Comptoir Libanais Wigmore Street

As bright, breezy & funky as its food is delicious, it’s easy to see why the Comptoir Libanais chain has such a growing legion of fans in the capital. Decked out with pop-art style vibrancy & a subtle nod to real Middle Eastern cafés in its white tiles & plastic stools, the site deals in authentic Lebanese deli grub dolled out with a fast-food mentality. Opt for mezze such as prawn falafel or a lamb parcel with some yoghurt or hoummos dips, or pick from the line-up of wraps – perhaps lamb kofta or chicken taouk. More substantial dishes come in the form of lamb tagine or aubergine moussaka, & there’s a solid contingent of soups & salads. However, it’s the patisserie that really steals the show: sumptuous displays of pastries, cakes, tarts, macaroons & sweet loaves make it virtually impossible to just pop in for a coffee.