Kazan Café

Warm ochre tones, a wall of paintings & a gaggle of chitchatting locals make this informal café a short walk from Victoria an inviting place to eat. Like its grown-up sibling across the road, the menu extends from the Middle East to the Mediterranean, with falafel & kebabs sitting alongside pasta all’arrabiata & steaks. The mezze platter includes well-executed classics such as a thick, garlicky beetroot dip, parsley-rich tabbouleh, & moreish dollops of nutty hoummos. Lamb kofte are full of flavour & punch, while an enormous couscous salad has tender cubes of grilled haloumi & a tasty harissa/citrus dressing – though there’s the occasional misfire such as a day’s special of lukewarm stuffed aubergine with a watery tomato sauce. An interesting selection of drinks ranges from pomegranate mojitos to banana & cinnamon milkshakes. In summer, the glass walls slide back for alfresco dining; shisha pipes are also available to while the evening away.