Laxeiro

At this dependable Columbia Road tapas joint you feel as though you’re sitting in ‘some wonderful Spanish mamma’s kitchen’ – which isn’t too far from the truth as it’s run by the Rios family (whose roots are in Galicia). Expect all your tapas standards (calamares, albondigas, chorizo al vino, boquerones), plus weekly changing specials depending on what’s good & in season. There’s a wide selection of sub-£20 Spanish wines, & service is friendly, though occasionally slow when pressed. On no-booking Sundays, when the nearby flower market is in full cry, there’s a queue, with the two tables on the pavement much sought after. On other days, booking ahead is advised.