Comptoir Libanais Bluewater

Offering a whistle-stop tour of the Middle East’s culinary touchstones, this buzzy canteen is a dependable pit stop that turns out speedy plates of consistent-quality food. The interiors have a bazaar-like feel, with brightly embroidered bags, dazzling geometric floor tiles and colourful metal chairs, plus jars of pickles, glass cabinets displaying salads, wraps etc, and even copies of the house recipe book. The said wraps are a takeaway lunch bargain, but if you’ve got a bit more time, order a mixed mezze platter, some ‘fattets’ (pieces of fried flatbread with various toppings), a warming slow-cooked tagine (chicken with green olives and preserved lemon) or a special such as a halloumi tortilla – all washed down with homemade lemonade (perhaps the ultra-refreshing ‘roomana’ with pomegranate and orange blossom). Even if it’s raining outside, you’ll feel a million miles away from home.