-fried in butter and black pepper, and mango and coriander salad. Desserts like steamed rice and banana cake are imaginative and unusual. Staff are exceptionally friendly.
243 Royal College St, NW1 9LT (020 7284 1116). Camden Town tube. Open daily 5.30-11pm. Licensed. Average £15-£20.

Just Falafs
Despite the terrible pun in the name, Just Falafs is one of the best fast food joints in town. Their falafels are fresh, flavourful and light – and best of all, they come so tightly wrapped in Middle Eastern flatbreads not a squeak of creamy tahini, spiky chilli sauce, or amazing, must-try aubergine sauce leaks out. There’s also an imaginative range of soft drinks plus soup and lentil dhal for those that still haven’t recovered from their gap years. There’s another branch on Covent Garden Piazza with outdoor tables for those evenings when you’re not in a rush.
155 Wardour Street, W1F 8WG (020 7734 1914/www.justfalafs.com). Piccadilly Circus tube. Open Mon-Wed 10am-10pm; Thur-Sun 10am-11pm. Unlicensed; no alcohol allowed. Average £10 and under.

Gourmet Burger Kitchen
Resist the lure of the Golden Arches and get your burger fix at this stylish diner. The pioneers of the gourmet burger concept, they have expanded at lighting speed over the last three years and now have locations all over London. We visited the Covent Garden branch which is well placed for a pre-party pit stop. The super-tasty beef patties are 100 per cent Aberdeen Angus from grass-reared animals, the chips are thick-cut, golden and come in large portions, and the milkshakes are to die for.
13-14 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7NE (020 7240 9617/www.gbkinfo.com). Covent Garden tube. Open Mon-Sat 12noon-11pm, Sun 12-10pm. Licensed. Average £10-£15.

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The Table, SE1 (image © Michael Franke)

Best for flirting

Kalendar
Chunky wooden furniture is crammed in so tightly at this hugely popular modern café that it’s easy to end up brushing limbs with another customer. Food ponces will love the deli counter at the front, and daily specials are promoted on a blackboard. A light lunch here could include grilled halloumi with salad, or a hearty chorizo sandwich with rocket and roast peppers, followed by a delicious (bought-in) cake.
15a Swains Lane, N6 6QX (020 8348 8300). Archway tube. Open Mon-Fri 8am-10pm; Sat-Sun 9am-10pm. Licensed. Average £10-£15.

The Table
Located on a grim stretch of Southwark High Street near the gastro Mecca that is Borough Market, this café serves up food guaranteed to make you go weak at the knees. If you want to woo a potential partner bring them here and tease their senses with the array of Mediterranean delights on offer. Menus change daily but there’s always fresh, hand-rolled pasta, a diverse array of gourmet snacks such as their ‘Cuban’ sandwich a diet-killing concoction of mortadella cheese and slow-cooked pork. They have just extended their weeknight opening hours and are premiering a new evening menu which is sure to hit the spot.
83 Southwark St, SE1 0HX, (020 7401 2760). London Bridge tube/rail or Southwark tube. Open Tue-Fri 7.30am-10.30pm Mon, Sat-Sun 7.30am-5.30pm. Licensed. Average £10-£15.

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Best for meal deals

Lavender Lady
The name may sound cringingly oldtime but this smart little café restaurant in the North Finchley desert has contemporary Ikea styling and modern British food. The two-course lunch deal (£6.50) may include a home-made vegetable soup such as parsnip with organic bread, followed by salmon fishcakes with great hand-cut chips and salad. Can’t squeeze in? The Lady offers a takeaway service too.
644 High Rd, N12 0NL (020 8446 1713/www.lavenderlady.biz). Woodside Park tube. Open Tue-Sat 11.30am-9.30pm; Sun 11.30am-2.30pm. Licensed. Average £15-£20.

Small & Beautiful
Although neither small nor particularly beautiful, this bistro serves extremely good value Mediterranean and Modern European food. We have enjoyed prawns and mussels in garlicky tomato sauce here, as well as vegetable Wellington with mushroom sauce and feta-stuffed peppers. The set menu is a steal at just £5.50 for two courses and the excellent Luminaire is close by for those craving a live music fix.
351-353 Kilburn High Rd, NW6 2QJ (020 7328 2637). Kilburn tube or Brondesbury rail. Open daily 10am-12midnight. Licensed. Average £15-£20.

Patio
The set meal (£14.90 for three courses, including vodka shot, vegetables, salad, fruit and coconut cake) is a bargain in this homely Polish restaurant where you’ll be greeted like a long-lost relative. The velvet drapes, patterned carpet and piano (complete with singalongs) will make you feel like you’re in the sitting room of an elderly aunt from Kraków. Hearty winter fare includes potato pancakes, smoked salmon blinis, beef goulash, and Polish cheesecake.
5 Goldhawk Rd, W12 8QQ (020 8743 5194). Goldhawk Rd tube. Open Mon-Fri 12noon-3pm, 6-11.30pm; Sat 6-11.30pm; Sun 12noon-11.30pm. Licensed. Average £10-£15.

