Navarro's

Fitzrovia now has more than its fair share of tapas bars, but many readers endorse old-style Navarro’s as the best of the bunch for fairly priced plates of ‘authentic, unpretentious’ food. Its infectious atmosphere & charmingly traditional decor also draw applause. Beyond the small shop front – where you can pick up ceramics from Cordoba & Seville – is a pretty little dining room, decked out with colourful tiles & intricately painted furniture. Friendly staff deliver homely classics such as thickset Spanish tortilla, meatballs in a red wine & tomato sauce, & prawns cooked with garlic & chilli. These can be ordered from the carte or from one of the generous set menus (from £17). Wines are very drinkable, with the ‘lethal but fantastic’ house Rioja getting a special mention. There’s overflow seating in the bigger basement, but it’s still best to book early.