Camden, Islington & Marylebone Restaurants

Addis Restaurant & Bar

The name might bear some resemblance to the capital city of Ethiopia and so does the décor but the idea of serving starters before a meal veers in a different direction. Usually an Ethiopian meal eschews the concept of appetisers, but Addis Restaurant chose to buck the trend and go all out to offer small nibbles that prepare the palate for delights that follow.

• Address: 40-42 Caledonian Road, London, N1 9DT (Map)
• Cuisine(s): Ethiopian
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: N/A, Dinner: £22.00

Afghan Kitchen

There's no tacky décor, fancy rugs or rusty artefacts, even pictures of a war-torn country are notable by their absence, but still Afghan Kitchen manages to remain truly authentic. And they do it effortlessly, keep the décor simple - wooden tables, potted plants and communal seating - and offer a short menu focusing on robust cooking.

• Address: 35 Islington Green, Islington, London, N1 8DU (Map)
• Cuisine(s): Afghan
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: N/A, Dinner: £19.00

African Kitchen Gallery

The charm and quirkiness of small restaurants is certainly amusing, and there are many takers for places like African Kitchen Gallery on Drummond Street, catering to those palates seeking something different from haute or fusion cuisine that seem to have engulfed the culinary world.

• Address: 102 Drummond Street, Fitzrovia, London, NW1 2HN (Map)
• Cuisine(s): Caribbean
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: N/A, Dinner: £18.00

Albion, The

A recently opened pub in Islington, just round the corner from Tony Blair's former pad. The interiors are unshakeably Georgian, but outside is a fine garden based on the way it appears in pictures taken during the 1930s.

• Address: 10 Thornhill Road, London, N1 1HW (Map)
• Cuisine(s): Bar, Gastropub
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: N/A, Dinner: £38.00

Albufera, La

La Albufera is part of the Melia White House Hotel on Albany Street in a corner of Regent's Park, and its weighty reputation has been further enhanced by winning an award for the Best Spanish Restaurant Outside Spain, a trophy handed out by the Spanish equivalent of DEFRA.

• Address: Melia White House, Albany Street, Regents Park, London, NW1 3UP (Map)
• Cuisine(s): Spanish
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: N/A, Dinner: £34.00

Ali Baba

This simple, no frills Middle Eastern eatery enjoys a roaring trade, much of which is admittedly in the form of the late night drunken takeaway kebab variety. However, having said that, Ali Baba is a relaxed and down to earth place to enjoy basic home cooked style dishes such as falafel and skewered meat and vegetables dishes served with fresh bread and different dips, as well as offering a few European style dishes.

• Address: 32 Ivor Place, London, NW1 6DA (Map)
• Cuisine(s): International
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: N/A, Dinner: £21.00

Andy's Taverna

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This small but friendly little taverna on Bayham Street is a lively enough place at lunchtime but it is in the evening that it really comes into its own. Andy's relatively small size makes for an intimate setting and during summer a meal at the patio garden may well turn out to be a happy and lingering memory.

• Address: 81-81A Bayham Street, Camden, London, NW1 0AG (Map)
• Cuisine(s): Greek
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: £18.00, Dinner: £33.00

Asakusa

Unpretentious, though a little cramped, and real value. If you're trying out Japanese food for the first time, or are fed up with the omnipresent sushi, come to this friendly restaurant. The grilled fish is excellent as are the tempura dishes.

• Address: 265 Eversholt Street, Camden, London, NW1 1BA (Map)
• Cuisine(s): Japanese
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: N/A, Dinner: £26.00

ASK - Central London, Baker Street

For some time I made the mistake of thinking that no group of restaurants in the region of 200 locations could hope to maintain the quality for which I was looking. Then one day I decided to put my prejudices to the test, walked into Oxford Ask! and discovered that I could not have been more mistaken.

• Address: 197 Baker Street, London, NW1 6UY (Map)
• Cuisine(s): Pizza & Pasta
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: N/A, Dinner: £22.00

ASK - Islington

For some time I made the mistake of thinking that no group of restaurants in the region of 200 locations could hope to maintain the quality for which I was looking. Then one day I decided to put my prejudices to the test, walked into Oxford Ask! and discovered that I could not have been more mistaken.

• Address: Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, London, N1 0PN (Map)
• Cuisine(s): Pizza & Pasta
• Avg. Cost Per Head Lunch: N/A, Dinner: £22.00