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Best late night pit stop

Zigni House
Tucked away on Essex Road, this lively Eritrean eatery has a refreshingly late night license and laid-back vibe. Chef and owner Tsige Haile (a celebrity chef in her home country) conjures up flavour-packed stews that are known as alicha (mild and mushy) or zigni (hot and spicy). Dishes made from lamb, chicken, vegetables, lentils, chickpeas and cheeses are distinctively spiced and come with spongy injera bread. A la carte is available, but best of all is the set buffet for £12, which is a true feast of more dishes than you’ll manage to eat.
330 Essex Rd, N1 3PB (020 7226 7418/www.zignihouse.co.uk). Angel tube, Highbury & Islington tube/rail or Essex Rd rail. Open Mon-Thur, Sun 6pm-12midnight, Fri-Sat 6pm-2am. Licensed. Average £10 and under.

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Carluccio's, E14

Best for girlie chats

Carluccio's
All the ladies love Carluccio's. This reliable Italian deli-cum-café chain has branches all over London and is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine and a good gossip over a waist-friendly dinner. Choose from a range of vibrantly coloured salads, pastas, risottos or daily specials such as pan-fried swordfish with breadcrumbs and parmesan. There’s a short but sufficient wine list plus fabulous sorbets and ice creams for pud.
Reuters Plaza, E14 5AJ (020 7719 1749/www.carluccios.com). Canary Wharf tube/DLR. Open Mon-Fri 7am-11pm; Sat 10am-11pm; Sun 10am-10pm. Licensed. Average £15-£20.

The Cowshed
Make sure you get your nails done, or at least clean off the chipped polish, before lunching at this swish Holland Park café. Perfect for cheering up a newly single girlfriend or a post-shopping pit stop, it offers a far-too-tempting range of baked goods, hot dishes and some retro cakes. The waistline-watchers are well catered for with a well thought-out range of salads with the seared tuna niçoise a highlight. There’s a good selection of wines too, if your budget will allow.
119 Portland Rd, W11 4LN (020 7078 1944). Holland Park tube. Open Mon-Fri 8am-8pm; Sat 9am-7pm; Sun 10am-5pm. Licensed. Average £10-£15.

Ottolenghi, W11

Ottolenghi
West London does poncey deli-cafés well and this is one of the best. There are now three branches of this fashionable Mediterranean-style chain but this is the original which boasts a sizeable takeaway counter and communal seating for ten people. Specialities include colourful salads (East European-inspired kohlrabi, fresh dill, ginger and sour cherry is scrumptious) and imaginative hot dishes such as Moroccan tagines and Italian vegetable bakes. The dainty cakes, macaroons, meringues and biscuits are gorgeous. Savoury dishes are freshly cooked in the kitchen downstairs, but the breads are delivered from its larger branch in Upper Street.
63 Ledbury Road, W11 2AD (020 7727 1121/www.ottolenghi.co.uk). High St Kensington tube. Open Mon-Fri 8am-8pm; Sat 8am-7pm; Sun 8.30am-6pm. Unlicensed. Average £10 and under.

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Best-kept secrets

Namo
Owned by the family who run the iconic Huong-Viet in Dalston, this unpretentious eatery fits perfectly into the small cluster of shops and restaurants bordering Victoria Park. A moody black frontage opens on to a bright interior full of 1950s-style chrome chairs and Vietnamese bric-a-brac. Food-wise, Namo takes some Viet favourites and modernises them. All the classic Vietnamese street food dishes are present, such as pho, vegetable banh xeo (sizzling pancake) and a variety of claypots, stir-fries and noodles. Service is pleasingly swift.
178 Victoria Park Rd, E9 7HD (020 8533 0639). Mile End tube. Open Tue, Wed 5.30-11pm; Thur-Sun 12noon-3.30pm, 5.30-11pm. Licensed. £15-£20.

Alounak
This ever-reliable Iranian is a restaurant of two halves: there’s a cosy area at the front that’s ideal for courting couples, and a more generous space at the rear with large tables that are suitable for eating with friends or family. Starters include variations on aubergines and salads, but the mains are the main point of the place: succulent meat kebabs are served with mounds of rice or bread and salad. Hummus, olives and pickled chillis are brought to the table as a matter of course.
10 Russell Gardens, W14 8EZ (020 7603 7645/www.alounak.co.uk). Kensington Olympia tube/rail. Open daily 12noon-12midnight. Unlicensed. BYO. Average £10-£15.

Esarn Kheaw
Specialising in food from the Esarn region that borders Laos in north-east Thailand, this no-frills eatery is the real deal. Avoid the ubiquitous red and green curries and pad Thai (although they’re perfectly delicious), and opt for hot and fiery regional specialities such as Chiang Mai sausage, catfish in lime and 'son-in-law omelette' (omelette with shallots, tamarind and coriander).
314 Uxbridge Rd, W12 7LJ (020 8743 8930). Shepherd’s Bush tube. Open Mon-Fri 12noon-3pm, 6-11pm; Sat, Sun 6-11pm. Licensed. Average £15-£20.

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