Taste of Peshawar is a super lowkey, casual spot. We can pretty much guarantee this is the go-to takeaway for most locals, but it’s equally nice to sit in and enjoy the food fresh from the kitchen.

The grilled kebab dishes are a must here — it’s what they specialise in. We went for the chicken seekh kebab, served with a fresh, crunchy onion salad. The texture and flavour were unmatched. Up next was an absolute carb overload: the lamb biryani, rich and fragrant, with the lamb just melting in the mouth. And because you can’t really come to a South Asian restaurant and not order a curry, we had to. Since it was already quite meat-heavy, we chose the saag aloo — and for a triple carb overload, we mopped everything up with their fluffy, pillowy garlic naan.

Yes, by this point we couldn’t breathe, but that didn’t stop us from indulging in their kheer. A creamy, spiced rice pudding that was the perfect finish.

Have to try: Chicken seekh kebab
Perfect for: Spicy, flavour packed food
Approx price for 2: £35–£70

The name probably gives it away, but stepping into Big Moe’s Diner feels like entering a 1950s all-American fever dream. Think checkered floors, plush red booths, and even a vibrant red car plonked right in the middle.

In true American style, we went all out. Everything is bigger in America, as they say, and after a meal here… so were we. We kicked things off with the southern fried BBQ tenders — perfectly crispy, with sweet BBQ sauce balanced by a tangy ranch dip on the side. For condiment lovers like us, that combo is undefeated.

Next up was the Fully Loaded Burger (yep, that’s the actual name — and it delivers). Imagine a beef patty stacked with 14-hour smoked brisket, jalapeños, pickles, and all the classic salad fixings. After this beast, meat cravings were satisfied for days.

And finally, just to really put our heart and blood pressure to work, we finished with a thick, creamy peanut butter and chocolate milkshake. Totally worth every sip.

Have to try: Southern fried BBQ chicken tenders
Perfect for: Fun with friends
Approx price for 2: £50–£70

Mezze Grill is another casual spot serving up proper traditional Turkish food. We started off with a mix of both cold and hot starters because honestly, who can sacrifice one for the other? Obviously hummus made the cut, as well as the sigara böreği — a flaky pastry stuffed with seasoned feta and parsley. Way too moreish!

For mains, we went for one of their house specials: chicken sarma beyti. Think garlicky minced chicken wrapped in bread, topped with lashings of yogurt, rich tomato sauce and a drizzle of butter. Decadent doesn’t even begin to describe it. And just in case that wasn’t enough, it also comes with rice. Let’s just say they make sure no one leaves hungry. Grilled meats and a Peroni in hand = happy life.

Have to try: Sigara böreği (pastry stuffed with feta)
Perfect for: Casual meal with family
Approx price for 2: £40–£50

Asher’s Africana is a really unassuming spot, and honestly, they’re serving some of the most random things here — but we were absolutely not complaining. It’s a purely vegetarian restaurant (please stay with us), but the food is so packed with flavour that meat isn’t even missed. And don’t let the name throw you off — they’re actually serving traditional Gujarati food.

We started off with the pizza samosas. Yes, they sound like something made up for fun, and yes, they were incredible. Imagine cheese and tomato wrapped in that flavour-packed samosa pastry and fried to perfection — who could resist that? Then we went for their mini thali, which comes with three rotis, a vegetable curry, rice and daal. For something called “mini” it definitely filled us up, and for the price, it was such good value.

Have to try: The mini thali
Perfect for: Casual lunch out
Approx price for 2: £25–£35

The name got it completely right, because as soon as you step in here you’re hit with all those homely, cosy aromas and vibes. Aunt Jenny’s is serving some of the most authentic-tasting Caribbean food we’ve had in a while, honestly.

Technically it’s a side, but we kicked things off with the fried chicken. Crispy, golden, and not dripping in oil or going soggy like some places (cough, cough KFC). For mains, we kept it classic with the jerk chicken, which comes with rice and peas. You can really taste the love poured into every dish here. And do yourself a favour — order the mac and cheese on the side. Not because you’ll need more food (the portions are huge), but because it’s absolutely irresistible.

Have to try: Jerk chicken and rum cake
Perfect for: Comfort food
Approx price for 2: £30–£40

Ipanema Restaurant takes the buzz and light-hearted vibes of Rio’s streets and pours them straight into their space. It’s chatty and vibrant inside, but in the best way possible. Honestly, the energy here just makes you want to grab a drink ASAP — so that’s exactly what we did. The Ipanema in Love cocktail (vodka, passion fruit, and guava) was creamy, tropical, and pure Brazilian deliciousness.

To start, we had the deep-fried polenta with garlic mayo. There’s just something about polenta chips that hits different. They’re fluffier on the inside and way more satisfying than regular fries, especially with that dreamy garlic mayo. For mains, we went all in with the feijoada: a hearty black bean, pork, and beef stew that’s basically Brazil in a bowl. Sure, they’ve got burgers and steak on the menu too, but trust us, the Brazilian classics are where it’s at.

Have to try: Deep fried polenta chips with garlic mayo
Perfect for: Fun with friends
Approx price for 2: £50–£70

Sakonis is another vegetarian spot — and no defence is needed here, because it’s truly earned its accolades. They serve up South Indian and Indo-Chinese cuisine, and honestly, just expect to be blown away by some of the most unique, flavour-packed dishes.

We kicked things off with the chilli paneer: fried cottage cheese cubes tossed in a sweet-and-spicy onion and pepper sauce. Somehow, they stay perfectly crisp instead of soggy, and they’re ridiculously addictive. Next up was the manchurian with a side of hakka noodles. Manchurian is essentially battered cauliflower coated in a sticky, spicy sauce, and paired with those noodles (loaded with crunchy veg), it was perfection.

They’ve also got your North Indian faves like paneer butter masala and garlic naan. And for kids — or the seriously picky adults — they even serve Indian-inspired pizzas and sandwiches. To cool it all down, a tall glass of creamy, refreshing mango lassi was a must.

Have to try: Manchurian with hakka noodles
Perfect for: Casual lunch out with family
Approx price for 2: £40–£60

 Studio Five is a seriously modern spot with royal blue walls and sleek interiors. Think of it as a super bougie, elevated diner — booth-style seating, bar stools, and all the polished vibes.

The menu doesn’t really stick to one cuisine, which is perfect for the indecisive among us (aka, us every single time). We kicked things off in Italy with the mushroom and mozzarella arancini, served with a moreish garlic mayo. Then for mains, we found ourselves back in England, or so we thought, with their fish and chips. But this wasn’t your average version: the cod batter was beautifully spiced with Indian flavours and paired with a tangy chilli ketchup. A seriously elevated twist on a classic.

To end on a high, go for the deconstructed crumble. Spiced apples, berries, and a scoop of vanilla gelato — comforting, seasonal, and just the right amount of indulgence.

Have to try: Spiced fish and chips
Perfect for: Dinner and drinks
Approx price for 2: £70–£90

Estadio Lounge is a modern, spacious, refined café. You’ve probably seen one of these before — they’ve got branches in practically every city.

The menu here is almost annoying in the best way, because it’s packed with all your favourites. They even do all-day breakfast, which made choosing that much harder. As much as the fry-ups and loaded burgers were calling our names, we resisted and landed on the harissa chicken flatbread. Hearty but still fresh, it was spot on. The flatbread itself was pillowy soft, piled high with red pepper sauce, salsa, pickled cabbage, mint yogurt, and harissa honey. For once, we didn’t even have to ask for extra sauce — they absolutely loaded it up.

Cocktails here are just as fun as the food. We went for the Mango Tiki Shake with rum, mango, and pineapple juice. Honestly, it felt like dessert in a glass.

Have to try: Harissa chicken flatbreads
Perfect for: Catch up with friends
Approx price for 2: £40–£60

The White Horse is a classy pub in Wembley Park and honestly, you can’t miss it. The way it’s enchantingly lit up, with its fully glass walls, makes it stand out from a mile away.

It was a chilly day, so the sharers’ roasted garlic camembert felt like the only possible remedy. It comes with salami, parma ham, tomato chilli chutney, and sourdough that’s crisp on the outside but fluffy inside. Pure comfort. Normally, in any pub, we’d default straight to fish and chips, no questions asked. But the typical rainy British weather made that feel too summery, so we switched gears and went for another classic: bangers and mash — but elevated. Think Corporal Jones sausages with “creamed potato” (a bit of an overfancy name — it was mash, good mash, but still mash), rich jus, and crispy onions on top.

To wrap it all up, the sticky toffee pudding was the cherry on top of this cosy, comforting meal. Exactly what you want from a pub on a cold day.

Have to try: Roasted garlic camembert
Perfect for: Meal out with the family
Approx price for 2: £50–£70